Loki was genuinely taken aback when she heard what Tsuna said.
"So you finally figured it out!"
"???"
Her reaction only made Tsuna stare at her in confusion.
"You knew… so Miss Loki, you knew from the start?"
"Of course I did. Tione's not exactly subtle. One look at her and I could tell she was drawn to you."
She leaned back with a knowing grin. "Honestly, there were times I wondered if you were just pretending not to notice. But I guess you really didn't."
Loki had prodded him a few times before, testing the waters, and every time she came away more certain that Tsuna truly had no idea how strongly Tione felt about him. So hearing him finally admit it today—yeah, that surprised her.
In fact, she almost felt relieved. At least his brain wasn't made of solid steel—he could still recognize when someone liked him.
Watching that oddly relieved look spread across Loki's face, Tsuna felt exasperated.
Was she seriously celebrating the fact that his brain could detect something as basic as affection?
"Miss Loki," he said dryly, "maybe you should take a moment to reflect on what the word 'like' really means."
What he actually cared about was how Loki felt, now that she knew Tione liked him.
"Like is like," she said simply.
That casual tone, paired with her mischievous smile, made him sigh. She glanced down at his serious expression and couldn't help but let out a laugh, reaching down to pinch his cheeks.
"Let me guess," she teased. "You're wondering why, if I knew Tione liked you, I didn't do anything about it?"
Tsuna nodded. "Exactly. I don't get it."
"The way you usually act—so possessive, so greedy—it doesn't match what you're doing now."
Loki's fingers dug into his cheeks again, harder this time, like she was venting something. After a moment, she released him and spoke quietly.
"I'm a goddess. Being forceful and having a possessive streak—that's part of what we are."
"When I like someone, I always want to claim them as mine."
Her crimson eyes softened. "And with you, that feeling's even stronger."
Tsuna blinked. Her bluntness made it even harder to understand.
If her possessiveness was stronger with him than anyone else, then why wasn't she doing anything about Tione's feelings?
As if reading his thoughts, Loki smirked and gave his cheek another firm pinch.
"Gods are territorial about the ones we favor~" she said playfully. "But even that has limits. You could take Freya as an example."
"Freya… that goddess is known for being, well, passionate, isn't she?"
"That's just what mortals say," Loki replied, eyes glinting. "You, of all people, should know better."
Tsuna exhaled a quiet sigh. "Yeah. In that story, there's one about Freya saving her children—four Pallum craftsmen, I think."
He went on. "They'd been enslaved by a dwarf. Freya tried to barter for their freedom, and the dwarf offered a deal: 'Four days with me for four Pallums.'"
"In the end, Freya accepted. Later, she rewarded those four Pallum artisans generously."
"Pfft!"
Loki burst into laughter halfway through the tale, barely managing to hold it in until the end.
"That woman? Throwing herself on the line to save four Pallums? That's even funnier than Ishtar trying to go straight."
She snorted. "You really think she'd sell herself to some random dwarf? Please. That was just her 'Charm' at work—tricking a few idiots who couldn't see through it."
"If she actually slept with that dwarf, then hell, Ishtar might as well count as a virgin."
Loki's derision was clear, but she also understood what the story represented—a dramatized myth from Freya's own story circle.
A story within a story, retelling her legend as entertainment. The irony wasn't lost on her.
"If that woman were really the kind to spread her legs for every mortal she met," Loki scoffed, "Ishtar wouldn't be so damn jealous of her."
Because jealousy said it all.
If Ishtar knew Freya was no better than her, would she even bother being jealous?
If both were selling the same thing, what's there to envy?
No—the reason Ishtar's jealousy burned so deeply was because she knew Freya wasn't like her. Freya achieved things she couldn't.
Freya stayed untouched—pure in body, if not in heart—while Ishtar shared herself with countless gods.
That contrast alone was enough to drive her crazy.
Loki sighed, almost amused. "That woman… she's just using extreme methods to find those souls that shine brightest—to see if any of them are the one she's looking for."
"In the end, all those children gathered around her, drawn in by her presence."
"That's just Freya's way of loving them. And those kids? Whether they realize it or not, they all end up molded by her charm. It's perfect for a goddess who toys with hearts every night."
She noticed the flicker of recognition in Tsuna's expression and chuckled.
"Heh, so that woman ended up exposed, huh?"
Tsuna nodded slightly. "Yeah… from a storytelling perspective, the way they ended that tale felt forced."
Loki didn't even look surprised. "The character got too popular, didn't she?"
"Pretty much."
"That's Freya for you. She shines too brightly in any story she's in. When a character steals the spotlight like that, killing them off is the easiest way to end it."
"Stories aren't just about the characters—sometimes outside factors control everything."
Loki shrugged lightly. "That's just how change works."
Tsuna raised a hand and waved it in front of her face. "Miss Loki, are you saying you don't see that same spark in Tione's eyes?"
Loki blinked, then let out a quiet laugh. She leaned down over him, her lips curving mischievously.
"What I'm saying is… just like Freya, I have my own kind of obsession."
"I don't impose rules on my children. But for the one I treasure most, I do have expectations."
Tsuna could tell—this was her being sincere.
"I never took the idea of 'partners' seriously before. To me, relationships were just games to pass the time."
"Gods falling head over heels for someone? Being so obsessed they can't help themselves? I used to think that was laughable."
"But then I met you… and it's way more intense than I ever imagined."
She smiled faintly.
"So I'm even more tolerant with you. I can accept you having other relationships. And honestly, having multiple people care about you just adds more variety to life."
"I like that—variety. Keeps things from getting stale."
Her tone softened, teasing yet strangely warm.
"Besides," she whispered, fingers brushing through his hair, "no matter who else is around you… the one who'll be with you the longest is still me."
"The rest," she said with a grin, "are just seasoning for your love life."