Bell Cranel(2)

--- Bell's POV ---

I made a grave mistake.

After Lili's words resonated within me, doubts began to cloud my mind. The vast disparity between Gods and mortals became all too apparent.

"Do not shy away from a Goddess' love, Bell," Miach-sama's words continued to echo in my thoughts.

Yet, I couldn't fathom being deserving of a Goddess's affection. We were worlds apart.

Regardless of my internal turmoil, we had to locate Hestia-sama. News there was an attempted kidnapping spread like wildfire, propelling us to search tirelessly for her.

As I scoured the streets, my heart leaped with joy when I finally spotted her. But my elation was short-lived.

What I witnessed before me was far from what I had anticipated—Hestia-sama stood there, weeping, accompanied by a man of unassuming appearance. His gaze sent shivers down my spine, yet I suppressed my fear and allowed my instincts to guide me.

This man... he was tormenting our beloved Goddess!

"Kami-sama!" I bellowed, mustering every ounce of speed to reach her side even a moment sooner. Gripping my dagger tightly, I lunged forward, directing my strike toward his shoulder to create a gap.

But to my disbelief, the man showed no inclination to evade my strike; he treated it with disdain, as though it held no significance whatsoever.

Before I could process my shock, I found myself hurtling against the wall, gasping for air. Confusion overwhelmed my senses—what was happening?

Yet, I couldn't afford to remain immobilized. If this man intended to harm Hestia-sama, then I...

I rose to my feet, instructing Hestia-sama to wait for me. Even if I stood no chance against him...

Yet my attempts proved fruitless.

With each collision of my dagger against his finger, a jolt of numbing sensation surged through my hand, reverberating up my arm.

Despite holding a weapon in my grasp, it felt insignificant in the face of his power. The impacts echoed with a disheartening clang, like the clash of steel against an impenetrable fortress.

Vivid memories of the Loki Familia executives' words resurfaced, replaying in my mind like an incessant refrain

I am weak.

Foolishly, I had believed that things were finally taking a turn for the better, that if I persevered, I would one day be able to stand by her side.

But with the existence of someone like him, would I forever remain the weak adventurer I currently was, regardless of my growth?

Desperation engulfed me. I yearned to break through his apathy, to prove that I held worth as well.

If this man continued to bully and torment our Goddess, would we ever be able to stop him?

My thoughts abruptly ceased as he effortlessly halted my dagger with two fingers. The mere thought of attempting to reclaim it felt like a thousand deaths awaiting me...

Before I could utter a word, the man spoke first.

"Now, Bell Cranel. The time for acting like a hot-blooded kid is over. Calm down, look at your Goddess, and cease your futile attempts to attack me. Not even the Sword Princess can pierce my skin, let alone you, kiddo."

"The Sword Princess...?" I whispered, my voice laced with astonishment, my eyes widening in disbelief at the mention of Ais-san.

Did he know her...personally? What connection did they share? The undeniable affection that resonated in his words caused a twisting sensation within my heart, a mix of curiosity and a hint of unease.

My desire to uncover the truth burned fiercely within me, but I knew that now was not the opportune moment to delve into such matters. With a purposeful shift of my gaze, I redirected my attention from him to the one who held my unwavering loyalty—Hestia-sama.

Hestia's eyes, once so vibrant and full of life, now appeared swollen and tear-streaked. The sight pierced my heart, and I couldn't bear to see her in such distress. Her tears continued to flow ceaselessly.

"...Soon, Ren, I'll be able to pierce your skin."

Before I could turn my head to express my gratitude to Ais-san for her assistance in the search, my vision was abruptly blocked by Hestia's hands. They firmly held my face, preventing me from diverting my gaze elsewhere.

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, undoubtedly resembling a ripe tomato. I opened my mouth to question Hestia-sama's actions, but the intensity of her serious gaze, tinged with tears, choked the words in my throat.

"Look at me, Bell," she commanded, her voice carrying a weight I couldn't fathom. "Gods are meant to be respected. That much is true... for almost everyone."

She cleared her throat, briefly glancing in the direction where Ais-san stood before resuming her speech.

"Nevertheless, we Gods are simply beings who were born in another realm and arrived a little earlier than all of you," she said, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination

"Furthermore, each God has their own unique way of expressing love to their children. As for me, I am different. Bell, I see you as someone I can love now and for all eternity. It has nothing to do with your membership in the Familia or the fact that you were the first to accept me, a lonely Goddess whom no one desired until this very moment."

"I am simply a woman in love, Bell," she confessed, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "Don't you also experience such emotions? It's exactly how I... feel about you."

Her words shattered the walls of my convictions, leaving me speechless. No, Hestia-sama, y-you can't do this.

"I-"

I struggled to form a coherent response. Even if her words held a kernel of truth, I convinced myself that she must be confused, grappling with her own struggles in the mortal realm.

Excuses flooded my mind, desperate to prove that her feelings must be different from what she believed.

"But...after my death..."

That was one of the reasons why I believed I could never enter a relationship with a Goddess. After a mortal's demise, their soul is reborn, starting a fresh new life. However, a Goddess retains the memory of the love shared, for all eternity—a prospect I deemed unacceptable.

"I don't care, Bell. I will find you once again. Man or woman, it doesn't matter. I will always, always search for you and express my love. My feelings for you are genuine, Bell. Don't run away from them, you coward!"

Her azure eyes ignited with an intense brilliance, radiating an unwavering determination that pierced through the depths of my soul. I glimpsed the blazing fire of her love, burning fiercely as It left me breathless, unable to look away.

In that fleeting moment, I could sense it. Hestia-sama had undergone a profound transformation.

---

Author's Note:

Join my server discord, link in the synopsis, or chapter comments so that you can just copy-paste it. You can vote for me to write about Oshi no Ko :)

Of course, Bell is still a stubbornly dense character. Do you think he managed to get it after all this?

Sometimes, I wish I could question Ōmori directly for the reasons behind his character development.