Kabe didn't shoo away the crowd of curious guild members gathering around.
On the contrary, he used the chance to raise his voice and ask for their help:
"Everyone, Sorano has a little sister who was separated from her when they were very young and is still wandering somewhere out there.
I'll post the detailed info on the board later.
When you're out doing jobs, please keep an eye out.
She'll also turn it into an official request, with a starting reward of 1,000,000 J."
Hearing that Kabe was taking the initiative to ask the guild to help her, Sorano was deeply moved.
She quickly stood up again and bowed to everyone.
"Please, I'm begging you all. Even if it's just a small clue, I'm willing to pay a generous reward for any information."
Everyone already pitied Sorano after hearing her story, and now Kabe himself had stepped in to speak for her.
Of course no one hesitated.
"Ah, it's nothing. Just something we can do while we're already out on jobs. No need to be so formal."
"Exactly. Don't talk about rewards. Anyone Kabe calls a friend is also our friend.
For friends, who needs money to get us moving?"
"Yeah, just leave it to us. I'll start by contacting some friends I know in other guilds, get them to keep tabs out in their regions too."
Their enthusiasm made it crystal clear to Sorano just how different Fairy Tail was from the dark guilds she had known all her life.
She repeatedly thanked them, and in her heart her gratitude toward Kabe—who had convinced her to come here in the first place—grew even stronger.
"Enough talk then. Laki, bring out all the good booze we've got. I'm treating everyone to a drink on Sorano's behalf!"
With a theatrical smack, Kabe slapped down a wad of banknotes on the counter.
The guild instantly erupted into cheers, everyone hollering his name in excitement.
After the noise settled a little, people went back to their seats with drinks in hand, already scribbling letters to contacts in other towns and guilds, spreading the word.
You could already imagine it: for the next while, Laki's magic-bird partner, little Pi, was going to be very busy flying deliveries.
Naturally, Kabe ordered a huge pile of nuts and meat strips as a reward for the little guy, making the bird's tiny eyes sparkle like stars.
The warmth and friendliness of Fairy Tail's atmosphere stirred something inside both girls.
"Hey, Kabe. I did say this before, remember?"
Sorano sat up straight on the high bar stool, fingers clenched tightly together, her expression serious.
"In order to make sure I'm not assassinated by other dark guilds after I betray Oración Seis…
I need to join Fairy Tail, with you, Master Makarov, and all these strong wizards as my backing.
So now it's time for you to fulfill your promise—please let me join this guild."
The moment she said that, Kabe, Laki, and all the members nearby who'd been writing letters or drinking fell quiet at once.
Everyone looked at Sorano, who had mustered all her courage to say those words, their expressions filled with curiosity and expectation.
"Well, strictly speaking, this isn't really my decision to make…"
Kabe said that, then casually stretched out his hand toward Laki behind the bar.
The girl was quick on the uptake and immediately slapped a magic stamp into his palm.
"But I think if Master Makarov were here, there's no way he'd refuse."
He lifted the stamp, showing off the fairy emblem on it, and asked Sorano directly:
"Have you decided?
What color do you want, and where are we putting it?"
"White," Sorano answered without the slightest hesitation.
Kabe nodded and expertly adjusted the stamp until the ink turned pure white.
"And the spot? I'll stamp it for you."
Sorano glanced left and right, cheeks growing a little pink.
Then, embarrassed, she raised a hand and tapped lightly over her skirt—on the left side of her lower abdomen.
"H-Here… I want it here, on the left side."
Kabe's hand—and his smile—froze half-way.
Someone immediately blew a whistle.
The next second, the entire guild exploded into howls and jeers.
"Oooh, bold placement! Nice taste, Sorano!"
"Sorano-chan, let me stamp it. My hands are the steadiest!"
"Get lost, punk. I've been in this guild over ten years. I should be the one doing such an important job!"
"Go to hell, you pervy old men!!"
Laki, face bright red, pointed at them all and screamed.
Then she snatched the stamp straight from Kabe's hand, slipped out from behind the counter, and whisked away the equally embarrassed Sorano.
The entire hall sighed in disappointment as one, a long "aaahhhhhh" of regret.
Kabe slapped his thigh, annoyed with himself. He should've been even more shameless and dragged Sorano off first!
Just as that thought formed, he felt a pair of very unfriendly eyes drilling into the side of his head.
He looked up and locked gazes with Juvia's sapphire eyes—full of disdain, disgust… and just a faint hint of shy confusion.
"Heheh, Juvia~~"
Calling her name in a drawn-out tone, Kabe plastered on a "harmless" smile.
He slid into the seat Sorano had just vacated, deliberately scooting a little closer to Juvia.
As he leaned in, Juvia instinctively shrank back, crossing her arms in front of her chest to cover herself, her body stiff.
Kabe: "…"
He reached out and patted the top of her hat, annoyed.
"Don't act like I'm some degenerate. I just wanted to ask—
Since even Sorano's joining, do you want to join too?"
"Ah… I really do like the atmosphere here in Fairy Tail," Juvia said softly. "But… there's still Master Jose, and…"