DanMachi: Cheat? What's a Cheat?

Chapter 16: Chapter 16



Chapter 16: Dreaming of Being the Protagonist

I was shocked, almost dropping my spoon.

"Goddess! What happened?!"

She coughed softly, her face red, lips trembling, and her eyes... started getting teary.

"I-I..." she stammered, hurriedly. "I thought it would taste more... more delicious..."

She looked at her bowl with a sad face and obvious guilt. "Why does it taste like dishwater...?"

The atmosphere went quiet.

Only the sound of wind coming through the window cracks.

Hestia looked down.

Her shoulders trembled slightly. She was suppressing her sadness, but tears were already pooling in the corners of her eyes.

Was she... crying?

Her eyes hadn't dropped tears yet, but I could see puddles in the corners.

Why?

Why was she sad?

Could she be... happy to the point of tears? But her expression didn't show that.

Did my words touch her that much? Do I have a talent for making others feel moved?

Somehow I felt a little happy, oh God finally I have a natural talent.

Before this I had a talent for remembering roads quickly, perfect for becoming a thief.

*cough, cough* what am I thinking, that's clearly a talent for becoming an adventurer, okay.

Adventurer talent plus talent for moving others with words—is it finally time to shine as a protagonist?

With the power of words I could stop the Fourth Ninja World War!

What am I thinking!

Feeling my thoughts getting more out of control, I quickly cleared my mind again and looked at Goddess Hestia.

I frowned, with an expression still confused about why Goddess Hestia seemed about to cry.

Was it because she failed to make delicious food for me?

Was it because she felt... useless?

I couldn't just sit there seeing that face.

The face of a goddess who was always cheerful, now looked like... she was blaming herself.

So I put down my spoon and looked directly into her eyes.

"Goddess Hestia."

Here it is, time for my talent to work.

She raised her face, slowly.

"This soup... is really... delicious."

She blinked. "K-Kaen-kun...?"

"I'm serious. This is more delicious than all the food I've ever eaten in the village. Seriously. I'm not joking."

Seeing Goddess Hestia's expression, I was more sure I have a talent for moving others.

I didn't say 'more delicious than the food from the previous restaurant I ate at,' right? So it's still honest. Very honest.

I praised Hestia's food sincerely.

Because indeed, compared to the bland food in the village, this soup still felt like a blessing.

She looked at me. Silent. Her eyes were red, but a small smile started appearing at the corners of her lips.

I know she can tell the difference between lies and truth like the god Ouranos. And I know she understands—I'm sincere. I don't want her to feel sad.

"Kaen-kun..." she whispered softly.

She quickly wiped her eyes with her hands under my gaze and laughed awkwardly.

"I... I was just too excited. I wanted you to like my cooking."

"I do like it," I said firmly. "And I want to eat this soup every day."

Damn, my natural talent is so strong, look at Hestia's face.

She laughed again. Her eyes were red, but that smile returned.

Goddess Hestia, back to her usual self.

Seeing Hestia's moved expression, I felt like laughing inside but my face stayed normal.

Finally, finally, my protagonist template has begun.

Orario, get ready to welcome the arrival of a hero in this era.

After that

We continued eating in comfortable silence.

With me happy that in the future my life will be happy and cheerful.

I still finished my soup despite various weird expressions, while Hestia only ate a little.

probably because she already knew the taste was... unique.

Occasionally she glanced at me with a worried face, but every time I smiled at her, she looked relieved.

"Kaen-kun," she said suddenly in the middle of eating.

"Yes, Goddess?"

"I... I'll learn to cook better food. Promise."

I stopped chewing and looked at her. Her small blue eyes were full of determination.

"Goddess doesn't need to force herself. I'm already happy with this."

"But..." she bit her lower lip. "I want to be a goddess who's useful to Kaen-kun. Not a goddess who's just troublesome."

My chest felt tight hearing her words.

"Goddess Hestia is never troublesome. Goddess... is home for me."

She was stunned.

"Home?"

"Yeah. In the village, I didn't have anyone. No one waited for me to come home. No one made dinner for me. No one cared whether I was okay or not."

I looked at my soup, then smiled.

"But now, there's Goddess waiting for me to come home. There's Goddess making food for me. There's Goddess who worries if I get hurt. That... is already more than enough."

Hestia went silent. Tears started pooling in her eyes again, but this time not from sadness.

"Kaen-kun..." she whispered with a trembling voice.

"So, even soup that tastes weird is no problem. What matters is that it's made with love. And I can taste that."

She laughed while wiping her eyes.

"You... why can you say sweet things like that with such an innocent face?"

I scratched my head. "I'm just saying what's true."

"Seriously..."

After we finished eating, I got ready to collect the plates and bowls to wash them, but Hestia immediately blocked me.

"No! Let me wash them!" she protested while grabbing the bowl from my hands.

"But Goddess—"

"Kaen-kun must be tired all day in the Dungeon. Let me clean this up." She smiled widely.

"Besides, I cooked, so I'm responsible for cleaning up!"

Seeing her strong determination, I finally gave up.

I didn't want to push Hestia too far.

"Alright, thank you, Goddess."

"You're welcome, Kaen-kun!"

She gathered all the eating utensils enthusiastically, then hurried to the small kitchen.

The sound of running water and clashing dishes could be heard from there, interrupted by cheerful little humming.

I sat on the sofa, watching Goddess Hestia's small back busy in the kitchen.

Somehow, this scene felt... peaceful.

A goddess cooking for me. A goddess washing dishes for me. A goddess waiting for me to come home.

This... was home.

The home I'd been searching for so long.

And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Speaking of protagonists, am I really becoming a protagonist? Since coming to this world I've been far from being a protagonist.

You know everyone dreams of being the protagonist in their own life.

And I'm no exception. Protagonist? Am I really a protagonist? At first I doubted it but felt like I have the talents that protagonists have.

Somehow I'm hoping a little, hoping that I'll become a protagonist.

"I know I'm not the protagonist… but at least let me dream of being one."


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