Hello guys! As I promised, I'll update on my birthday! And today is my birhday!
This is my birthday present from me to you guys! Usually The one who gives presents aren't me, but! As an author who LOVES HER FANS TOO MUCH, I give you guys this as a present!
May I become more skillful in making fanfiction so I can please my lovely fans more! Amen!
SO! This is the LAST CHAPTER of CHASING A DREAM! Thank you for all of your supports up until now! Enjoy~!
Brrtt! Brrtt!
Lucy takes her phone that just vibrated. She looks at the screen that says '1 new email'. Lucy unlocks her phone and looks at the email.
[ From : Eri-chan ]
[ Subject : Re : Yesterday ]
"Really, Lucy-san?! You met Acchan? Yeah! I know him. He's my childhood friend but he's 5 years older than I am. I hope he didn't do anything unpleasant to you!^^"
Lucy blinks at the email. She forgot what just happened. She throws herself on the bed and looks at the ceiling of her room. Oh yeah… Last night Virgo gave back my phone. I immediately emailed Eri asking whether she knows a black haired man who works at the fancy restaurant downtown. Last night… Huh? Lucy thought.
Lucy throws her phone to the edge of the bed
"Sorry, Eri-chan. I'll reply to you later." Lucy whispered
Knock… Knock…
"Hime!" Virgo said from the door. Lucy blinks. She walks to the door and open it, seeing Virgo's face is half-pale
"What's wrong, Virgo?"
"There's someone who wants to meet you." Virgo said. Lucy immediately walks downstairs. Who might make Virgo makes that face? She opens the main door, seeing someone is standing there. Someone she knows too much
"NATSU?! W-Wh-What are you doing here?! Are you mad?! Father is—"
"Calm down, Luce!" Natsu suddenly said while holding Lucy's shoulder. Lucy looks at Natsu. He dresses up so nicely with his suit and tie "I'm going to meet your father."
"P-Pardon?"
"I'm…, going…, to…, meet…, your…, father, Luce." Natsu said slowly
"HUH?! Don't do it, Natsu! You don't know how stubborn my dad can—"
"What's going on here?" An overly familiar voice spoken from inside. Lucy gulps and turns her head, seeing his dad is standing behind her with crossed arm. He suddenly stuns and his eyes narrowed when he sees a certain pink-haired boy "Lucy! I thought I told you to not come and see him again!" He shouted
"Wait, father! I can ex—"
"Please wait." Natsu said. He suddenly walks to Lucy's father as Lucy steps back. He bows his head "My name is Natsu Dragneel and I wish to talk to you, sir." He said as he looks at Jude's eyes confidently
"Fine. Come in." He said as he walks to the guest room. Natsu follows him from behind until Lucy grabs his sleeve
"What do you think you're doing?!" Lucy whispered. Natsu smiles and pats Lucy's head
"Don't worry. I know what I am doing." He said. He looks at Jude who doesn't seem to notice that Natsu is not right behind him anymore. Natsu looks at Lucy and kisses her forehead "Trust me." He said as he runs to Jude's side again
"That idiot…"
.
.
.
Natsu and Jude are inside the guest room. Just both of them. Not even Jude's private butler can enter the room. The door is so thick that Lucy can't hear the voices inside. She sits in front of the door while making this worried expression
"Lucy dear?" Suddenly, Lucy's mom, Layla approaches her
"M-Mama."
"Is dad inside?" Lucy nods "Do we have any guests?" Lucy nods again "Who is it?"
"It's Natsu."
"Natsu?"
"Natsu Dragneel. My b-b-boyfriend."
"Aaah! That pink-haired boy." Layla said as Lucy nods again. Lucy buries her face on her knees. Layla's mother instinct suddenly appears "He wants to talk to your father, doesn't he?" Lucy nods slowly "I see. And you're scared he won't approve even if Natsu-kun does everything he can do?" Lucy nods again
"Mama…, I don't want Natsu to work so hard for me and I'm just sitting here, couldn't do anything."
"Lucy dear… You know… Your father, even though he doesn't look like that… He cares a lot about you. He wants you to be happy that's why he did this."
"But, Mama. Money isn't everything for me."
"You're right. He doesn't know that." Layla said. She puts her hand on Lucy's shoulder "But I don't think your dad will ask him to do anything that Natsu-kun can't do." Layla said. Lucy smiles. Suddenly, the door opens. Lucy stands up immediately. She sees that Natsu looks okay.
Natsu suddenly bows his head again "Thank you, sir!"
Lucy and Layla looks at each other and blinks
Jude walks away as Lucy immediately approaches Natsu "Natsu! What happened?"
"Don't worry, Luce." Natsu said with a grin "Starting tomorrow I'll be working at the Heartfilia Company!" Natsu shouted "Yoroshiku na!"
"H-Huh? Wait, wait! What?!"
"Like I said—"
"No, no! He asked you to work there?"
"No. I begged him. There, I'll prove that I'll be worthy to be with you." Natsu said "Please wait a little bit more, okay?" Natsu said as he walks away "Bye! I'll mail you later." He said while waving as he walks to the parking lot. Lucy looks at Layla
"Mama, will he be alright? I mean dad is…"
"…I think he will be alright."
The next day, Lucy walks in the Heartfilia Company. Everyone looks super busy. She walks to her father's office, seeing Natsu is sitting at a desk with a computer on it. Next to him there are a lot of files. I mean, LOTS OF LOTS OF files. Lucy immediately approaches Natsu
"Natsu! Anything I can help? It looks troublesome."
"Don't worry! Don't worry!" Lucy looks at the files. Those are the work program of the company, the implementation reports, also the budget report
"Wait… Natsu, what's your work?"
"I have to make accountability reports."
"A-Accountability reports?! This is not an easy job that a newcomer should do! This is the secretary's job! And why didn't she make this a long time ago! Look at this! This is last year's work program!"
"Stop shouting." Lucy immediately turns her head
"What's the meaning of this, dad? Where did your trusted secretary go?"
"I fired her."
"Huh? Why?"
"She was slacking off and didn't do any of those. And I need these to be finished in 3 days because the other companies are asking for it!"
"You could've asked me or Mama!"
"Shut your mouth. If you don't have any business here, please leave. I'll be going for a meeting at another company."
"I'll be staying here." Lucy said firmly
"Fine, but don't ruin anything." He said as he leaves. When the door's shut, Lucy immediately sits at the desk next to Natsu's and take half of the piles
"Wa-Wait, Luce!"
"It'll be faster if we do it together. I don't want you to be the only one working. Don't worry, I'm experienced, so—"
"No."
"Huh?"
"I said, no. It'll be useless if I didn't do it myself." Natsu said. Lucy sighs
"Fine, but I'll be watching you here so you won't make any mistakes."
"Yep." Natsu said with a grin.
Days after days passed. It's been 3 days, the deadline of the accountability reports. Lucy looks at Natsu whose eyes are black like a panda. He seems like he lost weight. And his eyesight seems like getting worse
"It's finished so won't you sleep at the sofa for a while, Natsu?"
"…No, no. Your father will come soon, right?"
"No, it's stil 5 AM and father usually come at 10. You can sleep for 5 hours." Lucy said as she pulls Natsu to at least sit on the sofa
"No, it's okay… I…"
"Sleep!" Lucy puts Natsu's head on her lap "Just go to sleep, and until father comes, I'll wake you up." Natsu couldn't reject her. He's actually very sleepy to begin with
"Luce…,"
"Hmm?"
"Your laps… Feels warm…" Lucy suddenly blushes. She hits Natsu's head lightly
"Go to sleep you idiot!" Lucy said but Natsu already falls asleep. She sighs and leans her back on the sofa. She slowly takes out her phone
[To : Loke]
"Make sure father comes late. Thanks."
Lucy sends the text. She sighs again
"I wonder if this text will reach Loke's phone. Haa, if only he told me his new email address." Lucy said. She looks at Natsu who is still fast asleep. She smiles at him and looks at the pile of accountability reports that Natsu made. She actually changed few mistakes that Natsu made when Natsu was dozing off or went to the toilet. She also checked it before they print it so that her father won't ask him to redo it again. And of course Natsu knows NOTHING about this.
Lucy opens her phone again, she opens the instant messaging app and chats with Levy. She can't do anything to disturb Natsu who is sleeping on her lap
"Uhn…" Natsu moaned
"…Sorry. Did I wake you up?"
"Nnn…No… Is your father here yet…?"
"No… Don't worry. I'll wake you up 10 minutes before he comes."
"How could you know…?"
"Well, just leave it to me."
"…Luce?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks." Natsu said as he falls asleep again. Lucy smiles and kisses Natsu's cheek
"I should be the one to thank you." Lucy looks at her phone again and keeps chatting with Levy. Hours past. Lucy leans on the sofa deeper and looks at the clock. It should be about time, Lucy thought. She looks at her phone but there's no text. I hope Loke will be able to send me a text
Brrt!
"Oh!" Lucy said. She looks at the phone
[From : Loke]
"Almost there."
Lucy smiles. She looks at Natsu and shakes him slowly "Natsu… Natsu… My father will come in 10 minutes… Wakie wakie…"
"Nn…?"
"Wake up, Natsu…"
"L-Luce…?"
"Yeah, it's me." Lucy said. Natsu wakes up from his sleeping position. "Wh-What time is it?"
"It's almost 10. You should hurry. My father will come soon."
"SERIOUSLY?!" Natsu jumped
"Relax." Lucy said "Go wash you face and tidy up your clothes. You still have time." Lucy said. Natsu immediately goes to the washroom
Knock… Knock… Lucy looks at the door Ugh… Faster than I expected. Lucy thought
"Come in, father." Lucy said. Jude immediately come in and looks at the room
"Where's him?"
"At the washroom. Don't worry, he done it all by himself." Lucy said. She walks to the pile of paper "Here, printed out, and booked." Suddenly a shadow appear behind Jude
"Wow, such a nice job by a new comer!"
"Mama!"
"Yeah, too nice if I must say. You did this didn't you?"
"I did not!"
"Then how come he can make something this good?"
"I just directed him but he do it all by himself!"
"Wait!" A voice coming from behind "Sir, yes I did this myself and all Lucy did was only directed me and she also corrected my mistakes. But sir, believe me. I did this myself." Natsu said
"Honey, I don't think they're lying." Layla said
"…Fine." Jude said "But."
"But…?"
"There's one last thing you need to do."
"What is it, sir?"
"In 2 days, I will interview some people to be the next president. And you must aim for it."
"Wait, father!"
"Then, see you in 2 days." Jude said as he leaves the room. Lucy suddenly sits down on the sofa. She looks really weak. So does Layla, Natsu looks at them confusedly and Lucy noticed
"…You know, Natsu. NO ONE ever passed that test of father's!" Lucy shouted. She looks so desperate
"Natsu-kun, people were asking why Jude never resigns from his position. Why does he never retire at such an old age? That's because no one ever passed the election."
"I see… What kind of election is this anyway?"
"It's a test. Like in school. There are written and oral. The written one is really difficult indeed. And the oral test, you have to give a presentation about this company's ups and downs for the past year. And you also have to answer some of father's hard question. No one ever get higher than B+ while the minimum passing grade is A." Lucy explained
"There's no chance?" Natsu asked. Lucy looks at Natsu and smiles a little
"I think you can do it, Natsu." Lucy said with a bigger smile on her face. Natsu smiles at her beloved girlfriend
"Yeah, I'll work hard!"
.
.
.
"Luce! Luce!" Natsu runs toward Lucy who is standing at the balcony while watching the stars. She looks toward Natsu who is holding a paper
"Hmm?" Lucy hummed
"Can you explain this to me?"
"Ah… This." Lucy uses her small finger to point at the diagram Natsu's showing "This is the graphic diagram of the company's sell. I bet there's a file that explains it. Did it fell somewhere?"
"I'll go look for it." Natsu said as he runs again. Lucy looks at him
"Don't tire yourself too much, Natsu." Lucy whispered
Crring! Crring! Lucy looks at her phone
"Hello, Levy-chan?"
"Lu-chan! Soo~ How was things?"
"Yeah… Good… I guess? Father made Natsu joins the election." Lucy said "And now I'm spending 3 days and 2 nights at a hotel near the company."
"YOU WHAAT?!"Levy shouted "You're spending THE NIGHT with him and you think he WON'T do anything to THIS GIRLFRIEND?"
Lucy glances at Natsu who is still busy with his studying "Nah. He won't do anything. Seriously. Now, he won't think ANYTHING about that." Lucy said "Anyway, I'll be helping him studying so…see you." Lucy said as she ended the phone. She walks to Natsu and sits next to him who is having this serious face and his eyes are narrowing "Natsu?" Lucy said
"Aa?"
"Are you tired?"
"No, not at all."
"Your eyes are narrowing."
"Don't worry. It's fine."
"Hey, Natsu. What number is this?" Lucy shows her finger
"F-Four?"
"It's two Natsu." Lucy said. She takes Natsu's laptop and closes it "I think you should stop for today."
"But—,"
"Natsu… 5 AM today, you JUST finished the accountability report. And you slept only for 5 hours! Why do you work so hard for me, Natsu?" Lucy suddenly bursts out crying "Y-You know… I… I'm sorry I was being selfish… S-Saying that I don't want to run away." She cries harder and harder "B-But… I-I shouldn't have ruined your d-dream, hu-huh? I-I'm s-sorry… F-Forgive me—"
Suddenly, Natsu pulls Lucy and kisses her tenderly
"Na—"
Natsu keeps kissing her as both of the falls to the floor, Lucy opens her eyes and Natsu is on top of her
"Luce… Forget about my last job. Forget everything before today. Because, Luce… You're my new dream. And I'll work hard so I won't lose it again."
"B-But…"
"Luce…" Natsu kisses Lucy again "After this problem with your father is over… Let's get married."
"H-Huh?"
"Lucy Heartfilia… Will you marry me?" Lucy hugs Natsu as tightly as she can
"I will!" Lucy shouted
"Don't cry." Natsu said as he giggles.
2 days passed. Natsu has been sleeping at the sofa all the time and Lucy also can't sleep well. She always wakes up at least 3 hours once to check Natsu's condition. Natsu was working very hard. And today… Is the day.
"Natsu…" Lucy shakes Natsu's body who is still sleeping on the sofa with papers are covering most of his body "Natsu… Wake up or you'll be late."
"Nnn…" Natsu opens his eyes and blinks. He immediately looks at the clock "Luce, what time is it?"
"It's 7. But can't you see the clock?"
"Yeah… My eyes are blurry."
"Oh no… You should get your eyes checked."
"But there's no time. The interview is at 9!" Natsu said "Do you have contact lens or something, Luce?"
"I only have glasses with -1.00." Lucy said "Wait a sec." Lucy walks to her bag and takes out a glasses box with simple-designed glasses inside. Natsu takes the glasses and puts it on
"Whoa… I can see clearly again!" Natsu said
"Phew! Good then. I think after this we'll go to check your eyes."
"Yep. Hey… Do I look weird?"
"Nope! You look great." Lucy said "Anyway, you should hurry and change your clothes." Lucy said as Natsu nods and runs to the bathroom. Lucy looks at the bathroom door worriedly "I hope he will be okay…" Lucy said
Not long after that, Natsu and Lucy walk together to the company. It's very close from the hotel so they can just walk. When they arrive, ton of people are there. They're mostly from outside the company who want to try being the president of the famous Heartfilia Company. Natsu gulps and his face becomes pale. Lucy pats Natsu's back
"Don't worry. You can do it!" Lucy said. Natsu smile
"YOSH! I'll win this thing!" Natsu said as he runs to the entrance. Lucy walks slowly to the entrance and sits at the waiting room. She opens her phone as soon as she finds a seat. She opens her twitter with thousands of mentions coming. She blinks. She looks at the mention saying that they miss her and things like that. Lucy smiles
"Hey, everyone! Long time no see!
Don't worry I didn't die, haha. Thanks for your support until now!
I'm doing my best at my new life! WML!"
Not long after Lucy tweeted that, a lot of people retweeted and favorited it. Lucy smiles. She locks the screen and sighs. She looks at the clock. Now, Natsu must be taking the written exam. I wonder if he will be alright.
Time and time passed. Lucy restlessly taps her fingers on the table. She always glancing at the clock. It's almost the end of the oral exam. I wonder if Natsu did alright? Lucy shakes her head. She runs to the interview room and stands in front of it. Suddenly the door slams open and a lot of people come out. Lucy is taken by those people but suddenly…
"Otto!" Suddenly she feels like someone is pulling her "Abunakatta yo!"
"Natsu!" Lucy shouted "How was the test?! Can you do it?! Did father press you too hard?!" Lucy shouted. Natsu smiles and pats her head
"Don't worry! I did my best! Let's see the result tomorrow. Let's go back…, okay?" Lucy nods. They walk hand in hand to the hotel again "By the way, Lucy… Did your father know you're staying at the hotel with me?"
"Nope! I tell him that I'm staying at Levy's. She already agreed to help anyway—Natsu?" Lucy looks at Natsu who turns away his face. That was dangerous! Dangerous! Good thing I didn't do anything to her! Natsu thought while blushing ear to ear "Natsu?"
"Y-Y-Y-YES SIR! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING SIR!"Natsu suddenly shouted
"Natsu…? You must be tired. Let's go." Lucy said as she pulls Natsu to the hotel. I mustn't let her know what I was thinking! Natsu thought.
Lucy pulls Natsu to their room
"You must sleep." Lucy said
"I'm not very tired actuall—!" Lucy pushes Natsu to the bed
"Sleep!" Lucy said while on top of him. Natsu blushes. When did she become so aggressive?!
"W-W-W-Wait, Lucy! Calm down!"
"No, I-!" Mou! Natsu thought. He turns their position. Now Natsu's on top
"You shouldn't have pushed a man to the bed, Luce." Natsu said. Lucy blushes hardly. Noticing that, Natsu sighs and let go of her. He blushes ear to ear "…ous…"
"Huh?"
"This is dangerous… I became more anxious when I know you didn't tell your father. I thought I really mustn't do ANYTHING but that makes me want to touch you more." Natsu confessed "I'll be sleeping at the couch as always." Natsu said as he walks away but Lucy pulls his clothes
"N-No…," Lucy said "Sleep here… With me… Tonight…" Lucy said. Natsu blushes
"He-Hey!"
"It's fine because it's you!" Natsu shouted "It's fine because it's you… Natsu…" Lucy said again. Natsu gulps and hugs her then throw themselves onto the bed "Na-Na-Na—!" Lucy looks at Natsu who already falls asleep. "This guy!" Lucy said. She smiles and chuckles. She buries her head in Natsu's chest because his arms are wrapping around her body tightly "Well, only for today… I think it's okay."
.
.
.
Lucy and Natsu stands in front of the company's door. The result is inside. A lot of people are already come out with disappointed expression. Lucy takes Natsu's hand and holds it tightly
"Let's see it together!" Lucy said. Natsu smiles
"Yeah!" They both enter the company. They stand in front of the notice board. They thoroughly search for Natsu's name
"There it is!" Lucy shouted
Natsu Dragneel (A) (A) (B) = (A-)
"What… The…" Lucy said "Written A, Presentation A, Interview B? Overall A-? Seriously?"
"It's the end." Suddenly, a voice coming from behind. Lucy and Natsu turn their faces, seeing Jude is standing behind them "Come with me for a second, both of you."
Both of them enter the president's office. Jude hands Natsu a paper "This is the result. Your score is A- so you didn't pass. And as you promised, if you don't pass this test, you won't get close to my daughter again."
"No way, Natsu. You said that?" Lucy looks at Natsu who has this pained and guilty expression
"Sorry, Luce…"
"No! No! No! Dad! You planned this didn't you?! He studied day and night to pass this and you easily give him a B?! I can't accept this!"
"Stop, Luce." Natsu grabbed Lucy's shoulder "It's okay. I lost. But I didn't regret it."
"Natsu…"
Knock… Knock…
"Oh! Everyone is here already."
"Mama!"
"Natsu-kun… Didn't pass? I saw it at the notification board. No one passed again? But he broke the record of getting A-."
"He failed and that's final." Jude said firmly
"And that's because of that last question you personally asked him?"
"Mama attended the test?"
"Yeah, I usually help but not always. But this year's is special actually. You know, your father asked a lot of questions to Natsu only. After he perfectly answered the company-related questions, he asked personal questions. I remember exactly,
1. Where did you work?
"Currently at the Heartfilia Company. I used to work at Sabertooth Agency U.S and Fairy Tail agency before that."
2. What was your job there?
"A photographer, sir."
3. How old are you?
"24, sir."
4. Your parents?
"My mother died long ago. My dad is still alive."
5. Do you have any siblings?
"I don't, sir. My mother died when she bear me."
6. Your last education?
"I got my bachelor degree when I was 20, sir."
7. What does your father do?
"He's a photographer. My father is Igneel Dragneel, the legendary photographer. I indeed admired him, sir."
8. I heard you supposed to be married by now. What happened?
"To be honest I and Lucy ruined the wedding. I've loved Lucy ever since before she crashed the wedding."
9. How do you feel about my daughter? How did you meet her? How far did you go?
"I really loved her sir. She's the sun of my life. She does her work with all her might even though a lot happened to her. She really motivated me. We met few hours before I first come to the FT agency. She's very lively and I loved everything about her. We… Haven't gone too far sir. And I promise I won't."
10. Last… Can you make my daughter happy?
And do you remember what you answered, Natsu-kun?" Layla said
"I do."
"Tell me. Tell us."
"I answered… 'I'm sure I will sir. 'Cause I love her more than anything in the world'."
"That's was unreasonable." Jude said
"But that was out of topic! You should still give him an A! Father! I'm sure Natsu will make me happy!" Lucy said. Her eyes are teary, she clenches her fists and teeth "Please, Father!" Lucy said while bowing her head
"I too! Please approve me!" Natsu said while bowing his head
"Dear… I too. Please approve them." Layla joined
"Raise your head." Jude said. The three of them raised their head "I… Approve you." Jude said "But! Make sure you make her the happiest woman in the world… Natsu." Jude said. Lucy and Natsu look at each other then smile
"Yes!" Natsu said happily. They both get out of the president's room as Jude plops down at his chair
"You love Lucy too much, you don't want any guy with such a perfect answer take her away, didn't you?" Layla said with a chuckle
"Shut up. Don't tell her that." Jude said with a slight blush.
.
.
.
"Mrs. Dragneel! Mrs. Dragneel! About this document,"
"Ahh… Here, you got it wrong here, here and here."
"Mrs. Dragneel! Sign this please!"
"Ah, yes. Please immediately send it to the other company, got it?" The blonde girl speed walks to a big room titled 'President's Room'
BRAK!
"Where the heck is the president?!" Lucy shouted
"He just ran outside, Mrs." One of the employees said
"That guy!" Lucy immediately runs toward the backyard garden, seeing a certain pink-haired guy is under the tree, sleeping carelessly. Lucy approaches him, he's actually holding a camera and while in a sleeping position, taking picture of the tree. Lucy moves closer to him who doesn't seem to notice she was there
C-Click.
"Luce!" Natsu jumped. Lucy glares at him
"How can you relax like this when the company is at this pinched condition?!"
"But I was tired!" Lucy pouts then sits next to him. Natsu looks at his camera "Look at this, Luce." Natsu shows the last picture he took that shows Lucy's face, with her face is blown by the wind and her soft expression
"Ah… There's me. That was… A minute ago?"
"Yep. You still have the aura, huh?" Natsu teased
"I guess I do." Lucy said with a smile. Natsu wakes up and leans a kiss on her
"Mama! Papa!" Natsu and Lucy jumped. They look at the direction of the voice
"Nashi!" They both said together
"Mama! Papa! I got 100 at math!" Nashi said while jumping to her mom and dad
"Ehh… Papa never got 100 at math."
"Hahaha… That's so you, Natsu!"
"Hee…" Natsu said. Natsu and Lucy look at each other and kiss the cheek of their lovely daughter.
I'll make both of them remain happy as I promised
CHASING A DREAM OFFICIALLY FINISHED! Thank you for your support! I really really really LOVE YOU!
About my next project, I'll reveal it here and now!
It's called "Forgotten Answers I Really Yearned." The pairing is YOUR VOTE! When I said the vote is closed, you can't vote anymore. But I won't start until I published the first chapter. This story is tragedy/fantasy and romance of course! The choice is NaLu and NaLi! 1 person only can vote once per chapter. Yep! The vote is using review. I'll explain later
So! Thank you guys so much and see you at my next project!
Sincerely,
Keiko Amano