Chapter 77: I’m Not Available for Adoption!

A long time had passed since then.

Knock, knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the orphanage door echoed through the quiet space.

The people who knocked on this door usually fell into one of two categories.

Those who wanted to support the poor children with donations.

And those who carried their own stories and came seeking to adopt a child.

As I turned the doorknob with a familiar motion, I wondered which one this visitor would be.

“Yes, I’m coming—!”

I swung the door open.

And then.

“Gasp.”

The sight of the person standing outside made me momentarily forget to breathe.

A well-dressed middle-aged man.

Draped in fine silk garments that clearly indicated wealth, his face was adorned with the same gentle smile as always.

A familiar face.

After all, he was the kind-hearted man who visited every week to spend time with the children.

He was probably here to make a donation again or to play with the kids, as usual.

Thinking that, I began to speak.

“Oh… um, I’m sorry, but they’re all napping right now.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

The children were currently taking their midday nap.

Unfortunately, that meant they couldn’t play with him at the moment.

However.

The man shook his head, as if that wasn’t his reason for coming.

“That’s not why I’m here today.”

“Huh?”

Then… what did he come for?

“I’m here to adopt.”

Adoption?

Ah, I see.

I nodded in understanding.

Since he often visited the orphanage, he must have finally found a child he wanted to adopt.

Smiling brightly, I asked,

“Then you should’ve just said so from the start.”

Who was the lucky child this time?

This man wasn’t just wealthy—he was also a kind and respectable person.

If one of the children were adopted by him, they’d live a life without any hardships.

Feeling a sense of anticipation, I asked naturally,

“So, who do you want to adopt?”

And then.

Without the slightest hesitation, the man pointed at me.

“……”

“……”

“……Excuse me?”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

“Me?”

With a bewildered expression, I pointed at myself.

“Yes. I want to adopt you.”

Again?

I let out a deep sigh.

“I’m the head of this orphanage.”

The man’s eyes widened in shock.

“……?”

“I mean, I’m the director of this orphanage.”

The man suddenly fell silent.

His expression was as if he had just been struck on the head.

“No way, you’re joking, right?”

“No.”

I shook my head calmly.

Because it was the truth.

“T-That can’t be…”

The man mumbled to himself in disbelief.

At this point, I was used to this kind of reaction.

I let out another sigh.

I had lost count of how many times this had happened.

I had tried dressing differently to look older.

I even changed the way I spoke.

But none of it worked.

Well, considering I hadn’t grown a single centimeter in years, I guess it was inevitable.

Sigh.

The man still looked as if he couldn’t believe it.

Seeing his expression, I let out a small chuckle.

“What a shame. Try looking for another child.”

Even after hearing that, the man stared at me blankly for a while before finally nodding.

“Understood.”

With that, he quietly turned and left.

I watched his retreating figure for a moment, then let out yet another sigh.

How many times had this happened now?

I had been living as the head of this orphanage for quite some time.

Yet, for some reason, I was still constantly mistaken as someone eligible for adoption.

Do I really look that much like a helpless baby?

“Seriously… why does this keep happening?”

Muttering to myself, I closed the door.

And the moment I turned around—

“Teacher.”

A familiar voice called out.

I instinctively lifted my head.

One by one, the children emerged from their rooms, standing in the hallway and looking at me.

Each one of them was smiling.

“Did you get targeted for adoption again?”

Sua sighed as she walked up beside me, crossing her arms.

“Huh?”

I blinked at her in confusion.

And then, at that moment—

“It’s about time we take drastic measures. We can’t let this keep happening to Teacher.”

Harp calmly took my other arm, wrapping her hands around it.

“……Wait, what are you all doing?”

I flinched, instinctively trying to pull away—

But it was too late.

My arms were already trapped.

And then.

“Teacher, how long are you planning to live like this?”

Liel was the last to step forward, blocking my path.

She wore her usual gentle smile, but her gaze was deeper than ever.

“How many times do we have to say it?”

“Huh?”

“Teacher, you’re not going anywhere.”

Sua looked at me with a playful grin.

“And even if someone else comes wanting to adopt you—”

Harp quietly held my hand.

“We’re not leaving. And you’re not going anywhere, either. We’ll make sure of it.”

I instinctively held my breath.

“…You guys, don’t tell me—”

I couldn’t hide the unease in my voice as I glanced around.

But.

Their eyes told me everything.

This wasn’t a joke.

They meant it.

“Teacher, you can’t leave.”

“You have to stay with us forever.”

And finally, Liel whispered softly—

“So just give up on adoption, Teacher.”

Their hands held me in place.

There was no escape.

This was the same familiar orphanage.

But right now, it felt different.

I let out a deep sigh, finally accepting the inevitable.

Closing my eyes briefly, I slowly opened them again.

“……Fine.”

At last, I spoke.

Sua, Harp, Liel.

The children by my side.

No, they weren’t children anymore.

They had all grown taller than me, yet they still looked at me with bright, cheerful smiles.

But beyond those smiles, there was something else.

Something like thorny vines, wrapping around me, pulling me in with an inescapable intensity.

At that moment, I felt it.

I really couldn’t run away anymore.

I quietly gazed at them.

And then.

“Honestly, I never planned on leaving in the first place.”

I smiled lightly as I spoke.

For a split second, their eyes widened in surprise.

“What?!”

Sua shouted in an excited voice.

“I mean… at first, I thought that one day, all of you would go your separate ways. I’m the head of the orphanage, and you were all just residents. Eventually, I figured you’d leave. And besides… Sua, Liel—you both have places you need to go.”

I turned to look out the window, continuing softly.

“But as time passed, that thought started to fade.”

At some point, I couldn’t even imagine leaving this place anymore.

I had sent off so many children over the years.

Helped them find new families, wished them happiness in their new futures.

But.

“At the very least, I didn’t want you three to leave.”

The original three.

Harp, Sua, Liel.

I just couldn’t let them go.

I turned back to them with a small smile.

At that moment, all three of their faces flushed red.

“Teacher…”

Liel quietly held my hand tightly.

“So… does that mean you’re finally accepting it?”

Harp smiled gently as she spoke.

“Huh?”

“We’re going to live together forever now. Teacher and us.”

Sua placed her hands on her hips and confidently declared,

“So don’t worry about things like adoption anymore. Teacher already belongs to us!”

At her words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true.”

I quietly took their hands in mine.

And at last, I fully acknowledged it.

“I’m not available for adoption.”

The moment I said it, their faces flushed red once more.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow inside the orphanage.

I sat quietly, basking in the gentle warmth.

The peaceful atmosphere of the orphanage seeped deep into my heart.

The conversation I just had with Sua, Harp, and Liel replayed in my mind.

“I’m not available for adoption.”

Saying those words made everything feel settled.

For the first time, I truly understood where I belonged—

And who I was meant to be with.

And then.

Knock, knock.

Another knock on the door.

I let out a small laugh.

So many visitors today.

“Yes, I’m coming!”

I got up from my seat and walked toward the door.

By now, this motion was second nature.

Who’s going to try and adopt me this time?

I joked to myself as I opened the door.

And then.

“Eve!”

A familiar voice rang out, and in front of me stood a large, imposing figure of a man.

Despite all the years that had passed, his muscular physique remained unchanged, without a single wrinkle in sight.

“…Uncle?”

I blinked in surprise.

Standing at the door was none other than Alex.

A familiar face.

A reliable ally.

And even now, a frequent visitor who continued to help the orphanage.

“It’s been a while! What brings you here all of a sudden?”

I greeted him warmly.

But today, Alex had a strangely determined expression.

And then, he spoke slowly and clearly—

“Eve, become my child!”

“…Huh?”

I froze on the spot.

“What?! What did you just say?!”

Flustered, I waved my hands frantically.

No, wait.

All of a sudden?!

“W-What are you talking about? Uncle, this is a joke, right?!”

“It’s not a joke, Eve.”

Alex’s face grew even more serious.

“Eve, I love you! Become my daughter!”

“Y-You want me to be your daughter?!”

“That’s right!”

For a moment, I was at a complete loss for words.

There was no doubt.

Alex was a good man.

A devoted, warm-hearted adult who always looked out for the children.

But.

“Uncle, how many times do I have to say this?”

My answer had already been decided.

I let out a small chuckle and said.

“I’m not available for adoption.”