VARIANT (For The First Time, I Don't Mind Losing)

Chapter XIV - Bedevil

Keigo stared at the empty meeting chamber, a little confused.

He tried to give the huge room another scan, only to find it really devoid of anyone, aside from him. He then decided to just step in anyway, closing the door behind him.

Pulling his golden pocket watch from his pants, he glance at the time once again. It was a little past three in the afternoon already.

Shouldn't he give his report already? Why was nobody there inside yet?

The advisor crossed both arms across his chest as he slowly stepped towards one of the huge stained glass window in the room, staring at the outside without any focus where to look at. He tapped his foot a little while he's at it.

Suddenly, he felt the presence he was waiting for behind him, making him quickly turn around. 

Sure enough, a portal had indeed appeared, revealing the arrival of the goddess of war.

"You're late." Rumi said as soon as she was out, in which Keigo only snorted at.

"Excuse me? I'm the first one here." he responded with a chuckle, shaking his head at that odd greeting from the goddess.

Rumi smirked back, running a hand over her stark white hair once just to put it back in place. "Yeah, well no one can blame you for something, if you already throw the blame at them first."

The seraph raised both brows at that amusing remark, mock nodding his head in pretend amazement as he said with slow clap, "Oh I see. Such wise words from a celestial indeed.." 

The goddess answered with a mirrored amusement too, waving a hand in the air as if dismissing the praise. "Hey, I'm happy to lend my divine wisdom anytime."

"Are you two always like this?" a new voice came from the other side of the portal, that Keigo had only noticed now that was still open. 

He had a look of confusion from his face as he stared back at Rumi.

She casually shrugged her shoulders. "He wanted to come."

Before Keigo can even ask who was it, the said stranger had stepped out from the portal himself. 

It was the god of hunt, Jeanist.

With the appearance of another celestial, the seraph was clearly thrown a little off guard.

He had no qualms about Rumi, for they have been good friends for as long as he can remember, and despite the goddess' status, she was the one who had insisted that they treat each other as equals.

It was a friendship that not much —or almost no other soul, had knowledge about, aside from his childhood friend princess Fuyumi, and the prime general Shinya. 

After all, it's not everyday you get to be friends with a goddess, so they both chose to keep it a secret. 

And years of experience had proven it wise to not let anyone know about it, as it gave both parties the advantages in many ways; including sleuthing behind everyone's back.

But that still didn't mean he'd be just as comfortable with the other members of the now reigning pantheon.

Clearly startled, the seraph suddenly stood up straight, and gave a polite bow to the god who was now standing with them.

His sudden change of demeanor, had Rumi cackling. 

"No, you don't have to bother with that Kei. Jeanist totally don't mind." she said while patting her friend in the shoulder a little.

The god agreed readily with that, "Yes, no need for formalities."

And with that reassurance from both celestials, the advisor reluctantly went along.