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Stellar Mistakes
By : Rhov
Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail
Views: 14748 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail nor do I make money from this fanfic.
Chapter List
- 38
- 39
- 40
Chapter 39
The Final Result
"… the winner of the Grand Magic Games advertising account goes to … Fairy Tail."
The room buzzed with excitement.
Lucy's eyes opened wide. "What?"
Natsu grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet. "We won! We won!"
Gray looked stunned. "This is crazy. It wasn't rigged after all."
Freed beamed the brightest smile Lucy had ever seen from him. "We did it."
The flashes of dozens of cameras filled the room, while in the front row, the king's massive mustache trembled in rage upon hearing the results.
"What's the meaning of this?" he roared. "How did you choose Fairy Tail? Sabertooth was the clear winner."
The committee leader shook his head. "We were all moved by Fairy Tail's campaign. The Grand Magic Games doesn't only belong to the athletes. They are there because of those who support them. If anything, we were won over when we heard how those athletes here today reacted to seeing their families represented in the Fairy Tail commercial." He looked straight at Team Leo. "We won't lie to our hearts, no matter the circumstances."
Freed muttered in a whisper, "Then he did try to bribe them!"
"Besides," the committee leader went on, "everyone in this country saw the presentations. I'm sure they'd all agree with our evaluation. What do you think?" He asked the crowd with the cameras.
At those words, the gallery burst into applause.
"It was awesome!" a GMG athlete shouted.
"We agree that Fairy Tail's campaign was exceptional," a coach cried out.
Reporters began to buzz. "Can you explain why the king said, 'what's the meaning of this?' Was there political sway in the vote?"
"Jason here with Sorcerer Magazine. There are rumors of a corrupt relationship between Sabertooth and the king. Can we get a comment on that?"
The king flinched. "What rumors? What is this about?"
A microphone shoved forward. "Your majesty, may we have a word about the statement Princess Aries made earlier today?"
"She did what?" he yelled.
The reporter named Jason was persistent, "Also, why is it that you've never allowed another agency to compete for an account? Princess Aries published a letter you had written years ago, bluntly stating that Fairy Tail was never to compete for a government-sponsored ad, and it corresponds to one week after Mister Loke Leo joined the ad agency. Any comment?"
The king stood and backed away. "Ah, sorry, I have an important appointment to make." He took off immediately, but out in the hallway were even more reporters with even more pressing questions.
Loke watched the king getting mobbed, and he smiled craftily. Under his breath, he said, "Sorry, your majesty, but you'll get what you deserve for threatening Fairy Tail."
Lucy looked up to him in shock. Had he and Aries planned this? Had she worked with Loke to bring justice to her own father? Aries really was a kind lady with a pure heart.
The flashes of cameras bathed Fairy Tail in celebratory light. Lucy watched the whole thing in disbelief. While reporters cornered the king about their suspicions of a corrupt relationship, the people from Sabertooth walked over to Loke's group. Leading them was a man with blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
"That was brilliant, Fairy Tail," Sting said, shaking Loke's hand.
Loke clasped his hand back. "I didn't expect you to come here yourself, Mr. Eucliffe."
"It was an important battle. I wanted to see the results for myself."
The bob-haired woman looked excited. "Your idea really touched my heart. I knew we were already defeated. I'm dying to know whose idea it was."
Loke yanked Lucy over. "Gentlemen, ladies, allow me to introduce Lucy Heartfilia, far and away the most brilliant and creative storyboarder I have ever worked with."
With his arm around her shoulder, Lucy's face went pink. "M-Mr. Leo!"
However, his hand slid to her back, and he nudged her forward. Bewildered, all Lucy could do was bow before these people, their biggest rivals.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said formally.
The small girl stuck out her hand. "Yukino Agria. Storyboarder."
Lucy grinned to see a lady with her same job. "Pleased to meet you."
The elegant lady smirked with a curl in her lips of rivalry as she also shook Lucy's hand. "Minerva Orland, Creative Department."
A sober, dark-haired man was the next to shake her hand. "Rogue Cheney, finances. There were rumors that someone in the city tried to sabotage you by cutting your budget. Is that true?"
Loke smiled coolly. "There was a last-minute cut, but we managed."
Lucy wondered how he made that insane slash, cutting their funds by half, sound like merely a small inconvenience.
The blond then grabbed Lucy's hand, surprising her by giving a genteel kiss on her knuckles. "And I'm Sting Eucliffe, CEO of Sabertooth."
"CEO?" Lucy gasped. He was so young!
"You're an impressively creative lady, Lucy Heartfilia." Sting released her hand and laughed. "What can I say? You crushed us. Even I was touched by your campaign concept."
"Th-thank you," Lucy said, overwhelmed by these people with such renown talent now praising an average worker like her. "Your campaign was great as well. No wonder you're the best."
"For how much longer, I wonder," Sting said lightly. "When Mr. Leo here asked us if we'd make this vote a public event, I didn't know what to think. What an insanely bold and confident move that was!"
"What?" Lucy gasped.
Did that mean the press, cameras, athletes, and critics were all Loke's idea? Lucy had been almost certain it was the king who set that up in order to embarrass them before the whole kingdom and ruin Loke's reputation. She looked back at Loke, and he gave her a proud smile.
He said to both their team and Sabertooth, "I was confident that we'd win if the process was fair, and what better way to make sure people with political compromise acted fairly than by exposing them to public scrutiny. I'm grateful that Sabertooth agreed to my request."
Sting just laughed. "How could I say no and not look like a coward?"
Lucy's heart swelled. Loke had believed in her concept, believed in all of their abilities, enough to stake his reputation before the entire nation. Nothing made her happier than to know that.
Sting shook his head. "With that quality, I can see why you were so confident. Miss Heartfilia's ability to connect to the audience on an emotional level was brilliant. We could use someone like her—"
"Hey!" Loke said, and he pulled Lucy back by the shoulder. "No poaching, all right? We need her at Fairy Tail."
"Poaching?" asked Lucy.
"It's pretty obvious," he muttered, glaring at Sting. "The CEO and executives came here specifically to talk to you. That's what this is about, isn't it, Mr. Eucliffe?"
Lucy's mouth dropped. Sabertooth … wanted her?
As she looked back at them, Sting had a wry smile. "I could make it lucrative. Higher pay, better job title, the best benefits in the industry. How about a desk near the window, or your own private office, if you wish?"
Loke's eyes narrowed. "Fairy Tail is able to give her those things as well."
"Then why haven't you? All you had to do was watch her previous commercials to know she's talented."
Lucy stared in astonishment. "You've watched my commercials?"
Sting chuckled at her shock. "It's what I do. Scout out talent. You, my dear," he said flirtatiously, "are obviously talented. Fairy Tail should have given you a better position months ago."
Loke's eyes were still stern. "This was a test for Ms. Heartfilia, and she's more than proved herself. A raise is obviously in store for every team member, and she'll be raised to a higher tier in the storyboarding department."
Lucy choked back her shock. She knew Loke would get a promotion, but she had not thought any of the rest of the team would as well.
"You're quite personally attached, Mr. Leo," Sting observed. "You're welcome to come with her."
Loke sighed and shook his head. "Don't you get tired of hearing me turn you down?"
"That's another no, then," Sting realized with a pout. "Gotta hand it to you, you're loyal to a fault. You really will keep repaying your debt to that old man until you've made good on your promise."
Lucy's mouth dropped. How did people in Sabertooth know about Loke's promise to Makarov? Then again, Lucy realized that this young man was also a CEO. Maybe that was why he knew about that part of Loke's past.
Minerva stepped up. "You can have this campaign, Fairy Tail, but we won't lose the next one."
"Funny," Natsu said with a fired-up grin. "Neither will we."
Sting cocked his head at Natsu. "Oh? Wanna make a bet on that, Pinkie?"
"You're on!" Natsu yelled.
"Hey, enough," Gray warned, pulling Natsu back. "There are still cameras around. Keep your childhood rivalries for another time."
Lucy was surprised. Childhood rivalries? She had known Natsu most of his life, but Sting was unfamiliar. Perhaps Natsu had kept Lucy out of that rivalry for her own protection. He tended to do that a lot. This explained why Natsu was always so eager to beat Sabertooth.
"Well, a pleasure, Mr. Leo," Sting said, and he shook the hands of each of them. He paused and held Lucy's hand a little longer. "If you're ever bored at Fairy Tail—or just bored—give me a call." Then the Sabertooth team walked away, obviously disappointed, but determined to do better next time.
"You're amazing," Gray praised Lucy. "Sabertooth, our rivals, the number one agency in Fiore, wants you to work for them."
Freed had a smile of agreement. "Now, that's a moment of recognition."
Lucy shook her head, still numbed by it. The CEO had come in hopes of recruiting her. "I can't believe it happened," she admitted, yet she smiled at the team, "but I belong in Fairy Tail."
"That's right," Natsu said, shaking her shoulder. "You're our Lucy."
Loke smiled without saying a word. He looked proud, but also relieved to hear her say that.
"Well," Freed said over the noise of the crowd. "This is where our real work begins."
"That's right," Loke said in his business tone. "We've only passed the presentation stage. This is for the Grand Magic Games; a simple demo and mock financial strategy isn't enough at this level. There's a lot of work to be done."
"Yeah, that's true," said Lucy.
"The GMG," Natsu exclaimed with a gleam in his eyes. "A job like that, and it's really ours."
Gray hit him across the head. "Stupid. That's what this was all for, right?"
"Shut up, frost face! I'm just shocked. I don't think Fairy Tail has ever had such a huge client like this."
"That's right," said Freed. "We'll need everyone's strength in the battles ahead."
While they were talking, the reporters had once again crowded around Loke.
"How do you feel right now, Mr. Leo?"
"Can you comment on the surprise budget slash?"
"Will you have more competitions like this with Sabertooth?"
"Mr. Leo, there are rumors about Princess Aries…"
Lucy watched him from a slight distance. Loke had always felt like someone on a pedestal, a celestial being worlds away from her. Now she was by his side, yet still he was in the light of the cameras, while she could only watch his back.
Natsu stepped up next to her. "Good work, Lucy."
"Oh! Yeah, good work, Natsu. We actually did it."
"Yeah, hardly feels real." He pouted as he looked at the throng of reporters surrounding the ginger Creative Director. "You know, I always thought there was something shady about Mr. Leo."
Lucy jolted over. "Shady? Really?"
"It's like he's too perfect. He can do it all. But, well … I get why you like him, too." His quiet voice did not contain any of the anger and frustration it had before. He had been so worried about her, but now he knew his interference had resulted in—or at least influenced—her and Loke breaking up.
"Natsu," she muttered, "I'm sorry I worried you. You were right. That kind of relationship without any stability isn't for me."
"Yeah, obviously you're too innocent," he said in a slightly teasing tone. Then his face looked pensive again, and he said in a soft mumble, "Well, I suppose it wouldn't be that kind of relationship anymore."
Lucy looked over in surprise. Natsu looked a little disappointed, like he was giving up something.
Natsu let out a little sigh. "You know," he said, looking like he did not really want to say this. "He's not engaged now."
Lucy felt her heart thump. "I know … but…"
He laughed and lightly punched her shoulder. "Hey, go for what makes you happy."
She gulped, realizing how hard it was for him to say that to her. She gave him a small nod, a silent thanks, and a promise that they would always be friends.
Just then, Loke finished with the reporters and walked up to them. Both of them bowed slightly to him, but Natsu drifted off to talk with Gray, giving Lucy one last pat on the back. Lucy licked her lips nervously as she stood in front of Loke.
He gazed out at the room, still alive with excitement. Lucy could not get Natsu's words out of her head. She had told herself to give up on Loke so many times, but now, standing next to him in victory … she just knew.
She still had feelings for him.
Not just that, but they had actually grown more intense during this time of separation.
"It's over, eh?" Lucy said, pretending to act calm and cool.
His expression suddenly looked stern. "No. There's one important piece remaining."
"Oh, right. The ceremony afterwards. I promise," she laughed, "no drinking for me."
He smiled lightly. "No, not that."
"Oh? What?"
Loke's fingers wrapped around her hand, so warm and soft with those long fingers. He looked at her with a serious expression, then silently led her through the room toward the exit, rushing a bit to get past reporters.
"Mr. Leo!" she said, trying to keep up. "The ceremony is supposed to start right after this." Besides, if anyone saw him holding her hand like that…
Yet he kept her hand in a tight grip. "I don't have to be here for the rest of it," he said. "I already asked Freed to handle the press."
Confused, she left the presentation room with Loke pulling her urgently along.
- 38
- 39
- 40
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Stellar Mistakes	By : Rhov Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail Views: 14748 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail nor do I make money from this fanfic.

Stellar Mistakes