Don't forget...

Aunty Bisola was silent and appeared troubled. How could she not? These two were already this big but still acted like children. They even had to be forced to eat! And Tejumole, though she was usually serious, she tended to be very lethargic at times. Not to mention how much she spoiled the boy.

Aunty Bisola felt she had aged considerably in the last few years.

In addition to her three kids, those little brats, there were an extra two outside to care for. Lord bless her…

Seeing the woman so distressed, Tejumole went up to the two and said to Aunty Bisola after a thought:

"We'll be fine."

Hearing them both say this repeatedly, Aunty Bisola sighed and nodded her head. She temporarily cast off her uneasiness.

"Okay. Then I'll be leaving."

Haoyu and Tejumole: hmm.

" See you in two months."

Haoyu and Tejumole: okay.

"I'll be back soon."

"We'll be waiting."

"Hmm."

They replied simultaneously and walked her towards the door. Aunty Bisola was a little hesitant as she followed them.

'They really can't wait to get rid of me! They're not even reluctant. Humph…' She said in her mind with a little grievance.

Once they reached the front door, she stepped out and then stopped them from going any further.

"Here is enough. You don't need to escort me anymore. Go back and finish your food before it gets cold."

"Alright."

Hàoyû responded while Tejumole gave a nod. Then they waved goodbye to Aunty Bisola, waiting until she left through the black gate before withdrawing their gazes.

Just like that, Aunty Bisola came and left as abruptly as the wind.

"Shall we go in?" Hàoyû bowed his head to look at Tejumole, then asked with raised lips.

"Okay." The two entered the house and shut the door behind them.

•••

Aunty Bisola strode to her car packed not far away and entered. Starting the engine, she was a little absent-minded. She had no incline as to why she was being so paranoid today. If she had to choose, Aunty Bisola would rather stay here in Lagos. Her mind was unsettled, and she felt like something bad would happen after she left.

"Am I like this because I'll be away for so long? Yes, that must be it. The girl isn't alone anymore. I should worry less. Haai, there are still countless things to settle for the funeral. Ah! Why are burials so demanding? A simple ceremony with people dressed in black would do nicely. But nooo~ We still have to spend so much money on such an occasion. Ridiculous!" Aunty Bisola hit her wheel irritatingly. The abrupt car horn, startled the poor pedestrians by the road.

She was feeling very irritated. It was possibly due to stress. Or because she was feeling reluctant to part with her money.

After taking a deep breath, she repeated to herself;

'It's for a good cause…' This calmed her down a little as she started the engine and drove away from the street.

•••

At this time, Tejumole and Hàoyû were seated at the dining table. A few plates had been cleared and only the sound of their utensils clattering was heard in the room.

Occasionally, Hàoyû would take a few glances at the person eating opposite him. Specifically at her hands.

Just now, Tejumole had shown little reaction to the news of Aunty Bisola travelling. It was almost like she couldn't care less.

However, Hàoyû who had lived under the same roof as Tejumole knew that wasn't the case. Though she was mostly expressionless, he had learned to pick up the minute changes on her face, thus able to understand her thoughts. And even if he couldn't figure out what she was thinking from her expression, he could always look elsewhere.

Tejumole currently appeared wholly focused on the Moi-moi on her plate. She placed her right hand freely on the table and used her index finger to rub against her thumb.

This little action was something Hàoyû was familiar with.

He dropped his spoon and stretched his hand to hold hers. Then in a serious but slightly playful voice, he said:

"Don't worry, she'll be back before you know it. Even if she returns late, you still have me. Say, would you miss me if I went on a trip? Would you feel as though a part of you was missing and gaze longingly at my picture while I'm away?"

Tejumole: -_-

She looked at the boy who was saying those things with a straight face.

'Where did he learn those words? Is he keeping bad company? No, this won't do.'

"What are you saying? Eat your food. When you're done, I have some test questions for you. You need to be studious."

Hàoyû widened his eyes and wondered how he ended up being asked to do questions when he only wanted to comfort her.

"Okay…" He quietly picked up his spoon and continued eating. The food in his mouth was now tasteless.

Living with a professor is scary.

Tejumole saw that he no longer said those things and nodded in satisfaction. Thinking to herself that sure enough, the best way to educate a child was by making him read and take tests. This way he wouldn't speak so strangely.

She later added after he quieted down:

"Still, if you ever needed to travel, I'd go with you. I should be there to look after you."

Hàoyû raised his head and looked at this woman. Her words amused him and caused a small smile to tug on his lips. In response, he said.

"Does that mean you'll go with me wherever? We'll always be together? Never parting?"

"Of course." Tejumole said instantly. She didn't even think about how unusual those words were. In her mind, she thought that a child shouldn't be left alone. What if he got kidnapped?

Her way of thinking was… really unusual.

Especially when it involved a person who wasn't that much younger than she was.

"Okay. Don't forget your words."

Hàoyû flashed a smile and continued eating.

The professor really treats a big person like me as a kid. It is so strange and cute. Heh, little professor, you said this yourself, so you have to honour it.

He said this to himself as he wondered when the professor would finally see him as a grown-up.

'All in due time…'

The two finished their meals and cleared the plates.

As for Ranta in the system space…

"The host forgot about me after seeing her child! This S.A.I is upset!"

•••

Monday.

It was a hot afternoon. The sun was overhead, casting its scorching rays on the creatures below. Cars and people were moving endlessly from one place to the other. Those who had the luxury of boarding a vehicle were shielded from the unforgiving heat, while others without such luxury carried their bags and other items, and headed towards their destinations in sweat-soaked clothes.

In the area designated for academic activities, in one of the elevated buildings on campus grounds, there was a lecture currently ongoing in a large hall.

Though the same was happening in other places, the atmosphere in this hall was slightly different.

The hall had been filled to the brim with students. It made the originally wide lecture hall heated and stuffy. There was also an uncomfortable pungent odour in the air that made one cover their nose at first, but gradually adapt to the queasy smell as time passed.

The number of students in this hall had far exceeded the maximum limit thus, many people had to stand around at the back as there were no available seats left.

This scene, it caused one to wonder just how important this class was for the students to attend so eagerly. It was either the students of this generation were exceptionally studious or the lecturer was the kind who deducted points from their grades when they missed a class.

In this case, it was probably the latter, though with an additional reason.