Chapter 27: Athena’s Hidden Thoughts

After enjoying the loving breakfast prepared by Shin Garei, she headed off to work, and I returned home. Pushing open the front door, I caught my dad and mom sitting right there in the living room, waiting for me. I’m dead meat—caught red-handed.

Trying my best to stay composed, I said to my dad: "Dad, why are you guys sitting here? Don’t you have work today?" Dad was usually easier to fool.

Hearing me say that, Dad shrugged helplessly and shot a look at Mom, looking completely powerless to help.

I’m done for, I groaned inwardly. Looks like the debt of romance isn’t so easy to pay off! Forcing a smile, I turned to Mom: "Mom, you don’t have work today either?"

"Hmph, so you still remember you have a mother?" Mom asked coldly. "Where did you spend the entire night yesterday?"

"Haha, I was hanging out at a friend’s place. It got too late, so they had me stay over for the night!"

"You brat, do you think I’m as easy to fool as your father? What friend could you possibly have?"

I genuinely felt like slapping myself twice. Of all the excuses to pick, why choose one that gets blown to pieces instantly? I had barely associated with anyone at school, let alone friends I could stay over with. All I could do now was lower my head and stay silent.

"We’re not against you going out to have fun, we’re just worried you’ll stray down the wrong path," Dad chimed in.

"Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I won’t stray!" I hastily assured them.

"I hope so. Consider this a one-time thing. There are only a few days left before the school term starts—you should get your act together, pack your things, and prepare what you need to take to university. Running around wild all day—what does that look like?" Mom said with earnest concern.

"Got it, Mom!"

"In a bit, the whole family will go out together to help you buy some supplies. Have you eaten yet?" Mom asked.

I nodded and replied, "I’ve eaten! I’ll go change my clothes first!" With that, I sprinted back into my room. Let out a huge sigh of relief—passed through that hurdle so easily! I need to be much more careful from now on.Quickly changing my clothes, I headed out to the streets with my parents. It took us most of the day to finish all the shopping, leaving me utterly exhausted.

That evening, Shin Garei called me and said that, since I was about to start university, she had prepared a special reward for me tonight.

Talk about a headache—with both Mom and Dad at home, how could I possibly sneak out? Finally, after a ton of coaxing and comforting on my part, she reluctantly agreed to let me visit her early tomorrow morning instead.

Hanging up the phone, I suddenly remembered Athena. Yesterday she seemed upset about something, and in all the rush, I had completely forgotten to check on her. I quickly called her out to ask.

Gripping the bracelet, I chanted silently in my mind: "Summon the Goddess of Wisdom!"

However, no matter how many times I called, Athena didn’t appear. Instead, Venus burst out.

Venus said in an irritated tone: "Well, aren’t you riding high on success lately? Becoming the top scorer, and yesterday you even had your wedding night, huh?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm—it was obvious at a glance that she was in a terrible mood.

I was utterly baffled, having no idea how I had offended her. Quickly putting on a pleasing smile, I asked cautiously: "Haha, Sister Venus! Who made you unhappy? Tell me, and I’ll go settle the score with them for you!"

Without even looking at me, Venus walked straight to the side of the bed, plopped down, and swung her crystal-clear little feet back and forth, muttering sullenly: "I wouldn’t dare trouble you. Otherwise, someone would be chasing right behind me to beat me up." She pouted her lips, looking undeniably adorable.

But I was in no mood to appreciate her beauty. If I didn’t appease this little ancestor of a goddess, I wouldn’t even be able to sleep peacefully—I certainly didn’t want to wake up and see a green-faced, fanged monster grinning at me; my heart couldn’t take that. Leaning in, I gave a dry laugh and said: "Who would dare touch you? You’re Venus, the Goddess of Love! If anyone dares treat you like that, I’ll fight them with my life!"

"Really?"

I nodded, slapping my chest with utter sincerity: "Of course!"

"Alright then—that person is your dear sister Athena!"

Clatter... I collapsed straight onto the floor. Even if you beat me to death, I wouldn’t dare go against Athena!

Seeing me like this, Venus burst into a giggle, her face showing no trace of unhappiness anymore. Looks like taking this spill was worth it after all!

Scrambling back up, I smiled bitterly: "I can’t help you with that one. Even if I swallowed a bear’s heart and a leopard’s gall, I wouldn’t dare mess with her!"

Venus gave me a look of utter disdain and muttered: "And you claim you don’t dare mess with her? You drove her so mad yesterday that she didn’t even give me a good look!"

"No way? When did I anger her? Besides, when I called for her, why was it you who came out?"

Venus glared with her wide eyes: "What? You don’t want to see me?"

"How could I? You’re misunderstanding me—I just wanted to ask what happened to Athena."

"Are you really oblivious, or are you just playing dumb?"

I stared at Venus and shook my head blankly. A song line even popped into my head: Don’t try to guess a girl’s mind; even if you guess, you won’t understand!

Exasperated, Venus grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and threw it violently at me. Having no physical body of her own, she had to pick up an object to hit me. Ducking to dodge the flying pillow, I said innocently: "I genuinely don’t know!" Though in my head I wondered if women just get moody around that time of the month? Even if they were goddesses, I had heard Venus mention before that goddesses could have babies, so they probably had periods too!

"She got turned into this state by you!" Venus said.

"What? By me? That’s impossible—when did I ever anger her?"

"You big idiot, can’t you tell that Sister..."

Before Venus could finish her sentence, she was cut off by a voice.

"Venus..." With a sharp, commanding cry, Athena materialized.

"Sister, I..." Venus lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, not daring to look at her.

"No nonsense. Go back!" Athena said, expressionless.

"Sister, why don’t you tell this fool?" Venus raised her head and looked at Athena.

"Enough, go back first. You are not allowed to talk recklessly in the future, or I will never forgive you!"

"Sister..." Venus stomped her foot, turned around, and yelled at me in frustration: "Fuitsu, you are a huge idiot!" With that, she vanished from the room!

Only Athena and I were left in the room. I walked up to her and asked softly: "Sister, did I do something to make you angry?"

Athena avoided my gaze, saying: "No, don’t listen to that girl’s nonsense."

"Is that true?" I asked skeptically.

"Of course, my bad mood is because of other things... No, I’m not in a bad mood at all!"

"Sister, you’re terrible at lying! Did I really do something to hurt you? Tell me, and I’ll definitely change!"

Athena looked at me, a complex blend of daze, affection, and relief swirling in her eyes. After a long silence, it transformed once more into a look of sorrow and determination. Forcing a faint smile, she said: "Don’t overthink it. It’s not your fault—it’s my own problem!"

"Tell me, let me help you!"

"Hehe, you can’t help me—at least, not right now."

"I’ll start working hard right now so that I’ll have the power to help you sooner! But when that time comes, Sister, you must come find me!" I said firmly.

Looking at me, Athena let out a gentle smile: "I definitely will!"