Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 37: Why Are You Protecting Me?

Cana's fighting style was very different from Natsu's or the other brawlers in Fairy Tail.

She relied more on grappling and wrestling techniques, overpowering her opponents with sheer brute force rather than flashy, destructive magic.

Rhodes had a sneaking suspicion that her ridiculous strength came from lifting barrels every single day.

That wasn't the only thing that scared him, though.

During their spar, he noticed something alarming—twice, Cana's fingers twitched toward his eyes, and once, her knee almost shot up toward his crotch.

Luckily, she held back each time.

But Rhodes still broke out in a cold sweat.

'I have to find a way to defend against dirty moves in the future. Boys need to protect themselves in the wild.'

After reviewing the battle in his head, he silently raised Cana's danger level.

Cana shook her empty barrel with a lazy grin.

"Rhodes! A glass of beer!"

Rhodes nodded, "Got it!" He walked over to grab a barrel but paused mid-step.

"Wait... did you say a glass or a barrel just now?"

"One glass, one glass! Geez, why are you so nitpicky?" Cana waved him off and threw a glance toward Macao and Wakaba, who were loudly debating parenting techniques at the bar.

Rhodes poured her drink, but as he handed it over, he noticed something odd.

Cana, the infamous drinker of Fairy Tail, was sipping her beer.

Not chugging. Sipping.

Like she was just trying to satisfy a small craving.

Rhodes squinted. "Something's off about you."

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Cana raised an eyebrow. "What, you wanna fight again?"

"We can keep going if you want," Rhodes replied casually. "I just think you're acting weird."

That was when Mira suddenly leaned in, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Could it be," she gasped, "Cana has a boyfriend?"

Cana snorted. "Yeah, right." She lifted her glass, "The only love of my life is alcohol!"

Mira ignored her denial completely.

"So that means there's someone you like, but you don't have the courage to confess!" Mira grinned mischievously and tapped her chin in thought.

"Now, who has Cana been hanging around lately?"

Then, with a dramatic flourish, Mira pointed straight at Rhodes.

"It's YOU!"

Rhodes nearly spat out his drink.

"What?!"

Mira nodded sagely.

"Yes, it all makes sense! Cana was mesmerized by Rhodes' unbreakable will! His tenacity! And during today's battle, she was captivated by his masculinity!"

Cana sighed in relief.

Thank God.

Mira was still pulling theories out of thin air like she always did.

Last month, she said Wakaba had a crush on Laki.

Nonsense. Wakaba liked every beautiful and gentle woman equally.

Any mature Fairy Tail member knew that Mira's gossip was 90% fiction. The best response? Ignore first, then question.

Unfortunately, Rhodes wasn't that mature yet.

He immediately denied it.

"Look, I appreciate the compliment, Mira, but let's be real—Cana knocked me flat on my back in a single shoulder throw."

He turned to look at Cana, still seated at the bar, legs crossed—

Only to barely dodge a flying sandal aimed at his head.

"If it's not Rhodes, then who else could it be?" Mira tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Was it, Loke?"

Cana rolled her eyes. "As if. That guy wouldn't dare."

Mira pouted. "Hmm, then why are you acting weird today?"

Cana stood up abruptly, grabbed her glass, and strode toward another table.

She paused halfway, hesitated for a second, then slowed her pace and quietly sat down next to Macao and Wakaba, her two drinking buddies.

Mira narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm, could it be Macao?" she whispered.

Rhodes nearly choked on air.

"Mira, what kind of ridiculous plot twist is that?! Macao is nearly twenty years older than her!"

Mira shrugged playfully. "You never know~."

Finally, she dropped the subject, stretching with a satisfied smile.

"Anyway, Rhode~ let's go shopping this afternoon!"

"Alright." Rhodes didn't hesitate to agree, though he was a little puzzled. "Isn't Mr. Cook the one who usually handles the shopping? I thought he preferred picking out ingredients himself."

"He does," Mira replied with a small smile. "But today, he's taking his grandson out for a fishing trip, so we have to take care of it instead."

Rhodes nodded in understanding. It was rare to see Mr. Cook, who took cooking very seriously, make exceptions—but when it came to his grandson, he was apparently a very doting grandfather.

"Got it. Just hand me the bag, and I'll carry it."

Rhodes had already assigned himself a clear role—when it came to something as complicated as choosing ingredients, he was absolutely not the guy for the job. That was Mira's responsibility.

...

As soon as they left the guild and walked through the town's residential area, Rhodes immediately noticed just how popular Mira was.

"Miss Mira, heading out?"

"Yes, just picking up a few things."

"Miss Mira, good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon!"

"Miss Mira, will you be in the next issue of Sorcerer Weekly?"

"Sorry, I haven't taken on any magazine shoots recently."

Everywhere they went, people recognized her—some simply greeted her with a smile, while others took the chance to ask her questions.

Rhodes, walking beside her, couldn't help but comment.

"You really are popular."

Mira let out a soft chuckle. "Everyone is just a little too enthusiastic sometimes," she admitted. "It can be a bit overwhelming."

Rhodes grinned. "Oh yes, the great Miss Mirajane Strauss—the Fairy Tail starlet! Maybe next time, you should wear sunglasses and a mask to... you know, 'blend in' better."

Mira giggled, playfully clapping her hands. "That's a great idea! But if I really wanted to stand out, I could just transform into you—just change my head and all."

Rhodes visibly paled.

"I beg you, have mercy! I do not want to be known as 'Fairy Tail's Crossdressing Wizard' in Sorcerer Weekly."

Mira laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction.

At this point, Rhodes noticed something else—Mira wasn't correcting his speech anymore.

He had improved.

Mira continued walking, a knowing smile on her lips, as she and Rhodes crossed a stone-arched bridge over the river.

Then, she pointed ahead.

"The next intersection leads to the shopping district. Have you been here before?"

Rhodes shook his head. "No, my usual range of activities is on the other side of the river. I just buy things from the shops near the guild."

Mira tilted her head slightly in surprise. "Huh? You've been here for almost a month, and you haven't explored the city?"

She glanced at him curiously. "What do you do after work?"

Rhodes thought for a moment before replying, "Physical training, magic practice, meditation, reading... mostly magazines."

Thinking about it, he realized that everything he had been doing lately revolved around survival and self-improvement.

The only thing that could be called leisure was listening to music on the phonograph while doing laundry.

Even reading magazines was for understanding the world and gathering information rather than pure enjoyment.

Mira gave him a thoughtful look. "Doesn't that feel exhausting?"

Rhodes shook his head. "Not really. Learning magic is interesting on its own."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides, working hard is the only way I can feel at ease and eventually pay off that massive debt."

Mira chuckled knowingly. "Ah~, debts really are a pain."

Then she grinned. "But don't stress too much about it. The Master doesn't really need the money."

Rhodes sighed again, a little helplessly. "That's exactly why I want to pay him back as soon as possible. He's already done too much for me."

Mira simply smiled but said nothing.

She understood. The Guild Master treated all of Fairy Tail's members like family, and Rhodes was no exception.

But Rhodes himself didn't seem to fully realize that yet.

"Move it! Get out of the way!"

As they entered the busy shopping street, a commotion broke out.

A man came rushing toward them, shoving people aside as he sprinted forward.

"Outta my way! Don't try to stop me!"

In one hand, he clutched a stolen handbag, while in the other, a short knife flashed under the sunlight, warning the bystanders not to interfere.

Behind him, a panicked voice cried out:

"Stop him! He stole my bag!"

"Catch him!"

People hesitated, backing away cautiously.

As the thief closed in on them, Mira's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

With a graceful motion, she raised one arm protectively—shielding Rhodes behind her.

Rhodes blinked in confusion. ???

Sister, didn't you say you're not good at fighting? So why are you protecting me now?