The black-haired girl in front of them was the kind of beautiful woman who could make you feel an overwhelming sense of danger just by standing there.
That icy aura was like the permafrost of the far north—rejecting every hint of warmth around her.
Erza stopped instinctively, her grip on her sword tightening slightly.
Mira froze for a beat, then recognized her—this was the same woman Shane had secretly met on the rooftop that New Year's night.
Not bothering to keep teasing Erza, Mira unhooked her arms and legs from Shane and landed lightly on the ground.
"What we're doing has nothing to do with you, does it?"
For some reason, she just couldn't stand this woman, even though they'd only met once or twice.
That face was too pretty, too cold—like the world owed her something by default.
Ultear acted as if she hadn't heard a word.
She didn't even spare Mira a glance. She stared straight at Shane, her voice slightly hoarse.
"I'm ready."
"You—"
That kind of total disregard was even more infuriating than open provocation.
Mira's brows shot up. Purple magic surged around her as she lifted a foot to step forward and demand an explanation—
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—stop!"
Shane reacted instantly, yanking the furious little lion back by the arm.
He looked at Ultear, frowning. "You're two days earlier than I expected. I still need about twenty more hours to prepare."
Now that she was close, the exhaustion she'd been wearing became impossible to miss.
Her face was deathly pale, and the dark shadows under her eyes looked especially harsh against her cool-toned skin.
That rare vulnerability—on someone usually so distant and cold—gave Ultear a fragile, broken kind of beauty you couldn't look away from.
Clearly, she hadn't slept at all these past few days, just to get here as fast as possible.
"Go rest in my place first," Shane said. "Get your condition back to normal."
As he spoke, he still had to deal with Mira squirming in his grasp.
He smoothly spun her around, locked both her arms behind her back, and pinned her in place like he was detaining a criminal—making sure she couldn't charge off to start something.
Unexpectedly, Ultear was unusually cooperative.
She didn't show the frantic impatience you'd expect from someone about to see her mother again. She simply nodded.
"I understand."
Then she started walking toward Shane's house not far away.
But as she passed the two of them, her steps paused for a fraction of a second.
Those emotionless eyes flicked lightly to Shane's chest and shoulder—
Right where Mira had been clinging to him like a koala, rubbing all over him.
Without warning, Ultear reached out and patted that spot, as if brushing away invisible dust.
"...Dirty."
She dropped the word and kept walking, leaving behind nothing but a chilly, distant back.
"Huh?"
Shane blinked, then looked down at his shirt.
"Dirty? It's not that bad, is it? I didn't even get mud on it..."
But Mira—after half a second of stunned silence—completely exploded.
"What did you say?!"
She'd heard it loud and clear. That woman was calling the places she'd touched "dirty."
Ever since leaving that village full of hatred, Mirajane had never been the type to swallow an insult and stew quietly.
"Boom!"
White hair flared wildly. Demonic wings spread behind her, and the shockwave blew Shane's grip right off.
"Stop right there, you gloomy witch!"
Mira stomped down and turned into a purple afterimage, launching herself after Ultear.
However—
Clang!
A sword flashed across her path, cutting her off with perfect precision.
Mira slammed to a stop, staring in surprise at the person blocking her.
Erza.
This was the last person Mira expected.
Erza was serious and rigid, sure—but with how much she cared about Shane, she should have hated some random suspicious woman on principle.
So why—
"Why are you stopping me?" Mira demanded.
Erza didn't budge. Sword in hand, she spoke without hesitation:
"I told you before. Ultear is my and Shane's friend. She's… a very good person."
When she said "a very good person," her tone was unbelievably firm.
But then her expression visibly hesitated, like she was trying to convince herself, and after a long pause she added uncertainly:
"Um… I think… she can be trusted?"
She turned to Shane with a questioning look.
"..."
Shane's eye twitched.
You can declare she's a friend without blinking, but you're still debating whether she's trustworthy?!
Seeing Mira about to flare up again, Shane complained internally—but his body was already moving. He stepped between them.
With Shane there, Erza obediently lowered her sword.
Mira, meanwhile, glared at Shane with puffed-up cheeks.
In her mind, Shane—the master—not defending her was bad enough. Now he and Erza were clearly taking the other woman's side too.
"She's the one who provoked her first," Erza added calmly, stabbing Mira with one more line.
Hearing Erza say something fair, Shane immediately reached out and gently scratched under Erza's chin like he was rewarding a small animal.
"Mm…"
Erza's eyes softened and half-closed, like a cat getting her favorite spot scratched.
To Mira, that scene was pure gasoline on a fire.
A moment ago those two had been acting like they wanted nothing to do with each other. Now they were openly flirting and petting like no one else existed.
"Hmph!"
Mira huffed hard, feeling like she'd come here just to become a prop in their weird little play.
"This is stupid! I'm leaving!"
She tossed her hair and stormed off.
Watching the white-haired girl stomp away, Shane rubbed his face, helpless.
He couldn't exactly explain that he'd been avoiding Erza purely to manage Lancer's vision progress.
Now that Ultear had arrived early—and he needed to fill the remaining progress quickly—of course he had to resume contact with Erza.
"Whatever. I'll make it up to Mira later, I guess…"
Shane thought it was only fair. After all, he had called her over, and sending her off angry felt… kind of lousy.
As her master, he should probably be a little more tolerant and doting.
Still, he didn't forget to boss his sulking disciple around.
"Hey! Mira!"
He shouted toward the shrinking figure. "While you're at it, tell Gray to come see me tomorrow morning!"
Mira's back visibly stiffened for a moment, but she didn't answer. Whether she heard him or not, she left with heavy, stomping steps.
"She heard," Shane said with complete confidence.
As long as she didn't refuse on the spot, she was agreeing.
He turned back to Erza.
"Whew…"
He took a deep breath and entered Heroic Spirit mode again.
Red flames rose. A black blade condensed in his hand.
He stared at Erza, eyes bright with a restless, eager spark.
"Now I can finally spar with you."
"Gladly."
Erza's lips curled upward as she twirled Flowing Water into a neat flourish.
Clang!
Blade met blade with a clear, ringing note.
For the first time in a long while, the two of them truly fought—no hesitation, no restraint.
With none of his earlier concerns, Shane fought freely. Sparks sprayed in the daylight, steel singing again and again, until the sun sank and night finally fell.
For a while, it felt like they'd rediscovered the joy of those sparring sessions by the sea—pure technique, pure sweat, pure exhilaration.
If Shane's Heroic Spirit limit hadn't hit its cap, they probably would've kept going until morning.
…
The sky was fully dark now, the silver moon hanging high.
"Hah…"
When the time felt right, Shane dropped the transformation and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
He looked at Erza—now sprawled on the grass with absolutely zero dignity left in her body.
She lay there in a starfish position, chest rising faintly, clothes soaked through, cheeks flushed with a satisfied glow.
"Tomorrow I'm going out with Gray and Ultear," Shane said, sitting down beside her. "Want to come?"
He knew Erza liked going with him, and with her current S-rank strength she wouldn't be a burden—she might even help keep an eye on Gray, who could absolutely do something stupid if left unchecked.
"Will it take long?" Erza asked lazily, staring up at the stars.
"Mm. If everything goes smoothly, we'll be back the same day."
He thought about Time of Memories—either you returned to the moment you left, or you snapped back after six hours. Either way, it wouldn't drag on.
"If it's just one day…"
Erza shook her head, rejecting it cleanly.
"You go. I'm staying home to practice."
Her gaze lowered. For a split second, she hesitated.
She did care about Ultear, but if it was a short trip—and Gray would be there—nothing should happen between the two of them.
That was what she told herself, forcing down the faint urge to follow and "supervise."
Because right now, she had something more important.
Erza tightened her grip on Flowing Water, the image of that mysterious cloaked swordswoman flashing in her mind.
That defeat was a thorn embedded deep in her chest.
For her, getting stronger was priority number one.
Strong enough to beat that cloaked figure.
Strong enough that next time something like that appeared, she could stand in front of Shane.
That resolve was as sharp as her blade.
Lately, she'd even written to Kagura less—she didn't want distractions.
"Alright. We'll be back quick," Shane said, nodding.
Honestly, it was easier if Erza didn't come. He wouldn't have to explain the details of Time of Memories.
Because if she realized the one who beat her was from the future…
That would be its own brand of headache.
~~~
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