{Natsu’s POV}

I hate carnivals.

“I want to ride bumper cars!!” It’s obvious that my partner for today was Lucy. Everyone had voted for her. Us going to the carnival is expected even though I really don’t want to. Lucy had picked the place because as everyone knows she’s the “boss”. I just have to roll my eyes to that bluff.

“Oh, come on. Can we take a rest?” My plea seemed to reach her since her eyes softened a bit. With that, I sat on the bench nearby, wiping the sweat off of my face.

“Hey Natsu,” Lucy peered at me. “Do you have—”

“Ahh!! Natsu!! Lucy!!” Fangirls! I forgot that we were in a crowded place.

Hastily, I grabbed Lucy’s hand and we ran away. “Damn, save that question for later. How did we forget to wear our wigs?”

“I-I don’t know!” She replied, panting. We took a turn on some street then we stopped at an alleyway. Lucy collapsed, desperate for oxygen. “Not doing exercise so it’s hard.”

“That’s why you’re so heavy—ow.”

Something beeped and it was my phone. I blushed furiously at the message from Jellal.

How’s your date going with Ms. Lucy?

“We are definitely not dating!” Lucy exclaimed, face and neck red like me. “Pardon me for reading your message. But please tell him we aren’t dating.”

“I know that, Lucy. Wait a minute.”

In my peripheral vision, Lucy bit her lip nervously. Why was she nervous? It’s me, her best friend. “So... where are we going next? I mean, it’s 4 PM... but if you want we can definitely go back home—”

“Technically, this is a date since I’m a boy and you’re a girl. This date is a “friendly” one, though.” I remembered something that she was going to tell me. “What do I have?”

“Huh?”

“You were about to ask a question earlier before those fangirls chased us away.” Upon realization, her cheeks burned. “My gut tells me this is interesting.” I leaned on my palms, grinning mischievously. “Eh? Why are you blushing?”

Her blush turned redder, if that was even possible. “I’m not! It’s just too hot...” Knowing her, she’s lying. Cheeks puff, eyebrows knitted—all of those were enough proofs.

“Whatever.” I decided to let it go and ask her the question. “Now. Do I have a what? Balls?”

Lucy threw her bag at me which crashed on my face painfully. “Disgusting old man. Didn’t know you were a pervert.”

I huffed, shooting her an icy glare. “What’s the question so I won’t be assuming then?”

She blushed again and then started twiddling with her fingers. “It’s quite, uhm, personal in my opinion. You might not answer with all honesty. But here it goes. Do you have a girlfriend?” She murmured the last part quietly to herself. Not murmur actually, more like whisper. “You don’t need to answer!”

“Don’t have one, but I like someone...” The thought of the girl flashed in my mind, making my face feel a little hot. “Why do you ask?”

Lucy smiled, though there was something off. “Ohh, you liiike someone. Just curious, since you’re my best friend. So care to tell me who it is?” She leaned closer as if teasing me, and if possible my cheeks went redder.

I bit my lip, looking away. “Why should I tell you? It’s not like you’re a trustworthy person.” She pouted from the fact that I didn’t trust her. She was really the one to blabber all about random things when she’s in the mood, so better be careful.

“Okay then.” Lucy turned to me with a beam. “But I also fancy someone.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “I know that trick.” She laughed at the suspicion that was already beginning to form in my head, proving myself correct. I felt like Conan.

“You got me. Uhm, I really like someone, and that’s not a joke. But of course, I won’t tell you that.” Lucy stood up abruptly. “Where are we going now?”

“Can we just go home?”

“Yeah, so you can play video games again? No. I’ll be the one to decide then.” What’s the point of asking me? Can someone tell me the reason? “It’s getting dark, huh. Time flew by in a flick of a finger. And with that, let’s have dinner.” Her warm hand enveloped mine. I got butterflies in my stomach and a weird jolt came through me.

She smiled at me as we entered a five star restaurant, obviously. “Your treat?”

“Give me 10 reasons as to why it’s—”

“Because you’ll die in a second if it’s not your treat.” Her voice was filled with venom and I had no choice but to agree. Scowling, I went ahead of her and didn’t bother being a gentleman to Lucy. I could feel her wide grin behind me. Lucy Heartfilia is really back to her old self.

“It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for.” Glancing up, it’s the band that I last saw at Mirajane’s party. What was that band again? “Light and Darkness performing on-stage! Give ‘em a round of applause!” Lucy clapped ecstatically, her eyes glimmering. She once told me that she idolized this... this band, whatever it’s called.

“Natsu!” Lucy screamed practically in my ears. “Help me. I’ve got their first album in my bag right now, and I want it to be signed by them later. Please? You’re friends with them, aren’t you?”

Blood boiling, I replied. “Whatever.” For her, it’s my yes. She grinned widely.

“♪She’s cold and she’s cruel but she knows what she’s doing...♪” The blond one sang. I observed him really closely as Lucy gushed every second he sang. Good voice, but he doesn’t sing with all his heart. He’s singing so he could impress girls. What did Lucy see in him?

I stood up with Lucy not knowing, going up the stage. People started gossiping as they saw me go up the stage. Lucy’s eyes were huge. The black haired one was about to sing, but he stopped when he saw me just like the blond did. I grabbed the microphone from the blond boy and spoke. “This is for the girl I like. She’s watching right now.”

The emcee gasped. “Woah, woah. What is this? Natsu Dragneel is in here too? And he’s gonna sing? Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it. Then what? He says he’s gonna sing for the girl that he likes? Natsu Dragneel likes someone?”

Annoyed by the gay-ish voice of the emcee (it’s a boy), I started singing. “♪‘Cause she’s bittersweet
She knocks me off of my feet
And I can’t help myself
I don’t want anyone else
She’s a mystery
She’s too much for me
But I keep coming back for more
She’s just the girl I’m looking for
Just the girl I’m looking for♪”

The audience started clapping, even the band Light and Darkness beside me who just gaped at me the whole time I sang. I searched for Lucy in the big mass of crowd that had formed when I climbed up the stage. She was there, staring at me blankly looking deep in thought.

Smiling, I walked up to her. “How was that?” I said smugly. “I did a great job.”

“Yes you did.” She answered dryly. “Well then, here’s the first album I have. Go let them sign it up for me.” She threw a CD Case at me with the Light and Darkness members in it. I was so confused by her reaction. I mean, right now she was supposed to roll her eyes and swat my arm for the cockiness I have.

But she didn’t.

With a slightly puzzled expression, I went over to where the Light and Darkness members sat. They were chatting away happily and their noise died down as I slowly made my way over to them. “Excuse me,” I held up the CD case as they looked at me in wonder. “Lucy Heartfilia over there,” I jabbed my thumb over Lucy’s direction. She waved when they looked at her simultaneously. “wanted to have this first album of yours signed. It’s her greatest wish.” I emphasized the word greatest.

The one with a silly red hat laughed quietly. “It’ll be our pleasure. By the way, you did great. Rufus over here, buddy.” I could tell that he wasn’t a formal one since he didn’t extend his hand for me to shake on. He extended a fist and I bumped it with my own. “This is Sting, Rogue, Yukino and Minerva.” They waved at me. After that, Rufus grabbed the CD case and wrote his signature there followed by four more people of the band.

“Thanks.” Lucy sounded half grateful and half bland. There’s a tinge of disappointment as well, which is unusual since she just met her most favorite band of all time. “I’d keep this forever.” The order came after that and I started devouring the blessing in front of me, stopping from time to time along with Lucy whenever there were fans who wanted our autograph.

“I’m in love with Light and Darkness. Sting and Rogue are so cool!”

“You know what, you sound like Jason from the Weekly Sorcerer’s Magazine. And you just told me your crush.”

Lucy smirked at me like I was some kid who didn’t understand a green joke. “Not Jason. And what am I, an idiot? Of course they’re not my crush. Well, technically they are but they’re just my idol. I have someone I really like which makes my heart beat fast and—”

I put the bill on the table, rolling my eyes and standing up. “Yeah, you could stop. What you’re saying makes me puke.”

“Like you don’t have someone you like.” She retorted, rolling her eyes at me as well. I like someone, and she’s an idiot for not knowing the person.