"Mama!"
The moment they stepped into the small apartment on the second floor of the commercial district in Aetherion, a little girl with platinum-blonde hair came running toward Beatrice.
She threw her arms around and clung to her as if she had been waiting all day.
"Hehe. I'm home," Beatrice said, returning the hug.
The girl looked up with bright eyes before finally noticing the boy standing awkwardly by the door.
"Huh?" She tilted her head. "Who's that?"
Beatrice placed a hand on her daughter's head.
"This is Vanitas," she said. "He's my student. I invited him for your birthday. Aren't you excited?"
"Wow!"
Vanitas frowned at her words. "I'm not—"
"Welcome!" Karina said with a bright smile, cutting him off. "I'm Karina!"
She stepped closer, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Vanitas was clearly caught off guard, quickly looking away.
"…Vanitas," he muttered.
Beatrice smiled at the exchange.
"Go wash up," she said gently. "You're still soaked."
