Chapter 151: Hosenka Town
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Aug 22, 2025
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Hosenka Town.
The group split up, heading separately into the men's and women's baths. Thus, their hot spring trip officially began.
Lucy's cheeks flushed red, her eyes darting nervously around. Maybe it was just because the water was a little too hot!
She lifted one hand out of the steaming bath and gazed up at the moon above the springs. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
Erza, on the other hand, had already sunk her entire body into the spring, wearing a look of sheer bliss.
"Hey, the women's bath is right next door. Should we take a peek?" Natsu said eagerly, clearly curious about what was happening inside.
"Peeking… isn't that kind of wrong?" Noel asked with concern.
"Igneel told me once that peeking is a man's romance!" Natsu declared proudly.
Noel was left speechless. What on earth did that dragon actually teach him? This was definitely not the kind of common sense a normal person should have!
"What about you, Gray?" Natsu turned to him.
Gray shook his head. "Forget it. Erza's in there. If we got caught…" He made a snapping gesture with his hand, as if his neck were being broken.
That was enough to shut everyone up. Even the so-called "words of wisdom" were forgotten in an instant.
Through the soft mist, Erza's crimson hair clung wetly to her, her skin glowing smooth and radiant from the bath.
"The moon is so beautiful tonight," Erza said, turning her gaze to the sky.
"But with the moon shining so brightly, the stars look dim in comparison. Doesn't seem very fair," Lucy added.
Perhaps because she was a Celestial Spirit mage, Lucy always had her own unique perspective when it came to stars.
"People always remember the bright, beautiful things. The small ones that shine quietly on their own… are so easily forgotten," Erza mused.
"But still, they keep living on in their own way—sometimes better than anyone else," she added with a sigh.
"You're right," Lucy said softly, suddenly feeling a little sentimental herself.
By now, Lucy had soaked long enough to feel the full effect. Her body, which had been exhausted, was now completely relaxed.
And… was it her imagination, or did her chest look a little fuller? Maybe it was from all that papaya milk she'd been drinking lately?
She turned her head, only to see Erza splashing around in the water.
Erza noticed Lucy staring, and in a sudden burst of playfulness, splashed a wave of hot spring water her way. Lucy quickly joined in, and soon the two were having a splash fight in the pool.
In front of others, Erza was always strict and serious—but who would've thought she also had this kind of side to her?
After washing up, the two of them went to the counter and ordered papaya milk. They popped the caps and began drinking together.
When Natsu and Noel spotted them with the milk, they decided to get some too.
"Nothing beats drinking milk after a hot spring bath," Noel sighed contentedly.
"Classic combo!" Natsu agreed, gulping his bottle down in one go.
Gray, meanwhile, had already stretched out on his futon, fast asleep. Noel followed soon after, thinking it was the perfect time to get some rest.
But then Natsu barged into the room carrying two pillows, with Happy lugging another.
"Hey, hey, look! It's an inn, an inn!" Natsu said excitedly.
"And when you stay at an inn, doesn't that mean it's pillow fight time?" His eyes sparkled with anticipation—he clearly had no resistance against games like this.
"It's called a pillow fight, not pillow time," Noel corrected hurriedly.
"Whatever it's called—let's just play!" Natsu grinned.
Just then, Erza walked in with two more pillows in her arms. "The highest-quality pillows are in my hands. You don't stand a chance against me."
Lucy gave an awkward smile. "High quality…"
Natsu hurled the first pillow, and in no time, everyone was dragged into the chaos. Even Lucy joined in.
Noel, despite his usual reluctance, decided he might as well take part too.
But surviving a monster-level pillow war was no easy task.
Lucy picked up a pillow, ready to throw it—only to be immediately flattened by one that came flying straight at her. She was sent tumbling out into the courtyard.
"Forget it, I'm out. Someone's going to die at this rate," she groaned.
The destruction only escalated. First the door went flying off its hinges, then even the ceiling began to lift.
"Yeah… I'd better bow out too," Noel decided. "There's no winning this. And with all this noise, I won't get any sleep anyway. Might as well take a walk."
Come to think of it—hadn't Lucy been knocked outside into the courtyard earlier? Where had she gone?
Noel figured she probably went for a walk as well. Happy was missing too, so maybe the two of them were together.
Just then, Loke came running straight toward him, colliding with him head-on. Loke looked flustered, clearly hiding something.
"Loke? You here on vacation too?" Noel asked, suppressing his irritation once he realized who it was.
"Uh—just coincidence. I happened to have a job here," Loke stammered, trying to cover it up.
"Come on, admit it. You haven't taken any Hosenka jobs lately. You're here chasing after girls, aren't you?" Noel teased with a mischievous grin.
"…Didn't think you'd see through me that easily." Loke scratched his head awkwardly.
But Noel couldn't help noticing something. Sure, Loke always had girls surrounding him, but he didn't really seem like the type to come here just to flirt.
Why pretend? Was he trying to hide some deeper secret?
Noel's curiosity spiked.
Whatever it was, it was obvious Loke had something weighing on him. That gloomy look on his face was nothing like his usual self.
"Some things you don't have to shoulder alone, you know. With everyone's help, I finally realized that myself," Noel said gently.
"But there are things only I can carry. My sins have to end with me. There's no reason for anyone else to be burdened by someone like me," Loke replied cryptically.
"The guild is full of kind people, and they've all treated me well… but there are things I need to resolve on my own," he continued.
"Then make sure you do," Noel said firmly. "Fairy Tail doesn't have room for mages who can't even take care of their own problems." He gave a casual wave of his hand.
Loke nodded, then hurried off. Noel, meanwhile, strolled leisurely down the village road.
As expected of a famous tourist spot, Hosenka wasn't just known for its hot springs—its streets and decorations all had their own charm.
"That flower's beautiful."
"That lantern's pretty neat too."
"And look, carp streamers over there."
Like a curious child, Noel wandered on, marveling at everything he saw.
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