Hearing Hephaestus's voice, Takumi turned.
What greeted him was hair like living fire and a vivid red evening dress. The precious-metal earrings clipped to her ears almost felt dull next to that flame-bright beauty.
Tall and full-figured, her curves were drawn out flawlessly by the gown.
Takumi couldn't help smiling as he greeted her politely.
"Good evening, Goddess Hephaestus."
"Good evening. You really do suit that outfit."
Watching Takumi stand there looking like a refined gentleman, Hephaestus's heart started pounding hard.
He was just… too handsome. Even as a goddess, it was hard not to get that soft, hungry look in her eyes—and not just her eyes.
Nope. That's it. Sorry, Hestia.
She had to find a chance to pry Takumi away.
Hephaestus made up her mind completely, and her gaze flicked to Hestia with a split-second of guilt.
Beside Hephaestus stood Meteria—no real change in her outfit, but still stunning as ever. Her eyes carried a faint, sultry shimmer.
"Takumin looks amazing in that," Meteria murmured softly. "You really have grown up…"
Her thoughts were a mess now—ever since that kiss from Takumi earlier.
A crisp tap-tap-tap of heels approached from behind Hephaestus.
"Looks like tonight's main character is right here~"
Freya and Alfia walked over side by side.
Freya didn't just stand out—she dominated the room, even among gods and goddesses with perfect faces and bodies.
Her skin was pale and delicate, the kind that made you think of fresh snow. Her long limbs looked soft and expensive, and even the way she moved through the air felt like it could seduce you.
A tight, perky chest and a slim, strong waist carved out an insane waist-to-hip ratio—pure, irrational temptation.
Her gown, embroidered with gold thread, clung to her body and wrapped her heavy, perfect breasts like it was made to worship them. Every step made that sinful weight shift just enough to scramble a person's brain.
That flawless, devilish figure looked like the very idea of golden proportions had been stolen from her.
Her long lashes gave her a fragile, almost pitiful charm, while her narrow eyes held something ethereal and untouchable—beautiful in a way that felt dangerous to stare at too long.
Silver hair swaying, Freya walked up to Takumi.
She looked him straight in the eyes—no hesitation, no restraint. The love pouring out of her gaze was so thick it felt like it could drown a room.
"We meet again, Takumi. You're shining even brighter than before."
Her lips curved, voice soft and intoxicating.
"My love hasn't changed at all. If you're willing to come to my Familia… I'll give you anything. Whatever you want—I'll offer it to you~"
Freya didn't even try to hide it.
Or rather… she couldn't.
Every time she saw Takumi, that surging craving in her chest threatened to smash through her reason like it was paper.
She was certain now—Takumi was the beauty she wanted.
So powerful. So handsome. So singular.
"Hey—hey—Freya!!!"
Hestia was furious.
Trying to steal him right in front of her face was beyond shameless.
Unfortunately, the small, hopping-mad Hestia was completely ignored by the tall Freya.
Freya's eyes held only Takumi. There wasn't room for anyone else.
Alfia, standing beside Freya, could feel her goddess's love turning almost pathological.
Back when Alfia had been outside the door, she'd sometimes hear Freya murmuring Takumi's name to herself.
Honestly, Alfia never imagined Freya had been suppressing it this hard.
She bit her lip and quietly shook her head at Takumi.
Turn her down gently. Don't be blunt. I'm genuinely worried she'll drag you to bed by force.
Takumi instantly caught what Alfia meant.
Trying not to crack, he glanced at Freya's favorability above her head.
It was still a full 100… but why did it feel like it was somehow still climbing?
That reminded him of a saying: A genius gets a hundred because the test only goes to a hundred.
You get a hundred because you're capped at a hundred.
If he rejected her outright, Takumi was pretty sure Freya would start plotting in the shadows to get him anyway.
Either way, he couldn't truly escape—so he might as well handle it cleanly.
He straightened, putting on a righteous, proper expression.
"Goddess Freya, I've already been clear about the Familia matter."
He paused, then spoke with calm restraint.
"As for your love… I don't think this is the right topic for the Banquet of the Gods."
It sounded like rejection—but it also carried a quiet implication: this can be discussed in private.
To be honest, Takumi didn't really want to refuse a goddess throwing herself at him.
Before, he'd simply said no because the situation wasn't right.
Freya understood immediately. A slow, enchanting smile bloomed on her lips.
"If that's the case… then forgive me. I spoke too abruptly."
For the first time, Freya actually cooled down a little.
With her lower brain no longer driving the wheel, she remembered she still had another identity.
Syr.
If her goddess status made it hard to approach him, then she'd use Syr instead.
No matter what, her love would reach Takumi.
And he would accept it—he would give her the love that belonged to her.
Freya lifted her wineglass, drained it in one smooth gulp, then turned and left without lingering.
Alfia finally let out a breath. After exchanging a few quick words with Takumi, she followed after Freya.
"Hey! Fifi—Freya—shorty—huh? Freya, why're you leaving?"
Loki's voice came from far to near, drifting in with her usual obnoxious energy.
Hestia ground her teeth and looked toward the sound.
A goddess strode over, waving.
Crimson hair. Crimson eyes.
Her usual simple hairstyle—tied back with a ribbon—had been dressed up into a party-appropriate updo tonight.
A slim-cut dress sat on her… and, honestly, it fit fine.
A dress like that was supposed to show off curves.
But Loki's body was so flat she was basically the final boss of flat.
A-cup at best—she couldn't bring out the dress's true potential at all.
If anything, it made her thin lines look even softer and more delicate.
Loki reached them, opened her eyes a little wider than usual, and gave Takumi a long, deliberate look.
"Tch… no wonder you've got them all spinning. In a few hundred years, I don't think I've ever seen a man this good-looking."
Loki usually leaned more toward women, but meeting Takumi's eyes made her realize something uncomfortable:
Maybe she didn't have a type.
Maybe she just liked beautiful things.
Still, Loki was Loki—scheming to the bone. She didn't let a trace of that show.
But Hestia, her longtime rival, caught the brief flicker of weirdness anyway.
"The second you show up, you're staring at my boy. What—don't tell me you're eyeing my kid too?"
Hestia's mocking tone instantly poked Loki's temper.
"Heh~~ My Ais is the best. Yours is… yours is…!"
Loki's voice trailed off.
For once, she got stuck.
Because Takumi's accomplishments were so outrageous she couldn't even trash-talk him properly.