Electrified Shorts

Shocking Revenge

Cedar Town (X784)

Hey, name's Souro. I own a popular restaurant in Cedar Town. After graduating high school, I've always dreamed of opening my high-end restaurant. My parents shared enough money to investigate a business. The restaurant took months to gain attention, but with the meals and wonderful atmosphere, it became a hit.

Today, a famous mage planned a reservation. He came from Magnolia Town, which was a place I'd planned on expanding my business. But I've heard of a certain guild hall causing mayhem every day. If I built a second restaurant there and their shenanigans exploded, that would ruin my reputation. Two hours later, the staff worked their asses off to organize the dining area.

Whatever I tell these worthless employees what to do, they'll oblige. Not uttering a complaint about how I run. Fifteen minutes remained. I headed to the kitchen, watching chefs cook a blazing storm. Today's menu comprised a platter of fine meats, fried appetizers, and an assortment of cake slices. "Be sure to present those meals like a professional. No slip-ups!"

~***~ 

Twenty Minutes Later...

The front entrance swung open, and a tall man with short blonde hair arrived. What a sick ass scar across his left eye. I love it! "Welcome, gentleman. Follow me to your reserved table." I'd watched a waitress guide our guest to his table. A smirk spread on my face, knowing how much this dude was packing, and I don't mean his physique. Sure, he can lift a hundred pounds easily, but jewels were on my mind.

Dollar signs floated within my head, my lips leaking dribbles of saliva. When the waitress took the guest's order, a friendly conversation shouldn't hurt. I stood near the table, clamped my hands, and leaned forward, giving my best smile. "It's a pleasure to have such a celebrity here at our restaurant. Oh, scratch that, my restaurant. How are you liking our services?" The man spread a smug grin at my response.

It confused me, but then he asked if I knew him. "Excuse me?" I furrowed my eyebrows, while noticing the man's gaze towards me. His gray eyes. They looked familiar. "You should know who I am, Souro. Magnolia Junior High, 9 years ago." My mind flashed back to X775, when me, Yuharo, and Hikage attended junior high. Those were the good old days; teasing the nerds and hanging out with the ladies.

There was one nerd we loved teasing the most. A skinny loser named Laxus. He had that one green-haired nerd and wannabe model. Upon finishing the flashback, I looked deep into the man's face. My brain snapped after realizing who the hell our guest was. I stepped back, my face turning blue and spine vibrating like crazy. "Y-You're Laxus!?" I'd felt my knees buckling, but I kept my posture. Forced a smile, I asked why Laxus reserved lunch here. "My aunt recommended the place. She said it had the best protein-packed meals. I wouldn't say no to her, so I made a reservation. I didn't expect you to be the owner." That smirk showed something terrifying. Why was I trembling in front of him? He might have worked out, but that doesn't make him cool.

I smiled, realizing I was more important than Laxus. After leaving the table, a plan jolted inside my noggin. An hour passed and my jaw dropped when an employee mentioned how much Laxus ordered. Two platters of sliced grilled meat, five cake slices, and five cups of seltzer water. The meat platter cost 30 jewels, while the cake slices cost 25 jewels each. 185 jewels was his receipt. This is perfect! I couldn't hold in the exciting laughter. That handsome nerd won't pay the bill and has to work under me!

I appeared with the waitress and we stood near Laxus' table. He used a toothpick to flick bits of meat out his mouth. Look at him, lounging on my velvet cushions. I'd showed him the bill, all while grinning with content. "You know what happens if you don't pay." Within twenty seconds, Laxus pulled out a large bag from this fur coat and poured a heap of jewels. Our eyes were wide when we saw the amount of jewels Laxus had. "Yeah, my aunt read the fine print. The customer must work here until they covered their bill. Is that right?"

There's that smirk again! This time, he meant it! I engrained that fine print to fool customers who wouldn't pay their food. Poor people shouldn't come here. "She also said how you've been neglecting your employees through verbal threats. You've been paying them little and forced them to continue working. Not giving them breaks." How does he know? Did one employee spilled it? Laxus stood up, straightened his coat, and glanced at me. Damn, he's taller than I thought.

"I don't believe your crap! You can't afford those jewels! Those old hags must be supporting your ass after junior high. Yeah, that explains it. Still an 'Auntie Boy', am I right?"

"Nope. They trained me, I grew stronger, and became a S-rank mage."

"S-rank!?"

"If you're wondering who they are, I'll tell you. The Artificial Three are my aunts and my grandma is Fairy Tail's acting guild master."

"WHAT!?"

"You should know who my grandpa is, Souro. He left before I graduated high school."

My legs caved in and I kneeled before the once-nerdy Laxus. The Artificial Three, Fiore's most acclaimed group of mages, are Laxus' aunts. A-And the acting guild master is his grandma? I turned pale, all blood drained from my face. "I'm not the pathetic nerd anymore. You can believe you're better than me, but face it. Fame won't get you anywhere. Oh, and your restaurant is about to shut down next week." Reality smacked me as I noticed Laxus walking out. Wait, my restaurant's closing?! I'd asked Laxus why my precious restaurant was closing and he paused near the doors. "Aunt Donica came and was appalled by how you behaved towards her. You poured lemon water after she complained about your staff treatment."

The entire building rocked, people paused their movements and stabilized balance. A golden yellow aura covered Laxus as an orb floated above my head. I could have moved, but fear stunned me. A lightning bolt struck me, pulsating every bone in my body. I screeched, yet it didn't heal the agonizing pain that attack released. It ended, and I fell on my side, black soot coated my skin. My precious skin! "That was for Donica. Good riddance."

~***~

Ten Days Later 

Dreyer Cabin 

"That jerk's restaurant closed down after customers heard the rumors of his attitude. Through the grapevine, Souro's working at a mean-spirited community, hoping to repay debt. Apparently, he used the staff's paychecks and the restaurant's sales to pamper himself."

"Hmph, serves him right. He and Yuharo haven't changed."

"Although violence was inappropriate, thank you for defending me, Laxus."

"You're welcome, Donica."

"Be honest, you liked the food."

"Yeah, it was delicious. Souro had an idea, but his personality rot it."

"Of course. To maintain business, you must respect everyone."

"Hm..." (I'm sure Souro will learn a lesson from my stunt. Nah, he deserves to suffer a little.)