A/N: Minna-san! I apologize for the delay! I have been swamped with work, and I'm trying to finish up this semester! Hopefully I'll be able to write some more during Winter Break, but as per normal, I'll be busy then too... Oh well. I'll try my best for you guys! :)

Chapter 2-The Beginning

Keima was silent for a span of a few heartbeats, but in that time, he had finally managed to claw his through his cocoon of despondency. And as the extent of what Diana and Venus said sunk in, his face morphed from one of shock, to confusion, and finally to horrified.

"NANI?!" Keima blurted out, his face blanching.No... No no no no no! This can't be happening! I'll have to- WHY NOW?!

"It seems he understands the predicament..." Venus trailed off, quirking a slender eyebrow at the petrified figure of Keima.

Diana heaved a sigh, mentally preparing for the verbal onslaught to begin. And she was right on time.

"How can this be?! This is absurd!" Keima began, glowering at the coffee table separating them before glancing up at them both. "Let me guess, I'll have to awaken, god-knows-how-many, goddesses?! Why is it me? Why is it my job? Why can't God just leave me alone?!"

Venus' eyes widened marginally, watching the peculiar man rant. What was HIS problem...?

"This is why I hate reality! It's not fair! You do your best, finish your job, and you suffer! It's not good enough! You'll never be done! And you don't get repaid!"

"I have a feeling we're onto something else entirely..." Venus whispered, rolling her eyes.

Diana was slightly frightened by the outburst, but managed a nod. What could've caused such despair...? But whatever the case, the sight tugged at her, and she felt compelled to do something.

"Keima-kun..." She trailed off, a somber expression painting her face. "W-What's wrong...?"

Keima took a rattling breath, clasping and unclasping his hands, "C-Chihiro..." A barely audible whisper escaped him, and had she not been entirely focused and waiting for the answer, she would've missed it. Chihiro? It was now Diana's turn to quirk an eyebrow at Keima. What about her? Was there something we missed? Did something happen between the two?

Keima was mumbling to himself, wallowing in self-pity before an irritated frown crossed Venus' face. In one fluid, seemingly practiced motion, she stood up, sauntered over and gave Keima a slap on the face.

Needless to say, he was shocked. His eyes were wide as saucers, jaw slack and mouth agape. His left hand lightly touching the offended area of skin with a small wince.

"Oh get a grip! You're a man for heaven's sake. I absolutely hate it when men do this. Let me guess... No, not guess. I already know... So why aren't you with his Chihiro person?"

Keima found an interest in staring at her slender ankles, her captivating cream-coloured skin, held his attention for several moments before he answered. "I can't... I can't do this to her... And now, I definitely can't do anything about it! As long as I have to keep on helping the Goddesses, Vintage will be after me, and I refuse to put her in danger!" His voice had mutated from a hoarse whisper to a vitriolic accusation.

Keima caught a flash of something pass through her eyes, something akin to sympathy and understanding, but it had left the moment he blinked, leaving him to wonder if he had imagined it. It would make sense if she understood... Being the Goddess of love and all... He slumped back into the seat, heaving a sigh, as if his problems could be rid simply through exhalation.

"I suppose I have a responsibility..." Keima muttered with a frown, fingering the otherwise invisible collar around his neck. "Alright... Do we have to go through all of the major deities in Roman mythology, or do you know how many there are?"

"Erm..." Diana twiddled her thumbs nervously.

"Like I said, I'm not entirely sure, but perhaps, excluding myself, seven others."

"Seven, huh?" Keima whistled. Damn... This was going to be a long year... "And which seven are these?"

"Well..." Venus smiled. "Where should I begin...?"

A/N: I apologize for the lack of action in this one, but hey, it's the beginning after all ;) Please let me know what you think, and thanks for reading!