The door opened with a soft creak, and a woman stepped inside, brushing a bit of dust from her shawl as she entered.
Mrs. Gali was a woman in her late thirties, with tired but kind looking eyes and neatly tied chestnut hair streaked faintly with gray. She wore a simple long dress layered with an apron, the fabric worn thin from work but kept clean with care. The moment her eyes landed on Sailt and Femi, her expression changed completely.
"Oh thank goodness," she said, her shoulders dropping in relief. "I was worried everyone left and I had to go somewhere to pick her again."
Sailt straightened immediately. "Welcome back, Miss Gali."
Femi turned toward her and gave a small bow. "You're back safely."
Mrs. Gali hurried closer to the Sailt and gently picked up her baby, cradling her with practiced ease. "Leto, mama's here," she murmured, brushing a finger against her cheek. "You behaved today, didn't you?"
She looked at Femi, worry flashing across her face. "Her fever these past days. I couldn't focus on anything the whole time. I kept thinking something might happen while I was gone."
"She was fine," Femi replied calmly. "Sailt took good care of her."
Sailt nodded quickly. "She slept most of the time."
Mrs. Gali let out a breath and smiled. "That's a relief." Then her gaze shifted, slowly taking in Femi from head to toe. She blinked once, then twice.
"Oh my… Femi, is that a new outfit?"
Femi glanced down at herself, then nodded. "Yeah. I got it today."
"It suits you so well," Mrs. Gali said honestly. "You look lighter somehow and more put together."
Sailt leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I noticed too. It looks really well made. Isn't it expensive?"
Femi shook her head slightly. "Not really. I didn't buy it."
Both of them paused.
"…You didn't?" Sailt asked.
Femi gave a small, awkward smile.
"It's a long story."
Mrs. Gali laughed softly. "You always say that."
While the conversation continued, Gojo lay quietly near the bed, his attention fixed elsewhere.
Aara sat nearby, giggling softly as the slime bounced and wiggled in response to his clumsy touches. Each time Aara's small hand pressed against it, the slime trembled and changed shape playing back with him.
Gojo stared.
From his vision, faint translucent text hovered above the slime.
'E-10 Rank'
"Ya, just a toy.." he muttered.
Then his gaze shifted.
Above Aara's head, another line of text flickered into view.
Gojo froze.
"H-How…" he whispered in shock, his voice barely audible.
The text was.
'B-1 Rank'
"How is he already a B rank…?"
Gojo slowly shifted his focus towards the conversation.
Femi was still talking with Sailt and Mrs. Gali her posture relaxed, her voice calm.
He turned back toward the bed.
Aara was sitting there, legs wobbling slightly, both hands reaching out as the slime bounced in front of him. Every time the slime moved, Aara let out a soft sound.
Gojo stared again at the faint text only he could see.
'B-1 Rank.'
'What is happening…' he thought.
'He's completely normal just a human child.'
His grip tightened slightly.
'So how is this possible…'
His gaze shifted back to Femi.
'Should I tell her…?'
The thought lingered for a moment.
'No… not yet.'
Soon after, the conversation wound down. Mrs. Gali adjusted her shawl and picked up her bag.
"I'll see you all tomorrow," she said warmly. "Thank you again for today."
Sailt bowed slightly. "Take care, Miss Gali."
Femi nodded. "Be safe on the road."
Mrs. Gali smiled, waved one last time, and stepped outside. The sound of footsteps faded, followed by the soft creak of the carriage door and the slow roll of wheels as it moved away.
Inside the room grew quieter.
Sailt began gathering her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"It was really nice talking today," she said. "It helped me relax."
"Yeah," Femi replied. "After a long day it was good."
Sailt was now ready to leave. "I should head back now. I have to wake up early tomorrow."
She smiled a little awkwardly. "I need to earn more money fast… academy fees collecting days are coming."
Femi looked at her.
She stayed silent for a second.
Then her eyes widened slightly. "Oh, wait."
Sailt turned and looked at her as she took out a key, confused she replied. "Yes?"
Femi reached into her bag and pulled something out. A single gold coin rested in her palm. She looked at it for a moment, then smiled and held it out.
"Take this."
Sailt froze. "W-What? No! Ms. Femi, i can't take that!."
She shook her head quickly. "That's a huge amount it must've been really hard for you to earn."
"It's fine," Femi said calmly.
She tilted the bag slightly, just enough for Sailt to glimpse inside.
Four more gold coins caught the light.
Sailt's eyes widened. "H-How…?"
"Didn't I say?" Femi replied lightly. "I had a pretty rough day."
Sailt still hesitated. "Even so, I can't take that much from you."
Femi stepped closer and gently pressed the coin into her hand. "You can return it anytime. You're Aara's big sister after all."
Sailt's face turned red. She looked down, fingers curling around the coin.
"…I'll return it as soon as I can."
"I know," Femi said softly.
Sailt nodded, bowed deeply.
"Let's leave, I have to lock the building."
Femi nodded and turned, walked over to the bed, and lifted Aara into her arms. The slime bounced up and settled on her shoulder, wobbling happily.
She reached beside and picked up Gojo and held him firmly.
"Time to go home, everyone."