Immediately after.
Heimdall heard an exceptionally loud sound of someone swallowing saliva from across the table.
Hestia's eyes were glued.
Locked dead ahead on a small stall still steaming with warmth.
It was a wooden pushcart.
Under the dim glow of a magic lamp.
An apron-clad uncle was skillfully scooping up golden, crispy balls from a pot of oil.
—Fried potato croquettes.
"Hey, Heimdall..."
Hestia tugged on Heimdall's sleeve.
Pointing at that stall.
Her gaze was a little unfocused.
"That..."
"Even though it's not meat..."
"But..."
"That looks like it just came out of the fryer..."
Seeing Hestia so obviously hinting at him, Heimdall couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright, since you put it that way."
"Let's have a taste."
Without further ado.
Heimdall strode over to the stall.
"Boss."
"Two orders."
"The crispiest ones you have."
"Coming right up!"
Seeing business even this late at night, the stall owner uncle grinned from ear to ear.
He deftly packed two paper bags, sprinkling them with a special spice powder.
Steaming hot paper bags were handed over.
Grease instantly soaked through a corner of the bag.
Hot to the touch.
But warm.
...
"Huff huff—! Hot hot hot!"
Hestia eagerly took the bag, not caring about her image, and took a big bite right away.
Instantly scalded by the steam inside, she sucked in air sharply.
Yet, a look of supreme satisfaction spread across her face.
As if she possessed the whole world.
"Delicious!"
"Mmm... As expected, this taste feels the most comforting!"
Hestia mumbled her evaluation between chews.
"Even though the red bean ones are tastier..."
"The cream ones aren't bad either!"
"Here, Heimdall, you have some too!"
Heimdall took a leisurely bite.
Crispy outer shell, soft and fluffy filling.
Truly not bad.
The two of them walked side by side like that.
The atmosphere.
Was unexpectedly harmonious.
"Hey, Heimdall."
As she ate.
Hestia suddenly stopped moving.
Looking at the remaining half of the fried potato croquette in her hand.
Her previously high spirits seemed to dip a little.
"Do you think..."
"...that I'm not suited for the mortal world?"
"Hmm?"
Heimdall raised an eyebrow.
"Still thinking about that?"
"Because..."
Hestia looked down at her own invisible toes.
"You already have so many powerful Familia members."
"And such a big house."
"So much money."
"While I..."
"I've been down here for so long now."
"I haven't even recruited a single decent Familia member."
"Even..."
"I'm still freeloading at your and Hephaestus's place every day."
"Today, when you all weren't there."
"I stayed alone in that big house for the whole day."
"And suddenly felt..."
"That house is so big."
"So big that..."
"It feels like there's no place for me at all."
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