She must have faced a lot of discrimination.
That was why she didn't like interacting with people.
That was why she preferred to be by herself...
The old man watched the child's expression change as she came to understand, then... even seemed to feel some sympathy? His face twitched slightly.
What had this child thought of?
Why did she look so sympathetic?
The old man was puzzled.
But he didn't ask.
At any rate, the child seemed to have accepted his explanation.
That was enough.
"Little Mango."
The old man made sure the child understood. "Then it's a promise."
"Uncle..."
The old man held out his pinky. "This is a secret between us."
"Okay?"
The child hooked her pinky around the old man's.
"Okay."
She nodded solemnly.
Pinky promise, sealed for a hundred years. No take-backs.
She wouldn't tell anyone anything about Uncle.
Not even Mom and Dad.
"Good girl."
The old man smiled and patted the child's head.
The child felt a little awkward and shy.
But she was also happy.
Only now did the child truly feel a hint of warmth from the old man.
She felt welcome and liked.
That made her happy.
Who wouldn't like being liked?
The child's parents arrived soon.
They looked at the somewhat dilapidated door of the general store, their brows furrowing even more.
They exchanged a glance.
The child's dad pushed the door open.
The inside of the store was much nicer than they'd imagined from what they could see outside.
It wasn't as dirty and messy as they'd expected.
On the contrary, the store was very clean.
Shelves filled the entire space.
They were packed with goods.
Yet it didn't look cluttered.
Instead, the place had a touch of mystery and novelty that