Chapter 28 - Can't I come in? (Patreon)

POV: Rui

I kept walking while Bella followed behind me. She stayed quiet, avoiding talking to me much. The people around us looked at us as if we were two very strange people.

Smiling, I asked, "Is it really that uncomfortable being around me?"

"Yes, it is. You attract way too much attention."

"Sorry for being too handsome."

"..."

Bella didn't say anything. She just clicked her tongue. I guess she didn't like what I said very much. I held back a laugh before stopping in front of the restaurant I visit most often.

Both in my memories and in the present.

Hostess of Fertility.

I haven't eaten at many places besides this restaurant. Everything I've had here is good. The only problem with this place is Freya's presence.

Getting involved with the Freya Familia so suddenly could cause problems for the Loki Familia.

Freya and Loki, the two most powerful Familias in Orario. I don't want to start a war between them by doing something stupid. I'd better be careful whenever I'm around Syr Flova. I already know she's paying very close attention to me.

"The place you were talking about is Hostess of Fertility?" Bella stepped a little closer and looked at the restaurant's sign. "You should've told me from the beginning. I thought you were taking me to some exclusive restaurant that only you knew about."

"You don't like the food here?"

"It's not that... It's just a little expensive."

Expensive? Actually, the prices are really good.

"Expensive? The prices here are great. Where were you planning to buy food?"

"I know an amazing street stall. They sell skewers, fried chicken, and sandwiches at incredible prices."

"..."

I listened to her words and let out a sigh.

"Let's go inside and buy a few things."

Without saying anything, Bella followed me inside.

####

We left the restaurant carrying a lot of bags.

When Bella saw how much food I was buying, she panicked, but I reassured her that everything was fine. I have plenty of money, so it's not a problem. As we walked toward the church where Bella lives, she kept saying things like,

"I can't accept all of this."

"You should take some of it with you."

"You spent way too much money."

"You should take this home and eat it with your group."

But I just kept telling her that everything was fine.

As we got closer to the church, memories from the anime started coming back to me. The exterior of the abandoned church is a little different. The street and the surrounding buildings are completely different as well.

Well, I'd already noticed a few differences from the original story.

Even the Loki Familia's home isn't the same. It's much bigger than it was in the anime.

Before going inside, Bella said, "I'll take these bags inside first, then come back for the rest."

"Hm? Can't I come in with you?" I asked, looking straight into her eyes.

Bella looked away, seemingly unsure of how to answer.

"Come on, it'll be fine. The Goddess is inside, right? I won't do anything weird, I promise. I'll leave the food inside and then head home."

After staring at me for a few seconds, Bella let out a sigh.

"Huff... Fine, let's go. Just don't say anything unnecessary to the Goddess, okay?"

"Don't worry."

####

POV: Hestia

As I sat in the living room, I suddenly heard footsteps. Judging by the sound, it was probably Bella. I knew her footsteps well.

But there was someone else with her.

Heavy footsteps.

The moment I noticed them, I felt uneasy, even before seeing who it was.

'I have a bad feeling about this.'

Then Bella appeared.

As soon as she walked through the front door and saw me looking at her, she sighed.

"I'm back."

Then a man appeared right behind Bella.

The moment our eyes met, I felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort.

'The man with the strange eyes.'

I thought to myself before standing up.

"What is he doing here?" I asked.

"He helped me in the Dungeon, that's all." Bella sighed. "He also bought some food for us."

Bella walked over and placed several bags on the small table in the living room.

It smells amazing.

Even so...

I don't want this guy here.

"I told you not to get involved with him, didn't I?"

"I ran into him by chance. He was the one who approached me."

"He approached you..."

I looked at the smiling man. I knew his name well, as well as his reputation.

"What do you want with her? You wouldn't approach her unless you wanted something."

"I already told her what I want. I want to get closer to her and become her friend."

When he said those words, I was about to start arguing, but...

He's telling the truth.

"You don't have feelings for her?"

"Feelings? No. She's beautiful, but..."

He smiled.

"I really just want to become her friend. I won't do anything she doesn't want or force any kind of relationship on her."

"..."

"You know I'm not lying."

"But you just admitted you're interested in her."

??? I don't. She's crazy or something?

Well, let's just be sincere.

"Any man who sees her or gets close to her is going to become interested in her. You should know that better than anyone. You're very attractive too, after all."

"Wha—"

Then he smiled and walked over, placing the bags he was carrying on the table.

"I've never talked to you before, have I, Goddess Hestia? But it seems you've told Bella quite a few things about me."

"That's..."

I looked away.

"Don't worry. I'm not upset. A lot of what you told her is true. But don't worry... Like I said before, I want to become her friend—and yours too."

My friend?

Has this guy lost his mind?

"What's gotten into you? You were never interested in her before. You never even looked at me. This sudden interest doesn't make any sense."

Before Rui could answer, Bella stepped between us.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's eat. I'm starving. There's no point in arguing, is there? Don't worry, Goddess. Even if he doesn't look like it, Rui is a good person."

"Even if I don't look like it?" Rui smiled bitterly.

I let out a sigh and said,

"I'll let it go for now, but I still don't trust you."

I said it while looking at him seriously.

He didn't seem to care about my words.