After the treatment was completed, Akira twisted his waist from side to side, letting out a satisfied exhale as his joints popped in relief.
He rolled his shoulders, then gave his wrists a few sharp shakes, clearly trying to dispel the lingering soreness that still clung to his muscles.
"Ahh, that's better." He muttered, loosening up like a cat stretching after a long nap.
Once he finished those warm-up movements, he looked at Loki and replied with a relaxed smile, "Actually, everything that needed to be handled has already been arranged. Everyone's happy to stay home and keep Astraea-sama company for now. I just came over to deliver some important updates… and to visit everyone while I was at it."
Ais, standing nearby, quietly observed his movements. After a second of hesitation, she began mimicking them—twisting her waist, rolling her shoulders. Her expression was focused, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Hehe." Loki let out a teasing chuckle and narrowed her crimson eyes.
She folded her arms across her chest, cocking her head with a sly grin. "Don't tell me... You came all this way just to attract my dear Ais, hmm? What's your real motive, Morning Star?"
Her signature red hair was neatly tied up in a high ponytail, its ends swaying like flames in the wind. The black, fluffy hairband perched on her head added an odd charm to her otherwise playful but fierce appearance—like a mischievous older sister who played rough but protected her own.
Her figure, while on the slim side, particularly in the chest department—flat enough to be described as a runway—didn't subtract from her undeniable charisma. When Loki got serious, she gave off the aura of a slightly aloof deity.
Of course, only those within her inner circle saw this side of her. To the rest of Orario, Loki was still that fun-loving, sharp-tongued goddess who doted on the girls in her Familia...perhaps a little too much.
Akira scratched his cheek, trying to find a plausible answer. "…Uh… Would it be alright if I said I wanted to take Ais out to play?"
Almost immediately, Ais's golden eyes lit up like stars. She stepped forward and clutched the hem of Akira's shirt. "…Yeah! I want to go out and play with Akira."
Loki's expression instantly darkened.
The next moment, she was right up in Akira's face, one arm hooking tightly around his neck while the other balled into a fist to pummel his cheek.
"I knew it!" She snarled, grinding her knuckles against his face.
"You really are here to steal my sweet little Ais away! I didn't even get the chance to steal you away, and you're already trying to cause me trouble!"
"Finn!" She shouted.
"Don't let this brat get away! Today, we're gonna teach him a lesson!"
Finn chuckled and stepped forward with the air of a seasoned commander. "Then, Akira, how about staying for dinner tonight? I'll have someone inform Alise and the others over at the Stardust Garden."
"Excellent decision," Riveria nodded in agreement, smiling softly.
"When you return from your outing, you can dine with us."
Gareth, arms crossed and beard twitching with mirth, added, "Sounds like tonight calls for a banquet. Let's welcome our guest properly."
"Yay! A party!" Ais pumped her fist, excitement radiating from her like a child being promised cake.
Akira, still half-wrestled by Loki, blinked in disbelief. "W-Wait a second… I didn't switch Familias, right? Did I accidentally wander into an alternate universe? Since when do gods throw a banquet for kids from other Familia?"
Loki, still hanging off him, raised her voice in exasperation. "Exactly! What's going on with you guys?! Who throws a banquet for someone who isn't even one of our own children?"
Finn merely shrugged, hands open in mock innocence. "I'm just following your orders, Loki. You said to keep Akira here today. I'm just doing that."
Loki froze. Then slowly, she released Akira, waved her hands dismissively, and muttered, "N-No, no, no! When I said keep him here, I meant beat him a few times and toss him in the warehouse to starve! When did that turn into wining and dining him?!"
Akira nodded solemnly and said, "Yeah, this script's off. If this were a play, I'd fine all of you for going off-script."
"Hmph! It's all your fault!" Loki turned to him, eyes gleaming with suspicion.
"You drugged them, didn't you? No other way you could win them over this fast!"
With a war cry, she leapt toward Akira, clawed fingers ready to throttle him.
But Akira was faster. He grabbed Ais's hand and zipped behind Riveria like a wind spirit, poking his tongue out. "Can't catch me, nya~!"
"You little—! You dare steal Ais and laugh at me?! Come out and fight me like a man!"
A chaotic chase ensued, with Akira, Ais, and Loki playing a dizzying game of tag. Ais giggled joyfully as she followed Akira around the clearing, dodging Loki's increasingly dramatic lunges.
"Enough!" Gareth's deep voice boomed as he grabbed Loki by the back of her collar like a misbehaving cat.
"Loki, if you keep this up, I'm not sharing the good wine I saved for tonight."
That got her attention.
Loki immediately stopped flailing and brightened. "Ooh! The good wine? Alright, I'll behave. Akira, you're lucky! You're now officially invited to our party."
"…Did anyone ask for my opinion…?" Akira muttered under his breath, blinking at the sheer force of Loki Familia's momentum.
Finn crossed his arms and gave him a knowing smile. "My thumbs are tingling. I think we'll be working together more in the future. This banquet is a chance to get everyone acquainted."
"…Is this an uncle's sixth sense or something?" Akira grumbled.
Finn winced, as if struck in the heart by an invisible arrow and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
Riveria chuckled, while Gareth let out a hearty belly laugh.
Loki, ever the opportunist, clapped Finn on the back and roared with laughter. "Hahaha! Did you hear that, Uncle Finn?! This is the brat you wanted to invite!"
Akira turned to Loki with a smirk and said, "Don't act like you're any younger, Loki. You gods have been around forever. Shouldn't I be calling you great-great-great… grandma?"
Riveria and Gareth burst into laughter, Finn groaned, and even Ais was giggling.
Loki's face turned red with fury. "Who taught you that?! You rude little punk! Next time I see Astraea, I'm telling her you called her my great-great-great... grandma! Let's see what happens then!"