After I said that, Patrick's eyes dimmed. Fearing that he would misunderstand me, I smiled slightly and added, "Ever since my parents left me, I realized that what they said was right."

"Your parents..."

"They died in a flight disaster."

When I spoke, I had a calm look on my face. I was neither sorrowful nor sad.

It wasn't because I wasn't talking about my own matters.

Instead, it was because, before this, I had figured out how I should tell others if this matter happened to me.

I thought that with my character, I surely wouldn't cry or show too much pain.

Looking at me, Patrick was silent for...