We can have one date

Lily's eyes immediately filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. The sight was almost unbearable, and I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on me, judging my every move.

From somewhere behind me, I heard someone whisper, "Wow, she's being really harsh."

"She made a promise, didn't she?" another voice added. I could almost feel the eyes of the guild members boring into my back like a dozen small daggers.

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to figure out how to navigate this tricky situation. My heart was pounding. I could feel beads of sweat beginning to form on my forehead.

"Please, Jade," Lily sniffled, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve. "I waited for so long. I was really looking forward to seeing you again and finally going on our date..."

I glanced around the guild hall, feeling the pressure mounting. Gajeel was watching with a bemused expression, and Juvia gave me a sympathetic smile. Even Master Makarov seemed to have paused in his drinking to watch the unfolding drama.

I sighed heavily, my resolve crumbling. How did I end up in this situation? I thought, panicking internally.

"Alright, alright," I said, throwing my hands up in defeat. "We can have one date. Just one! And that's it."

Lily's face lit up instantly. Her tears vanished, replaced by a brilliant, hopeful smile. Without missing a beat, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the guild's exit with surprising strength.

"Great! Let's go then!" she exclaimed, practically dragging me out the door.

"Wait, wait, right now?" I protested, trying to dig my heels into the ground as she tugged me along.

"Yes, right now!" Lily insisted, her grip like iron.

I threw a desperate look back at Gajeel and Juvia, who were standing slack-jawed at the sudden turn of events.

"You got this, Jade!" Gajeel called, chuckling.

Juvia gave me a small wave. "Good luck!"

As I was whisked away, I didn't notice Mirajane's expression darkening as she watched us leave. Her usually gentle eyes had narrowed slightly, a flicker of something unsettling within them.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly. It was a beautiful afternoon, perfect for what I imagined a typical date might be, though I hadn't exactly planned for it to happen this way.

"Okay, Lily," I said, trying to regain control of the situation as we walked through the bustling streets. "Where do you want to go first?"

Lily thought for a moment, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's go to the park! We can get some ice cream on the way!"

"Alright, lead the way," I replied, resigning myself to playing the role of the gentlewoman for the day.

As we strolled through Magnolia, Lily chattered excitedly about everything and anything. I found her energy infectious, and gradually, my initial awkwardness faded away. She was charming in her own way, and it was hard not to be caught up in her enthusiasm.

The streets were lively with activity. Vendors were shouting their wares, children were playing, and the aroma of street food wafted through the air. Lily insisted on stopping at a small ice cream stand, where we each got a cone. I opted for a classic chocolate swirl, while Lily chose a bright, rainbow-colored one that matched her vibrant personality.

As we walked toward the park, Lily linked her arm with mine, happily licking her ice cream. I couldn't help but smile at her innocent delight.

"So, Jade," Lily said suddenly, peering up at me with curious eyes. "What's it like being in Fairy Tail? I've heard so many stories about the guild."

I took a moment to think. "Well, it's... lively," I said with a laugh. "There's never a dull moment, that's for sure. Everyone's like a big, chaotic family. It's nice to have people you can count on."

Lily nodded, looking wistful. "It sounds wonderful. I've always admired Fairy Tail, even when I was younger."

We reached the park, where the trees provided dappled shade and the sound of laughter echoed around us. Families were picnicking, and couples strolled hand in hand. It was picturesque, almost like something out of a storybook.

Lily pointed excitedly at a small pond where some children were feeding ducks. "Look, Jade! Let's go there!"

"Sure," I agreed, letting her lead me once more. I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me as we approached the pond. The ducks quacked happily, eager for the breadcrumbs being tossed their way by the giggling children.

Lily tugged at my arm, pulling me toward a nearby bench. "Let's sit for a while," she suggested, settling down with a content sigh.

I sat beside her, resting my elbows on my knees and taking a deep breath of the fresh, summer air. The park was peaceful, a perfect retreat from the bustling energy of the guild.

For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence, watching the ducks paddle lazily across the water. I felt a strange sense of calm, realizing that perhaps this date wasn't such a terrible idea after all. It was a nice break from the usual chaos of my life in Fairy Tail.

Lily suddenly turned to me with a bright smile. "Thank you, Jade."

I blinked, a bit surprised. "For what?"

"For agreeing to this date," she replied, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "I know it was unexpected, but... it means a lot to me."

I felt a small smile tug at my lips. "Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

Her eyes softened, and she looked out over the pond. "You know, I was really nervous about seeing you again after all this time. But you're just as kind as I remembered."

The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. I shifted awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. "Uh, thanks, Lily. That's sweet of you to say."

She giggled, sensing my embarrassment. "You're blushing, Jade!"

"I am not!" I protested, though I could feel the heat creeping up my neck.

We both laughed, the sound blending with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. Despite everything, I found myself enjoying the moment more than I had anticipated.

After a while, Lily suggested we explore the rest of the park. We wandered along the winding paths, talking and laughing. She seemed genuinely interested in everything I had to say, asking questions about my adventures and the people I had met in Fairy Tail.

As we walked, I noticed the way her eyes lit up with wonder at even the smallest things—a butterfly flitting by, the vibrant colors of the flowers, the cheerful melodies of birds singing in the trees. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself relaxing more and more as the afternoon wore on.

Eventually, we came across a small, charming café nestled at the edge of the park. Its quaint facade and inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee drew us in.

"Want to stop for a drink?" I suggested, gesturing toward the café.

Lily nodded eagerly. "Yes, please! That sounds perfect."

We entered the café, greeted by the warm ambiance and soft chatter of patrons enjoying their afternoon. We found a cozy corner and settled into plush armchairs, a comforting change from the hustle of the day.

Lily ordered a sweet, frothy concoction topped with whipped cream, while I opted for a simple espresso. As we waited for our drinks, I couldn't help but notice the way Lily watched me with a sense of admiration, as if I were some kind of hero.

It was a little overwhelming, to be honest. I wasn't used to being looked at like that. In Fairy Tail, we were all equals, all quirky in our own ways. But here, with Lily, I felt like I was on a pedestal I didn't quite deserve.

"Jade, do you have any dreams?" Lily asked suddenly, her voice cutting through my thoughts.

I paused, considering her question. "Dreams? Well, I guess I just want to keep getting stronger. Protecting the people I care about is important to me."

Lily nodded, her gaze unwavering. "That's admirable. I think strength is important, but so is kindness. And you have both."

I chuckled, a little embarrassed by her praise. "Thanks, Lily. What about you? Any dreams you're chasing?"

She looked thoughtful, stirring her drink with a straw. "I suppose I just want to find my place in the world. Somewhere I belong. Meeting you again feels like a step in that direction."

Her words carried a weight of sincerity that made me smile. "Well, I'm sure you'll find it. And until then, you're welcome to stick around with us."

Lily beamed at that, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Really? You mean it?"

"Of course," I said, taking a sip of my espresso. "Fairy Tail is always open to new friends."

Our drinks arrived, and we continued to chat. The afternoon drifted by, and I realized how much I enjoyed Lily's company. She was genuine and sweet, and despite the unexpected start, our date had turned out to be quite pleasant.

As the sun began to set , Lily and I decided it was time to head back. We strolled leisurely, savoring the final moments of our afternoon together.