Even as a goddess, Loki was, at her core, a woman. And being her first time in a situation like this, of course she'd gone to bed with a head full of thoughts and slept late.
But the culprit who made her like this? He'd slept perfectly fine.
Loki studied Tsunayoshi's face and posture. Yep—bright-eyed, clear-headed. He'd obviously slept like a log.
Her tiny grudge ticked up a notch.
"…"
It was Tsunayoshi's first time facing a moment like this, and he fell silent for a beat. He steadied himself and walked to Loki's bedside.
"Ahem. Loki, I'm only thirteen. Thinking about marriage proposals all at once… wasn't the most thought-out move."
"So you do know yesterday was a 'proposal,' hmm?"
He paused—then saw the grievance on Loki's face melt into a knowing smile. He realized he'd been baited.
He wasn't going to deny what he'd done.
"Yes. I knew it was a bit like a proposal."
"A bit like?"
"…Fine. It was a proposal."
There was no denying the act itself. He had intended to just wait and watch, like he'd decided last night—but Loki had cornered him into saying it.
"Mhm. That's right. What you did yesterday was a proposal," Loki said, smiling as she sat on the bed, knees up, arms around them, eyes bright on him. "So I'm accepting."
"I'm quite interested in a marriage bond with a child I fancy. I know you acted unconsciously, but I'm not going to care whether you meant it or not."
"Or do you prefer the type like the shorty and Freya?"
He pictured Hestia and Freya, and recognized what Loki was really asking.
"Loki, saying I 'don't like' would be unreasonable. Looks are part of liking someone—but I also know some people shouldn't entertain extra thoughts. That's how trouble starts."
Loki puckered her lips. That was very much his style.
"Let's leave shorty and Freya aside and get back on track," she said. "I'm not treating your words and actions like a joke. Give me the answer now."
Loki wasn't a dithering goddess. Gods might play, but they were just as quick to act.
Pushed to the edge, Tsunayoshi didn't feel troubled—because he'd never planned to refuse. He'd only planned to wait.
"If it isn't a joke, then I won't dodge it," he said. "I never disliked you, Loki. In fact… I do like you."
Loki's smile deepened.
"Good answer. Since you've said that, I'll be clear: I don't intend to treat this as a mere game. As for you 'liking' me… well, I am a goddess, after all~"
The boast had a playful lilt, but it was still the truth. Gods were all beauty, though their hues and temperaments colored them differently. A goddess was a goddess; a god was a god—their looks were the most immediate proof.
Her mood lifting, Loki shed the last of her late-night grudge.
"Come here."
She crooked a finger. Tsunayoshi leaned in, puzzled—and Loki stole a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Ehehe~ Seal first. You're mine now."
"First condition: you are not allowed to get stolen by that woman Freya."
Loki didn't rate other gods as threats—except the one who played dirty: Freya. The woman's methods were nasty in their way. Especially after hearing what that madwoman had done in one possible future, Loki knew she'd have to keep an eye on her.
I… got kissed?
Tsunayoshi hadn't expected Loki to do that—much less call it a seal. But her next words slid him back into thought.
"Freya's charm is extremely potent," he said. "But immunity to charm is enough."
Knowing Freya's tricks, how could he not prepare a counter? He'd already planned for it, taking Bell Cranel's resistance as reference.
"So long as I'm not charmed, I don't have to worry about Freya's hidden hand."
He produced another ring—this one silver.
"This one has a single function: immunity to charm. It's for when Freya gets the urge to play."
Loki accepted the silver ring. Plainer than the other, but she slipped it onto her right hand anyway. It fit nicely.
"Quite snug," she said. "And yes—we absolutely should counter Freya. What she does in that future is a raging headache. If it weren't for shorty being completely unbothered by 'charm,' that woman might really have succeeded."
If she had, the only path left for that world would have been ruin. As for now? It didn't matter much whether Freya succeeded or not, as long as she didn't reach into Loki's house—didn't steal her boy.
"Then what about you?" she asked.
"To avoid drawing attention, I've already turned all the anti-charm gear into buttons and metal fittings on my clothes."
Tsunayoshi pointed at the buttons and small metal bits on his outfit—special pieces he'd made for resisting charm.
Loki's mouth twitched. She shouldn't have asked.
The boy's methods were deviously thorough.
(End of Chapter)
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