Chapter 88: Date, Izzy's DNA Moved
____
After leaving the sacred baths, Artemis let her still slightly damp blue hair fall straight down behind her. The change in hairstyle gave her an intellectual and gentle temperament.
Walking along streets bustling with adventurers, she often caught the attention of passers-by. Both men and women turned their heads, drawn to her presence.
However, her steps slowed as her gaze landed on a familiar figure around the corner.
"Izzy?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing his name, Izzy turned around to locate the voice calling him. Miach, who was conversing with him, also turned his head in curiosity.
"Lady Artemis!?" Izzy's expression shifted to one of surprise upon seeing her approach.
After being unceremoniously chased out of Loki's familia headquarters, Izzy had considered visiting the hotel address Rethusa had given him the night before. However, recalling Artemis' hangover, he decided to delay the visit, planning instead to check on her later and use the opportunity to strengthen their bond.
What he didn't expect was to run into Artemis while aimlessly wandering the streets.
Looking at her long, still slightly damp hair, Izzy realized she must have just taken a bath. Considering the sacred baths were nearby, it all made sense.
---
"What's wrong? Are you surprised to see me here?"
Noticing the surprise in Izzy's eyes, Artemis let out a soft snort, tilted her head slightly, and raised her chin in mock accusation.
"No, no, not at all! I was just admiring how beautiful Lady Artemis looks with her hair down!"
Izzy quickly adapted to the situation, skillfully redirecting the conversation.
There was no way he'd admit to being caught off guard. If he explained himself, wouldn't that mean admitting Artemis' accusation?
At a time like this, adaptability was key. Redirecting the attention to her appearance was a much safer option. After all, who doesn't like being praised for their beauty?
Even a goddess like Artemis couldn't help but feel a spark of joy at his compliment.
"Is that so? I usually wear my hair up… It always feels a bit inconvenient when it's loose," she replied, her tone softening.
Her mind wandered briefly to her usual activities—fighting, hunting, and traveling—where her loose hair often got in the way.
As she spoke, she twirled the ends of her blue hair between her slender white fingers, wrapping it around them absentmindedly.
"But it really is beautiful. If you changed your outfit to match, it would look even better," Izzy said earnestly, seizing the moment to add another compliment.
"Actually, Lady Artemis, there's a clothing store just up ahead. How about I take you there?"
His words were natural and casual, but the underlying suggestion carried a hint of eagerness.
"This… isn't that a bit inappropriate? Rethusa and the others are probably waiting for me to return," Artemis hesitated, looking slightly embarrassed.
Izzy opened his mouth as if to tell her the truth: The girls from your familia are probably long gone by now.
He remembered how Rethusa had promised the night before to take everyone out early the next morning, intentionally creating the perfect environment for him and Artemis to have some time alone.
But after a moment of consideration, he chose not to say it aloud.
No need to risk Artemis suspecting his motives—motives that weren't exactly pure.
---
"Um… are you Artemis?"
A soft voice broke through the interaction. Miach, who had been silently observing the two for a while, finally spoke up. He had been staring at Artemis, trying to confirm her identity.
"Ah, Miach? You're here too?" Artemis exclaimed in recognition, finally noticing the god standing beside Izzy.
???
What did she mean by, "You're here too?"
Even someone as good-natured as Miach couldn't help but feel a little put off at that moment.
He's been here the whole time, okay?
So she only noticed Izzy?
This wave—this wave hurt a little.
Still, Miach quickly regained his composure. The ever-gentle smile returned to his face, and he greeted her lightly, pretending not to mind.
"It's you again, Artemis. Long time no see."
"Well, it's been a while, Miach."
To be honest, the scope of the heavens is vast.
But no matter how boundless it is, the gods who have lived together for countless years almost all know each other.
Because they have lived for so long, they share at least some degree of familiarity with one another.
At the very least, one has at least heard of the other's divine name.
Miach and Artemis were not particularly close—merely acquaintances—but it was natural to exchange greetings when meeting by chance.
At first, however, Artemis had changed so much that Miach almost didn't recognize her. He stood in a daze for a long moment before realizing who she was.
After the brief exchange of pleasantries, Miach turned his attention back to Izzy.
"Then I'll take my leave, Izzy, and not disturb your date with Artemis."
The gentle god gave Izzy a kind smile that seemed to carry a subtle hint of something more.
With those words, Miach departed, leaving Artemis blushing furiously at the word date, and Izzy smiling faintly at her reaction.
In the end, Artemis was unable to refuse and allowed herself to be taken away by Izzy, obediently following his lead.
---
Holding the goddess's small, delicate fingers, Izzy led Artemis to the streets.
Their destination was the North Block.
This district, famous for its clothing industry, housed an unmatched variety of shops, strictly categorized according to race.
Arriving at a clothing store for humans, Izzy pulled Artemis inside.
It's often said that shopping with a partner—especially accompanying a girlfriend to pick out clothes—is a source of complaints for many men.
But for Izzy, the situation seemed to be the opposite.
Artemis, who had never been concerned about her wardrobe and rarely formed her own opinions on clothing, left everything in Izzy's hands.
Despite her lack of interest, she had a natural grace that made her look stunning in almost anything.
Her long aqua-blue hair was paired perfectly with a light blue chiffon dress, embroidered with flowers of the same hue. The design was simple but beautifully elegant.
Adding to the ensemble, Izzy couldn't resist including over-the-knee white stockings to suit his personal taste.
Watching the goddess before him—her cheeks flushed with shyness, head slightly bowed, and hands clasped demurely in front of her—Izzy felt his DNA stir uncontrollably.
Sensing his gaze, Artemis narrowed her eyes, a faint dissatisfaction flickering in them.
"Are you thinking about something inappropriate right now?"
"Of course not! How could I? I was just thinking that seeing Lady Artemis like this, I could eat three big bowls of rice for lunch."
Rice, being the staple food of Orario, was something Artemis was quite familiar with. During her travels outside the heavens, she often carried rice balls as her go-to provisions.
Hearing Izzy's direct and playful compliment, Artemis grew even more flustered. Unable to contain her embarrassment, she raised a fist and lightly tapped his shoulder, making Izzy's mood soar even higher.
Still, the two didn't stay in the clothing store for long.
For Artemis, such outfits were meant solely for casual occasions, so it wouldn't make sense to buy too many.
She only tried on three sets of clothing, all carefully chosen to align with Izzy's preferences. When it came time to pay, Artemis, still a little shy, handled the bill under the warm gaze of the human clerk, whose aunt-like smile seemed to hold endless understanding.
"By the way, Lady Artemis," Izzy suddenly spoke up, "would you like to buy some clothing suitable for battle?"
"Clothes for battle?"
Curious about the unexpected suggestion, Artemis looked in the direction Izzy indicated.
After a moment, her gaze froze as she noticed a nearby storefront, its purple-decorated sign standing out prominently.
Revealing clothing was visible even from the open door of the Amazon clothing store.
The shop was almost entirely stocked with "left, right, and bottom" bikinis.
The items on display were the kind that anyone with a shred of modesty would instinctively avoid looking at.
It's hardly any different from wearing underwear...
Could this really be considered combat clothing?
Artemis desperately wanted to knock Izzy on the head and ask him what he was thinking, but at the moment, her overwhelming embarrassment left her without the strength.
Taking a step back, the goddess wordlessly moved her slender hands to Izzy's waist and then...
"Hiss—"
So sharp!
Izzy winced, squinting one eye as he took a deep breath.
How can even a goddess who's never been in love know this move so instinctively?
Is this some kind of natural talent all women possess?
Love it.
Under Artemis' determined persuasion, Izzy reluctantly abandoned his bold idea.