"You said Odin's waiting for you in Hel, and that you 'need to give him an explanation.' Sounds an awful lot like a threat to me," Ryuuto said dryly. "If I don't agree to be with you, you'll just badmouth me in front of him, right?"
Hela crossed her legs over the side of her throne, her expression perfectly calm. "I didn't mean it that way. I may be the Queen of the Underworld, but I'm not deceitful. I just want to know what to tell him. If I return without an explanation, Odin will come looking for trouble. If I can give him a reasonable answer, he won't bother you." Her tone softened slightly. "He's stronger than I am, Ryuuto. I'm… worried you can't beat him."
Ryuuto frowned. Odin—the Allfather, ruler of gods. He honestly didn't know how strong the man was. And while he wasn't afraid of Odin, hearing Hela say that made him think twice. When he fought Hela earlier, he'd nearly drained the last of his Life Potion. Without that, he'd have been finished.
And if Odin really was stronger… yeah, fighting him now would be suicide.
"So," Ryuuto said at last, "what kind of 'answer' will keep him off my back?"
"There's one that might work," Hela replied, the corner of her lips twitching. "But it comes with a price."
He smirked. "What, you want a deal? You're basically a Shinigami—don't tell me this is the classic 'I'll make you rich for three years but take your soul after' kind of scam."
Hela chuckled softly, eyes gleaming. "No, I'm not that bored. The 'deal' is simple. I'll tell Odin that you and I are under a soul-binding contract—that every time you summon a spirit from my realm, your lifespan shortens by one year. Odin can't interfere with that kind of pact."
Ryuuto tilted his head. "And what's the catch for me?"
Her smile widened. "You'll spend one day every month… dating me."
He groaned. "You're unbelievably clingy."
"Better than forcing you to marry me outright or drag you to Hel as my king, isn't it?" Hela shot back with an amused smirk. "You're the one who said love needs a foundation. I'm just… cultivating it."
Ryuuto sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Fine, deal."
"Perfect. Then today's our first date."
"Fix Odin first," Ryuuto said flatly.
"Of course! Wait for me—I'll be back soon!"
And in the blink of an eye, she was gone.
–––
A few seconds later, Natasha Romanoff and Katie Dee appeared behind him.
Natasha crossed her arms. "So… how are you going to explain this to Susan?"
"Explain what?"
"Uh, the fact you're about to go on a date with Hela? She's your girlfriend, Ryuuto. You really think she won't care?"
"There's nothing to explain," he said, deadpan. "If you have to justify every little thing in a relationship, you're already losing. Susan knows who I am."
Katie leaned toward Natasha, whispering, "Miss Ryuuto once said he'd 'educate' me and even sleep with me. So you probably do know what kind of person he is."
Natasha's face darkened immediately. "…He what?"
For a moment, she didn't know if she was angry or just embarrassed. Either way, her cheeks turned crimson.
She coughed, forcing composure. "Right. Whatever. It's your mess. Come on, Katie. Let's go 'visit' Susan."
She said it like she didn't care, but the glint in her eye said otherwise. She wanted to keep Susan distracted. That way, even if Hela got… handsy on their 'date,' Susan wouldn't find out.
As they left, Ryuuto turned his gaze toward the massive crater in front of him—one he'd created during the earlier battle.
He sighed, then floated into the air, forming hand seals.
"Doton: Weighted Boulder Technique!"
Chunks of rock and soil lifted from the ground as he soared into the forest. Minutes later, he returned carrying a mountain-sized mass of earth, which he dropped neatly into the crater.
"Perfect," he muttered, tilting his head. "Maybe add a few trees later."
Just as he was mumbling to himself, Wolverine strolled in, grunting as he surveyed the newly leveled field. His expression said it all: Kid, what the hell did you do this time?
–––
Meanwhile, in the Underworld—at Yuki Palace.
The blizzard outside had barely faded when Hela appeared, her cold, regal aura filling the frozen hall. She sat upon her throne, death scythe resting across her lap.
"I've handled it," she announced.
Odin's voice echoed through the chamber. "Handled? How?"
"He and I are bound by contract," Hela replied smoothly. "He may summon souls from my domain—but each summoning shortens his lifespan by one year."
Odin's grip tightened around Gungnir, the Eternal Spear. He slammed it against the black marble floor, the shockwave cracking the stone beneath.
"My right to make contracts with mortals is absolute," Hela said icily. "Even you, Allfather, have no authority to question it."
"But it was Loki's soul he summoned!"
Hela's crimson lips curved. "Oh? Are you planning to resurrect him? That's rich." She leaned back lazily. "You and I never saw eye to eye, Odin. You live in endless sunlight, while I dwell in eternal night. My heart froze long ago—I can't understand affection, and I have no intention of reviving Loki. If that's all, leave. Asgardians are not welcome here."
Odin's jaw clenched, but after a long pause, he turned and walked away. He knew better than to start a war here. If he clashed with Hela, she'd unleash a thousand vengeful souls upon Asgard—and even if most were weak, their sheer numbers would wreak havoc on the Nine Realms.
When the echoes of his departure faded, Hela smirked faintly.
"Now then…" she murmured, standing from her throne.
"Time to experience what a first date feels like."