Orario.
The first-floor hall of the Haimo Familia residence.
Hanabishi Warabi, Onigawara Rin, Tsukuyo Inaba, Nemumeno Satori, Kikakujō Mary, and Big Bear and Little Bear stood once more in the spacious, luxurious hall.
Although their brief return had lasted only an hour.
It seemed to have blown away the last traces of dust in their hearts.
Haimo had already settled back onto the sofa. Watching his Familia, who seemed to have undergone a baptism, he said nothing and simply poured himself another cup of tea.
Silence spoke louder than words.
Sasamori Aya said nothing either.
However.
This atmosphere clearly would not last long.
Bang!
Before long.
The residence's heavy solid-wood front door was opened from outside.
The noise was so loud that the girls, who had still been immersed in their own emotions, jumped in fright and turned to look in unison.
"I'm back!!!"
There.
Accompanied by an energetic shout.
A blue figure walked inside.
It was Hestia.
This noble goddess really had none of a deity's dignity.
Her arms were full of paper parcels and food containers stacked higher than her head, swaying precariously as though they might collapse at any moment.
Even both hands were not enough. She could only lift her chin high and press it firmly against the topmost box, squashing her face out of shape.
"Look at all the goodies I bought!"
Hestia called out while struggling to keep her balance.
She was walking entirely by feel and nearly bumped into the doorframe several times.
"Roast meat! Fried fish! And Mama Mia's special fruit wine from her private stash!"
"And this! Mushroom stew fresh off the stove! The smell is absolutely incredible!"
"I ordered everything on the menu that looked tasty!"
"Hehe, being rich feels so good! Is this the joy of splurging?"
Hestia