DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 10: Two Goddesses and One Bowl of Rice

Right when Hestia was still rolling her face around on my chest like some overly active clingy cat, whispers around us started getting clearer.

"Wait, is that seriously Goddess Hestia?"

"Why's she hugging that kid? dating? Secret marriage?"

"The Guild should make rules against PDA in public areas..."

I could hear all of it. And honestly... I was still pretty stunned too.

Hestia. Goddess Hestia. The goddess from heaven with eternal cuteness, was clinging to my body like... well, a human body pillow.

But finally, whether it was because she heard those whispers or her consciousness came back from tear-land, Hestia started letting go of her hug with awkward movements.

"Uuh... u-uhm..."

She pulled back with red cheeks and started wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her hair was still a bit messy, and her blue ribbon had slipped down to her shoulder. But still... somehow... she looked stunning.

I slowly sat up too, then stood up, patting my pants to brush off the dust.

Just when I was about to say something...

"Why didn't you wake me up this morning, huh!?"

Hestia had already attacked first with a tone that was half angry, half demanding, and... 100% adorable.

I raised both hands, trying to defend myself from this little storm.

"I... saw the Goddess sleeping peacefully, so... I couldn't bear to wake you up."

She glared at me for a moment.

Okay, that wasn't enough.

Then... for some reason... my mouth moved on its own. "Besides... Goddess Hestia looked... really beautiful when she was sleeping."

The voices around me immediately went silent.

Including... myself.

Why did I say that!?

Hestia immediately turned her face away quickly, but I could see... her face turned red instantly.

"Heh! D-don't think I'm gonna be happy just 'cause you said that!" she said while looking down... still not looking at me.

I could hear her whispering softly...

"...really... did I look pretty when I was sleeping?"

Then... suddenly her expression changed.

Her eyes sharpened toward the left.

Toward... Eina.

Hestia pointed at her with a sharp index finger like she was exorcising a demon.

"And you! Pointy ears! What's the deal with you walking around with Kaen-kun!?"

Eina stayed calm, but I could see her eyebrow raise slightly.

"Good afternoon, Goddess Hestia," Eina said with a professional smile.

"I know you! You work at the Guild, right!? Why are you with Kaen-kun, huh!? Shouldn't you be working, yeah working!?"

"Ah, t-that's because..."

I quickly stepped forward and raised my hand like a school kid caught skipping class.

"Goddess! Don't get the wrong idea! Eina-san invited me to lunch!"

Hestia seemed to freeze. Her eyes blinked slowly. Then... her face immediately drooped.

"So... you asked someone else for food..."

Her voice dropped drastically. She sounded like a little kid who just got scolded for dropping a plate.

"Because I didn't wake up... and you were hungry... so you asked another girl for food..."

Uh-oh.

Hestia's face turned sad again.

Seeing that, Eina quickly stepped forward.

"Goddess Hestia, please don't misunderstand," she said gently. "Kaen-kun just came back from the Dungeon. He worked really hard. And he didn't ask for food. I was the one who invited him. And he... has money now."

Hestia quickly turned to me. "You went into the dungeon!? Are you hurt!? Where! Let me see your hands! Your legs! Are you bleeding!?"

She came closer quickly and started examining my body like I was an ER patient. My hands were gently twisted, my cheeks touched, my shoulders pressed. Even my shirt got pulled up a little.

"I-I'm not hurt! Goddess! I'm totally fine! Seriously!"

After making sure I was intact and no body parts were missing, Hestia breathed a sigh of relief.

"Haaah... alright... but next time if you wanna go into the Dungeon you gotta tell me first!"

I nodded. "Yeah... yeah, I get it..."

However, her expression immediately changed again. This time... a full pouty sulking face.

"You were planning to eat... with a pretty girl... and didn't invite me?"

"I-I... originally planned to bring food home for you after we finished eating..."

Hestia's face got even more wrinkled. "You're so mean..."

Shit. I had to fix this situation.

With a slightly desperate tone, I immediately said, "Then... Goddess Hestia, wanna join us for lunch now?"

Hestia's face immediately brightened like clear skies after a storm.

"Of course! You dummy! Why not from the beginning!?"

---

We finally walked together through the streets to the restaurant Eina suggested. A small but cozy eatery, with wooden benches and the tempting aroma of hot soup.

During the walk, Eina walked beside me and whispered softly, "It seems... Goddess Hestia really cares about you, Kaen-kun."

I smiled a little. "She's just like that. She's... a really good goddess."

Eina nodded. "I can see that. She might be a little emotional... but clearly... her heart is pure."

Once we arrived, we sat at a corner table by the window. Me in the middle, Hestia on the right, and Eina on the left. Simple menu. Rice, meat soup, and warm bread.

Hestia stared at her food, then looked at me. "Kaen-kun... you're paying with your money, right?"

I nodded.

She looked at her food like she was looking at a sacred artifact. "I... will remember this lunch forever."

I laughed a little. "If you like it, we can eat here again later."

We started eating.

Light conversation flowed.

I told stories about kobolds and goblins, about the magic stone that stuck to my finger, and about the goblin that almost made me fall because it was slippery.

Hestia laughed loudly while hitting the table. "Hahahaha! Kaen-kun almost lost because of the floor!? That's... that's so ridiculous!"

Eina laughed softly. "The Dungeon always has surprises like that."

After a few bites, I put down my spoon and said, "After this... I'll probably go back to the Dungeon. There's still plenty of time before evening."

Hestia's face immediately went pale. "Again!? You just got home! Don't overdo it, you'll break!"

"Don't worry. I just want more experience. Besides, I'll be careful."

Hestia puffed out her cheeks. "Promise, okay."

"Promise."

---

After eating, we parted ways in front of the restaurant.

Eina returned to the guild, with a smile and gentle wave.

"Take care, Kaen-kun. And Goddess Hestia."

"Thank you, Eina-san!" I waved.

And now, just me and Hestia.

She glared at me for a moment. Then crossed her arms.

"Hmph! You ate with another woman! You didn't wake me up! And... and you didn't invite me! You know that's cruel, right!?"

"I... I'm still mad."

I smiled tiredly. "Sorry, Goddess... but honestly... if I had woken you up earlier... I'm not sure you would've been that cute when sleeping."

She went silent.

Then, her face quickly turned red.

"S-stupid! You sweet idiot! W-wait what was that!? No! I mean—aaaaaahhh!" she said while covering her face.

I turned around while smiling, waving my hand.

"Well then, I'm going now, Goddess. Take care of the church."

As I walked away, I could hear a soft voice behind me.

"...Don't... come home late, okay, Kaen-kun."

I just raised my hand while continuing to walk.

And behind me, Goddess Hestia stood with blushing cheeks... watching my back slowly disappear from her sight.