Chapter 20: Date (2)

Eastern District, Orario

As night approached, the streets grew livelier. Rows of weapon and armor shops lined the road, displaying high-quality equipment that gleamed under the glow of magical lamps.

Blacksmiths worked in front of their stores, hammering away at molten metal, their rhythmic clangs blending with the chatter of adventurers passing by.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Rein strolled leisurely, his eyes occasionally scanning his surroundings.

He was looking for something—a merchant selling ancient relics or artifacts from ruins.

However, before he could focus too much, a small hand suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Hm?"

He turned to see Hestia staring at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Rein! Look, look! They're selling grilled meat!" she exclaimed, her face brimming with enthusiasm.

Rein glanced at her for a moment before shifting his gaze to the stall she was pointing at. Behind a large grill, a middle-aged man in a leather apron was flipping pieces of meat that sizzled enticingly. Thin wisps of smoke rose, carrying a rich, spiced aroma that made Rein's stomach react instinctively.

Hestia turned back to him, now with a pleading expression—her lips slightly pouted, her eyes shining like a kitten begging for food.

"Let's buy some, please? I'm hungry~" she whined, her voice soft and sweet.

Rein let out a small sigh but couldn't help the faint smile that formed on his lips.

Over the past two weeks, he had amassed more than a million valis, so spending a little on food wasn't an issue.

"Alright, but you order."

"Yatta~!" Hestia cheered before eagerly turning to the vendor.

"Uncle, two servings of grilled meat! Oh, and one with extra sweet sauce! How much?"

The vendor chuckled and nodded.

"Two servings, that'll be 1,200 valis. You're lucky; the meat just finished cooking. Give me a moment."

Hestia swiftly pulled out her coin pouch, took out some coins, and handed them over.

"Hehe, I'm treating you this time!" she said proudly, standing on her tiptoes to get a better look at the grill.

Rein crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "If you're treating me, I feel a little guilty."

Hestia huffed, handing the money over with a satisfied expression. "Hmph! It's normal to buy food for my own familia once in a while! Besides…"—she turned to Rein with a mischievous smile—"if you really feel guilty, you can make it up to me later by spoiling me."

Rein narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Spoiling you?"

Hestia giggled, clasping her hands behind her back. "Ehehe~ It's a secret~"

Just then, the vendor handed over two steaming plates of grilled meat.

"Here you go. Be careful, it's hot."

Hestia quickly grabbed one, blowing on it before taking a big, eager bite.

"Mmmmmm~! This is so good~! Juicy, perfectly seasoned! Uhuhu~ I really do have an amazing food instinct!"

Rein took his portion and took a small bite. The taste was indeed great—the meat was tender, with the right balance of spices.

Hestia looked at him expectantly, waiting for his reaction.

"Well? It's good, right, right, right!?"

Rein glanced at her briefly before nodding.

"Yeah, it's decent."

Hestia instantly pouted.

"Decent!? Hey! You should appreciate food more, you know!"

Rein chuckled. "Alright, alright… it's good."

"That's more like it! Hehehe~"

Looking pleased with his answer, Hestia happily continued eating. Meanwhile, around them, a few people began whispering.

"That's Goddess Hestia… she's casually buying street food?"

"Wow, the guy next to her must be really close to her… they look like a couple."

"Ugh, I'm so jealous… that guy is really lucky!"

"What's there to be jealous of? They're a human and a god. They could never be together."

Ignoring the murmurs, Rein continued eating as they walked.

Watching Hestia enjoy her meal so carefreely, a small smile formed on his lips.

Hestia was still savoring the warm moment when Rein suddenly pointed in another direction.

"Oh? Look over there," he said casually, as if spotting something interesting in the distance.

Still in high spirits, Hestia reflexively turned. "Huh? What is—"

But when she turned back to Rein…

Her food was gone.

The small hand that had been holding her grilled meat was now empty.

And there was only one suspect nearby—Rein, who was calmly chewing something.

Hestia froze for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. Her eyes slowly narrowed, her expression shifting from confusion to fury.

"R… Reiiiiinnn!!!"

Rein chewed slowly, savoring the taste as he met Hestia's furious gaze.

Then, he swallowed without a shred of guilt. "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"You! You ate mine!" Hestia pointed at him, her face full of indignation. "You food thief! Give it back!"

Rein shrugged. "Too late. Already swallowed. So… I can't."

Hestia's face turned red—not from embarrassment, but from rage. "You're so mean! I was hungry!"

Without thinking, she grabbed Rein's remaining portion and took a big, determined bite.

"Hmph! If you steal mine, then I'll take yours!" she declared smugly.

Rein merely smiled, letting her have it.

But as Hestia chewed, she suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened slightly, and her ears felt warm.

She just realized… Rein had already bitten this part of the meat.

"E-ehh…?"

She glanced at the grilled meat in her hand. Then, slowly, she turned to Rein.

Rein was still standing there, looking at her with a knowing gaze, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

A deep heat spread from Hestia's neck up to her ears.

"Hestia."

"W-what?"

Rein narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice low and teasing. "I already bit that part too…"

Hestia froze.

"That's like… an indirect kiss, isn't it?"

"Uwaaah!?"

Hestia choked, her face turning bright red. She quickly swallowed, then covered her mouth with both hands, her fingers trembling slightly.

"T-t-that! It's not like that!" she stammered, her voice unsteady.

Rein chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Really? But we just shared food in a pretty… intimate way."

"Don't say it like that, you idiot!"

Hestia's face became even redder—almost like a tomato. She started punching Rein's arm with her small fists, but of course, it didn't hurt him at all.

Rein simply smiled, then reached out and gently patted her head.

"Alright, next time, I'll buy you two portions so you won't be mad again."

Hestia still pouted but mumbled softly, "Hmph… you better!"

And so, they continued walking.

———

As they walked through the bustling crowd, the hanging lights above the street twinkled beautifully. The night atmosphere in the Eastern District grew livelier with the sounds of laughter and conversation filling the air.

Suddenly, Hestia grabbed Rein's arm excitedly.

"Rein! Rein! Look at that! There's a game stall! We have to try it!" she exclaimed, pointing toward a stand filled with young couples.

Rein glanced in the direction she was pointing. It was a small ring toss game. It seemed simple, but it required high precision.

"Are you sure you can do it?" he asked teasingly.

"Ehh? Why do you sound like you're doubting me!? It's just tossing rings! Easy!" Hestia puffed out her chest confidently.

As they reached the stand, she looked at the stall owner. "Hey, how much for a turn?"

The stall owner, a middle-aged man with a striking pompadour, smiled warmly. "One throw is 100 valis, three throws for 250 valis."

Hestia thought for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Alright, I'll take three throws!"

She handed over 250 valis and received three small rings.

With burning enthusiasm, she held the rings and prepared to throw.

"Okay! Watch my greatness!"

She took a deep breath, focused, and…

Plop!

Her ring completely missed the target and nearly hit the stall owner's head.

"Whoa! Careful, Goddess!" the man exclaimed, ducking in a panic.

Hestia blinked, staring at her throw that wasn't even close to the target. Her cheeks puffed up.

"Uh… That was just a warm-up!" she said before trying again.

Plop!

This time, the ring flew in the opposite direction and landed on the stall owner's pompadour.

"Ow! Goddess Hestia, please be more careful!"

The surrounding crowd chuckled at Hestia's frustrated expression.

"Ughhh! Why is this so hard!? It's just a ring toss!?" she grumbled, her small hands clenched into fists.

Rein, who had been silently watching, finally sighed. "Alright, let me help."

He stepped closer, standing right behind Hestia. Before she could protest, Rein gently took her hand, guiding her movement.

Hestia immediately froze.

Rein was so close… She could feel his breath near her ear, his warm hand over hers, and the proximity sent shivers down her spine.

"Focus, Hestia," he whispered softly, his deep voice sounding so near.

"U-uuhh… I know!" Hestia stammered, her face growing hotter.

With more controlled movements, she followed Rein's guidance and tossed the ring.

Cling!

The ring landed perfectly!

"Yaaay!! I did it!"

Hestia jumped in excitement, raising both hands high. The people around her chuckled, entertained by her pure joy.

The stall owner grinned. "Congratulations! You can choose the grand prize."

Rein picked up a large wolf plushie and handed it to Hestia.

Hestia accepted it, looking puzzled. "Why a wolf? Shouldn't it be a rabbit or something cuter?"

Rein gazed at her calmly, then smirked slightly. "Because I'm like a wolf… and you're more like a sheep."

Hestia blinked, processing his words. "EHHH!?"

Her face turned red as she stared at Rein in protest.

"Wait, wait! I'm a sheep!? Why am I the sheep!?"

Rein shrugged casually. "You're small, soft, and always rely on me. Like a sheep following a wolf."

"B-but! Wolves usually eat sheep, you know!?"

Rein looked at her with a smirk that held a deeper meaning. "Only if the sheep lets itself be eaten."

Hestia froze for a moment before quickly hugging the wolf plushie tightly.

"Uwaaaa! Don't say it like that! That sounds weird!" She buried her face into the plushie, her cheeks burning.

Rein chuckled softly, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Alright, alright. Let's keep walking."

Hestia still pouted in frustration, but the small smile on her lips was hard to hide.

She hugged her wolf plushie tightly, occasionally glancing at Rein beside her.