"──You say some pretty interesting things."
Just as everyone had fallen silent after my exchange with Ottar, that voice suddenly rang out. When I turned, there stood Loki-sama and Ais, dressed in a pale green gown.
"Loki!?"
"Hey, you little runt. So you've learned to wear dresses now, huh? Trying to act all grown-up, it's hilarious."
"Long time no see, Loki-sama."
"Yeah, it's been a while."
I bowed respectfully to Loki-sama.
"When did you get here? You can't just appear without a sound!"
"Shut up, you idiot!! I strutted in here all proud, only to have that damn chest steal all the attention!"
...Sorry, I'd been so focused on Ottar I didn't even notice.
I glanced over at Bell. Unsurprisingly, he was staring, completely mesmerized by Ais. She seemed a bit shy too, probably because she wasn't used to wearing a dress, and kept looking down. When she finally looked up, her eyes met Bell's for a moment before she quickly looked away and slipped behind Loki's shadow. ...Honestly, it was pretty adorable.
"...Hey!"
"Ow!?"
Ah, Hestia-sama, jealous, had pinched Bell's thigh.
"Hmm, so this boy's your little runt of a follower..."
Loki approached Bell and gave him a sharp once-over.
"...But he's kinda dull compared to my Ais-san! It's like night and day!"
Loki's words hit Bell hard, and he staggered a bit.
"Since you know you can't win by arguing with me directly anymore, now you're boasting about your followers? Ugh, how pathetic and shallow!"
"──Huh?!"
A blue vein bulged on Loki's forehead.
"Honestly, my Bell-kun is way cuter than your Valen or whatever! Like a little bunny, full of charm!!"
"Don't make me laugh, idiot!! My Ais-san's got a million times more skill and coolness!"
And just like that, the two goddesses began bragging about their followers. I quickly stepped up to Bell's side and tapped his shoulder.
"I'll buy you some time. Go talk to Ais."
"W-What!?"
"Just go."
I pushed him forward and stepped between the two goddesses as their quarrel escalated.
"Please stop, both of you."
"Hey, what are you doing, Toki-kun!?"
"Yeah! Teach that stubborn one over there why Ais-san is so amazing!"
"No, no, you need to learn how adorable Bell-kun is, you flat-chested brat!"
"Who called me flat-chested!?"
The goddesses began arguing again, this time with me caught in the middle.
"Calm down. Getting angry over this kind of thing only shows your lack of divine composure."
"Huh?!"
Both of their angry gazes turned toward me. I hurried to continue before they could speak.
"It's obvious how much you love your own followers. If that's true, then refusing to argue over what the other says shows you're the goddess with the greater heart."
"Greater heart..."
"Goddess..."
Loki and Hestia exchanged looks.
"Hmph, I guess I'll let it slide this time. After all, I am the goddess with the bigger heart!"
"Hah! That's what I'm saying. And since I'm even bigger-hearted, I don't care what the runt says!"
The goddesses both turned their faces away with a huff. The quarrel was finally averted.
"What...!? You stopped a fight between that busty little girl and flat-chested Loki!?"
"Shadow Devil" is seriously scary.
...Why do I feel so uncomfortable even though I only stopped a fight?
"By the way, Loki-sama."
"Hmm? What's up?"
"I've been wondering this for a while, why are you wearing formal men's attire?"
Loki was dressed in a tuxedo. With Ais in her dress beside him, it almost looked like their roles were reversed.
"Are you mocking me or something?"
"No, not at all."
"...Well, whatever. You know I wouldn't look good in a dress anyway."
Loki said that with a bit of resignation. But I didn't agree.
"Really? I think Loki-sama would look great in a dress."
"...Huh?"
Why does the whole room look like they just heard something absurd?
"Are you sane?"
"I am. And honestly, there's no woman who can't pull off a dress. If you think Loki-sama wouldn't look good in one, then it's either your eyes are bad or the dress just wasn't right. Personally, I think a red dress would suit you well."
"...Like that Phai‑tan?"
Phai‑tan? I wondered for a moment, then realized they meant Hephaestus-sama. Her dress shone like a glowing ruby.
"No, not a dress that shines like Hephaestus-sama's ruby red one. More like the flames that warm a house in winter."
"...Is that so? If you say so, Toki, maybe I'll give it a try sometime."
Loki looked away shyly.
"...Hey, who's that cute creature?"
"Isn't that… Loki?"
"...Damn, I think I just felt my heart skip a beat... Am I beyond saving now...?"
Voices from the sidelines whispered among themselves. That's when a mischievous idea sparked inside me.
"My lord god once told me that although women differ like rubies and emeralds, they are all equally beautiful."
"Pft!"
"H-Hey, Toki!?"
"EEEEWWWW!?"
Takemikazuchi-sama burst out laughing, and Hermes-sama gasped in shock. Almost immediately, the other gods swarmed Hermes.
"Hey Hermes, did you really say that!?"
"That's so cheesy, it hurts!"
"Wait, wait! She just made that up on her own, "
"Come on, are you seriously trying to deny it now?!"
I couldn't help but smirk at the flustered Hermes-sama. Then, shadows stretched from my feet to lightly tap Bell's shoe. When I glanced his way, he seemed to get the hint and slowly moved away from Ais.
"Well then, Loki-sama. Until later."
"Ah, y-yeah."
I turned on my heel and approached Bell.
"...Is that okay?"
"I'll follow up later. But how did it go?"
"Um, yeah. We talked a little. Thanks."
"I see."
After that brief exchange, I left Bell and stepped into the crowd of gods.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
After about two hours of mingling with the gods and politely declining invitations, graceful music began to fill the air.
"Toki, I'm going to step away for a bit. Go dance with someone."
Hermes-sama said this as he gave instructions to a server, took a glass, and moved toward the window. Standing there was Bell. It seemed Hermes was interested in him. Well, I should find the person I wanted too.
Scanning the room, I quickly spotted my intended divine figure. Dodging through the crowd, I approached directly, extended a hand, and bowed my head.
"Goddess, would you honor me with a dance?"
The goddess, Loki-sama, looked surprised, her face blank. Around us, whispers of astonishment rose.
"Eh? Uh, what?"
"Would you do me the honor of dancing?"
After glancing nervously around, Loki timidly took my hand. I grasped hers firmly, and we moved to the center of the hall. Placing my other hand on Loki's waist, she rested her hand on my shoulder. We began to dance to the music.
"...Hey, why me?"
"Because I wanted to try dancing. Is that not enough reason?"
"...Well, I guess it's fine..."
Leading her gently, I noticed Loki kept her face lowered.
"...You don't seem used to this."
"No, not really. I had some tough lessons from seniors in the Familia."
Toki Ortyx
Dance Level: 4
Trained by Asfi, I'm good at leading and guiding even beginners.
"Looks like you're not used to this either, Loki-sama?"
"...I've never danced the lady's part before, only the man's role."
"So, I'm your first partner in that role?"
"...I suppose so."
"That's an honor."
As I teased the trickster Loki, we danced for a while. Then I spotted a familiar pair dancing nearby: Bell, red-faced, and Ais, looking shy though expressionless. Glancing to the edge of the hall, I saw Hermes restraining Hestia.
Sensing the tension, I quietly moved away from Bell and the others.
"Wooooaaaahhh!! Loki!! What the hell are you doing just leisurely dancing?! Stop those two right now!!"
But Hermes slipped past, and Hestia's scream rang out.
"Huh? What's that runt saying... Wooooaaaahhh!? Ais-san, what are you doing!?"
Hestia's shout caught Loki's attention, and he noticed Bell and Ais dancing. As Loki tried to pull away, I gripped his hand tightly and pressed my other hand firmly on his waist.
"No, Loki-sama."
"W-What are you doing!?"
"You're dancing with me right now. Don't let your mind wander."
"W-Wh-What!?"
"Until the dance is over, I'm not letting go."
I leaned in close and whispered this. Loki calmed down and let me lead the dance until the music ended.
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