The morning sunlight streamed through the orphanage window.
I had woken up a little early, preparing for a new day.
Suddenly, last night’s visitor came to mind, and I wondered if he would return today.
Just then—
Knock, knock.
A sound came from the orphanage door.
Tilting my head in curiosity, I walked toward it.
“Oh, could it be that person from last night already…?”
That’s what I thought— but what greeted me was entirely unexpected.
Standing at the door was a scruffy-looking girl with unkempt blonde hair sticking up in all directions.
Her face was smudged with dirt, and her clothes looked tattered.
But more than anything, what stood out the most were her large, sparkling eyes.
They shone with an unusual liveliness, radiating boundless energy.
“This is the orphanage, right?”
She stared straight at me as she asked.
I was momentarily taken aback but soon nodded and answered.
“Yes, that’s right. But… who are you?”
The girl placed both hands on her hips and confidently declared.
“Me? I’m an orphan! So, can I stay here?”
My eyes widened in shock.
“What? You can’t just ask to live here out of nowhere—”
Before I could finish, the girl beamed brightly.
“But it makes sense, doesn’t it? This is an orphanage, and I’m an orphan, so it’s a perfect fit!”
Her bold attitude left me momentarily speechless.
Yet, there was something oddly compelling about her bright, straightforward gaze.
“Well, still… suddenly showing up like this—”
I scratched my head, unable to find the right words.
Just then, Sua’s voice rang out from inside.
“Teacher! Who’s at the door?”
Sua glanced between me and the girl before her face lit up with curiosity.
“Huh? What’s this? A little kid? What are you doing here at this hour?”
The girl’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Sua.
“You live here too? Wow! This really is a real orphanage!”
Sua frowned and objected.
“An orphan? No way! I’m special! I’m not like you!”
The girl, completely unfazed, extended her hand with a bright smile.
“Oh, I see! Well, anyway, nice to meet you. I might end up living here too!”
Sua, looking flustered, didn’t take the offered hand and instead turned to me.
“Teacher, is she really trying to live here?”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“For now, let’s bring her inside. We should at least hear her out first.”
Hearing that, the girl beamed.
“Knew it! Orphanages really are warm and welcoming! Alright, I’m coming in!”
I opened the door and led her inside, guiding her to the reception room.
As soon as she stepped in, she excitedly ran around, looking all over the place.
“Wow, this place is so cozy! Can’t I live here? I promise I’ll be good!”
I let out a small sigh and asked,
“Hold on. First, what’s your name? And why did you come all the way here?”
The girl shot her hand up confidently and answered.
“My name is Liel! I don’t have parents, and since this is an orphanage, I came here. That’s all!”
Hearing the name Liel, I froze for a moment.
There was something about it—something special.
I couldn’t quite explain the feeling, but it was there.
“Wow, amazing! This orphanage is huge!”
Liel continued to explore the room, still grinning brightly.
Watching her energetic enthusiasm, I shook my head slightly and smiled.
“Liel, it’s true that this is an orphanage, but that doesn’t mean you can stay here just because you showed up. There are a few things we need to check first.”
Liel raised an eyebrow, her face full of curiosity.
“Check? What do you mean? Don’t tell me there’s some kind of test? If it’s a test, I’m totally ready for it!”
Hearing that, Sua shook her head vigorously and cut in.
“What test? There’s no test.”
Liel clapped her hands and exclaimed.
“Then it’s decided! I’ll live here!”
Startled, I raised my hand to stop Liel.
“Wait a minute, Liel. It’s not that simple. We need to learn more about your situation first.”
Liel tilted her head and asked.
“My situation? Hmm… Well, I’m an orphan, and I don’t have a place to stay. Doesn’t that make me a perfect fit?”
I hesitated at her words.
She wasn’t wrong—everything she said was true.
But as the head of the orphanage, I knew that accepting a child wasn’t just a matter of having space.
“Liel, where have you been staying until now? Do you have any family or a guardian?”
Liel lowered her head for a moment but soon answered in a bright voice.
“Nope! But that’s okay! I’ve been doing just fine on my own! And now, this place can be my home—my family!”
Her bold attitude left me momentarily speechless.
Sua, watching with interest, asked,
“But seriously, where did you come from? Did you get lost or something?”
Placing her hands on her hips, Liel proudly declared.
“Nope! I heard rumors that this was an orphanage, so I came here on my own! That’s totally different from being lost!”
That statement made it clear—she was a strong-willed child.
Even so, that didn’t mean I could accept her right away.
“Liel, it’s still early in the morning, so let’s take our time and talk things through. Whether you can stay here is something we all need to consider carefully.”
For a moment, Liel looked a little disappointed, but she quickly regained her smile.
“Got it! Then I’ll spend the day here and show you all why I should stay!”
Amused by her optimism, I chuckled softly and nodded.
“Alright. First, let’s get you a warm meal. You must be hungry.”
Liel’s eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly.
“Yes! I’m super hungry! I bet everything here tastes amazing!”
Watching her excitement, Sua let out a small laugh.
“The food here is delicious. The meals Teacher makes could put top chefs to shame.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration… Anyway, Liel, let’s go. I’ll take you to the kitchen.”
With an excited look, Liel followed me, glancing around every corner of the orphanage as we walked.
In the kitchen, I placed a warm bowl of soup in front of Liel.
It wasn’t ABC soup—just a simple pumpkin soup I had made for breakfast.
After making soup so many times, at least this one didn’t end up looking like some strange, boiled fruit disaster.
A true improvement.
Hehe.
Liel took the bowl, her eyes sparkling as she gave a small bow.
“Wow, this looks delicious! Thank you, Teacher!”
“Eat slowly, or you might choke.”
Liel paused for a moment, then grinned brightly.
“Don’t worry! I’m really good at eating on my own!”
And with that, she eagerly started devouring the soup.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but wonder how difficult things must have been for her before she got here.
“Liel, you must have been really hungry. But… how did you get all the way here?”
With her mouth full, Liel nodded vigorously, then swallowed before answering.
“Yeah, I walked a lot. But an old man I met on the road told me there was an orphanage here. So I came looking for it.”
I nodded and carefully asked,
“Then… your family… when did you lose them?”
Liel froze for a brief moment. But soon, she smiled brightly again.
“Hmm… To be honest, I don’t really remember. I’ve been on my own since I was little. But it’s okay! I’ve grown up strong, haven’t I?”
Something about her cheerful response made my heart ache.
She seemed to be trying not to let her past weigh her down, but I could still sense the loneliness hidden underneath.
“…Wasn’t it hard? Being alone?”
“It was tough. But I think that’s why I became stronger! And thanks to that, I was able to find this amazing orphanage!”
I smiled and said,
“Well, from now on, you won’t be alone. This place might become your home, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
Liel’s face lit up as she nodded eagerly.
“Really? Then does that mean I can stay here?”
“We’ll take it one step at a time. We need to see if this place is the right fit for you— and if this is truly what you want.”
Just then.
Soft footsteps entered the quiet kitchen.
From beyond the doorway, Harp appeared.
“A voice I don’t recognize… Teacher, what’s going on?”
Harp paused when she spotted Liel.
Her calm eyes studied the girl in silence, almost as if scanning her.
“Oh, Harp. This is Liel. She’ll be staying here for a little while.”
Harp slowly nodded as she approached Liel.
“Hello. I’m Harp.”
Liel’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at Harp.
“Wow, you look so cool! Do you live here too?”
Harp gave a small nod.
“Yes. I live here with Teacher. But… why did you come here?”
Liel grinned and answered cheerfully.
“Just because I’m an orphan! And since this is an orphanage, it seemed like the perfect place!”
Harp gazed at Liel in silence, deep in thought.
Then, after a brief pause, she smiled slightly and said,
“I see.”
Watching the two of them, I glanced back and forth between them and smiled faintly.