Bell found himself back in that familiar place once again.
How many times had he already experienced this intoxicating warmth?
A fresh, soothing fragrance lingered in the air, paired with a gentle, comforting touch. Where their skin met, a calm, reassuring warmth spread through him.
Bell opened his eyes. The golden-haired girl's face was just as beautiful and composed as ever.
"Ais-san…"
Bell spoke softly.
Just like the first time they met, when he rested on her lap, the boy did not try to escape. Though the situation was reversed now, if someone who aspired to a harem couldn't even keep his composure in a moment like this, how was he supposed to keep moving forward?
Lying there with his head on her lap, Bell met the blonde girl's gaze openly.
Compared to before, a deeper flush had spread across Ais's cheeks. Unable to endure her embarrassment any longer, she finally spoke.
"I'm sorry… Bell."
"It's okay. Our plan from the start was for everyone to fight and decide a winner anyway."
Bell gently reassured her as he looked into those golden eyes that kept trying to avoid his gaze.
Because of Ais's sudden intrusion, Artemis and the others never managed to determine a victor. For Bell, that was actually a good thing.
More importantly, through this fight, he realized something absolutely crucial.
No matter what happened, Ais must never be allowed to drink alcohol.
"I didn't realize you'd already bitten into it… I'm sorry for stealing your fried potato ball…"
Ais lowered her head, her golden eyes meeting Bell's crimson ones.
"..."
She was apologizing over a fried potato ball…?
Bell had underestimated just how naturally airheaded Ais could be.
Just like during the fight earlier.
In order to stop Ais while she was out of control, Bell's strategy had been flawless. Ryuu bought time while Lefiya cast healing magic on from behind Bell.
Alcohol was treated as a kind of poison. Once the magic took effect, Ais recovered her senses exactly as expected.
Yet from beginning to end, the reason behind everything this absent-minded girl did was simply those words: "indirect kiss."
After realizing her mistake and becoming aware of her own embarrassment, Ais chose the method she had always relied on.
Defeat the boy to cover up her shyness.
Bell understood that clearly now.
"Leaving the fried potato ball there was partly my fault too."
The plan failed largely because of Ais's personality. She was as innocent as Haruhime, but the way she dealt with embarrassment was completely different.
It seemed that from now on, in addition to alcohol, he would also need to be wary of this unprovoked "violence"…
"That fried potato ball… was really bad…"
Once she realized Bell wasn't angry, Ais smoothly shifted the topic to food she liked.
"I know a shop that makes really good ones. I'll take you there next time."
Bell smiled as he replied, recalling the place where his Familia Goddess worked part-time.
"Mm… it's a promise…"
A gentle smile bloomed on Ais's lips.
The very next second, their promise was mercilessly interrupted.
Syr appeared at Bell's side, puffing out her cheeks.
"A promise for what? Not only did you say my fried potato balls were bad, now you're even making plans to go on a date with my lover? You two, separate right now!"
Syr grabbed Bell's hand without hesitation and yanked him to his feet.
"Ais-san…? You permanently horny rabbit, what do you think you're doing?!!"
Lefiya scrambled up from the ground and charged over furiously, seizing Bell's other arm.
"Stay away from my Bell!"
"Stay away from Ais-san!"
Syr and Lefiya moved at the same time, forcefully pulling them apart and breaking up the extremely intimate lap pillow.
"..."
Ais blinked, saying nothing.
She glanced at the boy, her gaze clearly reminding him of their fried potato ball promise. After receiving a small nod in response, Lefiya grabbed her and started dragging her toward the exit.
"Ais-san, let's hurry back."
"Why?"
"Well… staying here is really bad for my heart!"
"But Bell…"
"I'll treat you to fried potato balls!"
"Okay…"
The two girls' voices gradually faded into the distance.
Just before leaving, Lefiya still didn't forget to throw out a harsh warning.
"You permanently horny rabbit! I'll settle this with you next time!"
Bell watched their retreating backs and let out a helpless smile.
[Holy War] ended with no winner.
The blonde girl had defeated everyone and would have earned an exceptionally high score. According to the rules agreed upon beforehand, the title of [Main Wife] should have gone to Ais.
Naturally, none of the lovers were willing to acknowledge something so absurd.
Everyone tacitly avoided the topic and left together.
Night fell.
The outer streets were bathed in the glow of Magic Stone lamps.
"That's how it is. I'll leave Artemis-sama to you, Bell."
No one knew what Syr had said to the other girls, but she deliberately created an opportunity for the two of them to be alone.
"I don't mind at all, but Syr, you—"
Mindful of his girlfriend's feelings, Bell was about to say something, but Syr raised a finger to stop him.
With a gentle smile, she spoke.
"Let the one at the bottom do what she can, at least. Of course, the next time you come to my room, remember to make it up to me properly."
With that bewitching smile lingering behind them, Bell and Artemis bid farewell to the others.
Cool moonlight reflected the goddess's breathtaking beauty. On the quiet path, only their two figures remained.
"Today feels like it lasted a very long time."
Artemis spoke softly.
"I'm sorry about the chaos at the end. I must have startled you."
Bell apologized for the disorder earlier.
"Not at all. I was happy the entire day."
Artemis gently curved her lips into a smile.
"The old me probably would never have imagined finding joy in something like this."
Though not as extreme as Athena, the former Moon Goddess would certainly have stepped in to stop the boy's interactions with the girls if this had been the past.
Even though only a few days had passed, Artemis felt that the time which had once stood still within her had finally begun to move again.
Affection swelled. Love quietly took root.
Artemis spoke honestly about the changes she felt.
"You really seem to like Syr and the others."
Bell could no longer sense the sharp, overbearing edge that Artemis once carried.
This [Holy War] without a victor had undeniably changed the goddess.
"Mm… Orion's companions are all such kind children…"
Artemis recalled the faces of Airmid and the others, then continued.
"I made such an incredibly selfish request, yet they still accepted me. To be honest, I even felt a little jealous."
Between Syr, the others, and the boy existed an unshakable bond.
A flower of love born from their encounter, nurtured and strengthened over time.
Compared to them, Artemis's time spent with the boy was far shorter.
Seeing through the goddess's thoughts, Bell smiled gently.
"Artemis, did you forget? We agreed to a love that would last ten thousand years. I remember that promise very clearly."
"..."
Artemis froze for a moment.
Their time together had been brief, but in the boy's words, this was only the beginning.
There was no need to rush. No need for jealousy.
Because the lover named Bell Cranel would always stay by her side.
Artemis smiled warmly.
"Ten thousand years sounds a bit short…"
"Then how long do you think would be enough?" Bell replied softly.
The scent of roses drifted through the night breeze. Whether influenced by the moment or not, the distant streets were filled with the silhouettes of couples everywhere.
Immersed in this atmosphere of love, Artemis let her heart beat freely.
"One hundred million years… no…"
"The love I share with Orion…"
"I want it to last until—forever."
Artemis brushed back her blue hair and offered her soft, cherry-colored lips.
Under the moonlight, her clear confession soared toward the heavens.
The two figures overlapped, lingering together for a long, long time.