The Magic Stone lamps glowed like a cheering stage, shining brightly in the night. Syr's goal seemed to be leading them through every corner of Orario.
"Huh? Isn't that Bell?"
"Whoa—walking with a girl, I almost didn't recognize you."
The God Miach and Naaza approached to greet them.
"Didn't expect you to get yourself a partner this fast. Hestia's definitely going to cry and drag me off to drink with her."
Miach teased lightly.
"Syr-san, huh…" Naaza glanced at the human girl pressed closely against Bell. "Such a beautiful person… Wait. A harem? Even Airmid is…?!"
Her expression grew complicated as she looked over the three walking together. She then pulled several bottles of Stamina Recovery Potions from her pouch.
"Bell Cranel, these are for you. Use them when it counts."
"…"
Even though Naaza's stare felt odd, Bell still accepted the potions with thanks.
Miach, beside them, seemed deep in thought as he looked at Syr.
Once the trio had left, Naaza spoke coolly, "Miach-sama, staring at someone else's lover like that is rather improper, isn't it?"
"My apologies, Naaza. I just felt that person was…"
Miach watched their retreating backs but didn't voice his suspicion. "Well, if it's Bell, I'm sure it'll be fine."
Within the night's embrace, Miach silently offered his blessing.
...
"Hey, isn't that the shorty's kid from her Familia? Getting that close to someone else?"
From afar, Loki spotted the scene and burst into laughter.
Just imagining Hestia crying over this made her grin even wider.
"Bell…"
Ais had accompanied her Familia God to retrieve the Desperate Sword.
Because the spare sword she'd borrowed was now damaged, she had ended up with a massive debt.
In the middle of her distress, she caught sight of Bell being unusually close with the tavern girl.
Lefiya mustn't see this…
Or she'll definitely cry…
That was Ais's very first thought.
"Eh? Heading back already? Won't you shop around a bit more with me?"
Ignoring Loki's disappointed attempt to stop her, Ais bolted toward the Familia home.
"So cold, Ais-chan~"
As the night deepened and Ais disappeared, Loki's expression shifted entirely.
Her usual lazy air vanished, replaced by a faint, unreadable smile.
"That silhouette… I don't know how she pulled it off, but I didn't expect this move."
"Not using it as a sword, but turning it into a shield instead… Hah, you've impressed me, Goddess."
Loki watched the fading figure, already curious about how their enemy would respond.
...
With Ryuu guarding them, Syr held Bell's arm as they walked along the main streets of Orario.
A certain god frowned as he glanced at the group, then quickly slipped back into the shadows of the night.
Things had already slipped out of his control.
His Familia member's mental state was unstable. Should he force her avatar to eliminate the boy…?
No. The plan couldn't be exposed yet.
He didn't know who exactly stood with Bell Cranel, but it was clear at least two factions were on his side.
And with the Aria matter, the Loki Familia was already dragged in beyond escape.
If he provoked even more hostility now, the entire plan would collapse.
"Tsk…"
Everything was still in the preparation stage. The worst outcome had to be avoided at all costs. Unlike the three enjoying their date, this male god's presence was chillingly cold.
I lost.
For now, I should focus on Aria.
I'll spare you for the moment, Bell Cranel.
May madness swallow you whole, let you become a tragic hero.
The god turned away and stepped into even deeper darkness. Under the moonlight, a single strand of golden hair disappeared into the night along with the lingering curse.
...
Ais burst into Twilight Manor like a gust of wind.
"Ais-san?!"
The Familia members stared at her in shock.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?"
"Where's Lefiya…"
Ais spoke the name of the one she was concerned about.
"Lefiya-san… I think she went to the upper floors of the Dungeon alone to practice Concurrent Chanting. She should be back any moment…"
Ais blinked. The place where she had just seen the boy was exactly the path Lefiya would take on her way back.
...
"Y-you… what are you doing?!"
Lefiya raised her wand, staring in disbelief at the scene before her.
"We're on a date," Syr answered before anyone else. "What do you need from my lover?"
"L-lover?!"
The shocking truth struck Lefiya so hard she nearly toppled over. On top of frustration and disbelief, a fierce surge of anger boiled up inside her.
"You! Come here!"
Ignoring Syr completely, Lefiya grabbed Bell by the collar and dragged him toward a corner.
"Is… is what she said… true?"
"Yes. Syr is indeed my lover," Bell replied honestly.
"Ugh… When did this happen?" Lefiya demanded.
"Does that really matter?"
"It matters a lot! Say it!"
"On the morning we went to the Eighteenth Floor, Syr and I just became lovers."
"Th-That time… Then doesn't that make me the other woman?! No—wait! You already had a girlfriend! How could you say those things to another girl?!"
Thinking back to his encouragement and promises, Lefiya grit her teeth in rage.
"Because my dream is a harem. Of course I'm going to say everything honestly."
Bell stated his feelings plainly.
"Wh-what?! How can you say that with such confidence, you absolute idiot?!"
She didn't give Bell a chance to explain and continued furiously:
"You even did that kind of thing! Looking at it now, you're just a permanently horny dumb rabbit!"
"You said we'd work hard together, but while I was training for so long in the Dungeon, you were here flirting with another girl!"
"Idiot, moron, permanently horny rabbit…"
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?! And you still—!"
Lefiya poured out all the frustration clogging her heart. What was the point of all those words about liking her? What was the point of striving toward Ais with her? What about the kiss she had given him, gathering every ounce of her courage?
She felt like a complete fool…
"Lefiya-san, every word I said came from my heart."
Hearing that only made her sink deeper into misery. If he truly sought a harem, then the boy had neither wronged her nor tricked her with lies.
In the end, it was all Lefiya's one-sided feelings. Feelings born from the potion and everything that happened afterward—so much that even she couldn't pinpoint where it all began.
Sour, sweet, bitter, tangled—like a whirlpool of emotions stirring violently inside her.
As the two stood frozen, Syr slowly walked up. Even though she was far ahead in love, for some reason, a faint envy rose within her as she looked at the golden-haired elf. That strange sense of defeat pushed her forward.
Syr stepped beside Lefiya and whispered softly, like sharing a secret:
"So when he kissed me… the girl he was thinking about was you…"
"…?!"
Exposed?! When did Bell Cranel realize that?!
K-Kissing?! They'd only been dating a few days! And judging from how composed this girl looked… could they have already done even more…?!
No—no! What are you imagining, Lefiya?!
The most important part is—he shouldn't have been thinking about me!
Ugh—why am I feeling happy about something so indecent, you idiot!
…
Bell noticed Lefiya suddenly freeze in place and asked:
"Syr, what did you say to Lefiya-san?"
Feeling the boy's gaze, Lefiya jolted as if struck by lightning.
The memory of their lips touching a few days ago—the warmth, the sweetness—kept washing over her again and again.
She had been ready to keep scolding him, but shyness instantly overran her thoughts.
"You… you permanently horny rabbit!!!"
Face burning red, Lefiya spun around and dashed off without looking back.
"She ran away…"
Syr flashed a wicked grin of triumph, her mischief fully satisfied.
"Lefiya-san is really pure-hearted. You didn't bully her, did you?"
Bell looked after the golden-haired elf with concern.
"Hmph, and just who is your lover…"
Syr puffed her cheeks and hooked her arm around his again.
Why am I jealous of that elf…?
Syr herself didn't know the answer.
Night had deepened, and their long date finally came to an end.
But for many girls, sleep would not come easily tonight.