Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

"Thump thump!"

As their eyes met, Hephaestus's heart skipped a beat.

Staring into those blood-red eyes, a strange emotion welled up inside her. Unconsciously, she took a step forward, closing the already short distance between them.

Her hand, which had been pinching Bell's cheek, shifted into a gentle cradle. Using her height to her advantage, Hephaestus slowly leaned closer.

"Ahem!"

A loud, pointed cough cut through the moment, forcefully halting whatever might've happened next.

Startled, Hephaestus tensed. As she glanced to the side, she saw Hestia standing there—her eyes glowing bright red.

She hadn't expected Hestia to walk in at the worst possible moment.

"He-pha-es-tus—"

Hestia's voice, low and ghostly, sent a chill straight down Hephaestus's spine. The intensifying red glow in Hestia's eyes only added to the pressure.

Already flustered from being caught, Hephaestus's gaze became even more evasive.

Hestia, clearly in the right, stormed over with overwhelming force.

Her thoughts were practically screaming.

Her best friend had shown up at her home first thing in the morning—not to catch up, but to make a move on her child. And so directly, too! If she hadn't been curious about Bell suddenly waking up, she would've missed this entire "spectacle."

Her forehead was nearly throbbing from the rising blood pressure.

She looked at Hephaestus with a smile that was anything but friendly.

"What exactly were you doing just now?"

'How am I even supposed to explain that?'

Hephaestus felt incredibly awkward. In that moment, she had let her emotions get the better of her and impulsively tried to act on them in a very goddess-like way.

But she never expected Hestia to witness it all.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate male lead of this situation—Bell—was feeling just as awkward.

He certainly hadn't expected Hephaestus-sama to suddenly pull a stunt like that.

What made it worse was that Goddess-sama had walked in right at that moment.

"Goddess-sama, actually..."

"Bell, don't say a word or I'll really cry!"

Hestia, who had been so fierce just seconds ago, turned to him with tearful eyes. It was clear the scene had left her emotionally overwhelmed.

Bell, who had wanted to say something, fell completely silent.

Even if he hadn't been the one to initiate it, given his relationship with Hephaestus-sama, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say that he had.

But seeing Goddess-sama like this, there was no way he could say it.

Bell was absolutely certain—if he did, Hestia would really break down.

"Hestia."

Feeling a bit guilty, Hephaestus turned her gaze back. Of course, she never intended to start some secret affair with Bell.

Do goddesses even have secret romances?

"I admit... I've fallen for your child."

"You... You actually have the nerve to say that!?"

Tears welled up in Hestia's eyes as she shouted.

"You're supposed to be my best friend, and you go and steal my Bell-kun right from under me!"

"His first kiss wasn't even mine—you took it from me!"

Bell awkwardly turned away at the mention of that kiss. Thinking back, the one with Hephaestus-sama might have truly been his first kiss across both of his lives. Just the memory made his face feel like it was on fire.

Noticing Bell's reddened cheeks, Hephaestus blinked in surprise.

'So yesterday really was Bell's first time…'

Looking down at Hestia's emotional outburst, Hephaestus began to understand.

No wonder Hestia, usually close and friendly with her, was now acting like she was ready to kill someone.

If it had been her—if she'd fallen for her own child, built up that relationship, only to be beaten to it by another god—Hephaestus figured she'd probably lose it even harder than Hestia just had.

That realization made her feel even more ashamed.

"Hestia... I really didn't think you'd be this..."

Hephaestus hadn't expected Hestia to be so reserved. She was always going on about how amazing Bell was, and yet—she still hadn't made a move.

"Ugh…"

The moment that was brought up, Hestia looked like she was going to cry.

"Who's the slow one here!? Bell-kun and I just got started. It's not like things are progressing as fast as you think!"

"You don't even know—we haven't gone on a single proper date yet!"

"And don't you think a goddess's blessing should be given in a romantic setting?"

If it weren't for all those ideals about timing and atmosphere, Hestia would've already given Bell her blessing the day they got together…

Now that she thought about it, she bitterly regretted it.

If only she'd acted sooner, none of this mess would've happened.

Who would've thought her closest friend would abandon the forge, pick up a metaphorical hoe, and start digging at her wall?

"I always thought Freya was the only one I needed to watch out for. Turns out, the real threat was you all along."

Hestia's resentful gaze bore into Hephaestus.

Of course, Hephaestus knew she was in the wrong—and there was no denying she'd made a move on Bell.

"Hestia, what's done is done. We can't rewind time."

"Oh, so now you acknowledge that!"

Hephaestus didn't get mad seeing Hestia bristling like a porcupine. After all, she was the one who started this whole mess.

"Hestia, you know that when a goddess falls in love, it's forever."

Hestia only puffed up her cheeks in frustration and looked away.

Hephaestus didn't rush to talk her down.

"We gods have all the time in the world, but the children we meet down here don't. That's why love between gods and Genkai's children is often just a sad wish."

"The only way to change that… is to let the ones we love have infinite time too."

"But ordinary children can't do that. Not even we gods can grant it. Only a very rare few have that potential."

"And Bell is one of them."

Reaching Lv.10 meant stepping into the realm of the demigod—like a god without divine authority.

Among all the children of Genkai, only the "Empress" had ever come close to that level.

Unfortunately, she lost everything in the battle against the Black Dragon.

Hephaestus believed Bell was the only one left with the potential to reach Lv.10.

But that just made Hestia pout even more.

"So that's your excuse for stealing my Bell?"

Hephaestus gently shook her head.

"That's why I've entrusted my future to Bell."