[83] New Member

"Phew, I'm alive." Bell exhaled deeply after finishing the last sip of juice from his cup. Immediately, he stood up and bowed gratefully to Aiden and Hestia. "Thank you both for your help."

"No need to thank us. Would you like more to eat? There's more in the kitchen." Hestia asked softly.

"N-No, thank you. I'm already full." Bell stood stiffly as if facing the stern gaze of a school principal, his hands close to his thighs, his chest puffed out, and his head held high with nervous tension.

Seeing Bell's tense demeanor, with his white hair and crimson eyes, Aiden couldn't help but liken him to a bunny. He smiled gently and said softly, "Relax, no need to be nervous. This is Hestia Familia. I'm Aiden Sparda, and this is Hestia."

"H-Hello, Aiden-san, Hestia-sama. My name is Bell Cranel. Thank you both for your help." Bell bowed deeply again, visibly shy.

Watching Bell's nervousness, Aiden couldn't help but chuckle softly. "We appreciate your gratitude. Now please, sit down. It's inconvenient for us to talk while you're standing and looking up."

Bell obediently took a seat.

"So, Bell-kun, why did you collapse on the roadside?" 

Bell seemed uninjured, appearing to have fainted from hunger alone, which piqued Hestia's curiosity.

Embarrassed by Hestia's question, Bell chuckled and scratched his head. "I-I haven't eaten anything for several days."

Hestia naturally understood that Bell had collapsed from hunger. She continued her inquiry.

Bell's smile froze upon hearing Hestia's follow-up question. He sighed softly, then confessed with a hint of sadness, "I want to join a Familia and become an adventurer exploring the Dungeon."

"Ah, I see." Hestia nodded understandingly.

"I've been in Orario for six days now and visited many Familias, but none of them are willing to take me in. I've run out of money..." Bell hung his head, sounding somewhat disheartened.

In these six days, Bell had visited countless Familias and faced rejection from each one. Yet, he persisted, determined to keep trying. Aiden admired Bell for this perseverance... a trait he felt he himself lacked.

"Running out of money for food, so you ended up on the streets?" Aiden asked.

"Yes." Bell still keeping his head low.

Watching Bell's despondent demeanor, Hestia felt a pang of empathy, seeing shades of her own past struggles. She sighed softly, straightened herself, and tentatively asked, "So, Bell-kun, what are your plans now? Are you thinking of going back home like this, or do you still want to pursue becoming an adventurer?"

"I-I..." Bell was unable to respond immediately.

No matter how confident someone might be in pursuing something, repeated setbacks and even life-threatening situations could easily lead to despondency.

"However, I still want to give it another try. Eating well today will keep me going for a few more days..." Bell finally spoke up, showing he hadn't completely given up. Yet, from his words, it was clear this was his last attempt. If he couldn't join a Familia now, he'd have no choice but to return home.

Hearing Bell's words, Hestia was visibly moved. She exchanged a glance with Aiden, then finally made up her mind. She gently asked Bell, "Bell-kun, would you mind joining a newly formed small Familia?"

"I'd be more than willing! As long as I can join a Familia and become an adventurer, I'll be satisfied. But all the Familias have turned me down..." Bell was disheartened, not catching onto Hestia's underlying message.

"Hahaha~" Aiden couldn't help but laugh at Bell, who not only misunderstood Hestia but also kept his head down all this time, resembling a dejected white bunny.

"What's so funny, Aiden-kun?" Hestia frowned at Aiden's teasing, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, it's just that he looked exactly like a homeless white bunny." Aiden chuckled. "Of course, I'm not just laughing at you, Bell, but also at Hestia. We should clarify things properly."

"Aiden-kun!" Hestia knew what Aiden meant, but still gave him a disapproving look before turning back to Bell. "I'm sorry, Bell-kun. Aiden-kun didn't mean any harm."

"It's okay, Hestia-sama. I know Aiden-san is a good person. Also, Aiden-san, I didn't quite understand what you meant...?" Bell asked sheepishly.

Upon hearing Bell's words, Aiden couldn't help but sigh and facepalm, realizing that Bell had just handed him his first nice guy card.

'Wait, why am I assuming I'd get a nice guy card in the first place?'

Seeing Aiden's reaction, Hestia shot him another disapproving look before rising to her feet. With a feigned air of maturity, she cleared her throat and extended her right hand towards Bell. "Bell-kun, you said earlier that you'd be satisfied as long as you could join a Familia and become an adventurer, correct?"

"Yes." Bell noticed Hestia's solemn demeanor and instinctively sat up straight.

Observing Hestia's attempt to appear dignified despite her youthful appearance, Aiden couldn't help but draw parallels to the imposing Remilia Scarlet. It was becoming uncanny how similar they seemed, but Aiden managed to stifle his laughter before it escaped audibly.

"So, Bell Cranel, I am here to ask... would you be willing to join our Hestia Familia?" Hestia continued, clearing her throat again upon noticing Aiden's amusement, trying to uphold her dignity, and finally lowering her voice.

"..."

Bell couldn't believe his ears upon hearing Hestia's words. His eyes widened in disbelief, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of happiness that left him momentarily stupefied.

"Haha~" Seeing Hestia officially extend the invitation and witnessing Bell's stunned reaction, Aiden couldn't contain his laughter any longer.

"Is... is it true? Are you really willing to let me join?" Bell, snapped out of his stupor by Aiden's laughter, asked hesitantly, staring wide-eyed at Hestia, his words stumbling.

"Of course it's true. I promise in the name of the Goddess." Hestia reassured him with a radiant smile.

"Thank you, Hestia-sama." Overwhelmed by Hestia's affirmative answer, Bell couldn't hold back tears of joy.

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