{NATSU'S POV}
I really wish I hadn't killed her.

I finally finished my work and figured Lucy might be playing Fairy Tail, so I logged in. Only to be thrown into a fight with none other than Lucy herself.

She restrained me and my instincts took over. I blasted her with long range elemental magic, but right before it connected, she yelled three words.

Three very simple, heart-stopping, world-tilting words that I've only heard Lucy say in my dreams:

"I like you!"

Then BOOM!

Instant regret. Lucy's avatar has probably respawned back at the Tower of Hope by now. Meanwhile, I'm left reeling from her admission.

My face is burning. I squat in the middle of my throne room, frantically scrubbing my scalp as I process the miracle I just heard.

Lucy likes me.

Luce likes me.

Luce likes me back.

I break out grinning like an idiot. Maybe I should pick up that corny tap dancing skill. I could totally start tap dancing with glee right now.

Then I gasp. Oh crud. The one Lucy confessed to is E.N.D, not Natsu Dragneel. But she thinks we're different people! I'm unwittingly my own romantic rival. This is a disaster!

Mira opens the door to find me still squatting, about pull my avatar's hair out.

"Are you constipated?" My second-in-command asks me kindly.

I quickly stand, trying to retain whatever shred of dignity I have left in front of this girl I've known since we were kids.

"I've got tea." Mira gestures outside the door. There's already two chairs set up. I'm immediately suspicious because I know all about her brewing skill and the reward for maxing it out.

"Fine." I hesitantly sit down. She pours me some green tea in a teacup and I take a sip.

A notification box appears in the corner of my vision. Status Ailment Nullify has just activated and nullified the hypnosis effect of the toxin 'Truth Serum'.

I massage my temples. "Mira..."

"Tch." Mira clicks her tongue. "I forgot about your Status Ailment Nullify skill. Spill! What happened?"

She's suddenly all smiles and innocence, but I don't buy it for a second. I sigh.

"From the moment I first met Lucy, we just kinda clicked, ya know?" I scratch the back of my head sheepishly. I can't believe I'm admitting this. "You would know, I've not been the best with love—"

"If you're referring to how you obliviously broke my little sister's heart, don't worry. She got over it and is now happily married."

I wince. "Right. Well, it was immediately different with Lucy. I've been in love with her since the beginning. But I didn't want to scare her off, since she clearly only wanted me as a friend, so I went along with it."

Mira facepalms, which I cheerfully ignore.

"Then Lucy applied at Dragneel Inc. I swear I didn't do anything. She got the job with her own talent. I was afraid of what would happen when I told her about my family, and I was right. When Lucy learned that I was the president's son, she began to hate me. That broke my heart. Even so, I wanted to stay close to Lucy. So I got a desk job in the same department, and I even moved into her apartment complex. And now she's in love with me but not, and I'm terrified of what will happen when she learns my true double identity. I don't want to lose Luce ever again."

Mira growls darkly, "You mean you didn't tell her?"

"She kinda exploded."

"Natsu!"

"I didn't mean to!" I protest. "How was I supposed to know Lucy was about to confess?!"

Mira shakes her head. "You two are hopeless."