Instead of answering me directly, she simply offered a soft smile and said, "Why don't you head out for now and return to the dining room? Your girlfriends might start getting worried if you stay gone too long, you know? I'm going to remain here for a little while."
"Alright," I responded quietly, giving a small nod.
With slow, measured steps, I turned away from her and walked out of the room, the door clicking softly behind me as I pulled it shut.
***
Later that night, I found myself lying in bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. The dim light of the room cast long shadows across the walls, creating a quiet, almost nostalgic atmosphere. Due to the growing number of children in the orphanage, there hadn't been enough rooms to house everyone comfortably anymore. Because of that, we had decided to rent a small house just nearby to ease the burden.
