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"Nope," Hestia turned back to face him, a beam on her face, though the happiness didn't quite seem to reach her eyes. "You're hiding it very well. But I'm a goddess, you know. I've lived a long time, so I can see through stuff like that easily. You've lost everyone important to you, haven't you?"
The words caused him to wince, but the kind undertone she said them with calmed him instead.
He shrugged. "It was a long time ago. I'm getting better."
"I know," Hestia agreed. "I can tell. You've gotten much better since the last time I saw you. The sorrow used to wrap itself around you like a thick coat. Now it just hangs over your head like an angry cloud."
Godou raised an eyebrow. "That's an interesting perspective."
"Well," Hestia let out an embarrassed laugh. "It's kind of a sixth sense for me, so I don't really know how to describe it to other people. It's also why I don't like going to the Hostess with Bell. Even though all the adventurers are always happy, all the waitresses have the same gloomy aura. It's...depressing, I guess."
Godou found himself unsurprised by this. He'd seen it too. When they were off duty, or during lulls when they thought no one was looking, sometimes they would just stare into the distance for prolonged periods of time, sighing when they were done. He knew the symptoms of a painful memory well. "Everybody there has a story, I guess," he said, forcing himself to laugh.
"It's good that you're all together then. You can form your only little family of hurt children," Hestia said. "It's a start."
"I suppose it is."
"So?" Hestia said, her voice suddenly more upbeat. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Feeling relieved that the conversation had shifted, Godou steeled himself for the question he was about to ask.
"How much?"
Hestia tilted her head. "For what?"
"For the dagger you got for Bell. How much do you owe?" Bell had shown him the dagger. He had touched it, and asked Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi and Lancelot for their opinions.
'Pinnacle of mortal crafting' they had called it.
For a moment, Hestia said nothing.
"Why do you care?" she suddenly asked, getting slightly defensive. "I made my choice."
Godou stared her down. "And I'm about to make mine. So tell me."
The staring battle that ensued lasted at least for half a minute, before Hestia finally relented and released a dejected breath. "I...don't know. Hephaestus told me that it's probably the most expensive dagger she's ever made and left it at that. It's going to take me a long time to repay her."
Hestia sounded frustrated, but Godou could detect no regret in her words.
"Why go so far for a boy that you barely know?" Godou felt a little bad when he saw Hestia flinch slightly. He didn't mean to pressure her like that.
"It's the least I can do." Hestia clenched her fists. "He told me he grew up without his parents, and his only family, his grandfather, died when he was young. I'm the goddess of family, and there stood in front of me of a boy who was deprived one of life's greatest joys. It angered me that I couldn't do anything about it. So I made my decision right then and there. I'm going to support Bell by doing everything I can do to help him achieve his goal of being a hero. I'm going to be his family."
'Give it to someone who you think deserves it', Freya had said, hadn't she?
It was odd. He'd come here to get a deeper understanding of Bell, but instead he found something else entirely.
The corners of his lips twitched upwards to form a smile against his will. He took out the grimoire and held it in front of Hestia.
"Here, take this. I want you to have it."
Hestia gave him a strange look, before uncertainly accepting it. Her eyes widened when she flipped it open. "This is a grimoire!" she hissed, looking around as if she was worried someone might overhear.
"I know," Godou said calmly. "It's yours."
For a few seconds, her disbelieving gaze alternated between him and the book in her hands.
"I can't!" she shook her head. "I can't afford this."
"It's free," Godou said, rolling his eyes.
"Really?" Hestia was ecstatic for a moment. But her expression quickly morphed into one of doubt. "Wait. Why? Why are you giving me such a valuable item? It's worth...a lot, you know."
Godou grinned playfully. "Why do you care? I made my choice." he said to her, borrowing her earlier words.
The goddess was not amused. "You're crazy. People aren't supposed to do this! Nobody's just this...nice. What do you want, Kusanagi Godou?"
"I already got what I wanted," he replied casually. "So the grimoire's yours."
Hestia looked extremely hesitant. But after a few seconds of deliberation, her shoulders finally relaxed, and she pulled the book closer to her well-endowed chest. "No takebacks?"
Godou barked out in laughter. "No takebacks," he confirmed.
"What...what am I supposed to with it?" she asked cautiously.
Godou shrugged noncommittally. "Whatever you want. Give it to Bell. Sell it. Display it on your coffee table. It's yours."
Finally, the smile Godou was waiting for appeared on Hestia's face. "I...I don't know how to thank you. Are you sure you don't want to join my Familia?"
"I'm sure, Lady Hestia."
Hestia winced. "We could overcome your pain together, you know. We can be your new family!"
Godou offered her a pained smile. "I appreciate your offer, but I know what I need right now."
Hestia was trying to keep the tears in. Godou could see her eyes pooling. "You're making this hard for me," she mumbled, bringing a hand to wipe her eyes. "I'm going to feel very bad if I don't offer you something in return."
"Hmmm," Godou said, pretending to be in deep in thought. "Just keep being the 'kind goddess' you are," he borrowed her earlier words again, "and I'll be fine with that."
Hestia sniffled. "You're horrible, you know that?" She wiped her eyes again. "Come back tomorrow. Please."
Godou cocked his head. "Tomorrow? Sure, I guess. But why?"
Her face went red. She said something softly Godou didn't quite catch.
"Can you repeat that?"
"I said," Hestia said, louder this time. "I'll...give you...a fried potato."
Godou blinked. Then he grinned mischievously. "Just one?"
Her face turned even redder. "Two...Three...As many as you want! With whatever toppings you like!"
Godou chuckled. "No takebacks?"
She nodded her head firmly. "No takebacks."
Godou stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow then, Lady Hestia." With that, he started to walk away. The Sun was setting, which meant that adventurers should be returning from the Dungeon right about now. The Hostess would get full pretty soon and he had to help May in the kitchen.
When he rounded the corner, he couldn't help but laugh when he heard Hestia's childish whoop of joy.
"Someone who deserves it, huh," Godou mumbled under his breat
h. "Who knew it would be a God of all people?"
He might not be sure about Bell, but Hestia certainly earned it.
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Want to read more?
The next 10+ chapters are already available on my Patreon!
By joining, you'll get:
📖 Early access to future chapters
🗳️ Polls to shape the story
🎁 Exclusive content for Patrons
🔥 Bonus scenes & content you won't find anywhere else
👀 Don't fall behind—others are already ahead!
👉 patreon.com/FanfictionTakashi
(If link doesn't show, just search on Google: FanfictionTakashi Patreon)