The following day, I woke up and got out of bed. Hephaestus was still asleep. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. Shortly after, Hephaestus entered.

  "It's been a while since we woke up together, hasn't it?" she said.

  "It's only been a few days," I replied with a smile.

  "A few days felt like ay to me. And I've lived for a very long time." Hephaestus pced her hands on my shoulders and stood oiptoes to kiss me. I kissed her back, and then we left the bathroom together.

  "I'm free today. How about we go out together?" Hephaestus asked as we walked to the dining room.

  "I already have something to do this m, sorry. I'll probably spend the whole day iraining room."

  "Hm? Are y te another sword with Mithril? Having trouble? I help you!"

  "It's not that. I tried f a full set of armor yesterday, and it was a disaster."

  "A full set of armor? Out of nowhere? I thought you'd focus on f swords. Does your skill help with armor as well?"

  "I'm not sure yet. When I fed a sword, my skill activated and showed me it was fwed. Maybe it'll guide me with armor too."

  "I see. That's good. A good smith o be skilled at f armor and other types of ons too. So, how did you go about it? Maybe I give you some tips to make it easier. You probably failed because of a mistake."

  As we walked to the dining room and even while eating, I expiep-by-step what I did to Hephaestus.

  "You fed the breastpte and then piece by piece," she houghtfully. "It seems you did well. You bihe breastpte and arm guards into a 'shirt' to make it easier to wear, right? Don't do that ime."

  "I should just attach the armor directly to the body, without using a shirt or fabric?"

  "Exactly. It's unnecessary."

  "I see."

  I realized I misuood the design of Bell's and Ais's armor. Their armor pieces weren't attached to clothing but directly to the body. I should've knower—how foolish of me.

  "Maybe I also made the armor pieces too big. I didn't take measurements but still tried to make a set that fit my body."

  "You o pay attention to every detail. They all matter. How about I e and help you today?"

  "Mikari said she'd help me with it. If you don't mind sharing the space with her."

  "What? Did ye this with Mikari without telling me? I'm disappointed!"

  "Huh? Why?"

  "Mikari is dangerous! You o tell me when you're doing something with her. I'm definitely going with you!"

  "Why is she dangerous? Is she the type to throw herself at handsome men? I thought that was the case from the way you acted st time."

  "Let's just say… it's more plicated than that." Hephaestus smiled bitterly. "You, don't say a word about this to him," she said to Nina, who smiled and nodded.

  "Don't worry, I won't say anything."

  I g Nina, whed.

  I wonder what Mikari did in the past to make the Goddess so cautious.

  Given how much Hephaestus loves me as jealous, I'm surprised Mikari hasn't been kicked out of the Familia yet.

  "I won't ask about it anymore…"

  "Good boy."

  ####

  Hephaestus and I headed to the training room, and wheered, Mikari was already there waiting for me.

  "You finally arrived… Oh, and you came too, Goddess."

  "Why do you sound so disappointed?"

  "I'm not disappointed." Mikari ughed. "I'm just surprised."

  "Didn't seem like it. Hmph!"

  "Fine, believe what you want. So, are you ready? I told you before, didn't I? That I'd help you fe the best armor in the world!"

  "You didn't say that."

  "Just pretend I did. Ahem…" Mikari cleared her throat and then showed the materials she had brought. "I brought the materials I use. It's just iron, but it's the best iron there is."

  "That iron is the same as the rest over there. There's no difference," Hephaestus pointed out where the materials were stored. "Stop saying unnecessary things a's get to work. I'm here to help too."

  "Huh? You're helping?! I thought you were just going to watch!"

  "That depends on what Eryk wants." Hephaestus g me from the er of her eye, expeg me to accept her help.

  "Of course, I want your help. I'd rather have you than Mikari. She doesn't seem to know what she's doing."

  "WHAAAAT!? How dare you treat me as inferior after I offered to help!"

  "Are you saying you're better than me?" Hephaestus asked, giving Mikari a disdainful look.

  Mikari ched her teeth and clicked her tongue. "Fine, let's just get started. First, heat the iron!" she said enthusiastically, quickly putting the earlier argument behind her.

  Her focus was irely on helping me fe the armor.

  ####

  The fe's heat felt even more intense uhe tension in the air. The sound of hammering echoed through the room as I shaped the breastpte. Hephaestus stood beside me, watg my every move.

  "You're hitting too hard," Hephaestus said, her tone fident. "Loosen your wrist ahe aeady."

  I rying to ighe weight of her gaze. W under her critical eye is incredibly challenging, especially since she is the best smith in Orario.

  Nearby, Mikari scoffed. "I told him that before. But no, nobody listens to me."

  "You didn't say anything," I replied without looking away from the glowial.

  "I did! You were just too busy trying to impress the Goddess," she retorted, crossing her arms.

  Hephaestus chuckled softly. "I know you're talented, Mikari, but he needs guidanot distras."

  "Distras?! I was helping him before you took my pce," Mikari muttered.

  I sighed. I struck the breastpte again. It's finally starting to take the shape I want.

  "If you keep this up, the armor will have unnecessary stress points," Hephaestus said, stepping closer aly pointing. "Look here. Hit lightly."

  I followed her advice, and the breastpte adjusted as if it had been waiting for that final touch.

  Mikari huffed but stayed silent. Once I finished hammering, I looked at her. " y the oil basin closer?"

  She gred at me, but a grin broke through. "Fine, 'boss.' But only because I'm generous."

  As she went to fetch it, Hephaestus leaned close. "It's looking good. Not perfect, but good."

  A small smile formed on my lips. Receiving praise from Hephaestus, even a little, was immensely satisfying.

  ParodyGirl