The system responded immediately.
'Understood, host~ Displaying available baby outfits suitable for forest-survival environments.'
The translucent panel blinked into view. Tiny models of baby clothing rotated slowly — each one looking far more professional than anything Lavayla expected from the system catalog.
The first option was a full-body moss-green onesie made of "softleaf weave," complete with tiny booties attached.
Price: 320 points.
"No."
The next was a little brown outfit lined with fur trim, supposedly temperature-regulating and scratch-resistant.
Price: 280 points.
"Absolutely not."
Third: an adorable hooded romper shaped vaguely like a baby wolf cub.
Price: 400 points.
Lavayla stared flatly. "I'm not dressing him like a furry mascot."
She flipped quickly through the rest — all cute, all durable, all ridiculously overpriced.
Finally, at the very bottom of the list, she found a simple full-body suit made from "basic forest fiber." Soft, flexible, easy to wash, neutral in color.
Price: 100 points.
Lavayla put her hand on her chest dramatically.
"Yes. Finally, something meant for the poor."
'Host, that one has the least features—'
"It covers his body. It's clean. It fits. That's all I need. Purchase." Lavayla said that but she still couldn't believe that she who used to wear clothes from the best designers, the best brands with attention to detail and appearance would be happy to buy cheap, mediocre-looking clothing. But she definitely didn't have a choice, especially thinking about how she would have to live in this world from now on.
'Purchase confirmed~'
A small bundle appeared in her hands — light beige, soft, and thankfully not embarrassingly cute.
She turned to the baby—then blinked as another thought smacked her brain.
"…Wait. I forgot something."
'Host?' the system chirped.
"I forgot diapers. Do you—do you have baby diapers that can be washed and reused?"
'Host, say no more~ Displaying options now.'
Another panel slid open beside the clothing menu. Reusable diapers of different materials rotated gently: forest fiber cloth, spirit-thread weaves, softleaf padding, and even one with tiny glowing runes for self-cleaning. Materials she'd never heard before.
Price: 400 points.
She didn't even entertain it.
Scrolling down, she found a plain, soft, multi-layered cloth diaper made from gentle system-processed fabric—comfortable, washable, safe.
Price: 80 points.
"Yes. That one. Before something else shows up to rob me."
'Purchase confirmed~'
A folded stack materialized beside the baby outfit.
Lavayla inhaled, exhaled… then frowned.
"How do you even put this thing on?"
The system sounded absolutely delighted.
'Sigh, host~ If I wasn't here, what would you do without me? I was honestly surprised when you washed the furs and cleaned the baby.'
Lavayla rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out.
"Who the hell doesn't know how to wash with their hands? I might be wealthy and inexperienced, but I'm not brainless. Now tell me how to use this thing before he pees on the floor again."
'Fine, fine. Listen carefully, host: First, spread the diaper flat, lift the baby's legs gently and slide the back half under his bottom. Bring the front part up between his legs. Fold the sides snugly — not tight — and fasten the ties on each side. Make sure nothing is loose or poking his skin.'
Lavayla nodded slowly.
"Alright. That sounds… manageable."
She picked up the baby, who immediately tried to grab her hair again. She redirected his hands, placed him gently on the blanket, and followed the system's instructions.
It was all awkward and clumsy as he consistently wiggled like a tiny, determined worm. But she managed.
"Ha!" she whispered triumphantly. "Diaper: done."
The baby kicked his legs proudly as if he agreed and she gave him a look but he continued to kick his legs anyway.
Shaking her head, she grabbed the cloth and turned to the baby.
"Alright, little man," she muttered with a smile, "let's get you dressed."
She carried him up, making him rest against her shoulder and he immediately tried to grab her hair again.
Lavayla wrestled her hair away, frowning as she complained, "Can you not grab my hair, there is nothing in there to play with, okay?"
Saying that, she attempted to slide his tiny legs into the openings. He immediately stiffened both legs straight like a plank.
Lavayla paused, looking at the baby, "…Why are you like this?"
She tried again. He kicked this time. The second she got one leg in, the other popped out. When she lifted him slightly to fix it, he twisted sideways like a slippery fish.
"Hold still," she hissed through her teeth as he wiggled, giggled, rolled, and absolutely did not hold still.
After nearly a full minute of battling, she managed to trap both legs in the suit.
"Ha!" She smirked, triumphant. "Got you."
The baby didn't care. He squealed happily and tried to chew her wrist as he drew it to his mouth.
Lavayla drew her hand away with a long sigh and tugged the outfit up carefully and guided his arms through the sleeves. The moment one little hand slipped through, he lifted it to his mouth and chomped down on the fabric.
Having expected that, she sighed again and carefully drew the cloth out of his mouth.
But his grip was strong as he gnawed determinedly on the sleeve like a tiny, hungry squirrel and she had to use more force to pull the sleeve out of his mouth then guided the last arm through before he could grab something else to chew.
Finally, she zipped the suit shut and sat back, exhausted.
But the baby—clean, clothed, warm—looked adorable. His big eyes blinked at her, and he gurgled proudly as if he had done all the hard work.
Lavayla exhaled, "There. You're dressed. And I deserve… I don't know, a medal."
After that, she lay down on the blanket, utterly drained, and watched the baby kick his legs. He smacked the floor, grabbed at air, squealed at absolutely nothing, and looked proud of himself the whole time.
A slow, heavy wave of drowsiness began creeping over her. Her limbs loosened, her breaths lengthened, and her eyes drifted half-shut.
Just as she was about to fully surrender to sleep, she forced her lids open long enough to check on the baby.
He was still wiggling happily, completely unaware that his caretaker was about to pass out right beside him.
"…Come here," she murmured, her voice thick with exhaustion.
She reached out, hooked an arm under him, and gently drew him closer. The baby allowed himself to be scooped up. She laid him against her arm, guiding his body to rest securely in the curve of her elbow.
Then she shifted onto her side, her other arm sliding over him, forming a protective little cocoon around his small frame.
'Host—' the system started.
"Alright, I'll take a nap. Wake me if I sleep too long…" she mumbled.
She didn't even wait for the response.
Before the system could nag, or warn her about "basic human survival routines," Lavayla yawned and drifted straight into sleep, curled around the baby.
The baby stared at her for a while then his eyes drooped before he also drifted into sleep.