The Goddess At My University

Chase stood under the warm spray of the shower, lost in thought. Diana's words from earlier echoed in his mind: "You don't have to change your appearance." He sighed, tilting his head back to rinse the shampoo out of his hair.

"Maybe she's right…" he muttered to himself. Still, old habits were hard to break. It wasn't like anyone at the university would recognize him, but he wasn't ready to ditch the disguise entirely.

"Just for today," he decided with a small shrug, reaching for the conditioner. His hair, in its natural golden hue, gleamed under the bathroom light.

When he finished his shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and began drying off. After slipping into his pants, he realized he'd forgotten the hair dryer. It wasn't in the bathroom—it was in the living room.

"Right, I left it there," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked out of the bathroom.

Diana sat on the couch, arms crossed and clearly impatient. She opened her mouth, about to demand if he was ready to leave, but the words caught in her throat when she saw him.

Her silver eyes widened as she took in his appearance. Chase's skin was smooth, his frame slender but undeniably appealing, and the faint glow of the bathroom's humidity clung to him. Despite his lack of muscle, his tall, lean figure still exuded a quiet handsomeness.

Her thoughts betrayed her: If he worked out, he'd be… perfect.

Stop! What am I even thinking? Diana's cheeks flushed a furious red. She clenched her fists, trying to shove the thought away, but her mortification only grew.

"W-Where is your shirt?!" she snapped, standing up abruptly. Her voice cracked slightly, and she hated it. "Put it on this instant!"

Chase paused mid-step, the hair dryer now in hand. He blinked at her outburst, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before he chuckled.

"I needed the hair dryer," he said nonchalantly, waving it slightly as if to prove his point. "I'm not done getting ready yet. Almost there, though."

Diana glared at him, her face still red. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line. She tried to think of something scathing to say, but instead, her mind betrayed her again.

This is Aphrodite's fault. It's absolutely her fault. How dare she make her offspring look like… like that?!

Meanwhile, Chase, entirely unaware of the storm of thoughts raging in her head, walked back toward the bathroom, still chuckling softly.

Chase dried his hair, letting his soft golden curls fall to his shoulders, framing his face in a way he usually avoided. His hair looked almost too perfect, the kind of thing that would turn heads—not what he wanted. Still, it was just for today. After slipping on a simple shirt, he headed back to his room to grab a hoodie.

On the couch, Diana had pulled up her hood, burying her flushed face as she watched the anime. Her silver eyes stayed glued to the screen, though the faint redness in her cheeks betrayed her lingering embarrassment.

Chase opened his closet and grabbed another plain black hoodie, identical to the ones he'd already worn. His wardrobe was a sea of simplicity—multiple hoodies and shirts of the same neutral colors, perfect for blending in. He was adamant about hiding his appearance on campus, and this was his way of ensuring no one paid him undue attention.

As he shrugged on the hoodie and reached for a pair of spotless white sneakers, he realized he'd probably end up keeping most of his clothes here. The simpler ones would be his go-to at the university. He glanced down at his sneakers. Unlike Diana's haphazard approach to her footwear, his were immaculately clean, without a single crease.

He grabbed Diana's shoes too and returned to the living room, setting them on the floor in front of the couch. She gave a small nod, barely looking away from the screen, but her tone was gruff when she muttered, "Thanks."

Chase glanced at her for a moment, amused. She was clearly avoiding eye contact, still flustered. Shaking his head with a faint smile, he turned toward the kitchen.

To his surprise, he spotted a bowl of oatmeal on the counter. The pot was empty—she'd cleaned it out, leaving just enough for him.

"Guess she does think ahead sometimes," he muttered, sighing as he grabbed the bowl. He popped it into the microwave for a quick warm-up but stopped it before the timer ran out. Overheating it would dry it out, and he didn't want to deal with that.

The bowl clanked softly against the counter as he set it down and started eating. Just as he took his second bite, Diana spoke.

"You showered forever," she said without looking away from the screen. Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and accusation. "It took you over an hour. Why do you take so long?"

Chase paused, chewing thoughtfully before answering. "I don't know. I guess it's... calming? It helps me think better," he admitted, leaning on the counter. "When I'm in the shower, it doesn't even feel that long. It's like... my mind clears up in there."

Diana flicked her gaze toward him for the briefest moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a small huff, she turned back to the anime, her hood still pulled low over her face.

Chase smiled faintly, shaking his head again. For all her tough attitude, she was surprisingly easy to fluster.

Chase hurriedly finished his oatmeal, rinsing the bowl, and set it in the sink. I'll do the dishes tonight, he thought, slipping on his shoes. "You ready to go?" he asked, glancing over at Diana.

Diana gave a small nod without looking up, her attention still glued to his phone. She slipped her shoes on easily, her gaze fixed on the anime playing on the screen. Chase sighed quietly, glancing at her. I'm never getting my phone back at this rate, he thought with mild exasperation.

Diana's sharp ears caught the sound. She glanced up, her silver eyes narrowing. "Stop that."

Chase blinked, confused. "Stop what?"

"Sighing," she said, her tone clipped. "You do it a lot."

He tilted his head, surprised by her observation. Then again, she was Artemis, the goddess of the hunt—keenly perceptive by nature. "It's a habit, I guess," he said, standing to grab his keys.

Diana didn't reply, her eyes flicking back to the phone as she walked toward the door.

As Chase locked the apartment behind them, a thought occurred to him. "Do you have money?" he asked casually.

Without a word, Diana reached into the hoodie pocket and pulled out a sleek black card. She held it up for him to see before tucking it back away.

Chase froze, his eyebrows shooting up. It wasn't just any card—it was the kind of card you only saw in movies, reserved for the unimaginably rich. "Of course," he muttered under his breath. "Gods would be loaded…" He sighed again, shaking his head.

"See? There you go again!" Diana snapped, her glare sharp enough to make him take a step back. "Why do you keep doing that?"

"I don't know. Guess I've just got a lot on my mind." Chase shrugged, gesturing for her to follow as they made their way to the elevator.

The ride down was quiet at first, the hum of the elevator filling the silence. Chase broke it. "So, what do gods do for fun?"

Diana glanced at him from the corner of her eye, one brow raised. "Fun?"

"Yeah, you know. Do you guys have hobbies or something?"

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "It's different for everyone. Most gods indulge in pleasure—having children, for instance—or they enjoy their wealth. Other than that, there isn't much besides work."

Chase blinked, stunned by her bluntness. "Having kids… for fun?" he murmured, more to himself than to her. He decided to change the subject quickly. "Why don't you like my mom?"

Diana turned her attention fully to him, her gaze scrutinizing. "Didn't you say you didn't want to know about the godly world?"

Chase shrugged. "Just making conversation."

Her eyes narrowed, but she answered anyway. "Your mother… She's insufferable. She reminds me of the worst male gods—constantly indulging in her whims. And the teasing! Between her and my brother, it's a nightmare." Her lips pressed into a thin line, the irritation clear on her face.

Chase couldn't help but chuckle softly, drawing her attention back to him.

"What's so funny?" she asked, her tone sharp but curious.

"You're just… honest. It's refreshing."

Diana huffed, pulling her hood further down as the elevator doors opened.

The moment they stepped into the lobby, Chase felt the weight of countless eyes on them. Conversations hushed, replaced by whispers.

"Whoa, who is that?"

"Since when do people like that live here?"

"He's gorgeous!"

"Look at her—she's like a model!"

Chase tensed, his posture stiffening as he quickened his pace. Diana, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware, her focus entirely on the phone in her hand as she continued watching the anime.

The whispers only grew louder.

"Do you think they're siblings?"

"No way—they're matching. Definitely dating."

"God, I wish that were me."

Chase sighed internally, trying to ignore the attention. Why did I agree to not hide my appearance again?

Chase quickened his pace, his hood tugged down tighter as he tried to ignore the growing attention. Diana, oblivious, resumed watching her anime, her steps light as she followed him.

"Why are you walking so fast?" Diana asked, glancing up briefly.

Just as he thought they might make it outside without incident, a girl stepped into his path, her face pink with nervousness. "Um… excuse me," she stammered, clutching her phone tightly. "Can I… Can I have your number?"

Before Chase could respond, Diana glanced up from the phone, her silver eyes locking onto the girl with a frosty intensity. "Don't you see me talking to him?" she said sharply, her tone cold but controlled, when that girl aproached she felt a anger she never felt before.

The girl stammered an apology, her face turning crimson as she backed away quickly.

Chase shot Diana a look as they continued walking. "That was... something."

"Mortals can be annoying," Diana muttered, her attention drifting back to the screen as if the interruption hadn't happened.

Chase blinked at her, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. At least he didn't have to come up with an awkward excuse to deny the girl. Still, a twinge of guilt made him flash her an apologetic smile. It was a mistake. The girl's face turned crimson, and she hurried back to her group of friends, clearly bragging about the interaction. Chase groaned inwardly, already regretting sparing her a second of his attention.

As they stepped out of the apartment building, Chase took a breath of fresh air, feeling a slight reprieve—until they hit the busy streets.

The sidewalks were crowded, most likely with students or employees on their lunch breaks. It was midday, after all—probably around 1 p.m., Chase guessed. Despite the noise of the bustling city, he tried to keep his pace steady, wishing for an uneventful walk to the mall.

Of course, it wasn't that simple.

People began to approach them, most with shy smiles or hopeful expressions, asking Chase for his number or trying to strike up a conversation.

Diana's irritation was palpable. She didn't bother masking her annoyance, her silver eyes narrowing into icy glares that sent most of them scurrying away. Still, they didn't stop coming.

Chase noticed the shift in the crowd. While many men were still ogling Diana, a few had started looking at him—and not with jealousy. A chill ran down his spine. He shuddered, avoiding eye contact with the overly interested stares.

Falling a step behind Diana, Chase let her take the lead. She didn't seem to mind being the unspoken shield, glaring at anyone who dared approach. He chuckled under his breath, watching her frustration grow with each encounter.

They were about four minutes away from the mall when Chase decided to break the silence. Diana, still glued to his phone, was completely absorbed in the anime, but every so often, she'd glance up to glare at anyone who dared to approach them.

"So, when are you going back to your dorm? And what about your roommate?" Chase asked curiously.

Diana didn't look up as she answered. "Hmm, my roommate? I told her I was going to the mall the last time I saw her." She paused, then added matter-of-factly, "I like it at your place better. You make better food than the cafeteria." She glanced at him suspiciously. "Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?"

Chase sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not trying to get rid of you, but your roommate probably thinks something happened to you."

Diana shot him a glare. "Stop doing that."

Chase blinked at her, a little confused. "What now?"

"The sighing, again" she muttered.

He couldn't help but chuckle. 

Before he could say anything, Diana continued."Why would she think that? It's not like anything could happen to me. Besides," she added, with a sly look, "it's not like you could get rid of me anyway. You're my property now."

Chase froze, his jaw dropping. "I'm your—what?" He stared at her, trying to figure out if she was serious, but her expression was so innocent it made it hard to tell.

"Yep, you're mine now," Diana said, completely unfazed.

Chase stuttered, still processing what she'd said. "Well, uh… if someone says they're going somewhere and doesn't come back, it usually means they got kidnapped or—"

Diana waved her hand dismissively. "As if someone could kidnap me," she said confidently, her eyes narrowing on the next person who dared to get too close.

Chase couldn't help but laugh, though the irony wasn't lost on him. Says the girl who was just sick and unconscious in an alley, he thought, but wisely kept it to himself.

Their conversation faded as they arrived at the mall, the building looming ahead of them.

Diana walked ahead of him, excited as she entered the door. "So this is the mall?" she said, looking around with wide eyes. Her hood fell off, revealing her striking appearance as she surveyed everything with a sense of wonder.

Chase glanced at her, noting her enthusiasm. "What do you want to buy?" he asked, before noticing her still holding his phone. "Actually..." He paused, raising an eyebrow. "Let's get you a phone first."

Diana's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "A phone?" She followed him eagerly, her excitement growing. "Will it have this anime on it?"

Chase grinned. "Yeah, I'll let you use my account, since you're already watching it on mine. I'll set up your accounts for everything else, too."

As they walked through the mall, whispers and stares followed them. "Wow, look at those two, they must be models," Chase overheard, his face heating up slightly. He ignored it, though his discomfort was hard to hide. They walked upstairs to a tech store, and Diana's excitement reached a new level. As soon as they entered, she immediately wandered off to explore.

Chase paused near the entrance, but before he could follow her, a customer service lady approached him, ready to help. She was overly eager, asking him what he was looking for in a way that made him uncomfortable. She stood too close, and he tried his best to stay polite.

Then she asked, "Is that your girlfriend?"

"No," Chase responded quickly, but the moment the words left his mouth, the lady leaned in even closer. She started asking more personal questions, including if he was single, and tried to subtly flirt with him.

Chase stiffened, clearly uncomfortable, but before things could get any worse, Diana returned to his side. Her usual calm demeanor shifted, and she glared at the woman, stepping in between them. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

The woman stepped back, startled by the intensity of Diana's glare, and quickly retreated, leaving Chase to breathe a sigh of relief. Diana led him away, her eyes still flashing with annoyance.

Chase and Diana walked through the tech store, and Diana's attention quickly turned to a display of sleek, wireless earphones in a charging case. The earphones were small and white, with a minimalist design that looked almost futuristic. Each earpiece was shaped to fit comfortably in the ear, with a smooth, glossy finish that shimmered under the lights. There was no wire connecting them—just a slender, streamlined design that made them look almost weightless.

Diana reached out and gently touched one of the earphones, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What are these?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue as she examined the sleek, futuristic design.

Chase couldn't help but smile at her interest. "Those are wireless earphones. You can use them to listen to music, or, you know, your anime," he teased, a playful glint in his eye.

Diana shot him a quick, amused glance. "I want these," she declared decisively, her tone as determined as always. Chase nodded, picking up two boxes—one for her and one for himself. He had lost his last pair a few weeks ago, so it seemed like the perfect time to get a new one.

He led her over to the phone section, his curiosity piqued. "What color do you want?" he asked, gesturing toward the range of options, all polished and new.

Diana surveyed the choices carefully before zeroing in on the one that caught her eye—a sleek, metallic white model. The surface had a reflective sheen that made it look almost otherworldly, like something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie. Her fingers hovered over the box before she grabbed it with a satisfied smile. "This one," she said, clearly pleased with her choice.

Chase nodded approvingly and grabbed the box for her, before his eyes flicked over to a display nearby. Diana had already spotted it. A tablet. Her gaze flickered between the phone and the device, her excitement growing.

"I want that too," she said, pointing to the tablet with newfound enthusiasm.

Chase glanced at the price tag and let out an exaggerated sigh. He didn't want to ruin her fun. "Alright, alright," he said, guiding her to the tablet section. Diana picked the simple, white model, her fingers tracing over the smooth, seamless design. It was minimalistic, but there was something about the way it felt—sleek and powerful, like it could do anything.

Before she could even think about adding anything else to her cart, Chase swiftly ushered her to the front to pay. He didn't want to be in the store for a long time, and he definitely didn't want Diana to see any more things she "wanted."

The cashier, a nervous wreck, fumbled with Diana's items, his hands shaking as he rang up her extravagant purchase. The total came to a jaw-dropping $3,400. Chase could see the cashier's eyes practically bulging out of his head as he tried to make small talk, probably too distracted by Diana's beauty to focus. "U-Uh…so what's your name?" he stuttered, his face flushed red.

Diana, however, was having none of it. She shot him a sharp, withering glare. "Disgusting," she muttered, her voice cold and commanding, sending the cashier scrambling to finish the transaction as quickly as possible. Diana snatched the bag from his hands, barely acknowledging him.

Chase, meanwhile, felt a pang of sympathy for the cashier, but he quickly shook it off. His earphones were rung up, the total coming to $250. He briefly met the cashier's eyes and gave him a soft, apologetic smile, though the guy probably didn't even notice it through his embarrassment.

Once they were out of the store, Diana was practically bouncing with excitement as she examined her new phone, but Chase stopped her. "You have to wait until we get back to open it," he reminded her, his voice soft but firm.

Diana let out an exaggerated sigh, but then her eyes narrowed in thought. "Oh, I need a case, don't I?" she mused, looking at her new phone with a protective glint in her eye.

Chase nodded, mentally making a note to have her order one later. "And, you'll need an internet provider for your phone," he added with a chuckle. "We can do that before we leave."

Diana's gaze wandered around the bustling mall, her expression filled with awe. "This place has everything. I see why mortals like it here," she said, her voice almost wistful as she admired the sheer variety of shops and gadgets.

Chase smiled at her excitement, but before he could respond, Diana handed him his phone back. She glanced around one last time, her mind clearly racing with possibilities. "Where to next?" she asked, the question hanging in the air.