The custors in the café glanced over at them, and the two quickly lowered their voices to apologize for disturbing anyone.
Rhodes sat down and continued glaring at Alzack.
Alzack apologized imdiately, "I'm sorry, really sorry! I just wanted to see how you pulled it off, so I followed you. I promise I won't do it again!"
Rhodes frowned. "Then how co I never noticed you? I even looked around so much, and Mira didn't sense anything either."
Alzack scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "Well... since my magic style is all about firearms, my best tactic is to take down enemies from long range. So to match that, I've practiced so skills in stealth and observation."
"Stealth and observation. Are you sure it's not tracking and spying?" Rhodes squinted at him. "Sounds like you've been leveling up the Peeping Tom skill tree."
Alzack raised a hand. "I swear, this was the first ti I've ever used it for this kind of thing! And it'll be the last!"
"Great, I feel so honored," Rhodes deadpanned.
This was ridiculous. The first ti soone tailgates soone for romantic recon, it's him? Because of that, he'd spent half the date half-distracted trying to figure out who was tailing them. He could've spent that ti actually looking at Mira more.
Alzack knew he was in the wrong and tried to make up for it by apologizing repeatedly and even offered to pay for everything. "Order whatever you want! Really. Even if I go broke, I'll just wait for Chico to co rescue ."
Rhodes couldn't bring himself to be that cruel. He only ordered three of the most expensive desserts—one to eat there, two to-go.
Alzack looked pained, but he accepted his punishnt.
The desserts were free and delicious, though, so Rhodes counted that as fair compensation.
Once they'd cald down, Alzack brought the conversation back to its original topic—relationships.
The truth was, Rhodes didn't really know how to help. He didn't quite understand what was holding Alzack back.
I an, if you like Bisca, then just talk to her more. Invite her to eat or go out. Use so silly excuse like, "My cat can do a backflip, wanna co see?"
But for Alzack, even coming up with an excuse was too much.
"How about writing a letter?" Rhodes suggested. "If you can't say it in person, maybe writing it down will help."
Alzack slumped. "Can't do it. The second I start writing, I picture her standing in front of . It's like she's there."
"Seriously?" Rhodes blinked. "That's so powerful imagination. You've basically mastered the art of 'seeing the person through the letter.'"
"And what am I supposed to do? Wait for Bisca to start talking to ?"
"If that's possible." Alzack muttered, then looked hopeful. "But how did things start with you and Mira?"
"Honestly?" Rhodes sighed. "We're not even dating yet."
Alzack gave him a doubtful look.
"No, really! I'm flattered you think so, but technically, nothing's been made official." Rhodes leaned forward. "If I had to say when it began, it was probably when I first woke up in the guild and she was the one taking care of ."
"Don't tell you're planning to get injured on purpose in the woods so the Master has to assign Bisca to take care of you?" Rhodes added with a smirk.
"Is that a bad plan?" Alzack actually looked like he was considering it seriously.
"Snap out of it!" Rhodes smacked the table. "That's a terrible idea!"
This guy was hopeless.
Rhodes leaned back and reflected. "Honestly, Mira and I just naturally got close. We work together a lot, talk often, it just happened over ti."
"If I had to say when there was a bit of progress between us, it was probably when I went out on my first mission," Rhodes muttered, not entirely confident in his answer.
Still, ever since then, he'd felt a little closer to Mira. Whether it was asking her out for a al or doing sothing together, there was always a perfectly natural reason.
"So," Rhodes continued, "why not think about it again and try inviting her to form a team with you?"
But the mont he ntioned teaming up, Alzack's mood visibly dropped. "I've... kind of been ssing up lately, and the Master told to take a proper break."
"Oh." Rhodes blinked. That... might've been his fault. He chewed his cake a little slower, tasting a hint of guilt beneath the sweetness.
"Well, even better then!" Rhodes quickly recovered. "Use this ti to build up so courage—and maybe look for a good mission you two could take together."
Trying to lift his friend's spirits, he added, "I'll help keep an eye out too. And if you still haven't worked up the nerve by the end of the month, I'll step in and help you."
Alzack's face lit up. "Thanks, Rhodes! You're the most reliable summoner around!"
"What's that got to do with summoning?" Rhodes muttered under his breath with a wry smile. "Whatever. You got this."
He left the café with two boxed desserts to share with Mira. In return, Mira invited him to try a new seasonal drink Cook had prepared in the kitchen.
Rhodes gained a treat—and Alzack gained hope.
Everyone was walking toward a brighter future.
From that day on, Rhodes kept a close eye on Alzack's courage ter.
He monitored the progress daily, watching and waiting.
The results?
Not great.
Even as Rhodes was out learning to fly in his raptor form, Alzack still hadn't taken a single step forward.
It wasn't until the very last day of the month—October 31st—that Alzack finally approached him with that familiar look of desperation.
"Yeah." Rhodes sighed, glancing at Makarov. "Master, I want to team up with Alzack for a mission."
"Of course, no problem!" Makarov's eyes instantly lit up, shaking off the sleep from earlier. "When are you heading out? Do you need to borrow a magic book? A crystal? Anything?"
Rhodes gave him a blank stare. "Do you... just want to get rid of ?"
"Hahaha, no, I just think Alzack has rested long enough," Makarov chuckled.
Of course, he wouldn't admit that he was secretly hoping for one less person around to nag him about his drinking.
"It's the mission to capture that bandit gang. No need to bring magic books or anything like that."
Makarov looked pleased. Had Rhodes really beco more laid-back?
"Just don't bring too much," Rhodes added.
Okay, maybe not that laid-back after all.
Makarov nodded. "It's up to you, then. Mira, what's the situation with the mission?"
"According to the intel, the bandit gang has over sixty mbers," Mira said, blinking aningfully at Rhodes. "Isn't that a little much for just two people?"
Her expression clearly told Rhodes: Don't just think about your flashy magic crystals—say the right words.
Rhodes caught the signal and nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's true. Is there anyone in the guild whose magic would work well with ours?"
Alzack blinked, finally realizing—Wait, weren't they supposed to team up with Bisca? Why was he hearing "just the two of us" now?
But when Mira ntioned adding soone else, his heart jumped. His eyes practically sparkled as he stared at her, silently chanting, Bisca, Bisca...
He looked like he was trying to transmit the na directly into her brain through sheer willpower.
"The terrain where the bandits are hiding is rugged," Mira said. "Long-range magic would work best."
Alzack perked up—this was perfect! He and Bisca specialized in long-range magic.
"But you two already have long-range abilities," Mira added with a mischievous smile. "So, maybe bring Natsu and Happy along? They can handle close-range combat and even provide aerial support."
Alzack's excitent instantly deflated. Sure, Natsu and Happy were great—but this was not the plan!
Even Rhodes looked like soone had flipped the script on him. Then he caught Mira's sly grin.
Ah. He got it now.
Rhodes coughed lightly and said, "That does make sense... but Natsu's been pushing himself hard all month. He deserves a break. Besides, teaming up with him is exhausting."
Mira tilted her head, considering it. "Hmm, then what about Gray? You two have worked well together before. He's solid in both lee and long-range."
Rhodes shot her a look that said, Haven't you teased him enough? Alzack's about to cry.
She returned a smile and subtly held up one finger—Just one more.
"Gray's been on a mission with Loke for over ten days now," Rhodes sighed dramatically. "What a sha."
"Then let's find soone else with long-range magic." Mira mused aloud before finally relenting. "How about Bisca? She hasn't taken a job in a week—maybe she's feeling the pressure of rent coming up."
Yes! Alzack's face practically lit up like a fireworks festival.
Makarov watched the whole back-and-forth unfold with a slightly puzzled expression. When had Mira started recomnding team-ups and thinking strategically?
...
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