Gajeel timely asked, "What about our stuff?"
He was another one considered to have automatically checked out over the past six years, similar to Rhode, though the landlord's reason for moving was different.
Macao said, "Before the landlord sold the house, your things were packed and sent to the guild; they're still stored in the warehouse. I'll take you to get them."
The two followed Macao to the warehouse.
In Rhode's memory, the warehouse, which used to be filled with magic books and bursting magic crystals, was now reduced to just miscellaneous items like heaters, spare tables and chairs, and cutlery.
Saying that a mouse would come in crying and leave might be an exaggeration, but compared to the past, it was indeed much emptier.
Gajeel had very few belongings, just two boxes, stacked only half as tall as a person.
Rhode, on the other hand, had a lot of things. Although he came with nothing initially, he gradually accumulated various items as his financial situation improved.
He had never taken inventory before, but now he realized that his luggage had unknowingly piled up like a small mountain.
Leaving aside clothes and bedding, just the magazines, newspapers, and notebooks alone filled a box.
Not to mention he also had hung various picture frames and photo frames and arranged plenty of indoor fitness equipment...
Rhode picked up a larger picture frame, blew off the dust, and could see the scene of himself and Mira stepping out side by side.
Though it had been mounted, it was still slightly faded.
Rhode put down the picture and turned to see Gajeel staring intently at the dumbbells on the floor not far away.
They were made of iron and a bit rusty.
"Take them," Rhode picked them up and casually tossed them to Gajeel.
For an ordinary person, this would almost count as attempted murder.
But Gajeel effortlessly caught one with his right hand and, opening his mouth, bit down on the other.
Then, with a crunching sound, the dumbbell lost half of its weight as Gajeel caught it with his free left hand and started chewing on it with a crunch.
Rhode looked disgusted: "You're eating rusty iron? Aren't you even going to wipe it off?"
Macao looked thoughtful: "I thought that rusty iron would be like spoiled food to Gajeel."
Gajeel shrugged it off and said, "Don't say such disgusting things while eating."
Back when he was at his worst, he dug through garbage heaps for scrap iron to eat; a little rust was nothing.
The dumbbells tasted pretty good, made of solid material, akin to a large piece of grilled meat for him.
Macao asked, "What do you plan to do next?"
It was winter; they couldn't possibly sleep on the streets.
"I'll just find a place to stay; I've still got money."
Gajeel, having munched on one dumbbell, sprouted an iron hook from his waist, hung it on the other, and then lifted his two boxes, turned, and walked away.
But after only two steps, he stopped, hoisted the boxes onto his shoulder, and looked at Rhode's pile of luggage.
He had a look as if he wanted to help but was too embarrassed to ask.
Rhode smiled, "Don't worry, I can handle it."
The moment he finished speaking, two purple river crabs emerged, startling Macao: "Aren't they a bit different now?"
"They've gotten a little stronger," Rhode said, moving his luggage onto the river crabs' backs, finding some rope in the warehouse to secure it, and then heading out with them.
Everyone in the guild was curious about the two river crabs but didn't really ask. Perhaps they just grew bigger over the six years.
Once outside the door, Rhode parted ways with Gajeel.
Gajeel headed straight in the direction of the place he used to rent; he quite liked it there back then and hoped to continue living there if possible.
Rhode, however, made up his mind within 0.01 seconds at the guild's doorstep.
Rent a place? Rent, my foot.
...
Under the gaze of passersby, some curious, some nostalgic, Rhode and the two river crabs sauntered down the main street and finally stopped at Mira's doorstep.
The surrounding environment had changed quite a bit; Mira's little building seemed to have become the oldest house around.
After six years of wind, sun, rain, and frost, the wooden roof and walls showed varying degrees of damage, even looking like they might be drafty in some places.
The yard was full of dry, yellow weeds, with just a little trampled area, and there was still some snow in the shaded spots.
Mira had just mentioned she wanted to bring her younger siblings back to clean up, and now the windows upstairs and downstairs were open, though the glass was almost beyond repair.
Rhode led the two river crabs up to the door to unload, then knocked on the door.
The hinges of Mira's door were clearly worn out, creaking as it opened, with fine dust falling from the door frame if you looked closely.
The one who opened the door was Mira, her head wrapped in a scarf and apron, holding a small duster. She looked slightly surprised to see Rhode.
Wasn't he supposed to find a place to stay?
Her peripheral vision caught the luggage behind Rhode, and she blinked: "Come to store your luggage?"
Rhode grinned cheekily: "Here to seek adoption."
"Adop..." Mira blushed.
What adoption? Wouldn't that be cohabitation? Although she had already stayed at his place for a few days...
Rhode, hugging the hesitating Mira at the doorstep, walked her straight in: "Just started cleaning, right? Perfect, I can help."
Mira quickly said, "Let go, I'm covered in dust."
She didn't mind living together, but she didn't know how to tell Elfman and Lisana for now.
Just then, Lisana peeked out from upstairs, dressed similarly to Mira, surprised: "Brother-in-law?"
Rhode released Mira and waved to her: "Lisana, tired? Come down for a break, I brought some snacks."
Detective Lisana observed intently: the enthusiastic brother-in-law, the blushing sister, the luggage at the door...
She sort of got the idea, winked mischievously at her sister, and replied, "Sure~"
Rhode then asked, "Where's Elfman?"
"In the kitchen," Mira called inside.
Elfman came out wearing an exaggerated mask, holding a large bag of trash: "Sis, the kitchen might be... Ro—uh, brother-in-law?"
Rhode glanced over, noticing the trash bag in Elfman's hand was at least two or three layers... Could it be expired ingredients aged six years?
"Need any help?" he asked.
"No, I'll be right back." Elfman probably realized what was happening, quickly took the trash out.
It was best to dispose of those things quickly.
As he passed by quickly, the three of them pinched their noses, and Rhode was grateful that the super sense of smell he got from the Shadow Wolf wasn't a passive skill.
Lisana then understood why her brother was fighting to clean the kitchen; it was to take care of them two: "Big brother Elf really has it tough."
Elfman was indeed a manly man, but he was especially meticulous when taking care of his sisters.
Rhode sighed inwardly, then asked, "Mind if I use some Wind Magic?"