The Shape of Happiness: A Family Crumbling Due to the Mother's Infidelity, a Wounded Middle School Daughter, and a Struggling Father Finding a New Form of Happiness. - Episode 1

“The sky is so blue it almost hurts to look at it. Under the clear autumn sky, without a single cloud, lively voices echo through a neighborhood filled with houses.

“Alright, everyone! Are you ready? Oh, Sir! Stand behind your wife and daughter, in the middle. Now, gently place your hands on their shoulders. Yes, just like that! Perfect!”

In front of a small, newly built house with a nameplate reading “Takagi” by the door, a man in a navy suit, a woman in a beige knit dress, and a young girl in a gray hoodie and dark plaid skirt were standing together. The man and woman were likely a married couple, and the girl appeared to be their daughter. A photographer with a tripod camera was giving them directions. This family had just bought the house, and they decided to take a family photo as a memory of their move.

It was a picture-perfect happy family that made anyone smile.

“Come on, Dad, don’t be shy!”

Some neighbors had gathered to watch and were playfully teasing the father as he placed his hands on his wife and daughter’s shoulders. Laughter filled the area. The father, blushing, gave a shy smile.

(It’s a small house, but now I’m the master of my own home. I have to work hard to pay off the loan.)

This was Shinichi Takagi, in his early thirties, an average-sized man with short black hair. He was a section manager at a mid-sized trading company, a hardworking husband, and a caring father. He had saved diligently to afford this house, moving from a rental apartment to this new home. Though he now had a mortgage, he felt no regret—he was doing it for his beloved wife and daughter.

His wife, standing next to him, gently placed her hand over his on her shoulder and turned to smile at him.

(Thank you for always working hard for us, at work and at home. I’m so happy. I’ll take care of this house for us.)

This was Akiko Takagi, also in her early thirties, a petite housewife with medium-length light brown hair styled neatly inward. She was a dependable wife and mother. To help buy the house, she had been saving money carefully without making their daughter feel the strain. She appreciated Shinichi’s efforts and supported him wholeheartedly.

“Mom, Dad, stop being lovey-dovey in public!”

Their daughter teased them with a laugh, clearly enjoying the moment. Her cheerful voice made the parents laugh nervously. The neighbors joined in with laughter as well.

This was Misaki Takagi, their fourth-grade daughter. With a ponytail and a cute face that resembled her mother, she had grown into a kind-hearted girl thanks to her parents’ unconditional love. She admired how hard they worked for her and the family, even though she was beginning to enter an age where she sometimes acted a little difficult—especially toward her father.

“Takagi family, you’re spreading too much happiness!”

Even the photographer couldn’t help but make a playful comment, drawing more laughter from the crowd. The family, blushing and smiling, straightened up for the next shot.

In the camera’s viewfinder were Misaki on the right, Akiko on the left, and Shinichi standing behind them, with the “Takagi” nameplate and their house in the background. The photographer, determined to capture this moment of happiness, prepared to take the perfect shot.

“Alright, that’s great! Smile, everyone! Ready? Say cheese!”

Click.

“Let’s take one more! Smile! Say cheese!”

Click.

“Great job, everyone! Congratulations on your new home!”

The photographer offered his congratulations, and the gathered neighbors gave a big round of applause to welcome the family. Smiling, the family bowed repeatedly, thinking about their new life in this home and neighborhood.

But—

Shinichi and his family didn’t know yet. A small mistake, one moment of weakness, would cause their happiness to vanish like smoke. The family, once tied together by strong bonds, could crumble so easily. They couldn’t imagine the nightmare that was waiting for them.

The story of people chasing “the shape of happiness” was about to begin.