Rescued by Lamia: Chapter 4

Harry drifted into slumber that night with his mind and heart still buzzing from the day’s events. All the tensions and relief of nearly being kidnapped, then rescued by Centorea, kept replaying behind his eyelids. Even as he lay wrapped in the gentle coils of Miia’s tail, he felt his body twitch from echoes of lingering fear. Yet each time he stirred, he found himself anchored by warm touches and soothing murmurs. Miia lay close, quietly humming a lullaby in the dimly lit room. Every so often, Papi peered across from her cot, fluffing her feathers and whispering words meant to lull him back to sleep. He sensed Centorea’s presence downstairs, not quite near enough to see, but near enough for him to feel protected.

He slid deeper into sleep, comforted by the knowledge that he was surrounded by people who cared about him. Centorea’s vow to guard him, Miia’s unwavering watchfulness, Papi’s comforting cheer, and Kimihito’s quiet generosity—together, they formed a refuge he could hardly have imagined mere weeks ago, back in the Dursleys’ house. In the final moments of consciousness, he let himself believe that tomorrow would be a bright day with no more nightmares.

Meanwhile, a different kind of presence slipped silently through the half-finished seams of the newly renovated household. Where cracks gaped in corners or under unsealed door frames, a moist, jelly-like being probed. This shapeless form drifted in near silence, leaving shimmering trails along the floor. Drawn by the warmth and humidity inside, it pressed further. A faint rustling noise accompanied each ripple of movement, but no one heard.

Eventually, the slime named Suu oozed into the main living area, the mass of her body quivering in mild curiosity. The faint glow of moonlight through the window revealed the silhouettes of furniture and the quiet shape of Centorea resting. For a moment, Suu paused, pulsating gently, as though tasting the air. Then she continued, sliding stealthily over floorboards, up the staircase that still had small spots unpainted after the workers’ last project, and finally arriving at the top landing. She poked inquisitively at a door that was not fully latched. Through the crack came the gentle hush of breathing, and the promise of moisture—human warmth, lamia warmth, everything that enticed her.

With a faint, bubbling coo, Suu slipped into the room. Tendrils of her translucent body glistened faintly in the faint light of the moon. Tucked against the far side of the bed, Harry exhaled a quiet breath. As though drawn by an invisible magnet, Suu ventured forward, noticing the small occupant. The child’s body heat, the gentle rise and fall of his chest, seemed to beckon. She could sense hydration within the air that surrounded him, the moisture in the boy’s own body, the quiet humidity from Miia’s serpentine form coiled at his side. Suu approached with no ill intent—only curiosity and a desire for closeness.

When the night passed and dawn approached, no one had yet discovered the slime’s presence. But as the first ribbons of morning light filtered through the window curtains, highlighting motes of dust in the air, Harry began to stir. He let out a small sigh, rolling over in the bed. The previous night’s terror had been soothed by the love around him, and so, for once, he woke with a gentle sense of calm. Or he would have—if not for the strange wet sensation brushing against his arms.

He blinked, trying to shrug off the lingering weight of sleep. Another flicker of sensation slid against his skin, and a chill ran down his spine. Slowly, Harry pried open his eyes. At first, he saw only a blur of greenish-blue, a translucent mass that seemed to glow softly. A perplexed noise escaped his lips, something between a gasp and a squeak.

The mass moved, forming a small rounded shape that bobbed near his face. As it shifted, it revealed faint outlines that hinted at a mouth-like curve, wide eyes made of watery lenses, and gentle lumps that served as arms. Harry jolted, a spasm of panic shooting through him, and he flung himself backward against his pillow. A small cry escaped him as he tried to figure out if this unknown creature was some monstrous threat or just something bizarre.

The slime responded with a soft, mewling coo. Its watery body jiggled in alarm, pulling away an inch before tipping forward again, almost as though it wanted to say, “Don’t be scared.” Harry’s chest hammered. He tried to summon enough courage to speak, glancing at Miia curled up next to him. She was still asleep, apparently not disturbed by the soft cry he’d made. He couldn’t see Papi’s bed from this angle, but he guessed that she, too, remained asleep.

“T-Take it easy,” he whispered, voice trembling. The slime tilted, as though listening. “Um… can you… talk?” He realized how silly it was to ask a blob of jelly that question, but confusion warred with fear, and asking felt better than screaming.

The slime made a gentle gurgling sound, trying to mimic the speech pattern. A sort of watery hiss emerged, but no actual words. Harry’s heart slowed a fraction. If this thing was a threat, it would have already attacked him, wouldn’t it? Instead, it… cooed? In the faint morning light, he could see that it wasn’t large—no bigger than a short adult’s torso in the mass that hovered near him, though if it stretched out, it might appear bigger. He noticed that its color shifted from a light aqua to a slightly greener hue near the edges. Where it touched him, he felt oddly cool yet not unpleasantly so.

He decided to be brave, though his fingers trembled. “H-Hello?” he tried again. “Um… do you belong to Miss Smith? Or are you someone new?” Of course, the slime didn’t answer in words. But it cooed again, drifting forward, and then seemed to shape a small appendage reminiscent of a hand. That watery limb patted his hair, mimicking how Miia or Papi might comfort him. Harry inhaled sharply at the moist, squishy touch. “Okay,” he breathed, “you’re not hurting me, so you’re… nice, right?”

The slime warbled softly, almost nodding. Harry mustered a shaky smile. He reached up, carefully touching the blob’s side with his fingertips. The surface gave under his touch but then re-formed around him, like half-solid jelly. A wave of curiosity lit up Harry’s features—fear wasn’t the only emotion he felt around something new. He tried to figure out if it had eyes. He glimpsed two faint orbs within the mass, flicking in and out of shape as though they were placeholders for a face.

Unexpectedly, the slime glided closer and enveloped part of his arm, almost hugging it. Harry let out a little squeak but realized it wasn’t pulling him in, only pressing gently. The sensation was borderline ticklish, like slipping into a slightly chilled bath. He squirmed a bit, stifling a giggle. “H-Hey… okay, that’s… weird. But not… not bad.” He swallowed, heart fluttering. “Where did you come from?”

The slime cooed again. This time, it made a gesture like it was pointing to the door, or maybe it was mimicking the act of creeping in. Then it gazed at him with those watery orbs, as if waiting for his reaction. He began to suspect that it was copying body language to communicate, the same way Papi used wing gestures. Could it speak? Probably not, if it was a slime. But maybe it could show him how it felt.

He realized Miia was still asleep. She had her arms and coils partially around him but had dozed off so soundly that she hadn’t felt the wetness creeping onto the bed. Eager to let her rest, especially after the events of the previous day, Harry softly said, “Shh, it’s okay. Let’s just be quiet, so we don’t wake her up.”

The slime curiously mimicked the hush, forming a watery finger shape over where its mouth would be. Harry’s eyes widened, and a sudden swirl of excitement coursed through him. He realized that it was strangely adorable. “Oh, wow,” he muttered. “You’re, um, really smart, I guess.”

The slime responded by cooing again, hugging him more fully. This time, a portion of its body pressed against his side, and he noticed a cool dampness spreading across his pajamas. He squirmed, realizing his clothes were soaking up moisture, but as he tried to pull away, the slime parted easily, letting him move.

He decided to push the covers aside and stand up. The slime hopped after him, a quivering glob that rose about chest-high. “Wait, let me see,” Harry whispered, rummaging in a drawer for a towel. He tried to dab the slime’s surface with it, but the towel ended up just absorbing water. The slime let out a confused squeal. “Oh, sorry. I was just… well, never mind.” He shook his head, giving up on the attempt.

He led the slime quietly toward the center of the bedroom, away from Miia. “Maybe I can show you around?” he offered, feeling silly talking to a creature that might not understand him. Yet the slime bobbed as though nodding. A tingle of delight replaced his initial fright. This was definitely a “monster” but not like anything he’d known. Could it have come because Ms. Smith sent it? Or had it randomly wandered in?

A sudden movement on the bed behind him made him freeze. He turned to see Miia stirring, stretching her arms. One of her eyes opened groggily, then the other. She opened her mouth in a yawn, froze halfway, and blinked. Her gaze rested on Harry first, noticing how he was partly out of bed. Then her attention slid to the semi-translucent figure at his side. For a heartbeat, she seemed puzzled, as though her brain was too foggy to process. Then, reality snapped into place, and her gold eyes went huge.

“Harry, what is—?” she began, voice cracking with alarm.

The slime, startled by the sudden exclamation, hopped behind Harry, clinging to his backside. Harry stumbled forward, nearly toppling. Miia let out a shriek that echoed in the small room. “A slime?” she cried, voice cracking with a mix of disgust and alarm. “W-What is that thing doing on you?” She slid off the bed, tail thrashing, posture defensive. “Get away from him right this instant!”

Harry whipped around, arms outstretched protectively. “I-It’s okay, Miss Miia!” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “She’s not hurting me. She’s—she’s nice!”

Miia’s chest heaved. She advanced, coiling half of her tail as if ready to strike or defend. The slime responded by attempting to hide behind Harry again, letting out a worried warble. “Move, Harry,” Miia insisted. “I don’t know what it wants, but slimes can be dangerous, or at least unpredictable. Let me handle it.”

Her alarm triggered Harry’s own anxieties, but he forced himself to stand firm. “No, really, I think it’s friendly,” he urged, gently resting a hand on the slime’s watery shape. “Look, it’s hugging me. If it wanted to hurt me, it would have already done it, right?”

Miia opened her mouth, prepared to protest, but she saw how the slime hovered behind Harry, trembling. The edges of its amorphous form shimmered with an almost childlike fear, reflecting the tension. Finally, Miia exhaled sharply. She hissed in frustration. “Fine, I won’t attack it, but I need some backup. Papi! Centorea! Kimihito!” Her raised voice caused a scuffle of footsteps from outside the room. She cast a wary glance at the slime. “Just… keep that thing off you, Harry.”

The boy glanced over his shoulder at the slime. “Um, can you… let go of me?” he asked softly. The creature made a reluctant gurgle but then slid away. It repositioned itself at Harry’s side, like a watery companion, pressed close but not fully enveloping him. He smiled nervously. “Thanks.”

At that moment, the door burst open, revealing Papi, who wore an oversized T-shirt that draped over her winged arms. Her blue hair stuck up in all directions, and her eyes were wide with concern. Centorea, slightly more composed, peered from behind, hand on her sword’s hilt. Kimihito soon appeared, still in pajamas, with one hand rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“What happened? Miia, are you all right? Harry?” Kimihito asked.

Miia jabbed a finger at the slime. “Look at that! It’s… it’s a slime, right? It’s in our house, touching Harry.” Her tail bristled, coiling with agitation. “Anyone got an explanation?”

Papi’s eyes shone with wonder as she hopped closer. “Whoa, a slime!” she squealed. She approached with no fear, leaning forward to inspect it. The slime tilted, mimicking Papi’s head tilt. “Hi there,” Papi cooed, flapping her wings in excitement. “I’ve never met a slime in person. You’re all wiggly. Neat!” She tried to poke it with her wingtip, giggling when her feathers glided through the goo. “Harry, is it your friend?”

Harry nodded bashfully. “I guess so… She found me this morning. Or maybe she was here all night. She seems… nice.” He looked at Centorea, who stood a few steps back, eyes narrowed. The centaur wore her usual armor, though somewhat askew from having rushed. She eyed the slime warily.

Centorea’s voice was firm, though she tried to contain her alarm. “Harry, are you certain it hasn’t harmed you? Slimes can dissolve or absorb. They can be quite dangerous if threatened, or if seeking water from living creatures.”

The slime made a tiny squeak of protest at the note of suspicion, as though it understood. Harry shook his head vigorously. “No, she’s not hurting me. She’s been hugging me a lot, but that’s all.” He looked down at his slightly damp pajamas. “I mean, I’m wet, but not, like, burned or anything.”

Kimihito stepped forward, scratching his head. “A slime, huh? Ms. Smith mentioned something about more extraspecies possibly dropping by, but I didn’t think one would just slip in unannounced.” He studied the creature carefully, noticing how it cowered behind Harry when anyone showed aggression. “It’s definitely not violently attacking, from what we can see.” He glanced at Miia. “Maybe it just wandered in. Slimes can be drawn to moisture or to certain energies. Possibly Harry’s presence… or all of ours.”

Miia’s initial protective fury showed signs of softening. She lowered her arms and tail, though she still eyed the slime with caution. “Well, it startled me,” she muttered, moving to Harry’s side and putting an arm around him. He leaned into her affectionately, but the slime let out a forlorn warble, apparently wanting to be close too. Miia bristled. “Easy. One at a time,” she huffed.

Papi giggled, stepping around them with eager fascination. “I bet she’s copying what she sees,” she observed, pointing out how the slime’s body seemed to partially mimic Harry’s stance. “You see? She’s got that little tilt, just like him, and that same posture.” She waggled a wing, and the slime promptly tried to mimic the motion with a watery limb, though it wobbled and splashed harmlessly onto the floor. “Ooh, that’s so cool!”

Harry smiled. “Yeah, that’s what she’s been doing. She can’t talk, I think, but she tries to copy words or gestures.”

Centorea still wore a tight expression of concern, but she sheathed her sword. “If she means no harm, then we have no need to fight. However, we should remain cautious. Her powers might be unpredictable.”

Kimihito nodded. “Agreed. Let’s keep an eye on her.” He turned his gaze on the slime. “Hey there, can you understand me at all?” He spoke slowly, as though addressing a foreign speaker. The slime cocked its watery head, then made a cooing noise, drawing closer to Harry in a gentle attempt to cling to him again.

Miia tensed. “Harry, if she’s absorbing your moisture, you’ll get dehydrated,” she warned. “We need to be sure that’s not happening.” She leaned down, pressing a hand to Harry’s cheek as if to check his temperature. “You do feel a bit clammy. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Harry nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m just a little… wet.” He tried to keep his voice light, though a flicker of nervousness remained. He took a shaky breath. “Seriously, I’m all right. This might be weird, but let’s see if she’s friendly.”

Miia sighed, brushing his bangs aside. “Fine,” she conceded. “But the moment she tries anything suspicious—like draining you dry—I’m stepping in.” The slime let out a dismayed little squeak, as if understanding her words. Harry patted its side, trying to calm it.

Papi clasped her wings happily. “Yay! A new friend! Let’s keep her!” She hopped about excitedly, ignoring Miia’s skeptical glare.

Kimihito let out a half-chuckle, half-sigh. “One new friend after another,” he murmured. “Well, should we get everyone some breakfast? We can see how… I guess we can see if she’ll join us or if she just wants to wander.”

The suggestion caused the slime’s watery eyes to widen. She made a set of eager-sounding noises, apparently recognizing some mention of food or an invitation. Harry brightened. “Yeah, that might be good. Um… do you eat, Miss Slime?” He didn’t know how else to address her.

No words came back, but the creature bounced with excitement, which caused a small splatter of water on the floor. Miia cringed. “We’ll need towels,” she said flatly. “Lots of towels.”

Kimihito nodded, stepping out into the hallway. “I’ll fetch them. Let’s head downstairs. Harry, you might want to change into dry clothes first.”

Harry glanced at his damp pajamas and nodded quickly. The slime, noticing his attempt to move away, latched onto him again. Miia hissed. “Stop hugging him so tight! You’re soaking his clothes more.” The slime loosened its grip, cooing apologetically. Harry managed to maneuver around, searching for new clothes in a drawer. By that point, Papi fluttered out of the room as well, presumably to check on the state of the kitchen or retrieve random items. Centorea lingered in the doorway, keeping a watchful eye in case the slime turned dangerous.

With Miia’s help, Harry eventually swapped into a clean T-shirt and shorts, despite the slime’s persistent attempts to cuddle. Though awkward, the process illuminated the creature’s gentle nature—every time it sensed Harry’s discomfort, it would loosen its hold or wait quietly until he was done. At last, they made their way downstairs, with Miia in front, Harry in the middle, and the slime hovering at his side. Centorea followed, her hoofsteps echoing on the steps.

Upon reaching the living area, they discovered Papi rummaging in the fridge while Kimihito set out plates. The house still bore signs of recent renovations: plastic sheets draped over corners, half-painted walls in the corridor, dust from sawing. But amidst the chaos, a semblance of routine emerged. Miia guided Harry to the table and sat him down, frowning as the slime tried to climb onto Harry’s lap.

“No, you’ll soak the cushions,” she said firmly, placing a hand between them. The slime warbled in complaint but hopped to the floor, drifting near Harry’s feet instead. It gurgled, forming a shape reminiscent of a head peeking over the table’s edge, as though wanting to see what food was present.

Harry couldn’t help but grin. “This is so weird,” he whispered to Miia. “But I kind of like her. She’s like a giant bowl of jelly.”

Miia glanced at him, her earlier fright receding into wary amusement. “I guess it’s better than a raging monster,” she admitted softly. Then she turned to watch Papi, who was pulling out fruit juice, eggs, and some leftover rice. “Papi, be sure to keep it simple. We don’t know if slime here can handle certain foods. Actually, do slimes even eat normal food?”

Kimihito shrugged, setting a plate of scrambled eggs on the table. “In some references, slimes can absorb organic matter. They might feed on leftover water or glean nutrients from random materials. She might not need conventional food, but maybe she can taste it. Hard to say.”

The slime let out an excited chirp at the mention of water, then extended a pseudopod to reach for a glass on the table. The watery limb smacked the cup, sloshing water onto the tabletop. “Ack!” Miia yelped, snatching the cup away. “Careful!”

Seeing Miia’s frustration, Harry quickly set another cup near the table’s edge, motioning for the slime. “Easy,” he murmured. “Here, have some water if you want.” The slime gurgled happily, sliding a portion of itself around the cup. In seconds, the water level inside the cup dropped, as though the slime were siphoning it up. When the cup was empty, the creature’s entire body looked fractionally more plump and vibrant, as if it had just taken a revitalizing drink.

“That’s… interesting,” Centorea murmured, stepping forward. “She’s absorbing the water directly.”

Kimihito nodded, scratching his chin. “Well, that answers whether she needs to eat. Water might be enough for her, plus any additional nutrients she gets from her environment. Let’s keep an eye on it. If she starts latching onto humans for more moisture, that could be dangerous.”

The slime burbled, almost in protest, as though offended by the insinuation. Harry patted its top. “It’s okay. They’re just worried,” he said gently.

Miia pointed at the watery residue now dripping from the table’s edge. “We need to tidy up,” she muttered. “Papi, get some rags. We’re not living in a swamp.”

Papi complied, though she was clearly more interested in cooing at the slime. She tried to replicate the slime’s chirps, to which the creature responded by mimicking Papi’s intonation. A delightful back-and-forth of silly noises ensued. Harry giggled, feeling a swell of warmth. Even if Miia and Centorea were reserved, it was nice to see at least one person wholeheartedly embracing their new friend.

Eventually, they all settled for a somewhat awkward breakfast. Miia insisted that Harry sit next to her while the slime remained on the floor. She hovered protectively, offering the slime a slice of fruit only after Harry had tested whether it dissolved in the slime’s body. The fruit sank partly into the creature’s mass, but after a few seconds, it was ejected, soggy but intact. The slime seemed unimpressed by the taste.

“So it doesn’t do well with solid food,” Kimihito observed. “At least it’s not dissolving everything in sight.”

Centorea exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders. “That is a relief. Still, we must remain vigilant. A slime can absorb living material if it so chooses.”

Harry frowned, imagining what that would look like. The idea of someone dissolving inside the slime made his stomach twist. But the gentle presence of the creature near his legs gave him confidence that she wouldn’t do anything so horrible. She had ample chance to do so already and hadn’t. “She’s not scary,” he insisted. “She’s just… different.”

Miia eyed the slime rummaging around the table’s edges, occasionally batting a watery limb at a stray crumb. “We get that, Harry, but we have to be absolutely sure.” She paused, her features softening. “If she’s harmless, then… well, I guess we have to decide what to call her.”

Papi piped up, flapping her wings. “Yes! She needs a name, because we can’t just keep saying ‘slime’ this, ‘slime’ that. That’s so impersonal.”

Kimihito tapped the table thoughtfully. “Usually, you see slimes named something short and sweet. You know, like ‘Suu’ or ‘Sli’—some onomatopoeic name that fits her bubbly nature.”

Harry’s eyes lit up. “I like ‘Suu,’” he said, glancing at the creature. “It suits her. And it’s kind of fun to say.” He bent toward the slime. “Do you like that? Suu?” He repeated it a few times, trying to gauge the creature’s reaction.

The slime stared at him with watery eyes, then let out a trilling sound that rose happily in pitch. She bobbed her entire body up and down, as if clapping. Harry grinned widely. “I think she does!” He gave a triumphant laugh. “So, your name is Suu, okay?”

Miia watched the exchange, her expression torn between fondness for Harry’s enthusiasm and a pang of jealousy that he was giving affectionate attention to yet another female figure. But the genuine sweetness in the moment melted some of her reservations. She forced a small smile. “All right, Suu it is.”

Suu hopped a bit, glomming onto Harry’s leg again, which made him yelp as he nearly lost his balance. “Oof, careful,” he murmured, but he couldn’t help laughing at the slime’s excitement. “She’s so playful.”

Papi squealed with delight, wanting to join in. “Ooh, Suu, I can show you how to do a wing-hug!” She fluttered closer, trying to envelop the slime with her feathers. Suu responded by morphing her shape to mimic wings, though the watery attempt sagged, dripping on the floor. Everyone else scrambled for towels, half-laughing, half-groaning at the mess.

Throughout the morning, any time someone introduced a new bit of normal routine—folding laundry, washing dishes, tidying up—Suu tried to mimic it. She slithered across the floor, absorbing small puddles or spilled water as though cleaning. Kimihito found it fascinating, praising her. Miia, on the other hand, grew exasperated whenever she saw Suu creeping near Harry’s belongings or devouring random spills. She’d have to constantly chase the slime away from soaking important items.

But as weird as it was, Harry couldn’t deny the sense of wonder that Suu brought to the household. Seeing her bob and jiggle with childlike curiosity made him laugh. In some ways, it reminded him of Papi’s carefree spirit, but Suu was even more innocent, like an infant discovering the world for the first time. When Harry crouched to pat her, she’d respond by gently nuzzling him with her watery body, forming a pseudo-limb to stroke his cheek. It was oddly sweet—and admittedly, sometimes uncomfortably wet.

Not everything was smooth. By midday, Suu had wandered off in search of who-knew-what. Papi started a game of tag with Harry in the living room. They laughed as Harry darted around furniture, trying to keep out of Papi’s reach. Miia watched from the couch, shouting occasional reminders not to break anything. Centorea lingered near the stable-like annex that had been built for her, but she kept an ear out in case trouble arose. Kimihito went to the kitchen to prepare lunch, or at least rummage for sandwiches.

A few minutes into the game, Harry spun around and noticed that Papi had paused, staring off into the corridor. “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, panting a bit from the excitement.

Papi pointed with her wing. “Did you see Suu anywhere?” she asked. “I was going to ask her to play, but she’s gone.”

Harry glanced around. “Maybe she’s exploring. It’s kind of her first day here, right? She’s probably curious.” He trotted off, calling softly, “Suu? Are you here?” No answer came. The hallway was empty, but faint watery trails showed where she had passed. He followed them, stepping gingerly.

They led to the end of the hallway near a small storage closet that was kept locked. The door was ajar, no longer locked. “Uh-oh,” Harry muttered. He peeked inside, half-expecting to see Suu rummaging among old cleaning supplies. Instead, the closet was empty, save for a wet floor. “Strange.” He bent to examine the puddle, then flinched at a sudden sloshing noise behind him. Spinning, he caught a glimpse of Suu sliding behind a corner. “Suu!” he called, hurrying in that direction.

As he rounded the corner, a loud bang came from the bathroom. The door, which had been cracked open, now rattled. Miia’s muffled shriek erupted from inside. “What the—?!” she screeched. “Who’s there? G-Get out!” Another crash followed.

Harry’s eyes widened. “Miss Miia?” He dashed to the bathroom door, pushing it open. Steam billowed out, and he realized that Miia had been bathing. She was partially coiled in the tub, water sloshing around, a soapy cloth in her hand. Her face was bright red, half from the hot water and half from embarrassment. Suu hovered near her, apparently having snuck in to see what was happening. The slime was perched at the tub’s edge, dipping watery limbs in, curiously sampling the bath. Miia had clearly freaked out.

“Harry, don’t come in!” Miia yelped, trying to hide her upper body with the soapy cloth. She flailed, sending waves of water splashing over the tub’s rim. “This slime… walked in on me… it’s—ugh, get out!” She aimed a furious glare at Suu. The slime cowered, letting out a squeaky bubble.

Harry, flustered, started to back away. “S-Sorry, Miss Miia. I didn’t realize—” He realized this was a private moment. But also, he worried about Miia’s safety if Suu startled her too badly. “Suu, come on, let’s not bother Miss Miia. She’s bathing,” he said gently, extending a hand. “Come with me.”

Suu whined softly, as if confused why she wasn’t allowed to investigate the water. She attempted to mimic Miia’s posture in the bath, forming watery coils that swirled in the tub. Miia sputtered as the water grew more crowded. “Stop copying me!” she cried, thrashing. Her tail slapped the side of the tub, nearly toppling a row of bottles. “Centorea, Kimihito, someone help! This is humiliating!”

Hearing the commotion, Kimihito rushed to the bathroom from the living room. His eyes nearly popped out at the sight of Miia in a compromised position, Suu half-merged in the bath, and Harry standing there. He turned bright red, stammering, “Oh—sorry, Miia. I—didn’t—didn’t realize!” He quickly looked away, but he grabbed the door handle, determined to help. “Suu, come on! Out!”

The slime seemed to glean that everyone was upset. She blinked watery eyes, then deflated, sliding off the tub’s edge. She dripped across the tile, letting out a mournful bubble. Kimihito fumbled with towels, trying to block Suu’s wet trail from soaking the entire hallway. Miia clutched the sides of the tub, her face twisted in a mix of rage and mortification.

Harry sidestepped, trying not to look in Miia’s direction. “I’m sorry,” he managed. “I’ll get Suu out now, okay?” He placed a hand on the slime’s quivering form. “Come on, Suu. Let’s leave Miss Miia to her bath.” The slime let out a sad mew but followed him, occasionally glancing back at the tub as if longing for more water.

Once they were out, Kimihito gently nudged the door shut behind them, offering Miia a hurried apology. “We’ll clean up out here—sorry, Miia. Yell if you need anything.” Then he faced Harry and Suu, exhaling in exasperation. “We definitely need to set boundaries for Suu. She can’t just walk in on private moments like that.”

Harry nodded, cheeks flushed. “I’ll… I’ll watch her more carefully. She was probably just curious about the water.”

A muffled grumble came from inside the bathroom, something about “intrusive slimes” and “lack of privacy.” Harry cringed, feeling bad for Miia’s embarrassment. He gently led Suu away, heading downstairs to the living area. Papi flew over, noticing the damp footprints they left behind. “Oh, wow, you’re soaked again!” she teased, half-laughing. “Did Suu do something silly?”

Harry sighed. “She tried to join Miia’s bath.” Papi burst into giggles, which made him shake his head. “It’s not funny, Papi—Miia nearly had a heart attack.”

“S-sorry,” Papi snorted, struggling to stifle her laughter. She then offered to help dry Harry’s clothes, flapping her wings to create airflow. Suu seemed to interpret this as a new game, puffing up part of her body to blow watery droplets. The living room grew even soggier.

Centorea approached with a measured step, hand resting lightly on the hilt of her ceremonial sword. “Is everything under control?” she asked. “I heard shouting.”

Harry forced a reassuring smile. “Kind of. Miia was bathing, and Suu barged in. She’s curious. That’s all.”

Centorea nodded, though her expression stayed serious. “We must teach her boundaries, or she may cause further chaos. I do not wish to see the household thrown into disarray.” She glanced at Harry’s damp clothes, then at Papi swirling her wings. Her lips twitched in faint disapproval. “Perhaps you should change again, Harry. You’ll catch a chill.” She offered him a short cloak-like piece of fabric. “I have no children’s garments, but at least you can wrap this around until you find fresh clothes.”

Touched by her concern, Harry accepted the makeshift cloak, draping it awkwardly. He gave the centaur a grateful nod. “Thank you.” She bowed slightly in return. The moment was a gentle reminder that each woman in this odd family cared for him in a unique way.

A couple of hours later, Miia emerged from the bathroom, thoroughly dried and in fresh clothes, though her face still held the faint pink of annoyance. She spotted Suu drifting near Harry and narrowed her eyes. “Now, you listen, slime—Suu—whatever. No more barging into bathrooms. Got it?” She wagged a finger, face set in maternal sternness. Suu cooed apologetically, forming a watery shape that mimicked a bowed head.

Harry offered an olive branch. “Miss Miia, she doesn’t talk, so we have to show her. Maybe we can keep doors locked, or… I dunno, put signs?”

Miia sighed. “Fine. We’ll figure something out.” Then she gave Harry a gentle pat on the head. “You okay, sweetie? You’re not, um, traumatized or anything from that fiasco?”

He shook his head, lips curving in a shy grin. “I’m okay, Miss Miia. Thanks.”

Some of the day’s tension lifted. They shared a calm midday meal, though everyone kept one eye on Suu to ensure she didn’t cause another scene. The slime, for her part, seemed docile enough now, especially after the scolding. She sat near Harry (or hovered, more accurately), occasionally cooing when she saw something interesting. She especially liked copying little gestures from each member of the household—Centorea’s proud stance, Papi’s excited arm flaps, Miia’s affectionate hair ruffles, and so forth. Watching her try to emulate Miia’s cautious side-eye or Papi’s wing movements elicited a few laughs.

As the day wore on, Miia found herself grappling with pangs of jealousy once more. Every time Harry and Suu interacted, the child’s eyes lit up with that same wonder he’d shown Papi, and the same trust he’d given Centorea. Part of Miia felt proud that Harry’s world was brightening with new friendships. Yet another part ached with the fear of being replaced. She tried to bury those feelings, reminding herself that sharing Harry’s love didn’t mean losing it. He had enough affection to give everyone, right?

Later in the afternoon, she found a moment to talk privately with Kimihito in the yard, away from Papi’s chatter, Centorea’s watchfulness, and Harry’s sweet laugh. She gazed at a half-finished wooden fixture the workers had left, arms folded across her chest. “Darling,” she murmured, using the affectionate nickname she’d originally assigned to him, “can we talk for a second?”

Kimihito paused his light yard-tidying, glancing up. “Sure, Miia. Everything okay?”

She curled her tail around a small patch of grass, pressing her lips together. “I… I’m trying to be okay with all these new additions: Papi, Centorea… now Suu. And Harry was always the focus for me. I guess, in the beginning, I was so attached to him because I felt like we were the only ones in it together. I was his guardian, the one who saved him from that awful place. But now there are so many of us who want to protect him, or be close to him. And I’m worried he’ll stop needing me.”

Kimihito exhaled gently, setting aside the small rake he’d been holding. “Miia, I can understand how you feel. But look at Harry—he’s more relaxed and happy every day, except for the kidnapping scare. That’s partly thanks to you. You gave him a foundation of safety, so now he has the space to bond with others.”

She fiddled with the tip of her tail. “But does that mean I’m less important? He runs to Papi for games, to Centorea for that knightly aura. Suu is like this clingy new friend he’s excited to teach and protect. What about me? I don’t want to be left behind.”

Kimihito offered her a gentle smile. “You’re not going anywhere. Trust me, Harry adores you. You’re the first person in his life who showed him unconditional kindness. You’ll always hold that special place.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s normal to feel jealousy, but you can turn that feeling into something else: let yourself be happy that Harry’s circle of support grows. He’s not just a lonely kid in a cupboard anymore—he has a family.”

Miia’s eyes grew misty. She cast her gaze downward, recalling how she found him that day, bruised and frightened. “That’s true,” she whispered. “He’s grown so much already. He’s more confident, even if he’s still shy.” A faint smile tugged at her lips. “I don’t want to stifle him. I guess I just… need to remind myself that my place is secure.”

Kimihito nodded. “Exactly. No one can replace you, Miia. You have a unique bond with him.”

She closed her eyes, inhaling the mild afternoon air. “Thanks, Darling. I appreciate that.” For a heartbeat, she let his reassurance fill her with calm. Then she flicked her tail in a gesture of mild embarrassment. “We should head inside. Harry’s probably looking for me.”

They reentered the house to find Papi perched on a chair, playing a silly game with Harry while Centorea observed. Suu drifted at their feet, occasionally cooing. Everyone seemed at ease, though the living room was still cluttered with minor construction debris. Harry glanced up, brightening at the sight of Miia. She smiled back, heart warming at the genuine joy in his eyes when he saw her.

A few minutes later, Harry had the idea that they should do a “group hug.” Maybe he sensed the underlying tensions or maybe he just wanted to show affection to everyone at once. He beckoned them all—Miia, Papi, Centorea, Kimihito, and even Suu—to gather in a circle. Some looked confused, but he insisted. “I just… want everyone to know how grateful I am,” he said. “And that I love all of you.” A flush crept onto his cheeks, but he stood firm.

Papi bounced excitedly. “Group hug, group hug!” She tried to wrap her wings around as many as she could. Miia slithered over, hesitating only a second before letting Harry press close. Suu hopped around, splashing watery droplets, though she tried to keep them minimal. Centorea stood at a slight remove, unsure, until Harry extended a hand. She gracefully relented, bowing her head as she joined the group from the side, mindful not to trample anyone with her hooves. Kimihito ended up in the middle, feeling awkward but smiling anyway.

The result was a somewhat haphazard circle, complicated by different body shapes and sizes. Miia coiled her tail around part of the cluster, Papi flapped her wings with excitement, Suu enveloped a corner of the group with watery limbs, and Centorea gently rested a hand near Harry’s shoulder. They all laughed at the clumsy arrangement. Yet the warmth that radiated from the group was undeniable. Harry beamed.

Miia felt a strange lump in her throat. She realized that yes, they were a chaotic bunch, but they were also a family. She let herself sink into that feeling, though she stiffened a moment when she felt Suu’s watery shape brush her coils. Instead of freaking out, she forced a shaky exhale and accepted it. If Harry believed in Suu, maybe it was worth giving her a chance.

After a few moments, they broke apart. Centorea cleared her throat, brushing imaginary dust from her armor. Papi flapped her wings, giggling that she almost knocked Harry over with the hug. Suu cooed, apparently delighted, nuzzling Harry’s leg. The boy smiled, feeling a flicker of unbridled happiness. For the first time, he didn’t feel the gnawing fear that something bad was right around the corner—he had protectors everywhere.

Following that tender moment, Kimihito ushered them to arrange dinner plans. They laughed at the idea of Suu “eating” the table’s water again, so they preemptively set a large bowl of water for her on the floor, letting her sip it whenever she pleased. She did so happily, occasionally making contented trilling sounds. Papi boasted that maybe she could teach Suu to pour water