A/N - Are you guys okay? I didn't hurt you too badly, right? Right? To be honest, there's an author named Phantom_who who's Feitan X Reader nearly slaughtered me. Trust me, that was worse than both the last chapter and epilogue. So, fair warning, Yukino's gonna be a bit bitchy in this.

Oh yeah, by the way, this is formatted the same way the sequel will be, so look out for that in the next few weeks.

September, X____
[Your PoV]

Senior year of high school, when all of us seniors are absolutely itching to get out of this damned place. It was also the year that the seniors of Mermaid Academy had to participate in the annual, "Seniors' Aesthetic Day". Oh, would you look at that--it spells 'SAD'. It was one day, a single day where select students from the schools of Fiore teamed up to show their talents in a play of some sort. Schools participating were mine, Mermaid Academy, Fairy Tail High, Sabertooth Institute, Lamia Prep, and Blue Pegasus High School for the Gifted--cough cough, gay. At least, that's what everyone said about Blue Pegasus. Headmasters Ellegaard[1], Makarov, Jiemma, Ooba Babasaama, and Bob would choose five students to represent each school.

We had met all of the others in our year from the other schools before, in the headmasters' meek attempt to unite us in an activity.

Where am I now? I'm currently in the dress rehearsal of the play, preparing for the actual thing tomorrow afternoon.

A Few Weeks Before
[Your PoV]

"Milliana [Insert Last Name]!"

"Beth Vanderwood!"

"Risley Law!"

"Araña Webb!"

"(Y/N) (L/N)!" I froze. Me? She's talking about me? I counted, one, two, three, four, f- that's all of us! Kagura Mikazuchi had graduated last year, due to her skipping a grade up. I missed her, but I was happy that one of my best friends had gotten closer to her dream just a bit faster.

"You five will report to the Headmistress' office to get your papers, certificates of participation, and you will learn of your fellow students you will work with."

And with that, the bell rang and I started hastily walking down the hall, accompanied by the other seniors that were called.

The other four students and I entered, standing side by side before Headmistress Ellegaard.

.・.・.・.・.・.・.・.

I listed off all the names in my head.

Dragneel, Heartfilia, Marvell, Fullbuster, Scarlet...

Vastia, Blendy, another Blendy, Horhota, Suzuki...

Realight, Lates, Tearm, Akastuki, Horae...

Vanderwood, Law, [Milliana's L/N], Webb, (L/N)...

Cheney, Agria, Orland, Nanagear, Eucliffe...

"Eucliffe?" I murmured aloud.

"He your 'bae'?" Risley asked from beside me.

"N-No!" I stumbled on my words. It was the truth after all, we were simply friends. "I just used to know him is all."

"Ooh, in what way?" teased Milliana as she took a seat on my other side.

I slapped her gently, huffing. "In a friendly way!"

Beth appeared in front of me, sitting down. "How'd y'all guys get to know each other?"

"Look, he used to be my neighbor from like, kindergarten through the first year in high school. I had to move away since Mermaid Academy was so far from my house. He ended up going to Saber Institute." I looked around, Risley was leaning her cheek on her hand, Milliana was listening intently, and Araña had suddenly appeared.

I continued, "We kept in touch for a while, but I haven't seen him since sophomore year."

"Do you like him?" Araña questioned causally.

"Yeah, as friends."

They looked utterly disappointed at that.

"But does he like you?" Milliana got up close to my face. "Like, like-like?"

"I dunno."

Risley sighed. "Girl, we have got to get you a guy."

Beth whispered as if it were prohibited to ask, "Have you even had your first kiss?"

My response made them gasp over-dramatically.

One Week Later
[Sting's PoV]

There were butterflies in my stomach. It'd been two years. Had she changed much? Did she get taller? Did she get prettier? Was it even possible for her to get prettier than she already is?

"Sting." Rogue nudged me, gesturing to a group of people.

I jumped. "Crap, we're late!"

"Sting! Rogue!" Yukino called from the group. I was sure that girl had a crush on me, so I tried my best to make it seem like I at least liked her as a friend.

She waved from her spot next to two other girls. A short one with frizzy black hair and one about Yukino's height with (h/l) (h/c) hair. Yukino tapped the girl with (h/c) hair, and she turned around.

(E/c) eyes...

"Isn't that (Y-" Rogue was cut off by a gleeful squeal.

"Sting!"

Before I knew it, I'd lifted (Y/N) into the air, embracing her. I put her down and she smiled up at me.

"Hey missy."

"Hello Blondie-locks."

"Where'd the glasses go?" I asked, still beaming. Back in fifth grade, (Y/N) had gotten glasses, so I'd been used to seeing her with them. "I kinda miss my little Nerd-chan."

She got close to my face, "Got contacts!"

I blushed at the closeness, but she didn't seem to notice.

.・.・.・.・.・.・.・.

Why?

Of all the scenes they could've put in this, they put-

"A ballroom scene! Yukino, you're in charge of choreography."

"Yes ma'am!"

I'm dying. I had nothing to do- besides be a reckless idiot. They organized some random thing they called the Grand Magic Games. It was weird, with wizards, dragons and magic galore.

Apparently, this was the after party--a ball.

"And for all you guys or gals who don't know how to dance, we're holding lessons in the auditorium later today." Beth stated.

I was gone.

I had zoned out a long time ago.

[Your PoV]

Of all the things I could be in charge of... Why dance lessons? Of course, in my household I was required to learn how to ballroom dance, but, still, why?

Araña seemed to read my thoughts. "Don't worry, you still get to be stage crew and get to design the scenery."

I pursed my lips and looked at the time. "They should be here by now."

And as if on cue, the doors opened. More students came than I thought, girls, boys--mostly boys, though.

"Sting!" I called.

He spotted me and grinned. "Hi."

"Hey." I smiled back. "So, you here to dance?"

"You here to teach me?"

.・.・.・.・.・.・.・.

"Like this." I guided Sting's hand, one onto my waist, and the other holding mine. A light rose color dusted his cheeks.

"Left foot up, then right." he did as I said. "Right foot to the right, followed by your left- Hey, not that far!"

He chuckled sheepishly and I looked to the right. Ah, how warm of a fake smile Yukino can wear. She was helping guide a stumbling Toby.

I flinched but turned my attention back to Sting. "Repeat those last steps for me again, and we can move on."

And he did. Somewhat flawlessly, too. I continued to guide him. "Now, right foot back, and follow with your left again."

He nodded and did so. I smiled, for once he was succeeding at something. "And then left foot to the left, and follow with your right."

He smiled gently and looked down as he performed the steps.[2]

"Then repeat." I looked over to where Lucy was standing. "Luce, if anyone else is ready, could you turn on the music?"

She nodded with a grin, and looked over to the other groups before yelling, "You guys ready to practice wuth the music?"

And apparently they were ready. Orchestral music started, and I counted along with it.

"Repeat those steps, and try to get the rhythm." I smiled up at him. "One two three, one two three.."

He seemed to have fun with it. Surprisingly, he was getting the hang of it.

Time seemed to slow down. He waltzed with me, looking down at his feet every now and then to make sure he was doing it correctly.

After a while, I guess he got the hang of it, because he looked into my eyes with confidence, a soft smirk on his face.

"I'm glad I got you as a teacher," he whispered.

"I'm glad I got you as a student." I replied.

He leaned in, and I blinked. I hastily turned my head and then looked back at his face. "You're a really good friend." I breathed shyly before rushing off.

I could hear Rogue chuckling about something.

[Sting's PoV]

"Ah, the friend-zone is a great place." I heard Rogue chuckle. I threw a punch as he swerved to the side. I cursed under my breath.

"Y'know what, I'm gonna confess to her."

And then I marched off, no clue where (Y/N) had gone off to.

.・.・.・.Later that Day.・.・.・.

I

found her sitting under a tree, reading. She looked up at me with a smile. "Heya, Stingy-Bee."

I gave a lopsided smile. I sat down beside her, leaning on the tree trunk.

I looked up, and started the conversation. "Hey, we've been friends since like, forever, right?"

"Mmhm." she hummed in her sweet little voice. "You're like my bestie."

I took a breath while my mind screamed, FRIEND-ZONED AGAIN! "W-would you hate me if I liked you as more than a friend?"

She paused. "...Y-you mean that as a h-hypothetical question, right?"

I gulped. "More or less." I could feel my face heating up. "But your answer?"

"I-I.. I dunno." I still didn't look at her but I felt her eyes on me. "Do you like me as more than a friend?"

It was my turn to pause. "I.. Y-yes. I do."

"For how long?" she asked softly.

"Last day of kindergarten."

"Almost ten years now.." she said, a tone of sadness in her voice.

I looked up at the leaves.

It was quiet. Then I looked back--she was gone. I knew I shouldn't've done this.

Yet Another Week Later

"This is gonna be a scene of passion and love!" the pink-haired girl shouted enthusiastically. A girl next to her with web (Hint: Webb) designs on the tank top under her leather jacket suggested, "How about we use an actual couple for this? It'd be more convincing."

The pink-haired girl pouted. "But are there even any couples?"

The other girl smirked gently, "Maybe two people who like each other."

I looked to the side where Yukino smiled at me. I smiled back nervously and whispered a quick lie, "Stage fright."

She nodded in understanding, pretending to look sad.

Time Skip Two More Days
(Bear with me pls, gomen'ne)

"They're still looking for the lovers, so they put it on hold for a while." (Y/N) said as she bit off a piece of her (insert soft candy).

How could she be so casual after that whole ordeal?

I looked away again, laying down on the soft grass as I stared up at the sky.

"We could do it." she suggested gently.

What?

"Y'know, since we're close enough friends to pull off the act."

Oh, that makes a bit more sens- Wait did I just get friend-zoned again?

"But it's Sherry.." I said. "There's a 95% chance that she'll put in a kissing scene."

"I know.."

BUT YOU FRIEND-ZONED ME! I wanted to scream.

I felt a pair of lips pressed knto my cheek. (Y/N) was at my side, looking at me with a serious [3] expression.

"You know, I used to think of you as a friend-"

How many times is it now, four times I've been friend-zoned?

"-but I guess I still do, since that felt extremely awkward.."

I blinked. Goddamnit.

"But maybe.." her voice softened. "maybe I do like you as more than a friend.. maybe I've been lying to myself this entire time.."

"Why would you lie to yourself?" I asked. I looked back to her, we were dangerously close.

"Because, maybe I was too afraid...

to do this."

Our lips met in a sweet kiss.

She pulled away first.

I smiled at her. "Your lips taste like mint."

She started giggling; giggles soon turning into laughter.

"What?"

.

.

.

.

"I just put on strawberry lip-gloss."

..And they lived happily every after.