Volume 10 Chapter 591 - Reunion
Hestia and Artemis came back with very tired expressions. Although all the Deities within Orario gathered for the Denatus, nothing really came out of it as it was just chaotic speculation as to what the red Dragon's identity is. As for actions that they could take, none of that was discussed.
If not for Ouranos speaking out and announcing that the red Dragon was just passing by and was not a threat, the Denatus wouldn't have ended. The only concrete action that was decided is to keep the real strength of the 'monster' from the children of the Lower World so it won't give them anything to fear about.
Of course, there are already some Gods who divulged a few things to their children during the 'visitation', but it was only the extreme minority and could still be managed.
"Haaah… Really, what the heck was up with that Dragon?" asked Hestia after a long sigh.
"I don't know… I don't even understand why Yoruichi would call that Kisuke's ride," replied Artemis with creased brows.
And as they went into the Mansion within the hideout, a face they both missed welcomed them along with some newcomers, "K-Kisuke-kun?" muttered Hestia with a blank face.
"Yo, Hestia-sama, Artemis-sama~ I'm back! Have you been well?"
Quietly shaking for a few seconds, Hestia suddenly jumped on Kisuke, "Kisuke-kun!!! Where have you been!? Why did you leave for so long!?"
While rubbing her face on Kisuke's clothes, Hestia kept asking questions and not giving the latter any chance to reply. Soon it became a lecture and reprimand about how he should properly say his goodbyes if he were to leave for long periods of time.
Meanwhile, the three newcomers were taken aback, not by Hestia's actions but by her extreme stature, "This should be illegal, right?" asked Serafall.
"This has to be illegal," added Irina.
"That's obviously illegal," commented Akeno.
Hearing their words, Hestia finally turned her attention to them, "Who are they?"
"They are my friends from my hometown and that one is my cousin," Kisuke introduced them.
Akeno and Irina felt a bit disappointed with his introduction but didn't dwell on it too much. Yoruichi already told them what they could tell and what they shouldn't. So with that in mind, both of them stood up and introduced themselves, "Nice to meet you, Hestia-sama, Artemis-sama. I'm Akeno Himejima, Kisuke's friend."
"I'm Irina Toujou! Kisuke-kun's childhood friend~! A pleasure~!"
Hestia separated from Kisuke and modeled herself as an imposing figure which she spectacularly failed but no one pointed out, "It's also nice to meet you too, Akeno-kun, Irina-kun."
Raising her hand, Serafall took her turn, "And I'm Serafall~! Sona-chan's older sister!"
"Oh? So you're the older sister that Sona-kun always talks about?" Sona wanted to stop Hestia but it was already too late.
With shining eyes, Serafall turned to Sona and grabbed her again, "So you did miss me~!"
Artemis and Hestia were both surprised at the very energetic older sister which is very different from what they'd heard. More than an older sister, Serafall looked like the little sister.
"Ignore them for now. They'll stop sooner or later,"
"W-wait! Kisuke!? You're abandoning me!? Nee-sama! This is embarrassing! Other people are watching!"
"I don't care! I haven't filled up my Sonanium yet! Not after hearing that you'd been talking about me!"
"Nee-sama! Not now!!!"
"Ehem," feigning a cough, Kisuke gathered everyone's attention, "Moving on, this little one here is Claire, my precious cousin."
Gathering her little courage, Claire stood in front of Hestia, "N-nice to meet you, I'm Claire!"
Hestia immediately understood some of this kid's difficulties so she gently smiled and patted her head, "Nice to meet you too, Claire-kun. You can call me Hestia."
"H-Hestia-neesama?"
"Uhuh, that's fine."
"And this here is Ophis. She's a little bit special so don't mind her behavior too much," Kisuke continued while patting Ophis's head. All this time, Ophis was munching on her cookies while quietly staring at both Hestia and Artemis.
Similarly, Hestia and Artemis took note of Ophis's strangeness, however, they can't point out what exactly it is. Nevertheless, Hestia still displayed a welcoming smile, "Ophis-kun is it? Nice to meet you~"
But instead of returning her introduction, Ophis suddenly muttered, "Your flames… Are warm. I like it," before returning her focus to her cookies.
But instead of appreciating that compliment, Hestia and Artemis both shuddered. Immediately after, however, Kisuke interfered with a wry smile, "I told you, she's a bit special and maybe weird. But she doesn't mean any harm. She's just awfully honest when she speaks up."
"M-more than honest…, her eyes are too good. Way too good," said Artemis with a slightly concerned expression.
In contrast, Hestia's smile returned, and replied, "I see, so you like it! I'm happy to hear that as the owner of that flame!"
Hearing that, Artemis was taken aback before smiling wryly, "So this is what it means to get used to their strangeness, huh? I guess I have to open up a little more."
With a blooming smile, Kisuke decided, "Alright~ Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's go eat out as a celebration~ The newcomers will want to try some local cuisines. Let's set aside the other stuff till after the meal."
Serafall immediately agreed on his proposition and the group went to the Hostess of Fertility while the newcomers enjoyed the new and refreshing scenery, though the streets are relatively empty due to today's events. Although Claire was afraid of her surroundings, while holding Kisuke's hand, she was still able to enjoy the fantasy-esque city of Orario.
Reaching the door of the unusually quiet pub, Kisuke opened it with a bang and yelled, "Mia-san~! We've come!!!"
What greeted him back, however, is a wooden plate flying straight towards his face. After casually deflecting it to the side, the group immediately heard Mia's voice, "You're too noisy! And you lot are still in the mood to eat out after what just happened?"
After entering the establishment, they looked around and saw that there are no other customers, "It's precisely because of what happened earlier that we hoped that we have this place for ourselves tonight~!"
"You sure have some guts to say that in front of my face," Mia then took a peek at the group while cleaning a wine glass and snickered, "You tricked more girls? As expected of the Gigolo Master."
Kisuke pouted at her words and replied, "Come on now, Mia-san, that's spitting on my reputation! I'm an honest shopkeeper and was never a Gigolo."
"Whatever, take a seat wherever you want," She then turned towards the direction of the kitchen, "Ryuu! Anya! Take some orders!"
A Catwoman then came out and asked in disbelief, "There are still customers, nyaa!?" But after she saw who it is, she immediately understood, "Of course it's you, nyaa! You guys don't follow common sense, nyaa!"
However, she immediately received a hand chop on the back of his head from an Elf, "Stop being rude to the customers."
"That hurts, nyaa!" complained Anya as she approached Kisuke's group.
"Ryuu, has Syr returned?" suddenly asked Mia.
Ryuu nodded and answered, "Yes. She's currently dressing up and getting ready to get back to work."
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