School. School. School. The word that keeps me busy all the time.  Sorry for not updating! ≥o≤ Here’s an update for you guys. Oh. By the way, this is the part 2 of Eight Members. ;)

Anw, I ship Zeref and Mavis!

________________________________

Ch. 23: Hello, Eight Members!

{Narrator’s POV}

"A way? What is it?" Natsu asked, his sulking mode turned off.

"Combine with the Color of Girls."

“Hah.”

“...”

“Stop making jokes. We’re having a serious conversation here.”

Zeref huffed, “I don’t make jokes about matters like this. Really. Combine with the Color of Girls and the problem is solved. If you’ll ask as to why that is the answer to the problem, it’s because we, Mavis and I, can be both your managers. We can still be managers that way. By now, Mavis is talking to the girls about the matter. If they really don’t want Mavis to quit, Mavis will tell them to combine with you guys.”

“But why!? I know there’s still ways!” Natsu complained, pouting.

“That way, our time for preparations won’t be shortened. We can both manage you easily.”

Gajeel slouched on the couch, frustrated. “I don’t know about that. I don’t know what to say. Honestly, I don’t know anything anymore!”

“Look. It’s easy. Sign the contract, and all will be over, okay?” Zeref explained. “You know the other option. It’s still open. I’ll give the four of you the time to think about it. I’m waiting until 4 PM.” he declared firmly as he stood up and left the boys, dazed.

♪Mavis and Color of Girls♪

“Combine with the Elemental Boys.”

Silence. Silence enveloped the air. No one dared to break the awkward and uncomfortable silence. Mavis thought that the girls were still processing what she just said, and were thinking about the matter, when in turn, they were too shocked to think about a come back.

After a few minutes of silence, Mavis sighed. “No. Never mind what I said. It’s just a suggestion. I guess you don’t want it so.. see you later. At four PM, I’m getting that contract. Make sure you have signed it already.”

“Wait,” Lucy stood up. “are you serious about what you said earlier? You know, us joining forces with the Elemental Boys?”

“It’s just a suggestion. But it’s a way for me not to quit being your manager. I mean, Zeref and I can both be your managers. That way, we won’t have to worry about our schedules because we’re together. But never mind that. I know you won’t accept that sugge—”

“Okay. Expect that we’re giving you our decisions later. Thank you.” Levy said.

♪Back to the Elemental Boys...♪

“What? Are you guys okay with joining forces? With the Color of Girls?” Natsu queried, munching on a cookie. He was still considering Zeref’s suggestion. He knew that they have to think about this thoroughly. Zeref and Mavis being the managers was the topic here, and they’ll do anything for that event not to happen. If only there was another option....

“You know me. You don’t need my answer. I’m fine with it as long as you guys are, too.” Gajeel nonchalantly stated, shrugging. He leaned on the couch, crossing his arms.

Jellal pursed his lips into a thin line. “You always say that, Gajeel. At least make your decision. Don’t rely on us when it comes to decision-making.”

“I don’t always rely on you when I’m deciding, Jellal.” Gajeel blurted out with a poker face.

“Now, now. No fighting.” Gray interjected before a brawl could start. Jellal mentally rolled his eyes to this, thinking: Like he doesn’t fight with Natsu every single time. Look who’s talking.

“Anyways,” Natsu clapped his hand as a sign that everybody must listen. “who’s in favor of Zeref’s suggestion?” No hand was raised. Just to be sure, he asked again. “Who’s not in favor?” Again, nobody raised his hand. Natsu sighed frustratedly, “What kind of decision is that? I give up.”

Jellal spoke. “Look. We’re still thinking. Can’t you wait?”

“Chill, man.” Natsu glanced sideways at Jellal who was looking tired. “Okay. I’ll wait.”

After several minutes of bearable silence, Gray smiled. “I’m in favor.”

“I.. uhh.. maybe? Yes. As long as Zeref is still there.” Jellal snickered, shrugging. Natsu grinned, his eyes showing pure joy.

“I agree.” Gajeel sipped his iced tea, beaming.

“That settles it! Now we’ve got five more minutes before Zeref arrives. Let’s just wait for him.”

There was a knock on the door few moments later. Natsu went to get it, and to his surprise, it revealed the Color of Girls. “Hi? What are you guys doing here?”

“Won’t you let us in?” Erza crossed her arms in dismay. Natsu opened the door wider for them to enter.

Jellal froze, seeing Erza with a composed stature. She examined their messy house. Gray stared at Juvia who stared back at him with a puzzled expression. Levy never cared about Gajeel’s intimidating stare and just continued reading a book she was holding. While Lucy.... she sat on their backyard, sitting silently and listening to music.

“You’re.. not going to get in?” Natsu inquired in an idiotic manner. Lucy didn’t answer his question and just passed by him. She knew it was rude, but she wasn’t really in the mood to talk with him. Natsu sighed and closed the door. He followed the Color of Girls who was now wondering inside the house, peacefulness to be seen around them.

Levy stopped reading her book. “Ahem. We’re here because we need to discuss about a certain matter. You know what I mean. Mavis and Zeref. Zeref might’ve spilled the beans to you guys already, so no need to elucidate further. And Mavis told us another way for her not to quit being a manager. For us to combine with you guys. With the Elemental Boys.

“We girls have decided to confront you guys. We’re already agreeing to Mavis’ suggestion. The only approval we need is from you boys. Sign this contract if you’ll agree.” she handed the Elemental Boys a paper and a pen. A blue pen with Levy’s name carved on it that Gajeel gave Levy a few years ago.

Gray gently grabbed the paper and pen and read the contract. He signed it and passed it to Jellal, who had shaky hands the whole time because of Erza’s intimidating presence. He signed it as well, then it was passed to Natsu. He took a quick glimpse at Lucy before signing too. When it was Gajeel’s turn, everybody watched his actions. They were enveloped in silence, again.

Gajeel hesitantly took the blue pen and stared at it for awhile. He then signed the paper which made Natsu feel giddy.

“We’re now combined! What shall we do? Oh, right. Let’s wait for Zeref.”

“Mavis doesn’t know we’re here. I’m gonna call her.” Erza informed and dialed Mavis’ number.

“The name of the band?” Juvia spoke.

“EB & COG?”

“Wth. What kind of band name is that?”

“Hehe. Just a suggestion.”

“Eight Seconds of Summer? Lol.”

“Are you a fan of 5SOS?!”

“Uh, kinda. Yeah.”

“Really?! Same here! OMG I love them.”

“Here we go again. Lucy being the 5SOS fanatic.”

“What? Can you blame me? They have good songs! I love their song Good Girls the most.”

“Quit it with the 5SOS. Let’s get back with the topic.”

“Hai—”

The door of the Elemental Boys’s house suddenly opened, revealing Mavis and Zeref, panting. “Sorry, guys. Are we late?” they both asked, catching their breath.

Erza looked Mavis in the eye sternly, crossing her arms. “Yes. An hour late. No need to ask the obvious.” she pursed her lips into a thin line, quirking her eyebrows.

“We’re already deciding for our band name. As you can see, we agreed to be combined.” Gray stated matter-of-factly.

“Really?!” Mavis grinned, too ecstatically. Her voice raised, and she almost hugged Zeref. Gajeel and Natsu found this suspicious. “Sorry about that. I was just happy that you guys might be finally getting along. On serious note, if that’s your decision, then we won’t have to quit as your manager.”

“That’s nice to hear.” Lucy smiled genuinely, making Natsu’s way of breathing hitched. He found Lucy’s smile.... charming and beautiful as much as her face is.

Now he’s sounding cheesy.

Gajeel snickered and nudged Natsu teasingly. He caught Natsu fawning over Lucy, who was now back to her poker face. Natsu became a little bit disappointed but then shrugged it off.

“Eight Members.” Mavis and Zeref smiled.

“Huh?”

“Eight Members will be the name of your band.”

The Color of Girls and The Elemental Boys looked at each other, nodded, beamed, and exclaimed altogether, “Hello, Eight Members!”