The day after their team's final submission to the competition, Ainz and Kira decided to take a moment to celebrate and unwind. But for Ainz, there was something more pressing on his mind. It had been months since he had last seen his parents. Now that the competition was over and everything seemed to be falling into place, it felt like the right time to introduce Kira to the people who had played such a pivotal role in his life.
As they sat together in the quiet of his apartment, Ainz turned to Kira with a thoughtful expression. "Kira," he began, "I've been thinking about something."
Kira, who was absently flipping through a sketchbook, looked up at him with curiosity. "What's on your mind?"
"I want you to meet my parents," Ainz said, his voice filled with sincerity. "They've been through so much to help me get to where I am now. I want you to understand why I am the way I am. And I think it's time you met them."
Kira's eyes softened. "Of course, Ainz. I'd love to meet them. They've been a part of your journey, and I want to know them—know you, even more."
Ainz smiled, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He had never been one to bring people into his personal life, but with Kira, everything felt different. She had become such an integral part of his world, and now he was eager for her to meet the people who had helped shape him.
The drive to his parents' home was filled with silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was more of an anticipation, an unspoken understanding between the two of them. Ainz stole glances at Kira as she sat beside him, her hand resting casually on the gearshift. Her presence beside him gave him a sense of calm, and he was grateful for that.
As they pulled up to the familiar, modest house, Ainz's heart skipped a beat. It had been years since he had been here, but everything looked just as he remembered. The small garden his mother had always taken so much pride in, the warm, inviting windows where they'd spent countless evenings together—it all felt like a piece of his past that was now, in some way, meeting his present.
Ainz turned to Kira, his voice quieter now. "This is it. My home growing up."
Kira gave him an encouraging smile, her hand gently resting on his arm. "It's beautiful, Ainz. I can see where you get your love for simplicity from."
He chuckled nervously before reaching over to open the door. "They're going to be excited to meet you."
Kira nodded, her smile still warm. "I'm ready."
As they walked up the familiar path to the front door, Ainz's heart raced. He had told his parents about Kira—how much she meant to him, how she had changed his life in so many ways. But this was the first time they were meeting her in person. The thought of introducing his worlds to each other made his stomach flutter.
His mother answered the door first, her face lighting up when she saw Ainz.
"Ainz!" she exclaimed, her voice full of warmth. She enveloped him in a tight hug, her arms wrapping around him like they always had when he was younger. "It's been so long. You look well, my son."
Ainz chuckled, returning the hug with equal warmth. "I've been good, Mom."
His father appeared in the doorway behind her, a warm but quiet smile on his face. "Ainz, good to see you," he said, giving his son a firm handshake.
"Ainz, it's so good to finally meet you," Kira said, her voice soft but full of kindness. She extended her hand to his parents, smiling warmly at both of them.
His mother's face lit up as she shook Kira's hand. "You must be Kira. Ainz has told us so much about you. Welcome to our home."
Ainz watched the exchange with a sense of pride, feeling a deep appreciation for how naturally Kira was fitting into his family's dynamic. He had always feared that his worlds—his life with his parents and his life with Kira—might not blend well together. But here, in this moment, he realized how wrong he had been.
After the formal introductions, his parents led them inside, where the familiar scent of his mother's cooking filled the air. The house, though small, had always felt like a home to Ainz. Every corner held memories—memories of struggles, of laughter, and of love.
As they sat down to dinner, Ainz's mother began to talk about the past, about their days in the town before they had moved to the city. She shared stories of how they had scraped by, working tirelessly to support Ainz's education. His father added his own quiet anecdotes about the sacrifices they had made, how everything they did was for Ainz's future.
Kira listened intently, her eyes soft as she took in their stories. She could sense the love, the dedication, and the sacrifices that had shaped Ainz into the person he was today. It was clear to her now just how much his parents had influenced his life—and how much of their struggle had contributed to his quiet determination.
As the evening went on, Ainz found himself laughing more than he had in years. His parents had always had a way of making him feel at ease, and Kira seemed to fit into their world effortlessly. The conversation flowed easily, with his parents asking Kira about her work and her background, and Kira sharing her passion for animation and how she had found herself drawn to the industry.
At one point, Kira turned to Ainz, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think your parents are a lot like you, Ainz. They're so kind and supportive."
Ainz chuckled softly. "They've always been there for me, even when I didn't believe in myself."
His mother smiled at him knowingly. "We always believed in you, Ainz. You've always had a quiet strength. It's what got you here."
Kira glanced at Ainz, her smile gentle. "I can see that. He's one of the most hardworking and passionate people I know."
Ainz felt a warmth spread through him as he looked at Kira. He realized how lucky he was—lucky to have both her and his parents in his life, both of whom had shaped him in ways he never fully understood before.
As the evening drew to a close, Ainz felt a sense of peace. He had spent so many years trying to protect his parents from his own internal struggles, but now, he understood that it was through their love and support that he had made it this far. And with Kira by his side, the future felt brighter than ever.
After they said their goodbyes, Ainz and Kira walked back to the car, their hands brushing together in the cool evening air. Ainz felt a deep sense of contentment settle over him, knowing that he had brought his two worlds together, and that they had been embraced by each other.
"I'm really glad you met them," Ainz said quietly, his voice full of gratitude.
Kira smiled up at him, her eyes soft and affectionate. "I'm glad too, Ainz. They're wonderful."
As they drove away, Ainz couldn't help but think about everything that had brought him here: the struggles, the sacrifices, and the people who had supported him along the way. He had never imagined that he would find a love like Kira's, or a sense of belonging with his parents that felt so complete. But here he was, surrounded by love and understanding.
And as the city lights flickered outside the car window, Ainz felt like his life had come full circle. He had found his place—right where he was meant to be.