Internet Magic in Fairy Tail

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Scene in the Confessional Room

Near Nanko Park, the festival was bustling with energy. Booths lined the streets, and performers entertained the crowd.

Wendy noticed Lucy's flushed cheeks and asked, "Lucy, are you okay? Your face is really red."

"It's... it's nothing! Maybe it's just too hot out here," Lucy replied, trying to suppress her embarrassment. That troublesome Nate! Why did he have another golden key? And why did he keep wanting to touch her "panda bear"? Just recalling the incident on the ship made her cheeks burn. Thinking about it was one thing, but saying it out loud to make her flustered?

Nate: "I'm waiting for you at the church."

Lucy: "I'm not coming~ Hmph! ??"

Lucy: "And why the church? Is that even the kind of place for... that?!"

Nate: "I'm on duty; the church is the busiest place during the festival. If something happens, it'll be a problem 'sigh.jpg' "

Lucy: "Oh, so you're aware of how crowded it is? ??"

Lucy: "If someone saw us, I'd die of embarrassment!"

Nate: "Saw what? ??"

Nate: "Just messing with you. Capricorn himself gave me this key to pass on to you."

Nate: "Free of charge. Hurry up and come."

Was that really true? Lucy was skeptical; she wouldn't fall for it this time. Even if it was just about the key, he'd probably pull her into some secluded corner of the church and tease her again. It's not like she hated the idea, but she'd rather not risk being seen.

Lucy: "I'm here with Wendy and Levy, enjoying the festival. I'm not coming~"

Nate: "Alright, then I'll just toss the key away, yeah?"

Lucy: "Go ahead and toss it!"

Lucy's lips curved into a slight smile. She knew Nate wouldn't really throw the key away. This time, she wouldn't let herself be tricked.

...

Kardia Cathedral

Nate arrived at the top of the cathedral by the clock tower, chuckling when he realized Lucy hadn't taken the bait. 'So the princess is learning,' he thought. The key really was given to him by Capricorn as a gift for her, so it wouldn't be right to add it to her "debt." But he couldn't deny that if she had come to the church, he'd been looking forward to a little teasing.

After all, a church was an ideal "fortified structure," perfect for close encounters. But no luck this time. He'd just give her the key when they were home later.

Looking out over the church vicinity, he saw the area packed with people, citizens, and tourists alike.

"Huh? Juvia?" he suddenly noticed his second girlfriend heading into the church.

Even during the festival, there were still nuns on duty. One of them smiled warmly as Juvia entered.

"Oh, dear, are you here to pray?" the nun asked kindly.

"Nun-san, Juvia wishes to pray for the one she loves, hoping that he is blessed and protected," Juvia said earnestly.

"I see," the nun replied with a hint of regret. "But today is the Harvest Festival, and even the priest is out enjoying the celebration. So for today, I'm afraid prayer services are..."

"Oh, they're not allowed?" Juvia, who rarely visited churches, wasn't familiar with the customs, and she knew different churches often had different rules.

"Well, how about this, Juvia-san," the nun suggested with a gentle smile. "We've organized a festival activity today that lets people experience the role of an apprentice nun."

"An apprentice nun?" Juvia repeated, her eyes widening in confusion.

"Yes," the nun explained. "In the confessional, you could act as an apprentice nun, listening to the confessions of others and, on behalf of the divine, offer forgiveness for their sins."

The nun smiled as she explained the activity. Though the church had prepared it for the festival, nobody had shown up to try it—everyone else was out enjoying the celebrations. As it turned out, Juvia was their very first visitor of the day.

"This work will also accumulate blessings for your loved one; God will surely protect him," the nun assured.

Hearing this, Juvia was instantly swayed. "I'll do it! Where should I go?" She nodded eagerly.

The nun was delighted, already envisioning herself slipping out to enjoy the festivities. "Please follow me."

She led Juvia to the church's confessional and briefly explained the basics of being a "novice nun." In essence, her task was to listen to people's confessions, guide them to reflect, and say things like, "God will forgive you," or "God will guide you."

'That's simple enough!'

"Juvia understands!"

"Then, Juvia-san, I'll leave the church to you." With that, the nun happily slipped away.

The confessional was divided by a wooden wall with a small opening. Juvia took her seat inside, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she waited for a penitent.

"Will anyone actually come?" she wondered. "Everyone's busy with the festival. But I'll do my best—for Nate-sama!"

With renewed determination, she sat up, her mind focused.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

'Knock, knock.'

Juvia straightened up, took a deep breath, and, mimicking the nun's voice, said, "Come in."

The door opened, and a man stepped inside. Juvia couldn't see his face—the church's way of protecting the privacy of those confessing their sins. Likewise, he couldn't see her, just a shadow through the small opening in the wall.

"Sister," the man began with a solemn tone, "I have sinned."

Nate took a seat and lowered his voice, making it sound older and more serious.

The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but Juvia still followed protocol. "Troubled soul, this is a place of peace. You may speak freely. Ju... ahem, I will listen quietly to your confession."

She nearly slipped up, patting her chest with relief. 'That was close.'

Nate nearly laughed but managed to suppress it, taking a deep breath to keep his composure.

"The truth is, I'm a bit of a flirt," he began. "I'm seeing several women at once. I love each of them, but I'm afraid if they find out about one another, they'll all leave me. Every night, I'm tormented by this."

'A romantic problem?' Juvia blinked, unsure how to advise. But then she thought of Nate, who loved both her and Ultear—'and also Erza.' Nate probably thought she didn't know, but Juvia was quite aware.

"Ah... troubled one, this isn't entirely your fault," she said, clearing her throat.

"Falling for one person—or several—isn't something we can always control." After all, she thought, she adored Nate, even knowing about the others.

Juvia looked down, wondering if she was suited for this role after all.

"Really? Do you think they'd forgive me?" Nate asked.

"Yes, I think they would," she replied.

"If I give them gifts, will that help make them happier?"

"G...girls love receiving gifts. It'll make them happy, for sure."

"In fact, I have a girlfriend named Juvia," Nate continued. "And lately, I've been struggling with what to get her. Sister, do you have any suggestions?"

"Huh? Wait..." Juvia was momentarily stunned. 'Did she know this man? Why would he call Juvia his girlfriend?' Then she wondered if it could be someone with the same name.

Then, like a flash of lightning, it hit her.

Juvia jumped up, opened the confessional's small door, and stepped out from behind the wall. "Nate-sama?" Her eyes sparkled with delight.

"Juvia?" Nate feigned surprise, taking two steps forward and opening his arms wide.

Juvia instantly threw herself into his embrace. "Nate-sama! I can't believe it's you—I'm so happy~"

"I came to confess my sins; I never expected to run into you."

Juvia didn't believe him for a second, grinning as she wrapped her arms around him, wiggling in his embrace, delighted.

"Juvia forgives you, Nate-sama. Juvia loves you so much~"

Nate held Juvia close, running his hands through her silky hair before leaning down to kiss her.

Blushing, Juvia returned his kiss passionately. Something about the small, private space of the confessional gave her a boldness she hadn't known she had.

As they embraced, Nate slipped his hand behind her to lock the confessional door.

~~~

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