Hephaestus never imagined a child of the Lower World could accept her ruined right eye so easily—much less call it beautiful.
More startling still, as a god she could tell he wasn't lying. Every word rang true.
What was that, if not a confession laid bare?
She had never expected a mortal to speak to her so directly. And the worst—or the best—of it was that her heart moved. That unchanging heartbeat stumbled in a new rhythm, jolted by his plain, devastating words.
"Lady Hephaestus."
Sawada Tsunayoshi stepped in.
She flinched and instinctively drew back, but he was quicker; his hand caught hers before she could retreat.
"W-wait—I'm not ready," she blurted, face flushing. Her pulse pounded so loudly it filled her ears. She hadn't for a moment anticipated any of this, much less where it was going.
Tsunayoshi had. Ever since Loki had been completely honest with him—laying her thoughts bare—he'd decided to stop bottling up his feelings. He would like who he liked, openly and without games. He would say it plainly. And afterwards, he would tell Loki as well.
"I don't intend to force you," he said softly. "I'm only stating how I feel. Right now, I just want to hear your answer."
"My… answer…"
To Hephaestus, the child before her suddenly felt cunning. With such a straightforward push, he left her no time to sort herself out. She had always counted herself an observer—convinced that Tsubaki, Tiona, and Tione were his targets. Many targets, yes, but mortals often fancied more than one person; it was nothing to fret over.
Who could have guessed he'd be bold enough to harbor feelings for a god—and for her?
It rattled her more than a little, and he stood there, calmly waiting.
"I… never thought a child of the Lower World could accept someone as ugly as me," she murmured.
The exposure made her suddenly aware her right eye was still bare. She tried to cover it out of habit, only to realize her captured hand wouldn't move.
Aside from Hestia, had anyone else ever accepted this ugliness? Not just accepted—his words had carried no false note at all, and his gaze hadn't so much as flickered. He hadn't been frightened or repulsed. It was the first time she truly felt how direct and blazing mortal feelings could be.
"This is the first time I've met a child like you," she said. "I never imagined you'd count me among your targets."
She'd thought herself outside the board. Now she'd been pulled onto it—and panic nipped at her composure. But the image of Tsunayoshi as he spoke a moment ago flashed back through her mind, and her heartbeat leapt. Warm blood rushed to her head; her cheeks grew hotter.
"If I have to put it into words… I do like you," she admitted.
Obedient, considerate, capable—he brought new sparks to her forge. Her impression of him had always been good.
Now it was better.
Because he was the first, other than Hestia, to accept what she hated about her appearance. That "first" colored everything.
"But you, wanting me as well—that's far too bold," she added, half-laughing at the audacity. "Only you would dare say such a thing."
Not just Tsubaki and the Amazon twins—he'd even asked if she could be included. The nerve of him.
"You understand what happens if a god answers yes?" she asked quietly.
"Eternal life. A gulf between gods and humans that cannot be bridged," he answered.
She drew a steadying breath. He was clear-eyed, then. "So why—"
"Because life is short," he said. "And that's why I want to spend mine doing things that matter more. Saying 'I like you' to the person I like means more than swallowing it forever. Besides… I'm confident in my future. I don't plan to live only a few decades."
"!?"
His eyes held a steady, unshakable light—and Hephaestus remembered who stood before her. The boy's power wasn't the blessing's alone; some of it was his own, like that Dying Will Flame. Not planning to stop at a handful of decades—aiming higher, far higher.
If anyone else had said it, she would have smiled and let it pass. Most had no right to speak of reaching upward.
But a prodigy sometimes turned hubris into possibility.
Her brow arched. "Have you said these words to any other gods?"
"…Loki."
"Loki?"
Her eyes flew wide. Of all answers, she hadn't expected that.
"Actually… I thoughtlessly proposed to her. She accepted—and she's even wearing the ring I gave her."
Tsunayoshi lifted her left hand gently, fingertips brushing the Sky Ring she wore.
"So," she said slowly, "you're thinking of proposing to me as well?"
"Eh?"
"If you truly mean it—if you really can do what you've said—then I'm not unwilling." Her gaze sharpened to a point. "I'll ask only once. Are you serious?"
Tsunayoshi nodded. "I'm serious."
It was the first time in her existence that a mortal had confessed to her—and more than confessed. Proposed.
But this child was special.
"You've entangled a second goddess," she warned, a tiny smile curving her lips. "We are stubborn about our vows. Even after a thousand or ten thousand years, we do not forget."
"Remember what you just said."
A faint blush rose again.
"Your proposal," Hephaestus said—clear enough to ring like a hammer on steel—"I accept."
(End of Chapter)
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