Prelude.

The moment the shopkeeper on the second floor turned off the light and disappeared into the room, the window of the toy store creaked open, just enough for a finger’s width.

It was a rather narrow gap, and a small whisper could be heard along with the wind from the street, not enough to be considered the work of a thief.

[Are we good?]

[Just wait a moment.]

[Hurry. The toys are waiting for us.]

A faint, strained voice could be heard, and through the slightly wider gap, a small fairy wearing a pointed blue hat appeared.

The fairy, with a cute face, carefully looked around, then easily hopped over the thick wooden window frame, fluttering its tiny wings.

In the quiet interior, only the sound of the fairy’s wings flapping could be heard.

[Let’s go.]

Followed by the fairy, the stealthy fairies wearing colorful hats poured in. Mischief danced on their rosy faces.

As the giggling fairies scattered, carrying shimmering baskets, the dark interior began to glow with a rainbow of colors.

The fairy with the fastest wings flew to the second-floor door, confirmed the owner was lying on the bed, and signaled the others below with outstretched arms.

Seeing the signal, the fairies flapped their small wings and poured bright yellow stardust, taken from the wooden baskets at their sides, over the display shelves.

The fine powder drifted and seeped into the wooden train, the delicate porcelain dolls, and the expensive velvet-clad plush toys.

[Alright, now it’s your turn.]

As the giggling fairies disappeared, the toy-covered in stardust began to stir and come alive, one by one.