RAW: Gray loves Juvia... again
About the raw. The literal translation is “I will pick up (/meet) Juvia no matter what.”
必ず = without fail, definitely, certainly
In fact, my friend who is a 100% native Japanese speaker and lives in Japan, confirmed that Gray loves Juvia (if it wasn’t already clear). She said:
“必ずジュビアを迎えに行く
means Gray loves Juvia.
It is not straightforward though.
必ず＊＊を迎えに行く。
👆This is set phrase.
これは日本語の決まり文句。
Basically, we understand it means someone loves someone.
基本的に好きな相手に対していう言葉。
In 恋愛ドラマとか/恋愛マンガとか (romance dramas/romance manga) what Gray said is a set phrase/standard combo.
今の俺じゃダメ
今の私じゃダメ
is short for 今の俺じゃダメなんだ、ふさわしい男じゃないから and 今の私じゃ彼にふさわしくない (meaning he thinks he is no good to be with her right now with the way he is)
Basically 必ず〇〇を迎えにいく (I will definitely meet her/pick her up/get her)
follows after 今の俺ではダメなんだ (I am no good right now)
It means they love someone, but they try to become a worthy person for someone they love.”
There you have it. Straight from a Japanese native.
She also noted how Gray did not deny loving Juvia when Juvina teased him.
愛するってトコは否定しないのね
“You didn’t deny she’s the one you love”
“It shows he loves her because he doesn’t deny what Juvina says: 愛するジュビア (beloved Juvia/Juvia that you love)”
Basically, Mashima-sensei literally pointed out through Juvina that GRAY DID NOT DENY ACTUALLY LOVING JUVIA. However, he denied being “lovers” (koibito) because they aren’t together yet. But they will be. My native friend said “he’s trying to become a worthy person for Juvia now. Because he loves her.”
Plus all the blushing, smiling, and thinking about Juvia throughout the entire chapter. Gray wants to become a man who can protect her. I mean, Juvina even calls Gray a lover boy and says Juvia won’t wait forever. Gray doesn’t deny being a lover boy either. He just agrees with her.
It was clear from the last chapter (where he thought of Juvia and romantic love while smiling and blushing), and the original Fairy Tail that Gray loves Juvia. The Japanese fans right now are going crazy, because they understand Gray is so deeply in love and wants to do things right before getting together. This is not to say Gruvia wasn’t canon in chapter 545!!!! Had there been no sequel, they would be. But now Mashima-sensei has the opportunity to canonize Gruvia the right way. And with the current set up…. looks like Gray will prove himself to be good enough for her soon. Amazing character development for Gray this chapter!
Here are some examples of Gray’s line being used in romantic situations! Just like the natives said. Again, this line “I’ll definitely pick you up/get you” does not translate well into English, but it’s completely clear in Japanese that it’s romantic!!!
And if you google 必ず迎えに行く you’ll see so many stories by native Japanese people talking about their lovers.
EDIT 2:
OFFICIAL KODANSHA TRANSLATION
They translated the text closer to the context in what Gray actually meant (with romantic connotations,“make her mine”) as opposed to a literal translation (“pick Juvia up/go get Juvia”). Aka, the paid professionals have proven this entire post correct. :)
“And then I swear, I’ll make her mine.”
