Hestia blinked in disbelief.
The boy was pinned beneath an elf girl, their bodies almost pressed together.
"You—you—you… what are you two doing?!"
Hestia's shout pierced through the basement, startling the birds from the trees above.
"This has to be a dream…"
She pinched her own cheek. Feeling the sting, she stomped angrily toward the bedside.
Ryuu quickly rose, her cheeks still flushed. "Goddess Hestia, you've misunderstood."
"Misunderstood?" The goddess squinted at her, studying her face. "Aren't you the one who bought fried potato balls from me this morning?"
"Yes. Thank you for your kindness."
Ryuu recalled the details of the stall—no wonder this childlike goddess had seemed so familiar.
Hearing that calm, composed tone, Hestia fumed.
"You dare to seduce my Bell in my house, on my bed, with the fried potato balls I personally packed for you?!"
Ryuu frowned slightly. "This is a misunderstanding, and Cranel-san is not your property. I find your words rather biased."
The elf girl's response carried the firm conviction of someone speaking on behalf of her friend, Syr.
Gods could see through the lies of mortals.
Hestia knew the elf was telling the truth, yet after seeing that compromising scene, she couldn't simply let it go.
"I see," she said, straightening her back with a mischievous grin. "Bell, don't tell me you're into this type of woman—beautiful on the outside but old enough to be a mystery?"
"I—" Bell's words were cut short as Hestia clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Go clean the floor and table first. Not one word until you're done," the goddess ordered.
Bell nodded silently and headed toward the dining table.
An invisible spark flared behind him.
"Goddess Hestia, please take back your discriminatory words toward elves."
Ryuu's tone carried restrained anger. Love was supposed to be solemn and sacred—not something to be tossed around like a childish game.
"Hmph, I only spoke the truth. Besides, you were wearing your uniform this morning, and now you're dressed so cutely—can you really say you didn't have any ulterior motives?"
Hestia showed not the slightest sign of remorse.
"This outfit was just by chance. Compared to that, your own attire is far more inappropriate. As a goddess, can't you at least restrain your chest a little?"
Seeing the goddess's indignant expression, Ryuu decided—for Syr's sake—that it was time someone corrected Hestia's careless attitude. Letting a god like her live in the same room with the boy day and night was far too dangerous.
"It's natural," Hestia countered with a huff. "What, is some elf jealous?"
The mention made her think of Loki, that annoying rival, and her temper spiked further.
Ryuu's gaze turned cold. "What a ridiculous excuse. Flaunting your body because you have nothing else to show? Even the roughest dwarf knows enough to draw a curtain before sleeping."
Her words struck straight at the heart of the matter.
The goddess's behavior was no different from using her appearance to tempt the boy.
For Ryuu—who had resolved to support her friend's innocent love—such conduct was nothing short of blasphemy.
"This… this is just sharing hardship with a member of my Familia! Only those with filthy minds would twist it otherwise!"
Hestia's voice wavered slightly, betraying a flicker of guilt.
She truly had no improper intentions, but it was only because her roommate was this pure-hearted boy that she could feel at ease. She trusted Bell completely, believing he would never cross any line.
Even if their relationship were to deepen one day, that would only happen after…
Hestia shook her head quickly, brushing the thought aside. "Would you rather I just watch my own Familia member end up homeless?"
Ryuu's sharp eyes locked on the goddess.
Having once belonged to another Familia, she had learned many things from her former comrades—interrogation and debate among them.
There was no doubt Hestia was arguing out of guilt, twisting the conversation to defend herself.
All Ryuu had asked for was a curtain. Yet Hestia had turned it into an argument about homelessness.
Ryuu saw through it but chose not to expose the goddess.
She followed her lead and said calmly, "If that's what worries you, there's still space in the tavern's staff quarters. The boy could stay there."
Hestia looked as if she'd been struck by lightning. "I... we don't have any money, and we don't have time to work at the tavern either!"
"The people at that place would never turn away a child without a home."
Ryuu pressed the point firmly, leaving the goddess no room to escape.
Hestia shook her twin ponytails furiously. "No, no, no! I only have Bell! I won't let you take him away from me!"
"It's just a practical suggestion. Cranel-san spends his days in the Dungeon and comes back at night to sleep on the sofa. You should know better than anyone how important proper rest is for an adventurer."
Ryuu's persistence came from her desire to help Syr. The boy lived in poverty—despite going into the Dungeon every day, he rarely visited the tavern because of the high prices.
If they tried to secretly give him a discount, his sharp mind and honest nature would soon catch on, and he'd start avoiding the place.
At this rate, Syr would barely have any opportunities to see him.
But if Bell stayed in the tavern's dormitory, everything would change.
Although Syr herself didn't live there, convincing her would be easy compared to persuading this goddess.
It was a perfect plan—if only Hestia would agree.
Hestia pressed her lips together, watching Bell quietly clean the floor. She lowered her head, lost in thought.
"I won't allow it," she finally said, voice trembling. "Tonight, Bell can sleep on the bed—I'll take the sofa. No matter what you say, I won't let Bell leave me."
Her tone carried a faint sob.
Ryuu saw the glimmer of tears in the goddess's eyes and found herself unable to respond.
Silence filled the room. The sound of the rag scrubbing against the floor rang sharply in the still air.
Hestia glanced at the quiet elf girl, and a mischievous smile crept onto her face. "Now that I think about it... a certain elf of unknown age cooked this meal herself, yet she bought someone else's fried potato balls as ingredients. Could it be that you can't actually cook?"
"Mm..."
For the first time, Ryuu found herself at a loss for words.
"Oh my, you brought so many dishes—don't tell me someone else made them for you?"
Hestia pressed her advantage. With the Divine Eye on her side, even if the elf tried to lie, there would be no escape.
Ryuu stayed silent.
"Looks like you understand now. If you can't even cook, you should really keep your distance from my Bell."
Hestia made sure to emphasize "my Bell."
Ryuu was still thinking about how to respond.
She didn't have any romantic feelings for the boy. Her decision to reveal her level had come from supporting her friend's affection—and perhaps, just a trace of personal curiosity.
As the elf girl hesitated, the one at the center of it all finally spoke.
"Goddess-sama, the room has been cleaned."
"Good. Now have this elf take her leave," Hestia replied curtly.
"Before that," Bell said evenly, "I haven't answered your earlier question."
"Hm? What question?"
Under the goddess's suspicious gaze, Bell Cranel looked up and said with calm finality,
"I like older elves. And if they're blonde, that's even better."