Ainz stood at the entrance of Kira's apartment building, his hands clasped nervously behind his back. The evening air was crisp, the kind of cool breeze that made you breathe a little deeper, a little slower, to calm your nerves. It was strange. For all the big projects he had tackled, for all the successes he had achieved, this moment felt different—more personal, more vulnerable. He was about to meet Kira's parents, and the thought made his stomach twist in knots.
He had never been one for big family gatherings, always feeling like an outsider. Growing up, his family had been small, their world always revolving around the struggles of daily life. But now, with Kira, things were different. He knew how much her family meant to her. He knew this was an important step in their relationship, and it mattered more than anything else. He wanted to make a good impression. He wanted them to see what Kira saw in him.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened, revealing Kira waiting for him with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. She was wearing a simple but elegant dress, her hair flowing around her shoulders. She looked beautiful, and it only made Ainz more nervous.
"Hey," she said softly, walking toward him. "Ready?"
Ainz nodded, forcing a smile. "I think so… maybe."
Kira chuckled, taking his hand in hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to be fine. My parents are really nice, I promise."
He gave her a sheepish smile. "It's not them I'm worried about… It's me."
She laughed again, her voice light and warm. "Well, just be yourself. That's all they'll expect."
The two of them walked together toward the apartment door, and Kira rang the bell. A moment later, the door swung open, and Ainz found himself face-to-face with Kira's parents for the first time.
Kira's mother, a woman with gentle eyes and a welcoming smile, stepped forward first. "Ah, Ainz! Welcome, welcome! It's so good to finally meet you. Kira's told us so much about you!"
Ainz felt a bit of the tension drain from his shoulders as she greeted him with a warm hug. Her presence was soothing, and he could feel the kindness radiating from her. "It's great to meet you too," he said, feeling a bit more at ease.
Kira's father, a tall man with a sharp gaze and a slight smile, extended his hand next. "Ainz, it's nice to meet you. Kira has spoken very highly of you. I've heard all about your work."
Ainz shook his hand firmly, his nerves still present but starting to fade. "Thank you, sir. It's an honor to meet you as well."
As they all stepped inside, Kira's parents led them into the cozy living room, which had the warm, welcoming feeling of a home filled with love. The furniture was comfortable and well-worn, and there were family photos on every surface. Ainz noticed pictures of Kira as a child, and even one of her as a teenager, standing proudly next to an art project she had worked on. It made Ainz smile—he had always known Kira was incredibly talented, but seeing the traces of her childhood dreams made her feel even more real to him.
As they sat down, the conversation flowed easily. Kira's mother immediately asked Ainz about his work, genuinely interested in his career and his thoughts on the animation industry. Ainz was a bit surprised by how interested they seemed, but it made him feel more comfortable. He talked about the projects he was working on, about the things he had learned and the creative challenges he had faced. It was clear that they weren't just asking to be polite—they genuinely cared about his life and passions.
Kira's father joined in as well, asking thoughtful questions about his goals and the path he had taken to get where he was. Ainz shared some of his story, his struggles growing up, and how he had always wanted to succeed for his family. There was something about Kira's parents—something about their warmth—that made him feel more at ease. It was like they were genuinely interested in him, not just as their daughter's boyfriend, but as a person.
After dinner, they all settled in the living room. Kira's mother brought out a dessert—a homemade apple pie, warm and fragrant—and the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They talked about travel, books they had all enjoyed, and funny stories from Kira's childhood. Ainz couldn't help but laugh at the stories Kira's mother told, especially the one about Kira getting into trouble for drawing on the walls when she was young. It was easy to see where Kira's artistic talent had come from.
Kira's father shared a few stories of his own from when Kira was younger, and Ainz listened intently, enjoying the glimpse into the world Kira had grown up in. It was clear that her parents had supported her every step of the way, and Ainz couldn't help but admire the strong bond they shared as a family.
As the evening wore on, Ainz felt his nerves fade completely. He was no longer an outsider. Kira's parents had made him feel welcome, like part of the family. They weren't just accepting him because of Kira—they were accepting him for who he was.
When it was time to leave, Kira's mother gave Ainz a warm hug and told him she hoped to see him again soon. Her father offered a firm handshake and a smile that held a quiet approval.
On the way home, as Ainz and Kira walked down the street, the warmth of the evening lingered between them. Kira looked at him with a soft smile, her eyes sparkling in the streetlights.
"How do you feel?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.
Ainz smiled back, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. "I feel… good. Better than I expected."
Kira laughed softly. "I told you they'd like you. They're easy to get along with."
Ainz nodded. "I can tell. They're great. You're lucky."
"I know," Kira said, squeezing his hand. "I'm glad you got to meet them. I think they really like you too."
Ainz's heart swelled with warmth at her words. It felt like another step forward, not just in their relationship, but in his life. He had finally found his place in the world—not just with Kira, but with her family as well. For the first time in a long while, Ainz didn't feel like an outsider. He felt like he belonged.
And that, in itself, was enough to make everything else seem brighter.