"Have some more, dear," Mrs. Iriana said as she offered me the sweet and sour shrimp she had intentionally cooked for me. I was already full, but with this much attention, I felt hungry again. Seriously.

I couldn't remember when was the last time I received such attention from a motherly figure in my life. Sure, there was Granny Sumi. She always cared for me, but it still felt different, right? Granny Sumi had to work at her little shop to make ends meet for us. The small shop was inherited from my grandfather, who passed away when I was three years old.

I also felt my long hair being...