A Cliché Multiverse Story

"That's the whole story…" Astraea sipped on her tea, which had gone cold after sitting on the table for minutes.

Grayfia's face broke into a smile as she put down her mug. She got up and silently took the mugs from the two goddesses sitting across her. "I'll make more."

She had toned down on her housework duties after Nao's constant reminders. Nao and Rini took over the duties, giving her more free time than she was accustomed to. So when the opportunity came for a tea party, she joined Astraea in a heartbeat.

Hephaestus snatched back the cups from a creepy smiling Grayfia. "We don't—"

Loki pinched Hephaestus's hand and slipped the cups to Grayfia. "Please, Maid-sama. I never drank something like… what even in this beverage?"

"Coffee. It's very common in My Lord's hometown."

"I see. I see. It makes me more energetic than tea."

Grayfia hurried to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Hephaestus assumed a serious expression, only for Chiaki to scratch her head and ruin everything.

"Not now, Chiaki."

"Un."

"Astraea, I don't understand Freya's goal in inviting you and Asahi."

"She wants to charm Asahi," Loki said with a shrug. "I can see it from miles away. How can ya not?"

"Will it work on Asahi?" Hephaestus asked. "Ishtar couldn't do anything to him, so we shouldn't worry on that part."

"We gotta worry about the aftermath," Loki said as she poked Chiaki, who peeked her head out of Hephaestus's air. "Freya is a loony. She won't stop at anything to get what she wants."

Loki couldn't count how many times Freya got away with her offenses, just because of her ability to charm anyone. If she couldn't charm Asahi, she might either become crazy to get Asahi or ruin him.

Grayfia's return made Loki grin and forget everything. The serious air in the room dispersed just like that.

Hephaestus glanced at Astraea, who happily chatted with Grayfia. "Aren't you worried about what could happen tonight? Freya might attack you..."

She felt afraid to think about going back to Heaven, where her life was as monotonous as it could get.

"I'm not," Astraea said as a smile of pure joy lit up her eager face. "Asahi will be with me there." 𝒇r𝙚𝙚𝓌𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜𝘷𝗲𝘭.c૦𝑚

Astraea's smile dissipated Hephaestus's concerns.

"Say, Astraea." Hephaestus narrowed her single eye, her face taking on a solemn expression. "Do you think… Asahi has a sex divinity like Freya?"

Astraea tilted her head. She had no idea why Hephaestus asked this question at a time like this. She couldn't connect the dots, nevertheless, she answered, "He has EX-Rank Charm development ability. I don't think he has sex divinity. He still hasn't touched me that way…"

Astraea giggled, seemingly flustered to bring up the topic before others.

"Look at Astraea. So cute, so precious," Loki grinned and turned to Hephaestus. "Fei Fei, ya think a man with sex divinity can hold back for so long?"

Loki wasn't clueless like Astraea. She could see Hephaestus doubting Asahi.

"My Lord doesn't have any divinity," Grayfia revealed after cross-checking her facts with Klyscha. "He might get one soon."

"But… he has charm," Hephaestus replied, sounding unsure of her words. Seeing Astraea confused, she shut her eyes and sighed. "I thought Asahi seduced you for fun... and that he would discard you later..."

Loki couldn't help but snicker. She hadn't seen Hephaestus going out of her way to criticize someone for a long time.

"Fei Fei, ya are a dumbass."

Hephaestus blankly stared at Loki.

"Yes, a big dumbass."

"..."

"I can't blame ya 'cause ya never found someone who loved the true you." Loki grinned ear to ear. "I don't need some divinity to see their feelings for each other."

"Hephaestus, you were worried about that?" Astraea asked as she giggled. "Sorry, it wasn't my intention to laugh. Hephaestus, it's nothing like you imagine. Asahi and I have a very… caring relationship. The other day he took me to meet his sister in his world."

Hephaestus looked over to Grayfia, who covered her smile with her hand.

'I was wrong,' Hephaestus thought with a wry smile. Others' laughter didn't matter to her as long as Astraea didn't suffer in the future. 𝑓𝗿𝐞𝘦𝘄ｅ𝘣n𝘰𝘷eƖ.c𝘰𝗺

"I'm sorry for doubting your lover." Hephaestus scratched her cheeks. "Even if I was looking out for you, it doesn't excuse my attitude towards him. I should probably apologize to him."

"You don't need to," Astraea denied her as she rubbed her mug with her thumbs. "If you really feel sorry then let Asahi heal your eye…"

She had to bring this sensitive topic up at some point. Otherwise, all of Asahi's hard work would be for nothing.

Hephaestus unconsciously touched her eyepatch. "Heal my eye? Is it possible?"

"Asahi can do it. He's been learning some new skill ever since I asked him."

Hephaestus stared at Astraea, stunned by the truth. "I… I don't know what to say."

She had been thinking of Asahi as a bad guy, while he was working on a skill to heal her scars. Her heart was overwhelmed with guilt.

Grayfia leaned forward and cupped her face in her hands. "Then don't say anything. My Lord will take care of it."

"Ya should give it a chance," Loki said. "If it's Asahi, he might accomplish it."

"O-Okay." Hephaestus caved under the hopeful eyes of three women. That didn't stop the tiny hope from rising in her chest. "I'll pay him… No, I'll make a defensive armor for him."

"He doesn't need one though," Grayfia muttered to herself.

Alise and Ryuu joined them. Kaguya dragged the television into the room. The light from the sky faded as they were engrossed in the wonders of anime.

Asahi returned to find the comical scene of three goddesses and a fairy lazing about on the couch. He expected Astraea and others to be watching anime, not Loki and Hephaestus.

"Astraea, it's time for our free dinner."

"Asahi-kun," Nao walked over to him with droopy eyes and hugged him. "Have fun out there. I'm gonna rest early."

With a kiss on his cheeks, she left the room.

Loki got up and tidied her clothes. "It's night, huh. I was havin' fun. Fei Fei, let's go with him. I wanna see Freya's strategy."

"She did say Asahi could bring his lovers..." Hephaestus folded her arms on her chest and sighed. "She won't let us in."

"Why don't you two become my lovers for the night?" Asahi suggested with an innocent smile. "It's not hard."

"Temporary?" Hephaestus gave him a skeptical stare. "Why does it sound wrong?"

"'Cause it is." Loki subjected him to her piercing gaze. "Fake lovers ya mean?"

Asahi blinked his eyes innocently. "Yes. Fake. You're welcome if you want to be the real deal."

Hephaestus gave a polite smile. "I'm fine with being fake."

Freya won't try anything extreme with their presence. Even Freya won't be able to handle the wrath of her rival Familias.

"Ready then?"