Leon felt a surge of panic and nervousness.
He didn't want his mother to see Ria. He didn't want his mother to know about his system. He didn't want his mother to ask any questions.
He tried to act casual and said.
"Hi, mom. Thanks for the snacks. But you don't have to come in. I'm fine."
His mother looked concerned and said.
"Are you sure? You sound a bit strange. Is everything OK?"
Leon nodded and said.
"Yeah, everything's OK. I'm just a bit tired. I was studying for a test."
His mother smiled and said.
"That's good. I'm proud of you for working hard. But you should also take a break sometimes. You need to relax and have some fun."
Leon smiled and said.
"I know, mom. I will. Don't worry."
His mother nodded and said.
"OK, then. I'll leave you alone. But if you need anything, just let me know. I love you, honey."
Leon smiled and said.
"I love you too, mom."
He took the tray of cookies and milk from his mother and closed the door.
He sighed in relief and said.
"That was close."
He looked at Ria and saw her curious and confused expression.
She asked in a low voice.
"Who was that?"
Leon explained.
"That was my mother. She's the person who gave birth to me, raised me, and loved me. She's my family."
Ria asked in a low voice.
"What is she doing here?"
Leon explained.
"She lives here with me. This is our home. This is where we sleep, eat, and do other things."
Ria asked in a low voice.
"What are those things on the tray?"
Leon explained.
"Those are cookies and milk. They're food from my world. They're sweet and delicious."
Ria asked in a low voice.
"Can I try them?"
Leon nodded and said.
"Sure, why not?"
He put the tray on his bed and took a cookie.
He broke it in half and gave one piece to Ria.
He said.
"Here, try this."
Ria took the piece of cookie and sniffed it.
She said in a low voice.
"It smells good."
She bit it and tasted it.
She said in a low voice.
"It tastes good."
She ate the rest of the cookie and licked her lips.
She said in a low voice.
"I like it."
Leon smiled and said.
"I'm glad you do."
He took a glass of milk and drank some of it.
He offered the glass to Ria and said.
"Here, try this too."
Ria took the glass of milk and sniffed it.
She said in a low voice.
"It smells weird."
She sipped it and tasted it.
She said in a low voice.
"It tastes weird."
She drank some more of it and swallowed it.
She said in a low voice.
"I don't like it."
Leon shrugged and said.
"That's OK. You don't have to like everything."
He took the glass of milk back from Ria and drank the rest of it.
He said.
"It's good for you. It makes you strong."