Chapter 177: A Scarf

Rhodes, who had once sworn never to get drunk again... got drunk again.

When he opened his eyes, the morning light was already bright, and he found himself covered with a blanket, with a glass of water and a kettle by his side.

Looking around, he saw Erza and Mira squatting on the ground, enthusiastically drawing on Gray's face.

Nearby, quite a few people had already been 'victimized' by them.

"Oh? Rhodes, you're awake so soon? Not bad." Erza gave Rhodes a look of approval, which left Rhodes feeling a little confused.

Mira glanced at Rhodes and covered her mouth, giggling.

She walked over and poured a cup of hot water for Rhodes, who still seemed half asleep.

"Thank you." Rhodes drank some water, feeling more comfortable and much more awake.

Oh~ That's what Erza meant.

She still believed that drawing on everyone's faces after a party was meant to test their alertness after drinking.

'How naïve is she?' Rhodes tried to communicate this to Mira through eye contact.

But he got no response.

Because Mira was staring at his face, trying not to laugh out loud.

Rhodes understood. "I'm going to the restroom."

When he returned, Rhodes stared at Mira with a face full of grievance.

He could tell at a glance from the mirror that it was Mira's handiwork. Even though Erza's artistic skills were just as abstract, there were still differences among abstract artists.

Rhodes was convinced his instincts weren't wrong.

Where is the trust between people? Mira clasped her hands together, gave a slight shake, and turned her head slightly to apologize, "Sorry, it was just too fun when Erza suggested it, and you looked so cute when you were sleeping."

When apologizing, shouldn't you… cough, but she did call me cute...

Rhodes tried his best to keep a straight face and not laugh: "Actually, in my hometown, there's a custom—when a girl apologizes, she has to braid her hair in a way that's not commonly seen, preferably using the hair tie from a few days ago."

Mira didn't need to think to know that Rhodes was making things up. She went to the counter and took something out, pretending to be troubled, "But I was planning to give you a present. What should I do now?"

"Thank you! Oh, and it's no problem!" Rhodes felt that even hesitating for a second would be an injustice to himself, so he immediately took the item.

It was a blue and white scarf, and from the feel of the yarn, it looked handmade.

He looked at Mira for confirmation.

Mira said, "I'm not very good at these, so some parts are not very well done."

"I think it's perfect everywhere!" Rhodes hung the scarf around his neck, about to tie it but then hesitated, "Actually…"

Mira interrupted, "You wouldn't say that, actually, in your hometown, when a girl gives a boy a scarf, she has to personally tie it, right?"

"Of course not…" Rhodes refused to admit he'd been caught and made up an even more far-fetched excuse, "Actually, I've never worn a scarf before, so I don't know how to tie it."

Mira's face was full of disbelief as she stared into Rhodes' eyes.

Rhodes gradually became uneasy, looking up at the ceiling.

When he was almost at his breaking point, Mira chuckled, "Alright, with your head held that high, I can't help you."

Rhodes looked at her with surprise, then sat down once she confirmed it.

Mira leaned in, took off the scarf, folded it, and draped it back around his neck, threading the ends through the fold. "There, it's done."

She stepped back to take a look, then came closer again, "But with what you're wearing now, another style might be better..."

Rhodes sat there quietly, waiting for Mira to adjust the scarf, while secretly wishing he could give her a hug.

He resisted the urge, telling himself to wait a little longer, to try a little harder.

"Alright." Mira looked Rhodes over again and smiled, "Although it might sound a bit self-praising, it really suits you."

"Mhm." Rhodes reached out to touch the scarf, nodding lightly, "It's warm." Warm in every sense.

"Alright, it's about time to get to work."

"I'll help you."

"Go help Erza instead." Mira pushed Rhodes by the back, sending him away, "Come back later."

"Oh..." Rhodes didn't quite understand this time, so he just followed her instructions.

Was drawing on everyone's face more important than helping her work?

Mira returned to the counter, and as she bent down to grab the account book, she gently touched her cheek.

She needed to calm down too.

It was strange; last time when they went to the capital, she helped him straighten his clothes and tie his tie and didn't feel anything.

But this time... it was different.

——

Due to Erza's antics, the guild was in chaos again when everyone woke up.

——The root cause was Rhodes, and Mira was his accomplice, but there wasn't much point in mentioning it.

After all, this graffiti activity was initiated by Erza.

After the chaos, it was time for 'post-war reconstruction,' with Erza once again promoted to foreman.

If Rhodes didn't have some understanding of Erza, he would have suspected she did it on purpose.

Today was January 1st, the first day of X784.

Many people wanted to take a longer break, while others needed money, so they went out to work after breakfast.

Rhodes was among those who wanted to take a few more days off.

Then, this afternoon, a postman delivered a package to the guild, handing it to him as he happened to be at the door.

"To Fairy Tail, Miss Mirajane Strauss."

Rhodes handed it over to Mira.

"It's probably the magazine. Could you open it for me?" Mira said, her head down, writing in the register.

"Sure." Rhodes nodded—who doesn't like opening packages? "Is Sorcerer Weekly usually this thick?"

Mira thought for a moment, "Today is New Year's Day, and it's a Wednesday, so besides the regular issue, there should be a special edition."

Rhodes opened the package, and sure enough, there were two magazines inside: a regular weekly and a New Year special edition.

It seemed strange; shouldn't they be combined into one thicker issue? He flipped through the magazine, and an envelope fell out: "There's a letter."

Mira put down her pen, picked up the envelope, and examined it, "It's from the editor, probably inviting me to do some work?"

It had been a while since she did a photoshoot, mainly because after winning the prize money from the Harvest Festival beauty contest, her family hadn't been short on money.

Mira unfolded the letter and read it for a while, then said, "It's from Heart Kreuz; they want to collaborate with Sorcerer Weekly and have asked me to model for a new clothing line, which will appear on the cover of the next issue."

"Heart Kreuz... is that the famous clothing brand?" Rhodes had heard of it. "Why not advertise in the New Year special edition?"

"Maybe they have another contract that hasn't ended yet." Mira replied, "The pay is pretty good, as expected from a big brand."

Rhodes asked, "Are you going to accept?"

"Um..." Mira thought for a moment, "I'm fine either way. What do you think?"

"Me?" Rhodes didn't expect her to ask for his opinion. After a brief hesitation, he smiled, "It's a rare opportunity to work with such a big brand. As long as you like it, I support you."