Chapter 193: CA [193]: Family Ties
"So, Altair, you didn't do anything to them?" Hestia asked.
"Nothing!" Altair replied firmly.
"Then what's with the kissing?" She pressed.
"I only kissed their foreheads." He explained. "It was part of the contract to bring them here. I couldn't just leave them behind, so I sealed the contract with a forehead kiss."
"Oh, I see. You scared me!" Hestia sighed in relief.
"That's why I said to calm down and let me explain." Altair said.
"Well, I got worried! You didn't tell me beforehand…" Hestia pouted, sitting on Altair's lap, her expression a mix of grievance and embarrassment.
Egged on by Kayo Senju and Tina Sprout's mischievous teamwork, Hestia had exploded, launching into a tirade while perched on Altair. Helpless, he'd held her still to explain the situation.
After his explanation, Hestia understood that Kayo and Tina, like Kirari Momobami before them, were rescued by Altair. Unlike Kirari, however, these litle girls weren't his partners, just girls he'd brought back.
Relieved, Hestia relaxed, acting as if nothing had happened, though inwardly she felt guilty for doubting Altair.
Kayo and Tina, disappointed, shook their heads. They'd hoped to spark a dramatic showdown between Altair and Hestia, but Hestia was too easily placated. In minutes, the potential chaos fizzled, much to the litle girls' dismay.
"Lady Hestia is so easy to win over." Kayo remarked.
"Totally." Tina agreed.
The litle girls stood across from Hestia, watching her melt under Altair's reassurance, unable to hide their amusement.
"Ahem, I'm not 'easy'!" Hestia huffed, straightening up. "I'm a goddess! I see through everything. Since Altair didn't deceive me, there's no need for divine punishment."
Still perched on Altair's lap, her dangling feet swinging, her attempt at authority lacked gravitas.
"I didn't expect Lady Hestia to be a litle girl goddess so obsessed with her dignity." Kayo teased.
"Yeah, all about that dignity, but sitting on Onii-chan's lap? Not very dignified." Tina added.
The litle girls' relentless banter made Altair pinch the bridge of his nose again. Their synchronized teasing reminded him of the ghostly twin sisters from another world, eerily similar.
"Ahem…" Hestia, flustered, didn't budge from Altair's lap. Instead, she stopped swinging her feet, crossed her arms, and thrust out her chest, flaunting her figure.
"This is my exclusive seat! In the Hestia Familia, this spot is mine!" She declared.
Outplayed by the litle girls, Hestia was determined to reclaim her pride. Back down? Never. This was Altair's lap, and as his partner, why should she move?
Exactly, why move?
Altair nodded in agreement. Hestia was his partner, why should she yield to these litle girls? Did they think they could take her place? Hestia's soft, full figure was far more comfortable than their scrawny legs.
Not only did he not object, Altair wrapped an arm around Hestia's waist, pulling her closer, naturally serving as her divine throne.
Hestia leaned against his chest, delighted by his support. Crossing her legs smugly, she shot the litle girls a triumphant look, her expression screaming: I'm showing off!
Her love for flaunting shone through, and it clearly hit its mark. Kayo and Tina dropped their prim facades, their faces tinged with regret.
"We miscalculated." Kayo said. "Lady Hestia's status in Onii-chan's heart is higher than we thought."
"Didn't expect Onii-chan to be into this vibe. Maybe we should take notes." Tina mused.
Take notes? As if! Altair thought, exasperated. Did they think he was some litle girl fanatic? If they were like Hestia, mature, curvaceous, maybe they'd have a chance. Otherwise, they were better off staying little sisters.
Hestia shared the sentiment. Altair's love for her was something these litle girls couldn't replicate.
"Alright, Hestia, grant them your Blessing." Altair said. "Starting today, they're part of the Hestia Familia. It's time to expand our ranks. There are plenty of kids in Gensokyo, too. You can visit and see which ones want to join and give them your Blessing."
"No problem!" Hestia said, snapping to attention.
When it came to the Familia, Hestia was all business. In Orario, she cared about two things: her beloved Altair and the Hestia Familia he'd helped build. Kirari was family, and these new litle girls were too. As for trust? If Altair brought them, Hestia trusted them unconditionally.
"Come, follow the great Hestia!" She declared.
Kirari, whom Altair had brought back before, had astonished Hestia with her talent. Surely, these two would be just as gifted. They had to be, Altair chose them, after all.
Leading the litle girls to the bedroom, Hestia bestowed her divine blood, officially making them members of the Hestia Familia. With that, the Familia now had four adventurers.
Afterward, Altair took Hestia to Gensokyo to show her the place. Over nine thousand litle girls, using his supplied resources, had built a sprawling town. Free from oppression, they cherished their community and thrived in its peace, living happily together.
Hestia, entering Gensokyo, became an instant hit, blending seamlessly with the under-ten litle girls and becoming their ringleader.
Altair watched, pleased. As expected, Hestia and these litle girls were "peers" in spirit, perfect friends.
***
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