Ember of the Starry Sky

The world blurred as Yukari's blazing spear hurtled toward Hinote. It burned with the fury of the heavens, golden flames twisting into a lance of divine destruction. For a split second, she thought this is it. This had to be enough.

And then Hinote caught it.

Not dodged. Not blocked. Caught.

With a single hand.

The flames sputtered against her palm like an offended candle, and Hinote tilted her head. "That all?"

Yukari barely had time to curse before Hinote yanked forward. The force sent her flying straight into the dirt, landing hard enough to rattle her bones. Dust and embers swirled around her, and she barely managed to push herself up on shaking arms.

Her magic was fading.

No. I just need one more .

She reached deep, trying to summon another attack, another technique anything but her flames flickered uselessly before vanishing completely.

Her strength was gone.

A heavy silence settled over the battlefield.

Yukari's fingers dug into the earth, frustration burning hotter than any fire she could conjure. Then, after a long exhale, she gritted her teeth and forced the words out.

"…I lost."

Hinote, ever the gracious victor, grinned like a demon and clapped her hands together. "Good girl."

That should have been the end of it. The match was over, her pride was only mostly wounded, and she could go back to pretending this never happened until she noticed the crowd.

Yukari stiffened.

At first, she'd assumed it was just Cana, who had been there from the start. But standing beside her, watching with varying degrees of awe and amusement, were Natsu, Erza, Lucy , Happy, Gray, Elfman and Mirajane.

Yukari's stomach dropped into the void.

"You were amazing!" Lucy beamed, hands clasped together. "I've never seen magic like that before!"

Elfman crossed his arms, nodding. "A true manly battle!"

Gray gave a small smirk. "I'd say 'good effort,' but…" He glanced at Hinote. "Yeah, you never had a chance."

Natsu, meanwhile, was practically vibrating where he stood, fists clenched and eyes burning with challenge. "Yukari, fight me next!"

Yukari blinked once. Then twice.

Then she decked him hard.

Natsu's body crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut, and he hit the ground face-first with a solid thud. His foot twitched slightly.

Happy stared at the motionless form of his partner. "Aye…"

That settled, Yukari exhaled and rolled her shoulders.

Erza, unfazed by the casual assault, folded her arms. "Mind explaining why you two were fighting?"

Cana opened her mouth, and Yukari moved before she could say something stupid.

In a blur, she slapped a hand over Cana's face and dragged her backward. "It was just training," she said quickly, ignoring the muffled protests from beneath her palm.

Hinote snorted. "Yeah. Training."

Cana, freed from Yukari's grasp, smirked and dusted herself off. "Sure. Let's call it that."

Yukari shot them both a warning glare, but the rest of the guild seemed satisfied.

"That was a beautiful fight," Mirajane said, smiling.

Yukari nearly swallowed her own tongue.

She turned sharply, only to find Mirajane speaking to Cana, completely unaware of the way Yukari's brain had short-circuited at those words.

"Oh, you hear that, Yukari?" Hinote's voice was deceptively casual as she stepped closer. "She thought it was beautiful."

"Shut up," Yukari muttered under her breath.

But Hinote wasn't done.

She leaned in, breath warm against Yukari's ear. "And don't forget," she whispered, low and smug, "you have one week."

Yukari stiffened.

Hinote pulled back, smiling innocently.

"Better make your move before someone else does."

Yukari's eyes darted back to Mirajane, who was still engaged in conversation with Cana. She suddenly felt very aware of how much time she had left.

And then Hinote shoved her forward.

Yukari stumbled.

Right. Toward. Mirajane.

Her face nearly collided with Mirajane's shoulder before she caught herself, hands gripping the other girl's arms instinctively. Mirajane turned, surprised, her blue eyes blinking up at her.

Yukari could feel every pair of eyes on them.

Hinote and Cana were cackling.

She was going to kill them both.

Mirajane tilted her head. "Yukari?"

The heat rising to Yukari's face had nothing to do with fire magic.

She swallowed.

Now she really needed to find the right moment.

Cana, still grinning like she'd just won a bet, stretched her arms behind her head. "Welp, I think my job here is done."

Yukari shot her a look. "Your job?"

But Cana was already backing away, hands up in mock innocence. "Don't mind me. I'll just leave you two alone." She winked. "Have fun."

Then, before Yukari could strangle her, Cana turned on her heel and strolled off, whistling.

Silence.

Yukari swallowed.

Mirajane, still standing in front of her, tilted her head slightly. "You okay?"

Nope. Not even a little.

Yukari took a breath.

This was it. The moment Hinote had pushed her toward. The moment she needed to act before someone else did.

"Hey, uh…" Her voice cracked slightly, and she cleared her throat. Damn it, pull yourself together! "Mira, I was wondering if you'd…"

Mirajane blinked, waiting patiently.

Yukari clenched her fists. Why was this so hard? She had faced monsters, cultists, and demons without hesitation but the simple act of asking Mirajane out was somehow an impossible task?!

"Would you like to—" she started, but the words tangled in her throat.

Mirajane blinked again. "Like to what?"

Yukari floundered. "Uh. You know. Do something. Together."

Mirajane smiled. "We do things together all the time."

Damn it.

Yukari forced a laugh. "Yeah! Yeah, of course. I meant more like, uh… outside of the guild. You and me."

Mirajane's smile widened. "Oh? Like a date?"

Yukari choked.

Mirajane giggled. "You're cute when you're flustered."

Yukari was going to combust.

"I uh never mind!" she blurted, spinning on her heel. "Forget it! It's nothing! Haha! Look at the time, I should go!"

And with that, she fled.