"Nina, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you earlier. I apologize."
The one who spoke was the female whose beast husband had broken his leg.
"I apologize too. I shouldn't have said those things about you. You're not an inauspicious beastfolk."
"Me too. I'm sorry."
…
Many beastfolk came forward one after another to apologize to Nina.
"It's fine. You were misled as well," Nina said calmly. Since they were offering sincere apologies, she had no intention of holding grudges.
"Nina, hello. I'm Aji's mother," Miye squeezed her way over. "I'm sorry—Aji troubled you so much before."
Nina looked at Miye. She was slightly tall, with a square face and a more mature air about her. Her complexion was good, and she looked to be not quite thirty—nothing like someone who already had a grown child like Aji.
