Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Chapter 179

"Levy... don’t you think what we’re doing is a little wrong...?"

"What’s wrong with it? You get to deal with your problem, and I get to satisfy my curiosity. Isn’t that a win-win?"

"..."

Reason told Marshall that this wasn’t right.

Unfortunately, another part of him wasn’t particularly interested in listening to reason.

Levy’s eyes were hazy and her cheeks were flushed.

"Marshall... would you act like this with anyone else?"

"Uh..."

Levy traced a finger lightly against his chest.

"Marshall, am I the first one who discovered your little secret?"

"N-No."

"Then that’s—hm?!"

Levy abruptly stopped, and a dangerous gleam appeared in her eyes.

"Who?! Who else knows?!"

"Erza... She wanted to help me with my laundry once and accidentally found out..."

"Tch."

Levy immediately frowned.

"Erza didn’t do anything strange to you afterward, did she?"

"N-No. You know Erza. She’s really proper about things like that..."

"That’s true..."

Levy thought about it and relaxed slightly.

"That useless Erza can practically faint just from reading the wrong kind of book. Honestly, how embarrassing..."

But as Levy continued thinking, she became increasingly irritated.

There were simply too many girls around Marshall.

If she wasn’t careful, all kinds of important "firsts" might disappear before she even noticed.

No.

Absolutely not!

She refused to let that happen!

"Marshall."

"Hm?"

"You haven’t kissed anyone properly before, right?"

"Eh?! Wait—"

Marshall never finished the sentence.

Levy leaned forward and kissed him.

The room fell silent.

A long while later, Levy finally pulled away, her face completely red as she slumped against Marshall and tried to catch her breath.

"So... that’s what it feels like..."

She sounded immensely satisfied.

"It’s even better than the books said..."

"..."

Marshall was a little breathless himself.

He had grown up around the girls and received plenty of innocent cheek kisses and playful affection over the years, but this was the first time he had ever shared a genuine romantic kiss.

It was... surprisingly intoxicating.

"Marshall."

Levy looked up at him.

"That was your first, right?"

"Mm..."

"Hehe."

Levy immediately grinned.

"Got it!"

She looked enormously pleased with herself.

"Big Sister here can teach you plenty of other fun things later~"

Marshall hadn’t even answered before Levy leaned up and kissed him again.

This was getting dangerous.

It was as though Levy had discovered some strange new switch inside herself and flipped it all the way on.

’Can I really survive this woman?’

"Levy..."

Marshall finally managed to speak once she gave him the chance.

"Aren’t we moving a little too quickly...?"

"It’s only kissing!"

Levy looked completely unapologetic.

"And you like it too, don’t you?"

She immediately leaned closer again.

"One more!"

Levy clearly had no intention of letting him off after only once, and Marshall’s self-control wasn’t exactly impressive either.

Before long, both of them had completely lost themselves in the novelty of the experience.

Eventually, Marshall was the one who remembered the time.

"It’s really late, Levy."

He forced himself to stop.

"The party’s probably almost over by now."

Levy rested against him, still looking somewhat dazed.

Despite already being older than him, she was so petite that Marshall couldn’t help feeling a little awkward about the whole situation.

"Eh...?"

Levy blinked.

"It’s already been that long?"

She flexed her hand tiredly.

"My hand’s getting sore..."

"If we wait much longer, Cana will be back. She lives in the room next door."

"Huh..."

The mention of Cana immediately sobered Levy up a little.

For some reason, she didn’t particularly like that reminder.

"Marshall~"

She looked up at him.

"Can I move into this building too?"

"Sure."

Marshall answered immediately.

"I don’t mind."

Levy was very satisfied with that response.

After thinking about it, however, she sighed and shook her head.

"Actually... forget it."

"Why?"

"I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to control myself around you."

"..."

Levy giggled.

"Don’t worry. Since I already agreed to wait, Big Sister will keep her promise."

Then her eyes narrowed.

"But..."

Marshall immediately sensed danger.

Levy leaned closer.

"Marshall, tell me something."

"What?"

"Your favorite girl is Levy-oneechan, right?"

Marshall’s expression instantly became troubled.

He knew it.

There was no escaping this question after all.

"I like all of you."

"Mm—"

Levy immediately interrupted him.

"You’re not allowed to give me that slippery answer!"

She began counting Marshall’s other options with obvious prejudice.

"Think about it. Erza is completely hopeless with romance. Mira is full of schemes. Cana treats you like a little brother, and Juvia was practically raised inside a bottle of vinegar."

Levy leaned in proudly.

"But me?"

She pointed at herself.

"Only Levy-oneechan understands you this well and spoils you this much~"

Her smile widened.

"We’re obviously the best match, aren’t we?"

"So tell Big Sister."

Levy stared directly at him.

"Who do you like the most?"

’Damn it!’

Marshall immediately realized she was trying to corner him.

’Using dirty tricks now, are you?’

Still, he refused to surrender his principles so easily.

"Tonight, I like Levy-oneechan the most."

Levy’s smile immediately bloomed.

Then she paused.

"Hm?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"What about tomorrow?"

"I like everyone..."

"You!"

Levy puffed up angrily.

"Marshall, you’re way too greedy!"

She glared at him.

"You’re not allowed to say everyone! Pick one!"

Marshall sighed.

"All right."

Levy leaned forward expectantly.

"I like Lucy."

"Mm, mm—"

Levy froze.

"...NANIIII?!"

Her eyes immediately cleared.

"W-Wait! What do you mean, Lucy?! Why Lucy?!"

Levy hadn’t even looked this panicked when Marshall caught her red-handed earlier.

Now she was genuinely alarmed.

Marshall blinked innocently.

"Because Lucy’s cute."

He tilted his head.

"She’s my favorite type."

"NO!"

Levy practically jumped.

"How can it be Lucy?! Marshall, are you seriously going to betray all the older girls who grew up with you?!"

"That’s why I said I like all of you."

Marshall shrugged.

"But if you’re asking about my favorite type, then it’s Lucy."

Levy’s expression gradually became horrified.

Now that she thought about it, ever since that blonde Lucy had joined Fairy Tail, Marshall really had spent an unusual amount of time and attention on her.

None of the other girls had received that kind of treatment when they first entered the guild.

The more Levy thought about it, the worse it looked.

She immediately regretted forcing Marshall to answer.

[This is bad. Major crisis! I need to raise Marshall’s affection for me quickly, or I’m finished!]

"Ahem."

Levy abruptly changed her tone.

"Actually, now that I think about it, Marshall liking all of us is probably the correct answer."

Marshall looked at her.

"There’s no need to treat anyone specially."

Levy nodded rapidly.

"You’re probably just interested in Lucy because she’s new. Once you’ve known her longer, you’ll realize she isn’t really any different from the rest of us..."

"Oh."

Marshall obediently nodded.

"Okay."

He lowered his head.

In reality, he was desperately suppressing the corners of his mouth.

The door-in-the-face effect really was useful.

This battle—was Marshall’s victory!

Levy sighed inwardly.

It seemed she wasn’t going to get the answer she wanted tonight.

Still, she wasn’t particularly disappointed.

At the very least, she and Marshall now knew each other’s embarrassing secrets.

More importantly, she had gotten Marshall’s first kiss.

That alone was a massive victory!

Levy knew when to quit while she was ahead.

"Then... I’ll head back?"

She looked at him.

"Marshall, are you okay by yourself?"

"Ahem. Go ahead."

Marshall waved awkwardly.

"I’ll be fine after a little while..."

Marshall escorted Levy to the door.

Just before leaving, however, Levy suddenly turned around, rose onto her toes, and kissed him again.

Only after lingering there for a while did she finally pull away.

Levy placed one finger against her lips and smiled.

"This stays our little secret, okay?"

Her eyes curved mischievously.

"Be careful not to let anyone else find out~"

"Okay."

"Then~ good night, Marshall~"

Levy left his room and headed toward the elevator.

Almost immediately, she ran straight into Cana, who had just returned.

Levy inwardly cursed her luck, though she was also secretly relieved that she had left Marshall’s room when she did.

She absolutely did not want anyone discovering how far ahead she had gotten.

For now, the priority was making sure Cana didn’t become suspicious.

Cana raised an eyebrow.

"Levy?"

"Hm?"

"What are you doing up here? The party ended ages ago."

"Haha..."

Levy laughed naturally.

"I was talking to Marshall about some work."

She shrugged.

"You know how he’s been hiding in his laboratory lately. It’s hard enough just catching him when he’s free."

"Oh?"

Cana nodded.

"Didn’t know you were that dedicated to work."

"It’s nothing like that."

Levy smiled.

"Well, I’m heading home. Good night, Cana~"

"Night."

The two passed each other, and Levy stepped into the elevator.

The doors closed as Cana remained where she was.

She stared at the closed elevator for several seconds before slowly frowning.

Her instincts told her something about Levy had been strange.

More importantly...

Why did Levy smell so strongly of Marshall?

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