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"What a hopeless situation... Even gods desire to rely on the Pure White Child..."
Apollo raised his hand, gently pressing it against the glass, his golden eyes watching a fleeting white figure depart through the window.
"I entrust her to you. In this world, perhaps only you can..."
Apollo clenched his fist.
"You seem pretty unwilling to let go."
A bruised and swollen Hermes leaned against the glass on the other side, his nearly shut eyes scrutinizing Apollo.
"You finally let go of that instrument?"
"Now that the person has returned, what's left to worry about?" Apollo sighed, resting his head against the glass. "Was it that obvious?"
"You practically wear your reluctance on your sleeve," Hermes said as he lightly touched his face, the dull, stinging pain causing the usually carefree trickster god to furrow his brows.
"No helping it... In the end, we're the ones relying on him," Apollo muttered, scratching the glass.
"You're like a big cat scratching at the glass out of frustration," Hermes teased, sticking out his tongue.
"If you don't want me to throw you into the sun, shut your mouth," Apollo's face darkened.
"Oh no, so scary!" Hermes dramatically stepped back, clutching his head. "Don't worry so much. He's never let us down. The real disappointment..."
"...is always just ourselves," Apollo finished, closing his eyes.
…
"Are you really okay, Goddess Hestia?" Bell asked worriedly, carrying her on his back.
"I-I'm fine," Hestia replied, her head buried in Bell's neck, her voice heavy with dejection.
Not only did she barely get to enjoy any food, but her plan to dance with Bell was ruined, and she was inexplicably dragged into the brawl. Now, the dress was officially hers to keep—damaged and all.
As for bringing Cyd into her Familia...
It just felt too out of place right now.
Wait!
"Where's Cyd?!" Hestia suddenly raised her head.
"Teacher said he remembered something he hadn't done and asked us to head back first," Bell nudged the door open with his elbow. "Didn't you hear him, Goddess Hestia?"
"I... I didn't notice," Hestia covered her face in embarrassment.
"But what did Teacher go to do?" Bell wondered aloud. "Even Ais went back with her god."
"What else could it be..." Hestia sighed. "There's still one god who hasn't made an appearance."
My dear friend, you who were always the most resistant to that story, why then...
…
"What... What a coincidence," Hephaestus said awkwardly, waving at Cyd, who was blocking her path. "Didn't you already go back?"
"I couldn't just leave my creditor behind, could I?" Cyd shrugged. "You didn't even show up at the banquet, staying outside the whole time. Now that it's over, you're walking home alone."
"No helping it," Hephaestus gestured to her casual clothes. "If I had walked in wearing this, I would've been laughed at. I'm not like Hestia."
"You could've worn an expensive gown," Cyd remarked seriously.
"And then what?" Hephaestus raised a hand to touch the eyepatch covering half her face. "No dress, no matter how luxurious, can cover this."
Cyd opened his mouth, but the sorrow in Hephaestus' eyes was unmistakable—different from the Hephaestus he knew. That version of her had been numb, staying alone in her temple to avoid the other gods. But this Hephaestus wasn't alone, and that's why she had to face everything.
I can't just ignore that expression...
"Lady Hephaestus, please take off the eyepatch," Cyd sighed softly, smiling as he extended his hand.
"W-What are you doing?" Hephaestus stepped back, clutching the eyepatch. "I don't want to scare you."
"Don't you trust me?" Cyd tilted his head. "Or would you rather I take it off for you?"
He was serious—he would really do it, even if it meant offending a god!
Through Cyd's clear eyes, Hephaestus saw her own frightened self, as well as his unshakable determination.
"You must be joking. I'll just be on my way," Hephaestus turned, trying to leave without hesitation.
But Cyd grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him, and with his other hand, swiftly removed her eyepatch.
"Wait!" Hephaestus panicked, raising her hands to cover her face, but it was too late.
Cyd froze, still holding the eyepatch.
"I told you to wait..."
Hephaestus' expression darkened, and her hands fell helplessly to her sides.
She wasn't surprised by Cyd's reaction. In fact, she expected it. In the past, when she removed the eyepatch in front of her Familia, they were terrified—not because it was ugly, but because it was downright frightening.
"Ah, you really did shock me," Cyd said, leaning closer to her. "But what's surprising is that a god like you would show such vulnerability."
"You... You don't find it terrifying?" Hephaestus asked, startled.
"Why?" Cyd poked her cheek with his finger. "If anything, your reaction is a little cute."
"W-Wha..." Hephaestus' face flushed bright red. "This is... so disrespectful! Give me my eyepatch back!"
"So scary," Cyd teased, holding the eyepatch high above his head.
"Hey!" Hephaestus, on her tiptoes, grabbed Cyd's shirt, reaching for the eyepatch. "I never expected you to be such a troublemaker!"
"How do you feel now?" Cyd asked with a smile, lowering his hand.
"I feel terrible. I feel like a complete fool," Hephaestus snatched the eyepatch from him but hesitated before putting it back on. "But maybe... I can only act like a fool in front of you."
"That's a good thing," Cyd laughed, spreading his arms wide under the bright moonlight. "At least in front of one person, you can be yourself without a burden. No need to force anything. I've already seen through it all."
Hephaestus' eyes widened slightly, as a faint light radiated from the divine script engraved on her weapon, Reforged Pandora.
Now she understood why "Hephaestus" inscribed those words, but all that filled her heart was deep regret.
"Although it may sound arrogant," Cyd extended his hand toward her, "I want you to be happy."
Why... wasn't I the one to carve those words?
"If you join my Familia and become my family, maybe I will be happy," Hephaestus smiled, putting her eyepatch back on.
"Kidding~" Hephaestus lightly tapped Cyd on the forehead, then turned toward the tower, hands behind her back.
"You're quite the mischievous god," Cyd sighed.
Of course, it was just a joke.
But I would be happy.
Hephaestus let out a clear, bell-like laugh. It was probably one of the happiest moments in her nearly eternal life.