The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the eastern forest in warm light. Rays of dusk filtered through the leaves, spilling onto the lush green grass and the calm surface of the lake, blending into a soft orange-red hue.
Reflected on the lake were two figures—one tall and broad-shouldered, the other a small girl with a cute face filled with tension and hesitation.
A gentle evening breeze passed through, rustling the trees and grass, carrying a faint, fresh fragrance—and stirring the hearts of both of them.
"Ah… the scenery here is as beautiful as ever," Gildarts said with a relaxed smile, gazing at the rippling lake.
Cana said nothing.
Her hands were clenched tightly, her fingertips pale. She was conflicted… and afraid.
All these years, she had stayed in the guild, watching that man—admired by everyone—come and go. Watching him drink himself unconscious at the bar. Watching him casually destroy obstacles in his path.
And yet… she never once had the courage to step forward.
Not far away, hidden behind a tree, Arlen and Ultear silently observed.
The situation was simple.
During the guild banquet, Arlen had deliberately told Gildarts that "someone very important" was waiting for him at the eastern lake. Though confused, Gildarts trusted his guildmates completely—even Arlen, whom he had just met—so he came.
As for Cana, with some careful encouragement, she had finally gathered the courage to come here.
And of course—purely to "prevent accidents," definitely not to watch the drama—Arlen and Ultear followed quietly.
"Lord Arlen… Cana looks so nervous," Ultear whispered, looking up at him. "Do you think she can really tell him? What if Gildarts has forgotten her mother?"
"Don't worry," Arlen said, gently patting her head. "Nothing will go wrong. And even if it does… I'm here."
"Mm! It'll be fine!" Ultear clenched her fists softly, cheering in a whisper. "Go, Cana… you can do it!"
Gildarts turned and looked at Cana.
He had seen countless mages—but never eyes like hers.
Fear. Hope. And a trace of grievance she couldn't hide.
His expression softened.
"That kid Arlen said someone important was waiting for me here… that someone is you, right?" he said gently. "I remember you—you're Cana, aren't you?"
Cana's head snapped up, surprise flashing in her eyes.
"You… remember my name?"
She had always thought she was just another insignificant junior in his eyes.
Gildarts scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Of course. You're an important companion—family."
He paused, then continued more softly:
"So… what did you want to tell me? Go ahead, don't worry."
Cana took a deep breath.
"I… came to Fairy Tail to find my father."
"Oh?" Gildarts stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So you came to me… because you want me to beat him up?"
Behind the tree, Arlen and Ultear both twitched.
What kind of logic is that…?
Cana nearly choked.
She suppressed the urge to yell, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted—
"No! I came to tell you… that my father is you, Gildarts!"
"…Huh?"
"…HUH?!"
Gildarts' eyes widened so much they nearly popped out. He pointed at himself in disbelief.
"Me?!"
"Wait… then your mother is…?"
A flood of names flashed through his mind—until one face remained.
His expression changed.
"…Cornelia, right?"
"You look just like her. She was the only woman I ever loved… the only one I married."
His voice grew quieter.
"She couldn't accept my constant missions… so she left. I heard she passed away, but… I never knew we had a daughter."
"I'm sorry… you must have suffered a lot."
He stepped forward and pulled Cana into a tight embrace.
Cana froze for a moment.
Then—
Feeling his warmth, hearing his voice… the tears she had been holding back finally broke free.
She clutched his clothes tightly, crying into his chest.
"I'm sorry, Cana…" Gildarts' voice trembled. "I made you wait so long. I wasn't there while you were growing up… I'm truly sorry."
"But from now on, I won't leave you again. Not even for drinking."
"…You can skip that part," Cana muttered tearfully, sniffling in his arms.
Behind the tree, Arlen smiled faintly.
"Let's go, Ultear. The rest… belongs to them."
"Yes, Lord Arlen."
Ultear took one last look at the reunited father and daughter, her face lighting up with a bright smile before she hurried after him.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, their shadows stretched long across the ground.
The lake rippled gently, as if bearing witness to this long-awaited reunion.
The wind carried away loneliness and distance—leaving behind only warmth.
The next day, the Fairy Tail guild was in an uproar.
Everyone had learned the truth.
Cana… was Gildarts' daughter.
And the reason?
Gildarts himself.
Now fully transformed into a doting father, he dragged Cana all over the guild like a walking announcement board.
"Look! This is my daughter, Cana! My biological daughter!"
His grin stretched nearly to his ears.
"Good for her…" Ultear said softly, resting her chin in her hand as she watched the blushing Cana. "Her wish finally came true."
"So you knew all along?" Ur suddenly hooked an arm around Arlen's neck.
"We only found out yesterday," Arlen replied calmly, sipping his juice. "Before that, we only knew her father was a guild member."
Ur laughed, patting his shoulder.
"Well done. And good work, Ultear."
"Heh. Nice job, Arlen," Erza said generously, pushing her strawberry cake toward him. "You can have this."
"M-My Baumkuchen too…" Kagura added shyly.
Soon, everyone joined in, piling food in front of Arlen until it formed a small mountain.
Arlen's eye twitched.
"…Are you all trying to feed a pig? Do you actually expect me to finish this without dying?"
Despite his complaint, he understood.
This was their way of celebrating Cana's happiness.
"Listen up!" Makarov suddenly shouted, raising a frothy mug. "To celebrate Cana and Gildarts' reunion—let's have another feast!"
"OOOOOH!!!"
The cheers shook the entire guild hall, echoing high into the skies of Fairy Tail.
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