Seeing Athena remain silent for so long, Yusei thought she disagreed and was feeling troubled. The mission condition required Athena to sign the contract voluntarily.
Even if he beat her to a pulp, it wouldn't matter. If she wasn't willing to sign, the mission couldn't be completed.
Was he supposed to find a male god to be his servant instead? He'd rather not complete the mission at all.
However, just then, Athena, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"Are you truly unconcerned?"
"Unconcerned about what?" Yusei asked, puzzled.
"Our identities, our ages... I am a Heretic God. You are a Campione. You are not even twenty years old. And I have already..." Yusei didn't quite understand but didn't dwell on it, speaking nonchalantly.
"It's fine. Those things aren't important. What's important is that I want you to be my goddess. That's enough."
"..."
Hearing such a blunt confession, even as the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena's intelligence seemed to plummet at this moment.
She tightly gripped the [Snake] in her hand. In her view now, this [Snake] was not only the key to restoring her power but also the 'bride price' Yusei had given her.
He had so readily given her something so important to her. Didn't that represent sincerity? Didn't it represent genuine affection for her?
But agreeing just like that felt... too hasty.
After a long while, Athena finally spoke somewhat hesitantly.
"It's still too fast..."
As soon as she spoke, Yusei was taken aback.
"Too fast? What's too fast?"
"O-Our relationship." Athena turned her head away, not daring to look directly at Yusei. A faint blush appeared on her cute face, making her look extremely adorable.
"Uh, then what do you want to do?" Yusei asked helplessly.
"According to human customs... then let's go on a date. It's a necessary step before marriage. I've observed that most humans do this."
Athena didn't dare to look at Yusei, speaking somewhat shyly.
Yusei blinked, not quite understanding the meaning behind Athena's words. It took him a moment to react suddenly.
'Date? Marriage?!'
'Were we even on the same page during this conversation?'
In the end, Yusei could only force a smile and agree to go on a date with Athena.
Although he wasn't clear why things had developed this way, if he didn't make Athena willingly sign her name, the god-servant mission was a failure.
Anyway, no matter what, he couldn't possibly find a male god to be his servant.
Just as the helpless Yusei and the somewhat unnatural, blushing Athena were about to leave, Erica suddenly appeared.
The change in the surrounding space... if she couldn't detect it and remained powerless for so long, she wouldn't deserve the title [Red Devil].
Erica immediately spotted Athena standing beside Yusei. The plate in her hand still held the chocolate cake.
The moment she saw Athena, Erica set the plate down and instantly drew her sword, preparing to attack Athena.
Athena showed no reaction, instead looking up at the young man beside her… the human who had confessed to her.
And indeed, Yusei did not disappoint Athena. With a wave of his hand, a Susanoo Armor's arm blocked Erica's strike.
"Stop. Athena is not an enemy."
Hearing Yusei's words, Erica's expression froze. She looked at Athena with concern.
"Master, Athena is the Goddess of Wisdom... she is cunning-"
"Don't worry. Athena is now my closest partner," Yusei said.
A god-servant was naturally closer than a knight. After all, knights had no contractual bond.
Although Athena hadn't signed the contract yet, Yusei felt confident that the time for that wouldn't be too far off.
Hearing Yusei's words, Erica was visibly stunned, looking at Athena in disbelief.
A smile also appeared on Athena's face, seemingly very satisfied with Yusei's introduction of her. She then looked at Erica.
"Loyal knight, considering you acted to protect your master, this one forgives your rudeness. Remember not to be so presumptuous next time."
In Athena's eyes now, Erica was also her servant, because a couple's possessions are shared, right?
Erica was internally furious, 'How dare this mere Heretic God place herself above me, and as a 'rival in love' to the King, no less!'
Her previous wariness and fear of Athena now completely turned into indignation and anger.
But under Yusei's gaze, she could only suppress her displeasure towards Athena.
"As you command, Master." Erica bowed to Yusei, completely ignoring Athena.
Athena didn't mind either.
"I'm going out with Athena. Stay here on standby, no need to follow me."
Yusei and Athena left the Copper-Black Cross's residence, leaving behind a resentful Erica.
...
On the streets of Japan.
As they had come from a residence in the suburbs, the streets were sparsely populated, scattered with few people, lacking a lively atmosphere.
Logically, dating spots are usually chosen in bustling, crowded places like movie theaters or shopping malls, where couples can carry out their little schemes… flaunting their affection without restraint.
But today, Yusei was still somewhat dazed about how things had evolved into a date, so he didn't take Athena to places like shopping malls or movie theaters.
As for Athena, she didn't really know what to do on a date. The reason she suggested it was because she learned from humans that couples who are compatible often choose 'dates' to deepen their relationship.
The two walked side by side on the street, one tall, one short, without any physical contact, both seeming rather stiff.
Yusei walked silently, unsure what to do. For now, he could only keep walking.
Suddenly, a soft, small hand slipped into his.
Yusei was slightly startled and looked at Athena beside him.
Athena's expression was normal, appearing very rational, as she stated, "According to human behavioral habits, during dates, couples walking together usually choose to hold each other's arm or hold hands."
As she spoke, she glanced at her own small stature, her tone carrying a hint of bitterness.
"This one's current form is not ideal. If this one absorbs the [Snake], then this one can hold your arm like other girls."