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 19

In the suburbs, surrounded by scattered fields, an old house stood quietly. A dark purple compact car smoothly stopped in front of it. Stepping out of the car with a bag in hand was Shinichi, the husband of Akiko and the father of Misaki. He was wearing a suit because he needed to have a serious conversation with Akiko’s mother, Saori.

Misaki had witnessed her mother’s affair. The shock left a deep wound in her heart, making it impossible for her to return home. She was currently staying at her friend Aika’s house, but that couldn’t last forever. So, Shinichi decided to bring her to his mother-in-law’s house for now.

Rattle, rattle, rattle…

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, coming!”

A beautiful woman with long black hair appeared from inside the house. It was Shinichi’s mother-in-law, Saori. She was in her early fifties, at an age where wrinkles around the eyes and hands started to show. However, to Shinichi, she still looked youthful. When they first met, she had dyed brown hair and a sharp gaze that gave off a former delinquent vibe, but in reality, she had never been like that. With age, her gaze had softened significantly.

Saori greeted Shinichi with a warm smile, welcoming his visit.

“Shinichi-kun, welcome. Come on in, it’s a bit messy, but please make yourself at home.”

“Thank you. Excuse me.”

Shinichi was led to the living room, where he sat in a formal seiza position. Across the round low table, Saori sat facing him. Her smile slowly faded into a worried expression.

“I heard over the phone… You want me to take care of Misaki? What happened?”

“There’s been a problem…”

“A problem? Did you and Misaki have a fight?”

“No…”

Shinichi lowered his head. The sound of a passing car outside filled the silence for a moment. Then, he slowly lifted his head. Saori waited patiently for him to speak.

“The truth is… Akiko… is having an affair…”

“What? W-Wait a minute. An affair? Akiko…?”

“Yes… and Misaki saw it.”

“No way…”

“She witnessed it with her own eyes.”

Saori held her head in disbelief.

“Misaki saw Akiko while she was out driving. She noticed her… in the middle of an act… inside a car.”

“In the middle of an act? What do you mean…?”

“Misaki saw Akiko with her face buried in the lap of the man who was driving…”

Saori turned pale. She suddenly stood up and bowed deeply in front of Shinichi.

“Shinichi-kun, I am so sorry! I never thought my daughter could be so foolish! It’s my fault for raising her this way! I’m truly sorry!”

“Please, Mother, don’t do this! This isn’t your fault!”

Saori lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears.

“Shinichi-kun, you’re such a good husband, and Misaki is such a lovely daughter… What was she thinking?”

“I don’t know… Honestly, Akiko has been treating me and Misaki like outsiders for a long time. I think this is connected to that…”

“…Shinichi-kun, what do you want to do?”

Shinichi lowered his head again, looking apologetic.

“Misaki has been hurt because of this… I don’t see any other choice but to… get a divorce… I’m sorry…”

Shinichi clenched his fists so tightly on his lap that his knuckles turned white. Saori gently placed her hand over his and gave him a warm smile.

“I’m on your side, Shinichi-kun. I’ll take care of Misaki, so bring her over anytime. If you want, you can stay here too.”

“I can’t trouble you that much—”

“You know, I was always jealous of Akiko. I thought she was lucky to have such a kind husband.”

Saori cut off Shinichi’s words and continued speaking.

“On my birthday and Mother’s Day, you always made sure I got a present. You said it was from both of you, but I know it was really just you. Whenever I needed help, you were always there. I was really, really jealous of Akiko…”

“Mother…”

“Even though she had such a wonderful husband… Maybe it’s my fault for raising her this way…”

“That’s not true!”

Shinichi’s sudden loud voice startled Saori.

“Akiko is an adult. She’s not a child anymore. You don’t have to take responsibility for the choices she made as an adult. You gave everything to raise her the best you could. Please, don’t deny the life you’ve lived!”

Saori’s tears dripped onto the tatami mat.

Shinichi took her hand, which was still resting on his, and gently wrapped it in both of his own.

“You are a wonderful mother. There’s no doubt about that.”

“I’m sorry… Shinichi-kun, I’m so sorry…”

Saori lowered her head, crying as she kept apologizing over and over.

Shinichi, Misaki, Aika, and now Saori.

Another person had been deeply wounded. Akiko’s selfish actions continued to hurt those around her. Yet, she remained completely unaware, drowning in her own betrayal.

Through this, Shinichi realized once again how devastating infidelity could be.

“Shinichi-kun, are you prepared for the divorce?”

Saori let go of his hand and wiped her tears before asking with concern.

“Yes. I have footage of what happened in the car and video of her entering a hotel. However, the footage doesn’t clearly show the act itself, so I plan to hire a private investigator to gather solid evidence.”

“That’s a good idea. The divorce might go into mediation or court, and you need strong proof to secure custody of Misaki. The more evidence, the better.”

“I may cause some trouble for you during this process, but—”

“Even if you get divorced, don’t be a nuisance, okay?”

“Huh?”

“You’re like a son to me. So don’t hesitate to rely on me.”

“…Thank you so much.”

At that moment, Shinichi realized—

He had a strong ally.

As Saori gave him a warm smile, Shinichi felt strengthened in his resolve to break free from Akiko and move forward.