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After Mikoto and Haruhime stepped in to calm the situation, the small verbal spat between Goddess Hestia and Lili finally subsided. Lili huffed in annoyance but eventually took a seat on the empty chair beside Bell.
"Here, eat this first, Lili," Bell said, handing her a stick of dango with a sincere smile.
Lili glanced at it briefly before taking it with her signature tsundere attitude. "Hmph... fine, since Bell offered it." She took a bite, and the chewy balls coated in sweet and savory sauce melted on her tongue. "Hmmmm... It's good. A nice way to relieve fatigue."
As she chewed contentedly, her gaze drifted toward the guest sitting across from her—a red-haired young man with a calm expression and an unfamiliar yet oddly familiar aura. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Eh? Isn't that...?" she muttered.
"Oh, right! Let me introduce you, Lili!" Hestia clapped her hands cheerfully. "This is Shirou. He used to help me sell Jagamaru-kun before Hestia Familia was officially formed. Thanks to him, I managed to survive back then."
Shirou bowed politely. "Nice to meet you, Lili. It's a pleasure."
Lili returned a faint smile, though her eyes remained sharp with curiosity. "Yeah... likewise. But..." She leaned slightly forward, scrutinizing Shirou's face. "...have we met before?"
Thump! Shirou's heart skipped a beat. His mind flashed back to the night he had saved Lili from Soma Familia while wearing the Assassin's skull mask. Don't tell me... she recognizes my voice or mannerisms? He thought anxiously.
However, Shirou quickly composed himself, keeping his expression neutral. He nodded slightly and replied casually, "Maybe you've seen me at the Hostess of Fertility. I work there quite often."
"Ohh..." Lili seemed to ponder for a moment before lightly smacking her palm as if remembering. "That's right! You're the only male waiter at that restaurant, aren't you?"
Shirou felt relieved, though a trace of unease lingered in his heart. "Yeah, though I'm usually in the kitchen. I rarely serve customers directly."
Lili took a sip of the warm tea Haruhime had served and nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. "No wonder you felt familiar. When it comes to cooking, you and Bell seem like a good match." She glanced at Bell, making the white-haired boy scratch his head sheepishly.
Shirou exhaled quietly. Thank goodness... for now, she hasn't connected me to the masked figure from that night.
Yet a thin thread of worry still lingered in the corner of his heart.
Lili chewed the last piece of her dango and then spoke lightly, as if remembering something. "Oh, right. Earlier, when I was shopping for groceries at the market, I ran into Chigusa. She said Takemikazuchi Familia plans to drop by today to visit Mikoto. They're worried about her after her transfer."
Mikoto, who had been sitting quietly beside Haruhime, straightened her posture. A faint smile appeared on her face, her eyes glistening slightly. "Is that so... Lord Takemikazuchi has always been like that. He's been so caring toward all of us. I'm honored that he still considers me part of his Familia even though I've joined under Lady Hestia's banner now."
Shirou turned his head slightly and lowered his gaze with a somewhat awkward expression. "In that case... perhaps it's best if I'm not here when they arrive. I might just get in the way of your reunion with your former Familia."
But Hestia immediately waved her hands frantically, her expression full of enthusiasm. "Eeeeh? What nonsense! You don't need to be so reserved, Shirou! Takemikazuchi is a friendly god—he wouldn't think anything weird about it!"
Bell nodded quickly in agreement. "That's right! Lord Takemikazuchi is known for his kindness. He wouldn't mind your presence at all."
Shirou smiled faintly, though doubt still lingered in his eyes. He sighed softly and said, "Actually... I was planning to leave soon anyway. Aside from visiting Hestia Familia's new home, I still have other matters to attend to."
The room fell silent at his words. Everyone turned to Shirou, curious about what he meant. Shirou merely stared at his teacup, avoiding direct eye contact.
Haruhime, sitting politely at the edge of the sofa, leaned forward slightly, her fox ears twitching with curiosity. Her voice was soft but clear. "What is it, Master Shirou? Is it something important...?"
Shirou lowered his head briefly before reaching into his pants pocket. He pulled out an ivory-white envelope adorned with a small golden wax seal, its intricate design glinting under the room's light. As soon as the envelope appeared, a faint floral scent—subtle yet distinct—wafted through the air, making everyone exchange curious glances.
Bell, sitting beside Shirou, couldn't help but comment while scratching his head. "Waaaah... this looks like an official letter. The seal is so neat... Is this from Loki Familia, Shirou? But... why would they bother sending a letter here? We're just a small Familia—I doubt there's anything important they'd need from us..." His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, as if comparing the vast gap between Loki Familia and Hestia Familia.
Shirou shook his head slowly, his eyes shifting to Lili. "No, Bell. This isn't an official letter for the Familia. This... is a personal message. Captain Finn himself entrusted it to me—and the recipient is Lili."
The room fell dead silent. The weight of the quiet was so heavy that even the sound of breathing became audible. Everyone turned to Lili, who had just finished her tea. Her eyes widened, and her small hands trembled slightly as she pointed at herself. "F-for me...?" Her voice cracked with disbelief.
She repeated in a whisper, heavy with shock, "From Finn... the Pallum hero... for me?"
Her words echoed in the living room, shifting the atmosphere as if everyone had just realized the gravity of the luxurious envelope now resting in Shirou's hands.
With both hands, Lili accepted the envelope from Shirou. Her round eyes sparkled with curiosity, and without hesitation, she slid her finger under the partially melted wax seal. Crack... A soft sound echoed as the seal broke.
Shirou suddenly recalled his brief conversation with Lefiya earlier that morning. The elf girl had seen Finn handing him the letter and teased with a mischievous smile, "Is that a love letter, Captain?" Finn had merely shrugged and replied in a joking tone, "Could be." Those lighthearted words now echoed in Shirou's mind. What if... it really is? he thought awkwardly.
He quickly leaned forward, raising a hand slightly. "Lili, maybe... It's better if you open it later, in private. A letter like this... could be very personal."
But Lili immediately waved him off, her suspicious glare piercing him. "Why bother? How important is a letter to me that it needs to be hidden? If it's truly important, I'll read it right now!"
Without giving anyone a chance to interject, she pulled out the perfumed paper and began reading quickly, her eyes scanning each line. At first, her expression was blank, but slowly, her brows furrowed, the corners of her lips tightened, and her breathing grew heavier. Her face twisted into a mix of disbelief and confusion.
Mikoto, sitting beside Haruhime, couldn't hold back her curiosity. She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but eager. "Sorry, Lili... but may I ask... what does the letter actually say?"
Haruhime, sitting demurely on the sofa's edge, clasped her hands in her lap with a worried expression. Her fox ears twitched slightly, betraying her unease. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Is... it bad news, Liliruca?"
Lili shook her head quickly, her cheeks puffing slightly in indignation. "No, nothing bad. It's just... Finn invited me to dinner. He said there's a restaurant specifically for Pallums, and he wants me to join him there."
"Ehhhh?!" Hestia let out a long exclamation, her blue eyes widening with curiosity before a mischievous smile spread across her face. "What business does Finn have inviting you? Don't tell me... You charmed him, too, huh, Lili?" she teased, nudging Bell beside her.
"No way!!" Lili immediately retorted, her face flushing with embarrassment and irritation. Her hands clenched on her lap. "He said... he was impressed by my bravery. As a fellow Pallum, he wants to talk to me more. That's all!"
Shirou, who had been observing quietly, sighed inwardly in relief. Thank goodness... at least it's not a love letter. I was starting to imagine all sorts of things, he thought before discreetly glancing at Bell.
Bell, with pure admiration in his eyes, spoke without hesitation. "That's amazing, Lili! To think you'd catch the attention of Captain Finn himself!" His tone was genuinely impressed, without a hint of envy.
But instead of being pleased, Lili stomped her foot lightly on the floor with a scowl. "That's it? That's all you have to say, Bell? If I really go to dinner with Finn, is that all you can say?"
Bell blinked in confusion, tilting his head slightly. "H-huh? What's wrong?"
"Hmph!" Lili stood up abruptly, her chair sliding back slightly. She snatched her shopping bag from the floor and turned away with a sour expression. "Well then, I'll go get ready. Dinner with Finn—who's way cooler than stupid Bell—is clearly more important!"
Tap tap tap! Her quick footsteps echoed as she headed to her room, leaving everyone in the living room behind.
Bell could only sit there dumbfounded, his shoulders slumping as he muttered, "Heeehh..."
Shirou patted Bell's shoulder gently, trying to encourage him. "Don't worry about it, Bell. Sometimes... people get angry for reasons we don't understand. Maybe she just needs time."
Bell lowered his head, his white hair partially covering his eyes. He clenched his fists and asked in a quiet, confused voice, "But, Shirou... why do you think Lili suddenly got so mad? I really don't get it..."
Shirou fell silent for a moment. His lips moved as if to answer, but no words came out. Deep down, he admitted—even he often didn't understand a girl's changing emotions. He could only sigh softly. "I don't know, Bell... I don't have an answer either."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Hestia, Mikoto, and Haruhime exchanged glances, whispering quietly but audibly. Hestia crossed her arms and huffed. "Honestly... these two blockheads. It's so obvious, yet they still don't get it."
Mikoto covered her mouth with the back of her hand, her expression calm but her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I agree, Lady Hestia. It seems they truly don't understand a woman's feelings. Maybe too honest... or too dense."
Haruhime, her cheeks slightly flushed, added softly, "Indeed... sometimes men can be so oblivious. Liliruca's intentions were so clear..."
The three of them simultaneously turned to Shirou and Bell, who were still bewildered, and sighed in unison, as if resigned to the typical cluelessness of men.
After some time had passed and the atmosphere had settled, Shirou finally stood up. He bowed slightly, his tone polite but firm. "Thank you for the hospitality. I should take my leave now."
"Eh? Leaving already?" Hestia looked slightly disappointed but still waved cheerfully. "Take care on your way back, Shirou!"
Bell bowed as well. "Thanks for coming, Shirou."
Mikoto and Haruhime gave small farewells, while Lili only let out a quiet huff from behind her bedroom door without coming out.
Shirou walked slowly toward the main door of Hearth Mansion, the hinges creaking softly. The midday breeze brushed against his face, sweeping away the warmth he had felt in the living room. The cobblestone path to the gate was quiet, with only the sound of his footsteps echoing—tap... tap... tap.
As he reached the gate, his eyes caught sight of a group approaching from the street. They stood out, dressed in traditional Far Eastern attire. At the center walked a man in a simple gray yukata, his long black hair tied back in a classic samurai style. Beside him was a short-haired girl with thick bangs covering part of her face, walking calmly with a mysterious aura. On the other side was a muscular, tanned man with sharp eyes but a friendly smile.
Shirou paused for a moment. "Ah... that must be Takemikazuchi Familia," he thought. He instinctively tried to sniff out their divine scent as usual, but his stuffy nose from his cold rendered the attempt useless. "Tch..." he muttered, rubbing his nose in slight frustration.
As they drew closer, the muscular man looked Shirou up and down before asking loudly, "Hey, are you a new member of Hestia Familia? Nice to meet you, if so. I'm Ouka from Takemikazuchi Familia."
Shirou quickly stepped aside, opening the gate while bowing politely. "Oh, no. I'm just a guest. My name is Shirou. Nice to meet you, Ouka. But excuse me, I need to head home now."
Ouka nodded firmly. "I see. Well then, until next time, Shirou."
Meanwhile, the man in the gray yukata and the girl with black bangs only nodded slightly with calm expressions.
Shirou stepped out, his figure passing by the group as they made way for him. Tap... tap... tap—his footsteps faded as he left Hearth Mansion and the brief encounter behind.
Ouka strode confidently through the gate, while Chigusa, the polite girl with bangs, followed with light steps. The two of them ventured deeper into Hearth Mansion's courtyard, leaving behind the increasingly warm midday air.
However, behind them, the god remained standing at the gate. Takemikazuchi stood rigid, his gaze fixed on Shirou's retreating figure on the cobblestone path. Each of the young man's steps grew fainter—tap... tap... tap...—before disappearing into Orario's bustling streets.
"Lord Takemikazuchi?" Chigusa's soft voice called out hesitantly. She turned her head slightly, her eyes hidden beneath her bangs. "Aren't you coming in?"
Takemikazuchi snapped out of his daze. "Ah—oh... go ahead without me. I'll catch up in a bit."
Chigusa bowed deeply, accepting his answer without further questions. "Understood, my lord." With light steps, she followed Ouka, leaving the god alone at the gate's threshold.
Silence settled briefly. The midday breeze carried the scent of dust and a faint fragrance from inside the house, but Takemikazuchi's gaze remained fixed outward. His eyes narrowed as he watched Shirou's shadow vanish into Orario's crowds.
"...What was that?" he murmured, his voice a mix of wonder and amazement. He stroked his chin, his brows furrowing. "That young man... the aura he emitted..."
In his eyes, Shirou wasn't just some random guest. Something sharp and distinct had struck his senses—something different from any other adventurer he'd ever met.
"Swords..." he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Infinite swords. Not just one, but thousands, millions... his entire body seemed filled with endless blades."
Takemikazuchi took a deep breath, his chest trembling faintly. "Never before have I seen a mortal with such a unique aura... Like a bottomless vessel holding an infinite arsenal."
For a moment, his curiosity surged. But just as quickly, he suppressed it, his lips forming a wry smile. "How intriguing... perhaps one day, I'll learn who that young man truly is."
With that, the god finally stepped inside, following his Familia, leaving behind the midday air that now felt heavier than before.