As Ross walked back home from the doctor’s office, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. For the first time, he was deeply contemplating life and its fragility. When he reached the usual spot where John and Roy were distributing water, he observed the line of people with their empty bottles. He quietly watched the expressions of helplessness and hopelessness on their faces. He thought that once they received the water, their faces would light up with happiness. But to his surprise, nothing changed. Their expressions remained dull and lifeless. Ross realized that providing these basic necessities would not bring true happiness; it would merely delay the inevitable sadness.
As he stood there, deep in thought, he noticed a girl in the line. Unlike everyone else, she had a simple smile on her face. She was standing in line but, unlike the others, she wasn't sad. She was playing with her empty bottle along with some small children, making them laugh. This sight inspired Ross. Staying happy, he realized, was a choice. Even without resources, it was possible to find joy.
That night, Ross couldn't sleep. He didn't want to tell anyone about his diagnosis because he wanted to live his remaining life in enjoyment, without being constantly reminded of his condition. As he lay in bed, the image of the smiling girl kept coming back to him. He thought that if she could stay happy, why couldn't everyone else? Why couldn't they just accept their fate and enjoy the time they had left? This applied to his own condition as well.
With a newfound determination, Ross decided to remain anonymous. He put on a mask and went beyond the palace walls, determined to spread happiness. He banged on people's gates in the middle of the night, waking everyone up. As they gathered, confused and irritated, Ross appeared before them and said, "Hey, you don’t know me, but my name is Laugh Hero. I am organizing a sports tournament for all of you!"
At first, the crowd shouted at him, calling him stupid for disturbing their sleep. Ross felt disappointed, but then he heard a sweet voice from the crowd asking, "Oh really? On what day? Would badminton also be played? Finally, something exciting!"
He responded enthusiastically, "Yes, yes! We'll see you tomorrow," and silently slipped away.
As he reached the end of the wall and started removing his mask, someone called out, "Hey, Laugh Hero!" He turned immediately and saw the same girl, Emily. He tried to put the mask back on, but she said, "Don’t worry, I won’t reveal your identity. I don't even know your name." They both started laughing.
Ross then asked Emily how she managed to stay happy despite the circumstances. Emily shared her struggles and explained, "In physics, there's a saying that 'potential can't be defined at a point, but only the change in potential can be measured.' Just like happiness—it's not the things that bring happiness, but the changes you make that bring joy. So, I just try to make situations better, and that brings happiness to me."
Ross felt at peace listening to Emily. She made him feel calm and understood. For the first time, he opened up about his condition. Emily didn't respond with pity as he had expected. Instead, she excitedly said, "Gosh, you have only six months left? Don’t waste it! Do everything that's possible!"
At that moment, Ross realized he was in love with Emily. Her perspective on life, her strength, and her joy despite everything moved him deeply. With his eyes filled with tears, he said goodbye to her and walked away, determined to make the most of the time he had left and to spread the same joy and hope that Emily embodied.
The next day, Ross stepped out as Laugh Hero again, with his face covered. This time, to his surprise, people were excited to see him. Finally, someone had come not just to help them but to live happily with them. Everyone, especially the kids, enjoyed the sports tournament. That same day, John and Roy arrived with their water containers, but this time the scene was different. People were not rushing towards them with sad faces; instead, their faces showed a feeling of satisfaction.
The day went well, and just as Ross was about to leave, someone called out, "Hey, Laugh Hero!" He turned around and immediately knew who it was—Emily. She approached him and said, "Outside the walls, there are places to explore too." She then took him to a hill where fireflies lit up the dark. Ross was surprised to see such a beautiful place existed. They roamed around and eventually sat down, talking about life.
As they sat there, the moment became magical, and they kissed. Ross felt butterflies in his stomach, an amazing feeling he had never experienced before. He went home that night with a sense of joy and a list of targets for the next day.
The following morning, as he stepped outside, he was shocked to see Emily and her family moving their belongings into a house inside the palace walls. He was stunned because Emily had told him about their financial struggles.
