The Goddess At My University

Diana ignored Chase, her attention fixed on her porridge. Chase, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts. Was any of this even real? The idea of his mother being a goddess felt more like a bad dream than something tangible. Yet, he couldn't deny what he'd seen in that alleyway—those men vanishing into thin air, the eerie sounds of bones cracking and screams. And the girl, who should have been a victim, was perfectly fine. Her story about passing out and having a fever even made a strange kind of sense.

Chase sank deeper into the couch, the soft fabric doing little to ease the tension in his chest. He stared at the ceiling, the dim light of the living room casting muted shadows across the room. He exhaled a long, weary sigh.

"What's the point of overthinking this?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper in the stillness.

None of it changes anything, he thought. I'm still the same person. I'll graduate and live my life.

Diana, having finished her bowl, set it down with a light clink and looked at him, her gaze sharp with curiosity. "So, what will you do now that you know the truth?"

Chase blinked, startled by her directness, then shrugged. "What's there to do? Just because I know Greek gods exist doesn't mean it has anything to do with me."

She tilted her head, visibly baffled. "You don't want to explore your abilities? Develop your powers?"

The mention of powers caught him off guard. "I have abilities?" He frowned, then quickly pieced it together. "Wait, let me guess—charming people, right? Since my mother is Aphrodite."

Diana nodded.

"Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass," Chase said flatly.

Her confusion deepened. "Why? You could probably have any woman you want at your beck and call. They'd kneel at your feet if you so much as willed it!"

He snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Exactly why I don't want it. I already have enough trouble hiding my appearance as it is."

Diana blinked, leaning forward slightly. "Hiding your appearance? What do you mean?"

Chase leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his still-damp golden-blonde hair. "It's something I started in high school. Back in middle school, I hated the attention. It wasn't just annoying—it was suffocating. No matter what I did, people would stare or comment. High school wasn't much better, but at least I could try to be more lowkey. When I came to Crestfield, I dyed my hair black, kept my head down, and dressed as plainly as I could. Anything to avoid standing out."

Diana studied him for a moment, as if trying to decode his reasoning. "You're strange," she finally said. "Most people take pride in their appearance. And why wouldn't you enjoy attention? Isn't it better to be admired by your peers?"

Chase's face darkened. "Admiration's not always what you think it is. In middle school, I didn't have real friends. The guys hated me because they said I looked too much like a girl, even though I didn't—I just looked... different. And the girls…" He paused, his voice tightening. "They were even worse. They either wanted to date me to show off, or…" His jaw clenched as he trailed off.

Diana leaned closer, her brows knitting in concern. "Or what?"

He sighed, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "There was this one time in sixth grade. It was after school, and I stayed late to finish an art project. Most of the students had already left, but this eighth-grade girl… she must have been watching me for a while, waiting for me to be alone.

"I didn't even see her coming. She grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the hall toward the girls' bathroom. She was strong for her size—too strong for me to pull away. I remember how fast my heart was beating. I begged her to stop, but she just laughed like it was a game. I panicked, and then… something strange happened. I begged her to let me go, and suddenly, she just stopped. Her grip loosened like her strength had been sapped, and she looked at me, dazed, almost like she didn't know what she was doing. At the time, I didn't think about it—I was too busy running. But now… maybe I accidentally used my powers without knowing it."

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. The fear and desperation he'd felt back then must have triggered something. It wasn't just luck that saved him—it was him.

Diana's expression darkened as she absorbed his story, her silver eyes flashing with something primal. "What was her name?" she demanded, her voice low and sharp like a drawn blade.

Chase blinked at the sudden shift in her demeanor. "I don't remember," he admitted. "It's been years, and I didn't exactly stick around to ask."

Diana's fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "A girl older than you tried to force herself on you, and you were only a child. That's disgusting." Her voice shook with barely restrained anger.

Chase chuckled softly, though the memory still made his chest tighten. "It's fine. She didn't actually get to do anything, thanks to whatever weird magic saved me." He smiled faintly at her. "But… thanks for being angry for me. It's kind of nice."

Diana didn't respond immediately, her lips pressing into a thin line as she glared at the table. To her, the thought of anyone abusing their strength against someone vulnerable, especially a child, was abhorrent. It went against everything she stood for, and knowing that a mortal woman had done such a thing disgusted her. Yet, what gnawed at her even more was Chase's casual dismissal of the event, as if it didn't matter. It did matter. To her, it mattered a lot.

"Hmph, you're nothing like her at all. You're too kind for your own good," Diana said, pouting as she crossed her arms.

Chase chuckled, finding her antics surprisingly adorable. "Isn't that a good thing?"

Diana sighed dramatically. "I guess," she muttered before reaching for a cookie without even asking if it was safe to eat.

The moment she bit into it, her eyes lit up again. His food is amazing—only second to Aunt Hestia's, she thought. Then, a skeptical look crossed her face as she glanced at him. No, he's definitely that woman's kid. Besides, Aunt Hestia is a virgin goddess. She'd never break her vow, Diana assured herself, quickly reaching for another cookie.

Chase smiled as he watched her devour the cookies. It felt good to see someone genuinely enjoying something he made. "You know," he began, "since you're actually a goddess, shouldn't I call you Lady Artemis or something?"

Diana shook her head, mid-bite. "No. I'm in my mortal form right now, so just call me Diana," she replied casually.

"Why Diana?" Chase asked curiously.

"That's the name of my Roman counterpart, and it sounds more human," she explained before popping another cookie into her mouth.

At this rate, she's going to eat them all, Chase thought, half-amused and half-worried.

"Hmm, by the way, I've been meaning to ask—where do you live normally?" Chase asked, breaking the silence.

"I stay in the dorms. I've been there since my freshman year. The only reason I left today was to check out that mall humans love so much. But, of course, those men had to get in my way," Diana huffed.

"I can go with you tomorrow, if you're feeling better," Chase offered absentmindedly, his attention already drifting back to his phone. He noticed it was past 1 a.m., but staying up late wasn't unusual for him.

"Hmph! Do you think I'm incapable of protecting myself?" Diana snapped, her tone sharp.

Chase chuckled softly. "Not at all. You're definitely stronger than me. I just meant I could guide you, since you haven't been there before," he explained.

"Hmm. Won't you have to hide your appearance?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, but I don't mind. It's not like I have anything else to do," Chase said, already pressing play on his anime episode.

"Fine. But I don't have any clothes to change into," Diana said bluntly.

"You can take a shower and wear my clothes tonight. I'll throw yours in the laundry so you can wear them tomorrow," he replied without looking up from his phone.

Diana's cheeks reddened slightly. "You can't touch my underwear," she said, clearly mortified at the idea.

"I won't. You can toss those in yourself," Chase said with a shrug, already used to her dramatic complaints.

"Very well, then. We shall go to this mall," Diana declared with a nod of approval before finishing the last cookie.

She perked up when she heard something playing on Chase's phone. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she crept around the couch to see what it was.

Chase, fully engrossed in his anime, didn't notice her sneaking up behind him. Suddenly, a voice right in his ear startled him.

"What is that?" Diana asked, her face just inches from his.

Chase nearly jumped out of his skin, his phone slipping from his hands. He scrambled to catch it, but Diana's quick reflexes allowed her to snatch it mid-air.

Chase let out a relieved sigh, but his relief quickly turned to annoyance. "Please don't sneak up on me like that! I thought you were going to kill me or something."

Diana smirked mischievously, holding his phone like it was a prize. "Kill you? Over a... cellular device? What kind of goddess do you think I am?"

"Hmm... well, your reputation for hating men is quite notorious," Chase remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Diana flashed a mischievous smile. "Oh, I already told you—I'm not going to kill you. Well... unless you peek on me in the shower. Then I'll make sure your death is both swift and horrendous," she added with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

Chase shivered, instinctively crossing his arms over his chest as if shielding himself. Better knock loudly while she's here to avoid any misunderstandings, he thought, his hands almost unconsciously dropping to cover his privates.

Diana chuckled at his reaction. "Relax. I'm just joking... mostly," she said with a smirk, her tone playful yet laced with a teasing dare.

Chase rolled his eyes and decided to shift the focus. "So, uh, those animated pictures you're watching? It's called anime," he explained, noticing Diana's lingering curiosity.

"Anime?" Diana echoed, tilting her head as she continued to watch the phone screen. "What exactly is it?"

"Think of it like this: anime is a form of storytelling through moving drawings, usually created in Japan. It can tell all kinds of stories—adventures, romances, comedies, dramas—whatever you can think of. It's kind of like watching myths and legends come to life, but fictional and modern," Chase said, simplifying it as best as he could.

Diana nodded slowly, her expression shifting to one of cautious intrigue. "I see. And what do you gain from watching this... 'anime'?" she asked, her tone still skeptical.

"Nothing much, really," Chase replied, shrugging. "It's just entertaining. A way to pass the time."

"You mortals invent the oddest things," Diana muttered, shaking her head as she continued to study the screen.

"Can I have my phone back now?" Chase asked, his voice edged with growing frustration.

"But I want to watch this," Diana said, her eyes narrowing slightly as if daring him to deny her.

Chase sighed. "Fine. I'll set it up on the TV in the other room for you. But only after you finish your shower."

Diana seemed pleased with the compromise and nodded. "Very well," she said, already hurrying to prepare herself for the promised entertainment. Then she stopped abruptly, glancing back at Chase with a sheepish expression.

"You need help finding the shower?" Chase asked, amused.

She crossed her arms and gave a small "Hmph," as if refusing to admit it, but her silence said enough.

Chase chuckled and got up, motioning for her to follow. As they walked, he thought to himself how much like a curious child she was, causing him to laugh under his breath.

"What are you laughing at?" Diana asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Nothing, nothing," Chase said quickly, waving off her question.

When they reached his room, Chase rummaged through his drawers, pulling out a simple T-shirt, a hoodie, and a pair of sweatpants. He also grabbed a fresh set of towels and handed everything to her.

"This should work for now," he said, leading her to the bathroom. He pushed open the door and gestured inside. "Here's the shower. Just turn the knob for hot water, and the towels are here. If you need anything else, just... yell, I guess."

Diana froze for a moment, blinking at him before her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. She narrowed her eyes, defensive. "I know how to operate a shower, you idiot!" she snapped, her voice a little too loud and edged with embarrassment.

Chase raised his hands, trying not to laugh. "Okay, okay, just making sure. No need to yell at me, Lady Artemis."

Diana huffed, clutching the clothes and towels to her chest. "Hmph. I don't need your pity instructions!" she added, stomping into the bathroom and shutting the door a bit harder than necessary.

Chase stood there for a moment, biting his lip to hold back his laughter. She's really bad at hiding when she's flustered, he thought, shaking his head as he walked back to the living room.

Chase sat back down on the couch, his shoulders slumping tiredly as he rubbed his face with his hands. "How would you even explain anything that happened today to someone normal?" he muttered, the absurdity of it all hitting him again.

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling as his thoughts wandered. I'm surprised I was able to remain calm in this situation. Anyone else probably would've lost their mind—or worse. He chuckled to himself, the sound dry and humorless.

But then his mind betrayed him. Now that I think about it… she won't have any underwear—

The thought hit like lightning, and Chase froze, his cheeks instantly heating up. He slapped his palm over his face, as if that could block the image forming in his mind: the goddess, blushing and glaring at him with her piercing silver eyes. Her lips pressed into an indignant pout as if she'd caught him mid-thought.

"Stop it," he mumbled, shaking his head furiously. "What's wrong with you?" He ran a hand through his hair, trying to banish the picture.

In need of a distraction, his eyes landed on the empty baking pan that once held cookies. He sighed. Might as well make some more. She seems to have a sweet tooth too. A small chuckle escaped him. She's adorable though. It's hard not to find her cute.

Chase got up and went to the freezer, pulling out the extra cookie dough he had prepared earlier. He placed the frozen dough on the kitchen counter, then turned on the oven to preheat. Grabbing the used baking pan, he filled the sink with warm water and soap, scrubbing it clean. Once the pan was spotless, the oven beeped, signaling it was ready. He laid down a sheet of parchment paper on the pan and spaced the dough evenly before sliding it into the oven. Setting the timer, Chase gave a small nod.

He made cookies often and always prepared extra dough—just in case. Tonight, he was glad for the habit.

With that task done, he returned to the couch, pulling out his phone. He opened the mobile fighting game he'd been playing since seventh grade, the familiar music and interface instantly soothing him. It was a grind-heavy game, but Chase didn't mind. He loved the frequent updates and new character releases. His account wasn't decent until his sophomore year of high school, but now, he was one of the top players.

He logged in, completed his daily tasks, and collected rewards before diving into alliance fights. His alliance, though, was becoming more inactive, and he'd been thinking about switching soon.

Just as he was about to browse recruitment ads, the oven timer beeped. He placed his phone down and went to retrieve the cookies, setting them on the counter to cool. The aroma of warm sugar and chocolate filled the apartment, and for a moment, Chase allowed himself to relax.

Returning to the couch, he opened the novel he'd started earlier, trying to lose himself in its pages. But his eyelids grew heavy, the events of the day weighing on him. Normally, he'd stay up later, but tonight he was both physically and mentally drained. His head drooped forward slightly as he hovered on the edge of sleep.

Then he heard the bathroom door creak open.

Chase blinked, sitting up just as Diana stepped out. Her damp black hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting against her milky white skin, which glowed faintly in the dim light. Her silver eyes, bright and piercing, caught the faintest glimmer as she glanced around the room. Her cheeks were flushed, rosy from the warmth of the shower, as she clutched her folded clothes close to her chest.

She walked toward him quietly, her expression serene yet unreadable, the soft patter of her bare feet the only sound.

Chase sighed, his exhaustion evident as he stood up. "C'mon," he said, gesturing toward the hall. "The laundry room's this way."

She gave a small nod and followed him silently through the apartment.

Once there, Chase opened the washing machine and stepped aside to let her load her clothes. He noticed her hesitant movements, almost as though she was unfamiliar with what to do.

"Wait," Chase said, raising an eyebrow. "Have you, uh… done this before?"

Diana straightened slightly, her silver eyes cool and unreadable as she replied, "At the university, you can get the staff to do it for you. There's a fee, but they take care of everything."

Chase blinked in surprise. "Oh. That's… convenient, I guess," he said, trying not to sound awkward. "You really don't have to do anything yourself?"

"Not for something like this," she said plainly, as if the concept of self-service was completely foreign.

Chase nodded slowly, stepping in to help. "Well, here's how it works if you don't have someone to do it for you. First, you add detergent—" he grabbed the bottle, measuring out a capful and pouring it into the designated compartment, "—and then fabric softener goes here." He tapped the smaller compartment. "After that, you set the cycle like this." He pressed the buttons, setting it to a gentle wash. "Now you just wait for it to finish."

Diana watched his demonstration intently, nodding slightly as if she were taking mental notes.

"Think you got it?" Chase asked.

"Yes," she replied simply, though her tone suggested the process was still far from appealing.

Afterward, Chase led her back to his bedroom. He grabbed the remote from his nightstand and turned on the TV. Handing it to her, he said, "Alright, let me show you how this works." He walked her through the basics, pointing out the buttons she'd need to navigate.

"What do you want to watch?" he asked, scrolling through the options.

Diana frowned thoughtfully, her silver eyes scanning the screen. After a few moments, she pointed to an anime with vibrant landscapes, mythical creatures, and a determined heroine wielding a bow.

"This one," she said, her voice soft but decisive. "I want to watch that one."

Chase glanced at the description. It was a fantasy adventure about a young warrior venturing into a mystical forest to uncover ancient secrets and protect her village from a growing darkness. The first few scenes featured lush, enchanted woods, fierce battles with shadowy beasts, and quiet, reflective moments where the protagonist found solace under the stars.

He smiled at her choice. "Figures you'd pick something like this."

Diana didn't seem to notice his comment. She adjusted the oversized hoodie she wore—it nearly swallowed her slender frame—and settled on the bed, her attention entirely on the screen.

Chase found himself grinning at her unguarded excitement. "Alright, enjoy. You're sleeping here tonight," he said, turning toward the door. "There are more cookies in the kitchen if you want them."

Her eyes lit up at the mention of cookies, a small but unmistakable spark of delight flashing across her face.

"Just… try not to get crumbs on my bed," he added quickly, shaking his head as he left the room.

He made his way to the couch, sinking into the cushions. The weight of the day pressed heavily on him, and as soon as he closed his eyes, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.