Before my parents passed away, they left me with some advice.
"Don t let others see what you re thinking or feeling."
"Always hide yourself. Be an adult."
They were always honest with others. While honesty can be a strength, in society, it often turns into a weakness.
My parents were straightforward and never hid their thoughts. Because of that, they suffered many losses.
Perhaps they didn t want to pass that trait down to me. Even on their deathbeds, they worried about me. Following their last wishes, I have always lived my life hiding myself.
I always greeted others with a smile. Even when speaking to a child, I made sure to use polite, respectful language.
Believing that my gaze could reveal my thoughts to others, I even avoided showing my eyes. That s how I ended up living with my eyes half-closed.
People said they felt uneasy because they couldn t tell what I was thinking, but I didn t mind.
As my parents had wished, I always lived behind a mask, hiding my true self.
Maybe that s why.
You! This is all your doing, isn t it? All of this was part of your grand plan!
Haha, I m sorry, but I have no idea what you re talking about…
Don t bother feigning ignorance! You re the mastermind, aren t you?!
At some point, I found myself in another world, being accused of being the mastermind.
I m not a mastermind.
I just like to play small, harmless pranks now and then.