Rhodes was carefully planning the layout of the guild library.
Since the renovation had expanded the space, he and Levy were taking the opportunity to redesign its interior.
"How about putting the history books at the very back?" Rhodes suggested.
Levy thought for a moment, then nodded. "Good idea. I don't think many people besides us actually read them anyway."
That went for most of the books in the library, really. Even though it was officially the guild library, in practice, it felt more like a private study shared by a few dedicated readers.
When the guild's new layout was being planned, the space for the library had been mapped out according to Levy's preferences. Now, how the shelves were arranged and how the books would be organized was entirely up to her and Rhodes.
To make finding books easier in the future, Rhodes also decided to create a full catalog while shelving them.
Levy wheeled over the rolling ladder to a nearby bookshelf. Rhodes opened up boxes of stored books he'd pulled from the warehouse and passed them to her one by one. She arranged them by category and title while he recorded the order in a logbook.
Working together like this didn't feel tiring at all, though Rhodes did occasionally feel a faint chill run down his spine. Maybe the library was just a bit drafty.
"This is going to take a while," Rhodes said as he eyed the many still-empty shelves. "By the way, I haven't seen Jet or Droy today. Weren't they supposed to help?"
"They said being around this many books gave them a headache," Levy replied casually, showing no particular reaction to the mention of her childhood friends. "Besides, they wanted to handle a few solo missions for a change."
Rhodes got the impression that the two were trying to prove something to her, but he didn't comment on it. He just silently wished them luck on their assignments.
"Hey, by the way," Levy said, suddenly remembering something, "someone set off fireworks on Mira's birthday, right?"
Rhodes nodded. "Yeah. That was me."
"Wow!" Levy's eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and admiration. "That sounds so romantic, just the two of you watching fireworks together…"
Then, leaning in with a grin, she teased, "So... how far have you and Mira gotten, hmm?"
Rhodes gave her a sidelong glance. Levy's tone was playful, but her question was surprisingly earnest. He answered honestly, "I've actually been thinking about what kind of wedding ring to get her."
"W-Wedding?!" Levy gasped, clapping both hands over her mouth, her cheeks flushing pink.
She had only wanted to fluster him a little, but instead, she'd stumbled onto a bombshell!
Rhodes tilted his head, slightly puzzled. Girls in Magnolia often wore bold outfits with confidence, but the moment the word "marriage" came up, they blushed like schoolgirls.
Levy was no exception. She often wore dresses without batting an eye, but now her face was bright red.
Maybe she was like Erza, secretly fantasizing about the perfect wedding?
"Yeah," Rhodes continued, smiling. "We've decided we're going to be together forever."
Thinking Mira would've enjoyed seeing Levy's expression, he decided to stir the pot a little more. "Say, Levy, if someone proposed to you, what kind of setting would you dream of?"
"Me?!" Levy turned even redder, flustered. Images of the beach at sunset, a hillside covered in wildflowers, the front steps of the guild, so many scenes flashed through her mind.
But in the end, she just covered her face with her hands. "H-How should I know?!"
Rhodes chuckled and let her off the hook. It was a pity Mira hadn't been there to enjoy the teasing too.
By the time evening rolled around, it was time for his training session with Mira.
But something was definitely off about her tonight.
Ever since dinner, she kept sneaking glances at him, saying nothing, looking away, and then glancing again. During their meditation, she deliberately sat farther away than usual. Suspiciously far.
Rhodes finally spoke up, trying to feel things out. "You tired today?"
Mira replied curtly, "No."
He tried again. "Want to rest a bit before we start?"
Mira: "Oh."
That one word,"oh", carried such weight that Rhodes felt a headache coming on.
Trying to think optimistically, she was definitely mad.
But why?
Was it because of the last time with Lucy? Or the other time with Lucy?
But both of those were ages ago, and one of them was clearly Erza's fault, and the other was because of Natsu! He hadn't done anything himself.
Now came the classic conundrum: how do you comfort a girlfriend when she's upset?
Step one: figure out why she's angry.
Unfortunately, that was always the hardest part. Rhodes didn't have a mind-reading spell like Warren, and he couldn't see into Mira's thoughts.
Asking her directly was out of the question too. That usually just reminded her of why she was mad in the first place, and made her even angrier.
So he had to rely on deduction.
Rhodes mentally reviewed his entire day. He'd been on his best behavior. They were fine in the morning. They hadn't even crossed paths all afternoon...
After a moment, he arrived at a possible guess.
Skipping all logic and self-preservation, Rhodes boldly ignored Mira's frosty demeanor and slid over to hug her.
"What are you doing?" Mira protested, lightly pushing at his chest, but not hard enough to actually make him move.
Rhodes tightened his embrace, resting his cheek against her hair. "Nothing. I just hadn't seen you all afternoon, and I missed you. I felt... empty."
"You're such a liar," Mira huffed, clearly unconvinced. "How could you be lonely with Levy helping you the whole time?" Her push gained a bit more strength. "Let go."
'Ah, that was the reason.'
So it was because he'd been working with Levy.
That sealed it, he definitely couldn't let go now.
Rhodes leaned in closer and whispered near her ear, "I've been thinking about you all afternoon. I swear. It's good to have you here. So good to have you here. And if I'm lying, may I be doomed to be bossed around by my future wife every day of our marriage in the next life."
"Ugh. Gross." Mira's ears turned red, and she gave him another shove. "Let go already."
Rhodes couldn't see her face, but he could feel the push had lost its edge. "Nope."
Finally, Mira let out a sigh and gave up, returning his hug, at least for now. Levy and Erza were, for the moment, entirely forgotten.
In a quiet voice, she murmured, "If you don't let go, how are we supposed to train?"
"Then... just hold me a little longer. Then we'll take a break."
"Fine."
After a moment, Rhodes added, "Tell Elfman to ease up on the chores tomorrow morning. I'll bring you some cakes."
Cakes, Mira's absolute favorite.
"No," she whispered, breathing in his familiar scent and resting her face against his chest. "We're supposed to be saving money. Don't waste it."
And so, on September 8, X784, Rhodes survived another of Erza's accidental "traps" and made it through Mira's cold shoulder alive.
...
Three days later.
With Mira frequently getting roped in to help, the guild library was finally sorted and organized.
The guild's renovation was also coming along nicely.
Just yesterday, Makarov had a sudden brainwave, he wanted to open a shop right at the guild entrance, one that sold Fairy Tail-themed merchandise.
Mugs, towels, pendants, all stamped with the Fairy Tail emblem.
He even planned to create collectible figures of the guild's most popular wizards. Rhodes, Mira, Erza, Natsu… all were under consideration.
However, Rhodes wasn't exactly thrilled about this development. The thought of someone buying and playing with a figure that looked like him gave him the creeps.
What's more, their ever-untrustworthy Guild Master was actually planning to design figures of the female wizards with removable clothing, an idea Rhodes immediately and firmly objected to.
"At the very least, shouldn't we ask for their consent first?" Rhodes said, frowning.
Makarov turned to Mira, indignant. "What do you think?"
Mira just smiled sweetly. "You can take it up with Rhodes."
"That's the problem! I can't get through to him!" Makarov grumbled, reaching behind the bar for a bottle of wine.
Mira lightly slapped his hand away. "Master, your alcohol ban still has one month to go."
"Wasn't it just half a month?!"
"It was. But I've added another half month."
"Why?!" Makarov's mouth dropped open, and his whole face turned pale with despair.
Just then, Loke walked up to the counter with a job request form. "Master, Mira, I'd like to take this one."
Makarov.exe had crashed.
Mira took the form and read it over. "Let's see… 'Apprehend a rogue wizard who's been using magic to abduct women.'"
She looked up and studied Loke's face. "You don't look well. Are you sure you're up for this kind of mission?"
"I'm fine," Loke said, adjusting his glasses and flashing a suave grin. "It's my solemn duty to protect women in distress."
Not as handsome as Rhodes, Mira suddenly thought. Then blinked, surprised at herself.
She shook the thought away and nodded toward the space behind Loke. "Is that your girlfriend over there?"
"Huh?" Loke turned his head, and immediately collapsed like a sack of potatoes, overwhelmed by a sudden wave of exhaustion.