That golden, godlike version of herself. That heart-pounding battle where they'd "slain a god" together. And... that man's warm palms, his solid chest, and... that inexperienced yet passionate kiss, filled with endless gratitude and dependence.
Every time she thought of that kiss, Athena's face burned fiercely. She couldn't help burying her head in her soft pillow, making soft "wuu wuu" sounds like a shy kitten.
She could clearly feel her heart in chaos.
That man called Cloud was like a comet carrying enormous gravity, barging into the peaceful star-sea of her heart with unstoppable force, raising massive waves.
His strength, his mystery, his gentleness, and that always slightly roguish, devil-may-care smile... Everything about him was like the most lethal poison, making her sink, making her obsessed.
"Am I... falling for him?"
The maiden's thoughts tangled like climbing vines, bringing both sweetness and torment.
Just as her mind wandered, her room's window suddenly creaked open from outside.
A shadow, silent as a cat, slipped in and tiptoed to her bedside.
Athena was instantly startled. She was about to scream when she made out the intruder's face.
In the moonlight, that handsome face wore a smile she knew all too well—that slightly roguish grin.
"Hey, Student Athena," Cloud lowered his voice, smiling like a cat who'd stolen cream, "Asleep yet? If not, let's party!"
"You... y-y-you..." Athena was embarrassed, annoyed, and amused all at once. She quickly sat up, pulling the blanket protectively to her chest.
Face red, she whispered urgently: "What are you doing?! Coming into a girl's room in the middle of the night! Hurry... hurry and leave!"
Her mouth said "hurry and leave," but her voice was soft and utterly unconvincing. In her heart, a small voice was crying: Don't... don't go...
"Why would I leave? It's cold outside." Cloud's face was thicker than city walls. Not only didn't he leave, he sat right on the edge of Athena's bed, speaking as if it made perfect sense: "I'm just worried about you."
"Worried about me?" Athena looked completely skeptical.
"Of course." Cloud immediately activated his "completely serious bullshitting" mode. "You just broke through today—your power surged. You must be having trouble adapting. Especially with spiritual force application—a tiny mistake leads to massive consequences."
"What if you talk in your sleep tonight and accidentally let loose a psychic shock that collapses the mountain? As your personal coach, I have the responsibility and obligation to conduct one-on-one, close-contact reinforcement tutoring... at night!"
This speech was delivered with such righteous conviction it could move heaven and earth.
Anyone who didn't know better would think he was here campaigning for "Top Ten Outstanding Youth of the Year."
Athena listened in bewilderment. Something felt off, yet it seemed to make... a little sense?
Just as Athena hesitated, Cloud flipped his hand and, as if performing magic, produced... something.
It was a neatly folded set of clothes!
Athena glanced at it curiously, then her face turned red enough to drip blood.
That was... clearly a golden bikini identical to what she'd worn in the spiritual world!
No—even more extreme!
This "real-world version" seemed to have even less fabric, an even bolder design. Those few crucial golden strips (if you could call them strips) glittered alluringly in the moonlight, silently calling out "come wear me~"
"Wh-what is this?!" Athena's voice was trembling.
"Oh, this?" Cloud's expression was utterly casual, as if he'd produced ordinary training clothes rather than anything embarrassing.
"When I saw you couldn't sleep, I specially ran down the mountain overnight to find the city's best tailor. Based on your divine form's measurements in the spiritual world, I had them custom-make this one-to-one replica... Training Holy Garments!"
"Holy Garments?!" Athena felt her worldview being refreshed yet again.
"Exactly!" Cloud's expression became solemn and dignified, like a priest mid-sermon.
"Think about it—why could you unleash such tremendous power in the spiritual world? Because you wore battle attire that perfectly matched your divine bloodline! As they say, 'clothes make the man, gold makes the Buddha.' By the same logic, a goddess... naturally needs divine garments!"
"Put on these Holy Garments now, and I guarantee your spiritual force control will achieve the supreme realm of 'human and garment as one'! Training efficiency doubled!"
This bullshitting was "logic genius" level.
Athena was embarrassed, annoyed, and amused. How could she not see through it? This scoundrel clearly just lusted after her body and wanted to see her in this shameful outfit!
"I-I won't wear it!" She turned her head away, face red, stubbornly refusing.
"Really won't wear it?" Cloud put on a "this is difficult for me" expression.
"Not wearing it is fine too. But... that thing about you kissing me on your own initiative in the spiritual world, and hugging me while crying your eyes out... I'm afraid my memory isn't great. Tomorrow, if I accidentally let something slip while chatting with Master Chin Gentsai and the others..."
"You... you're shameless! You're threatening me!" Athena was so angry she nearly cried.
"No no no, this isn't a threat." Cloud wagged his finger, smiling like the Big Bad Wolf. "This is... equivalent exchange."
Athena looked at Cloud's rogue expression that screamed "I've got you," then at those impossibly embarrassing "Holy Garments," her heart torn by internal conflict.
In the end, her sense of shame lost to... her helplessness against this scoundrel... and that tiny bit of anticipation she didn't want to admit even to herself.
...
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