Elen’s growth, both body and mind.

After hearing Elen’s words, the Dual Goddesses continued laughing, clutching their stomachs.

“Fufu… just like Elen-chan, really.”

“Yeah, seriously. That’s why Lovell can’t win.”

They were nearly in tears, apparently. Watching the Dual Goddesses gently dab their eyes with a handkerchief, Elen felt herself calming down instead.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yeah, thanks, Gadiel.”

After releasing the embrace and resettling onto the sofa, Gadiel’s hand still rested on Elen’s shoulder.

She noticed how close he was—just enough to make her feel a little flustered.

“Come to think of it, I never actually asked Elen-chan about this…”

Vaarl, now considerably calmer, took a sip of tea before speaking.

“What is it?”

"Making you force a contract with Obo-chan, how do you feel about that? Regretting it, perhaps?"

"Eh?"

"You know, when Lovell said something like, 'If we need a goddess contract, we could do it too,' didn't you?"

"Yeah, uh-huh."

"Normally, you'd have caught on right away. So why didn't you?"

"Um..."

Elen paused, frowning. Why *had* she not noticed?

She tried to recall that moment, but all she could remember was panic—Gadiel dying, the dread clawing at her chest.

"I was just... overwhelmed by Gadiel..."

She said it honestly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. The Dual Goddesses froze instantly, a sharp snap echoing in the air.

"Uuu... Elen-chan... you're so noble..."

"What... what a thing to say... Uuu... Obo-chan, please, no more..."

"!"

Gadiel froze, his hands still half-reaching for Elen, then suddenly yanked them back, releasing her shoulder as if burned.

"Feelings are understandable, but no—Elen-chan’s body’s too small."

"Exactly. You’ll have to wait at least a few more years, okay?"

"Guh—gurgle! Gah—!"

"Wh-what’s wrong? You okay?"

Elen hurriedly patted Gadiel’s back as he turned bright red and started coughing violently.

"What a thing… I can feel Lovell’s pain right down to my bones…"

"Uh-huh… yeah…"

The Dual Goddesses exchanged worried glances at Elen’s obliviousness, then sighed in unison.

"Would you have objected, Elen-chan, if we’d ended up making a pact with Obo-chan?"

"Me and Gadiel… making a pact…?"

"Yeah. Lovell said that was a possibility, didn’t he? What do you think, Elen-chan?"

"How should I even respond to that...?"

Elen, utterly baffled, was watched over by Gadiel with a look of nervous anticipation.

From Gadiel’s point of view, there was real fear that if the Dual Goddesses suddenly declared, “We’ll make a pact with Obo-chan,” Elen might actually agree.

Elen herself was just as confused about why she was being asked this now.

"I asked Gadiel directly. ‘Is it really okay with you?’ I said."

"Right, you did say that."

"Because Gadiel said it was fine..."

"He also said he wasn’t against it..."

"Yes."

"So, before we even heard that, if Obo-chan had made a pact with someone else... would you have minded?"

"Wha—?"

The Dual Goddesses were beaming with excitement, bombarding Elen with questions.

The Dual Goddesses could tell from the start that Elen was playing with Gadiel, but to Gadiel himself, it was unbearable—this question.

His face was practically screaming, *If she says “doesn’t matter” so calmly… I’ll be crushed…*

“Hmm… Gadiel making a pact with someone else…”

Elen glanced at Gadiel as she said it.

Gadiel strained to keep his eyes open, forehead furrowed in obvious panic.

She could tell he was flustered—yet somehow, she also realized he was completely relaxed, relying on the words he’d said: *“I want Elen.”*

(…I’m completely taking advantage of Gadiel’s kindness…)

It felt strange, but oddly comfortable—so natural, she’d just… leaned in.

She noticed, with a quiet jolt, how much it reminded her of Lovell.

(Now that I know this comfort… to think someone else might take it away… Even if they say “back when you didn’t know,” I can’t pretend that’s okay anymore…)

"Y-yes...?"

Elen herself was startled by the words that slipped out.

"Elen-chaaan!"

"That's right, you'd hate that, wouldn't you?"

Elen stared, flustered, at the Dual Goddesses, who were beaming with delight. She couldn’t fathom why they were so thrilled—her eyes darted to Gadiel in a panic, wide and unblinking.

Gadiel’s entire face, from ears to neck, was crimson.

"~!~!~!~!"

Caught in the moment, Elen turned red too.

Too late now—she’d just exposed her possessiveness in full.

"Phew, we’re so glad, Elen-chan!"

"Thank goodness. You looked fine."

"Wha—? F-fine?"

"Yeah, sorry about that question. It was something important about your body, after all."

"My body...?"

"Pay attention, little one. We spirits and such, our outward age and mental age are pretty much the same. Elen-chan, you were hindered in your growth, weren't you?"

"Y-yes..."

"That means your body's age and your reactions are almost identical."

Elen’s body hadn’t grown much since she was about ten. So, the emotions she couldn’t help but show—those were pretty much the same as a ten-year-old’s.

"...I was childish, wasn’t I..."

Elen slumped, feeling a little deflated—she’d already sensed she was being subtly called childish.

"Wait! Elen-chan is definitely a child! In fact, it’s the *wrong kind* of grown-up that’s worrying me!"

I noticed something was off—she was so grown-up, yet her body hadn’t changed at all. You know, when the mind matures fast, the body usually follows. But not her. She’s stuck. Like a doll left in the corner. And that’s the weird part.

"S-so is that true!?"

Elen was struck dumb by the unexpected news.

Elen was apparently thought to be growing faster, since she remembered her past life.

Knowing that it caused such a completely opposite reaction, Elen felt utterly humiliated—worried the Origin and the Dual Goddesses so deeply.

Hearing that Elen had consulted both the Origin and the Dual Goddesses every time something came up, I felt a sudden warm rush of emotion.

"Mother..."

I was worried every time Elen fell down, so make sure to say thanks later.

"Yeah. Well, here's the thing—beneath Elen's grown-up demeanor, there's one thing that hasn't quite matured yet."

"Uh?"

Hehehehehe!

"Hohoho!"

By this point, I finally get it—what Elen’s still clueless about.

They’re telling me, roundabout, to nurture feelings of romance.

“!!!!!!!!”

Elen turned bright red, and the Dual Goddesses grinned delightedly.

“Got it!”

“Yay! One step forward!”

The Dual Goddesses high-fived each other, thrilled.

“Don’t rush, little one. Elen just realized her own feelings now.”

“Stay by her side, but don’t get distracted. When the time comes, Lovell and I’ll jump in.”

“Remember—these goddesses and spirits of this world can turn against us.”

Elen paled, staring at Gadiel, who’d just delivered a roundabout, terrifying threat.

Then she glanced sideways—just in time to see Gadiel, eyes half-lidded, smile at the Dual Goddesses.

"I'll swear to the Goddesses it could never happen."

"...Oh?"

"...This child... they look familiar, don't they?"

Both women furrowed their brows, staring intently at Gadiel, who was standing there, declaring himself with all the grandeur of a man who’d just threatened the cosmos.

Elen felt her heart thump hard against her ribs. Her face was probably burning red.

She averted her eyes slowly, pretending to look elsewhere—trying not to be caught.

"Got it! This child is an exact copy of Lovell!"

"Oh my, really now!"

The unexpected comment from the Dual Goddesses made Elen and Gadiel both blurt out, "Huh?!"

"Father... and...?"

"Looks just like Lovell...?"

Neither Elen nor Gadiel had any idea what was going on.

Then the Dual Goddesses burst out:

"Lovell's such a pain to deal with."

"Truly. You tease him, and he turns it around, whispering sweet nothings back. It’s uncanny—just like him!"

She didn’t get it, not really, but Gadiel just nodded, as if something had finally clicked.

【You believe me now? I love you.】

Elen, caught off guard, had completely forgotten that Gadiel could now speak mind-to-mind.

She shrieked, face blazing red.