Ankit’s mother carried him into another room.
At that moment, Ankit was happier than ever.
The entire house was decorated with beautiful flowers, and their sweet fragrance filled every corner.
As he looked around, he finally learned the layout of his new home.
So…
the house has two bedrooms, a dining hall, and a kitchen.
Not bad.
A moment later, his mother carried him into the garden, where everyone was already waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The instant Ankit stepped outside and his eyes met the open sky for the very first time…
An overwhelming feeling of excitement rushed through him.
Unable to contain his joy, he burst into cheerful baby giggles.
His innocent laughter immediately brought smiles to his parents’ faces.
“See?” his father said with a proud smile.
“Our son is so happy to be outside.” The next moment, Ankit’s mother suddenly began to cry.
“Y-Yes…” “You’re right…” “I was so worried something might be wrong with him.” “He never cried…
never laughed…
never played like the other babies.” “Every child in the neighborhood would cry, smile, and giggle…” “But our son…
he never showed any emotion.” Ankit’s father gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I told you not to worry.” “Our son is special.” “Everything will be alright.” Hearing their conversation, Ankit fell silent.
A wave of guilt washed over him.
Was I really that selfish…?
I’ve been so focused on my own thoughts that I never realized how much I was making them worry.
Of course they were concerned.
To them, I was just a newborn baby who never cried, never smiled, and never behaved like a normal child.
From today onward…
I’ll do the things a baby is supposed to do.
I’ll laugh…
I’ll cry…
And I’ll let them know that their son is growing up just fine.
I never want to see such kind people wearing expressions of sadness again.
From that day onward, Ankit began acting like a normal baby.
He laughed.
He played.
He happily crawled around the garden, filling the air with cheerful giggles.
His parents watched him with warm smiles, their earlier worries slowly fading away.
Then…
As Ankit’s eyes wandered across the guests gathered for the ceremony, his expression suddenly froze.
“…Huh?” Among the crowd, he noticed someone who didn’t look human.
She had the appearance of a beautiful young woman…
But her ears were long and pointed.
There was no mistaking it.
An…
elf?
Ankit stared at her in complete disbelief.
W-Wait…
Don’t tell me…
Is this actually one of those fantasy worlds from anime?
There’s really…
an elf standing right there!
I’ve only ever seen elves in anime and fantasy novels…
What am I supposed to do now?
Should I go talk to her…?
No…
wait.
Before he could think any further, his mother gently picked him up and carried him toward the group of guests.
And among them…
…stood the elf, smiling softly as she looked at him.
Carrying Ankit in her arms, his mother walked over to the guests with a bright smile.
“Everyone, look.” “This is my son.” “Isn’t he adorable?” The guests smiled warmly and began praising the little boy.
“He’s so cute.” “What a handsome child.” “Such bright eyes.” But Ankit wasn’t listening to any of them.
The moment he saw the elf standing nearby, he stretched both of his tiny arms toward her as if asking to be picked up.
The elf blinked in surprise before letting out a gentle laugh.
“Oh?” “You want me to hold you?” She carefully took Ankit into her arms.
The moment he was close enough, Ankit couldn’t hide his curiosity.
He reached out with his tiny hands, touching her cheeks…
her hair…
and finally her long, pointed ears.
His eyes grew even wider.
It’s real…
She’s actually real…
An actual elf…
This isn’t a costume or some kind of illusion.
She’s the genuine article.
Watching the scene, Ankit’s mother laughed softly.
“My little one, it seems you’ve taken quite a liking to Big Sister Rina.” “Come on now.” “Don’t trouble Rina any longer.” She gently took Ankit back into her arms.
Rina simply smiled and shook her head.
“Oh, it’s fine.” “He’s only a baby.” “Curiosity is only natural at his age.”