"Mira's cooking is still amazing as ever," Marco sighed contentedly after the meal.

He wasn't the only one.

The table was filled with praise and Mira stood with her hands on her hips, her ponytail practically pointing at the ceiling with pride.

Being recognized for something she loved and excelled at was an incredible feeling.

Even Erza had to concede defeat, loudly complimenting her culinary skills.

"But Mira, why didn't you use the apron I gave you?" Marco asked, tilting his head.

He'd noticed it while she was cooking but didn't want to break her concentration.

Mira blinked, caught off guard by the question.

"Did you not like it?" Marco asked, assuming the most obvious reason.

"No! Of course not..." she denied reflexively, a blush creeping up her neck.

"Mira-nee treasures it so much she keeps it stored away!" Lisanna chimed in before Mira could explain, sending her sister into a full-blown blush.

"Lisanna!" Mira yelped.

Lisanna just stuck out her tongue, looking like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"I see..." Marco nodded thoughtfully.

It was just as he'd suspected.

That apron might held a special meaning for her.

"Don't misunderstand! I just..." Mira started, forgetting about scolding her sister as she tried to explain herself to Marco.

"No need," Marco said, waving a hand gently.

"I understand completely." He didn't want to make her talk about a past where receiving a simple gift was a monumental event.

"..." Mira opened her mouth, but no words came out.

What exactly do you think you understand?! she wanted to scream.

But she never did, because she wasn't sure how to explain it herself.

*****

The next morning, Mira arrived at the guild to find Marco staring intently at a spread of tarot cards.

"Whoa! The Devil!" Marco exclaimed with mock horror.

It was a rare draw for him.

"That's a warning, Marco," Cana said, her expression was dead serious.

"Don't be tempted by material desires. Don't let your impulses override your reason. The line between light and dark is a single thought."

Marco looked from Cana to the cards.

So they really can show bad fortunes, he thought, though he didn't really believe in it.

Having a system that might as well be called the 'God-Slaying System' made it hard to feel much reverence for the supernatural.

Still, he played along for Cana's sake.

"Got it. I've memorized every word," He said with a solemn nod.

"Not a great fortune today?" Mira asked curiously as she walked past.

She'd had her cards read by Cana before and, unlike Marco's string of impossibly good luck, often drew unlucky ones.

"Yeah, seems like I'm in for some bad luck," Marco chuckled, then casually produced an exquisitely wrapped gift box and handed it to a stunned Mira.

"Wh-what's this?" she stammered, her mind blank.

"You didn't want to use the last one, right?" he smiled. "So I got you another. Think of it as a thank you for agreeing to sing the song."

Mira froze.

Because I treasured the first one... he got me another for everyday use?

"You didn't have to... I already have one..." she said, trying to decline even though she was deeply touched.

"The ones you buy can't compare to the ones I pick," he said with a playful grin, pretending he was about to toss the box aside.

"And I already bought it. You wouldn't make me throw it away, would you?"

She reluctantly accepted it, unable to refuse.

Watching them from the side, Cana couldnt help but pursed her lips.

Marco's kindness warmed everyone in the guild.

But sometimes, she wondered if there was someone special among them.

Her gaze drifted to Mira.

Could it be her?

"Cana? What's wrong?" Marco asked, noticing her staring.

Mira had already hurried off to take the gift home.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "Just remember what I told you—resist temptation!"

"Got it! Prophet Cana, a warning from fortune-telling hag is always etched into my heart!" Marco declared with a dramatic bow.

"Huh?! Who are you calling a 'fortune-telling hag'?!" she protested, puffing her cheeks.

"Should I call you a shrine maiden instead? Or a witch?" he teased.

"'Shrine maiden' sounds better," Cana grumbled.

"But you're right," she added, her expression turning serious.

"There are a lot of temptations lately. Fame converts to wealth fast."

Marco nodded.

He could feel it too.

It would be easy to coast on his reputation, far easier than taking on dangerous missions.

"Guess I should take on a mission to ground myself," he mused.

First though, he need yo submit the song.

*****

Later that day, the representatives from the "Sound Jar" company arrived to pick up the master recording of Masayume Chasing.

They promised to fast-track its digital and physical release, capitalizing on the hype that had been building.

The "anthem of Fairy Tail," composed by the famous "Star Rose God," had everyone from fans to rival guild masters watching closely.

But that was a matter for the distributors.

Marco was already on a train with Makarov and Laxus.

"So, what's the deal with this 'Totomaru'?" Laxus asked, his face a stern mask. "Why do all of us need to go rescue him? The old man, too?"

At a glance, he seemed normal, but Marco sensed he was incredibly tense.

Laxus wasn't the type to be nervous about a mission.

"So, you really do get motion sickness," Marco said with a look of pure admiration.

"Impressive, Laxus. Enduring it without your expression changing."

"I asked you a question," Laxus growled, clenching his fists as Marco's gaze made him feel even more sick.

"It's not about his strength," Marco explained, dropping the teasing tone. "Gramps promised that no one could stop him from joining Fairy Tail if he wants. Now that he's sent a distress call, we have to answer. It's family business."

"A promise?" Laxus frowned.

Helpless, Marco quickly recounted the Phantom Lord attack that had happened while Laxus was away.

"Zzzzt!"

Electricity crackled around Laxus, causing nearby passengers to scramble away.

"Calm down, Laxus!" Makarov barked, though a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.

Looks like the boy still cares deeply for the guild.

"You did well, Marco," Laxus said through gritted teeth.

His face was growing darker, partly from anger and partly from the nausea churning in his stomach.

He was barely holding it together.

"Who would've thought Jose would go after Totomaru?" Makarov seethed. "I thought our conflict was just old history, but that man is pure trash! He has no right to stop a mage from leaving his guild!"

Apparently, Jose had imprisoned Totomaru for trying to leave.

This last act pushed Totomaru to finally ask for Fairy Tail's help.

"Guess I didn't hit him hard enough last time," Makarov sighed.

"I doubt he's fully recovered yet," Marco said grimly.

It hadn't even been half a year.

"I'll deal with him," Laxus declared.

Though his face was nearly green, his eyes burned with the desire to fight.

This was his chance to prove himself against Jose Porla, and not even motion sickness would stop him from claiming that right.

-----------------------------

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