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 17

It has been two weeks since Kouzuki quit the store. Things are the same with my wife, Ryoko—we hardly see each other. Every night, dinner is prepared for me at home, but it feels sarcastic, so I never touch it. I only go home to sleep. Instead, I spend my time working in the store’s office or decorating the sales floor.

And then—

Knock, knock.

“Yes, come in.”

Click.

“Excuse me… Manager, did you call for me…?”

It was Koyanagi, a part-time worker. She has medium-length black hair, a slim figure, and is in her mid-thirties. She is married.

“Yeah, have a seat.”

“Okay… Um, did I do something wrong?”

“Oh! No, no! It’s nothing like that! I was just a little worried…”

“Worried?”

“You seem really down… Is something bothering you?”

“Uh… No, I don’t have any problems at work.”

“Then… is it something at home? Maybe about your husband? Oh, sorry! I shouldn’t have asked that!”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”

“I haven’t seen your cute smile lately, so I got really worried.”

“Cute…? Me…?”

“Yeah, your smile always gave me energy!”

Koyanagi clenched her fists tightly on her lap. I gently placed my hand over hers.

“What happened? Can you tell me?”

“…My husband is cold to me… He says I’m disgusting…”

“He said that…?”

“Lately, he comes home late… and his suit smells like women’s perfume…”

“I see… That must be tough. I can’t do much, but… you can cry as much as you want.”

Koyanagi leaned her head against my chest and started sobbing. I gently stroked her head.

Gotcha.

I couldn’t stop myself from grinning.

I didn’t think she’d fall for it so easily. Husbands these days don’t seem to know how to take care of their wives. They wound their women so deeply and go about their lives as if nothing happened. Because of that, there are so many broken women out there.

And I take advantage of that.

“Hey, Manager. How many part-time workers here are housewives like me? And in this store, you are the king.”

Kouzuki’s words kept replaying in my mind.

That’s right. I am the king of Super Matsunaga. I’ll make these women my concubines. I will save these poor, broken women who have been hurt so deeply. And in return, they will comfort me—the man who lost his perfect family forever. It’s a win-win, isn’t it?

“Koyanagi, let’s go out for a meal. I know a great yakitori place. My treat.”

Koyanagi, who had been crying against my chest, looked up at me with teary eyes.

“I want to see your cute smile.”

She smiled and nodded happily.

I can’t rush this. First, I need to earn her trust. I’ll take her out to eat, listen to her complaints, shower her with compliments… Then, when the time is right—I’ll make my move.

I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her tears with a smile.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

A few weeks later—

“Manager… I don’t have to go home early tonight…”

“Koyanagi… I see. But we can’t fall in love, okay?”

“I know… But just for now, can you love only me…?”

“…Okay. I promise. I love you, Koyanagi.”

After our third dinner together, Koyanagi and I spent the night together.

The hotel near the interchange, away from the restaurant. The moment we entered the room, I passionately kissed her. On the bed, as I relentlessly sought Koyanagi, she continued to moan in ecstatic pleasure.

Too easy—

That was my honest thought.

I’m not particularly handsome. I have some money, but I’m not rich. If I were after younger women, they wouldn’t even look at me. But my “kingdom” is filled with wounded women. If I carefully press on their emotional wounds, I can make them mine. And the thrill of stealing another man’s woman—tainting her body and heart—makes the pleasure even stronger.

Koyanagi, clinging to me, kissing me, will go home in the morning as if nothing happened. She will smile at her husband and say, “Take care,” as he leaves for work.

Her clueless husband, having no idea that just hours ago she was moaning in my arms, will respond, “Yeah, see you later,” with a relaxed smile.

Just imagining it sends shivers of excitement down my spine. I feel the urge to burst into laughter.

Is this what they call a man’s instinct?

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

Three Weeks Later —

It has been three weeks since I first slept with Koyanagi. Our relationship has continued. I have no intention of stopping unless she does.

Knock, knock.

“Yes, come in.”

Click.

“Excuse me, Manager. Did you need something?”

It was Okubo, another part-time worker.

“Sorry for calling you suddenly. I just noticed that you’ve seemed down lately, so I got worried.”

I give in to my desires.

I want to forget about Ryoko.

I want to erase everything.

And that hopeless wish drives me to seduce another woman—