The celebration that night was grand—on the same scale as the feasts for Tiona and Tione. As usual, Tsunayoshi took a seat at the edge of the hall; boisterous crowds weren't really his thing—especially at parties like this.
Half a year in Orario had taught him to handle knife and fork decently. He carved off a piece of beef and tasted it. Juices ran, the meat wasn't stringy, and the flavor hit his sweet spot.
Of course, his steak was cooked through. Tsunayoshi worried about parasites and insisted on well-done whenever he ate meat. People in this world seemed to prefer the Western style—rare centers and rosy cuts. But after he arrived, the Loki kitchen had started humoring his habits. The plates set before him were always tailored to his palate.
"Tsu-na-yo-shi~"
A long, sing-song call—then a sudden weight on his back. He sighed, speared a cube of steak, and held the fork back over his shoulder.
"Ah-mnh~"
Tiona didn't hesitate, snapping it up and chewing with bright eyes. "Mm—tasty!"
She draped herself over his back like a cat, staring at his plate. "Why is your steak always completely different from everyone else's?"
"Just different taste," he said, smiling as he offered her another piece. This time she chewed carefully.
"I like cooked food," he explained. "You all eat it a bit raw in the center—I'm not used to that. I asked the chef, so he prepares mine fully done."
"Oh, I see." Tiona nodded, already deciding she should tell the chef to copy his order now and then.
"Not joining the party proper?" Tsunayoshi tipped his chin toward the packed tables—mugs raised, laughter loud, the room lively.
"Mm… you get tired of these when you go to enough of them."
"Liar. Tiona, who always laughs and plays, getting sick of a party?" He didn't need a god's lie-detection to call that one.
"Hee-hee—okay, it's a lie. But I like you more, Tsunayoshi. So I like sitting with you more."
She hugged his neck, rubbing her cheek against his like a purring kitten. Then she paused, glancing around—and noticed no one's gaze seemed to land on them.
"Tsunayoshi, did you put up a barrier?"
"No. Just a limited presence dampener."
He hadn't sealed the space; people might have business with him. But he'd turned on Limited Presence Suppression so he wouldn't stand out. No one would overlook him if they truly needed him—but no one would drift over just because he was there.
"So you don't like parties?"
"Not enough to call it dislike," he said after a beat. "It's just habit. And here I need to keep a low profile. I'm used to putting myself where no one pays attention."
Her question jogged loose a trail of old memory. Back in the other world, he'd been a transparent face at school—grades not good, not bad. A past life in his head hadn't made him top of the class. An ordinary person.
In this life, he simply had a healthier body. He'd been a homebody before; training made him enjoy fishing, climbing, camping. Thinking back, all those hobbies were solitary. He never felt out of place alone—if anything, moving solo was freeing. Over time, group events felt… like work.
He thought of Ais. Maybe the wolf that runs alone in the Dungeon thinks the same way.
"Tio-na!"
A voice behind them carried a faint, wounded tone. Tiona and Tsunayoshi both froze and turned. Tione stood there, black aura rising off her shoulders. She plucked her sister off Tsunayoshi's back in one irritated motion.
"You told me you wanted juice so I went to get it. I come back and you're already draped over Tsunayoshi?"
"Hee-hee~" Tiona giggled, skipping the scolding entirely. "But you came, right? Juice?"
"Here!" Tione shot her a glare and tossed over the cup. There was never a good answer for a sister who could laugh her way around trouble.
Then Tione turned those suddenly pitiful, plainly jealous eyes on Tsunayoshi. "Tsunayoshi… I want a taste too."
"Eh? Oh." His brain stalled for a second, then he skewered a piece of steak and held it to her lips.
"Ah-mnh~" She bit down, bliss written all over her face.
Seeing that expression, Tsunayoshi couldn't help but smile. "Since you're both here, sit and eat."
"Then we won't be shy." "Same here."
The Amazon sisters slid in on either side—left and right—claiming their places without the slightest hesitation.
(End of Chapter)
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