Hunger Has Zero Dignity
I checked my wrist.
"…Eight?" My watch said 8:00. I didn't even know if that meant anything here, but my stomach sure did.
Grrrrrrr.
"Okay, okay," I muttered. "I hear you."
8:10. 8:20. 8:38.
Each minute passed slower than the last. Hunger wasn't loud at first—it was persistent. Like a debt collector tapping politely, then knocking harder.
"Haaa…" I threw my hands up. "I yield! I surrender!"
I glared downward. "Stomach! You ungrateful thief! You think only about yourself, huh?!"
GROOOOOEWLLLLL.
"…Fine. I'll go."
I took one step—
Then froze.
White hair.
Red eyes.
A familiar, impossible silhouette walking under lantern light like the world wasn't constantly trying to kill him.
"…It's Bell."
Bell Cranel.
My brain short-circuited.
"Be—" I bit my tongue mid-word. Don't say it. Don't summon fate.
I shrank back instinctively, hugging the shadows.
"Let's… let's follow first."
He walked naturally, unguarded. No tension. No paranoia.
"…He couldn't sense me?" I whispered, shocked. "He can sense Lady Darling Freya and he can't sense me?!"
"That's weird? Or convenient for stalking. Ehehehe."
"Wait! You are not a stalker!"
"Or... let's be one?"
"…Fine. Either way."
Bell turned down a familiar side street.
And then—
"…Oh."
He stopped in front of it.
An old church. Cracked stone. Crooked doors. Familiar enough that my heart skipped.
"I know that place," I muttered. "Good thing I started with anime."
Bell knocked and slipped inside.
I stared at the door.
"…Knocking door?"
I took two steps closer before my brain caught up.
"Bell? No—" I slapped a hand over my mouth. "GODDESS—!"
The door opened.
And there she was.
Black hair. Soft eyes. Bare feet on old stone.
"…I saw her," I breathed internally. "Zeus. I SAW HER!"
Hestia.
"Hermes mode in full swing," my thoughts screamed, "BUT I SAW HER!"
She blinked at me, unimpressed.
"…Who are you?" she asked flatly. "We don't do charity."
"I'm not a beggar!" I protested instantly.
She looked me up and down. Hoodie. Hollow cheeks. Suspicious posture.
"You look like one," she said. "How did you know this place?"
My soul left my body.
(Sorry little young beautiful goddessssss! I just want to worship you forever!!!)
I absolutely could NOT say that out loud.
I bowed awkwardly instead.
"S-sorry, sister. I got lost. Can you… um… tell me the way to Main Street?"
"Oh." Her expression softened instantly. "It's that way."
She gestured.
I didn't see the direction.
I didn't see anything.
Except...
Her black hair caught the light. Her hands—small, delicate, almost childlike.
And something warm and dangerous surged in my chest.
Protect her.
The feeling hit hard and fast, like instinct overriding logic.
"Squeeeeeee—"
My heart fluttered.
Then—
GRREEEEERRRRRRR.
Silence.
My stomach betrayed me.
Loud. Violent. Unforgivable.
Hestia stared.
I stared back.
"…I'm not a beggar," I repeated weakly.
My stomach answered for me.
GROOOOOOOOWL.
The gods were laughing somewhere.
I just knew it.
---
[End of Chapter]
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Author's Notes:
Mission failed successfully. Our protagonist has officially met Hestia while cosplaying as a homeless stalker with a noisy stomach. What could possibly go wrong?
Next time: Will food be obtained? Will dignity be recovered? Will Bell notice the weird person lurking outside his goddess's home? Stay tuned!