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 2

One year after moving into their new home—

In the dark bedroom, a large bed sat under the morning sunlight shining through a small gap in the curtains, creating a pattern on Shinichi’s face as he slept. He didn’t seem to be waking up, as though he was dreaming of sunlight filtering through leaves. But reality would not allow him to continue enjoying such pleasant dreams.

His smartphone on the bedside table lit up, and Pachelbel’s “Canon” began playing from its speaker. Shinichi slowly woke up, turned off the alarm, and stretched as he got out of bed. The smell of breakfast was already drifting up from downstairs. Toast and coffee, perhaps? That scent quickly woke him up. He could also hear his wife Akiko and daughter Misaki laughing. At this moment in the morning, Shinichi felt surrounded by happiness. He reminded himself not to take this happiness for granted and gathered strength to work hard for the day.

As he walked down the stairs, Akiko greeted him from the kitchen with a smile.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Akiko.”

“Breakfast is ready, so go wash your face.”

“Will do.”

Akiko returned to the kitchen to warm up his breakfast, and Shinichi saw Misaki eating at the table when he passed by.

“Good morning, Misaki.”

“Good morning…”

Misaki answered sleepily, and when Shinichi glanced at Akiko, she gave a small smile. Misaki was now in fifth grade and starting to enter a difficult age. Shinichi understood this, and while it was a sign of growth, it was also a little complicated for a father. He continued on to the bathroom.

“You should say ‘Good morning, Dad!'”

“…”

Akiko gently poked Misaki, who blushed slightly but stayed silent, continuing to eat. She loved her father, but being this age made it hard for her to express it. Akiko seemed to understand and softly patted Misaki’s head with a smile.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

“Just leave it, it’s fine.”

“Okay, thanks. I’m off to school.”

“Have a good day.”

Misaki, wearing a light pink backpack, waved and headed for the door.

“Be careful with the car.”

Shinichi called to her as he came out of the bathroom. Misaki turned around and smiled shyly.

“Okay, I will. See you!”

With a small smile, Misaki left for school.

Shinichi sat down at the table, where breakfast was ready.

“You’re lucky she responded to you,” Akiko said.

“Yeah, but I’ll probably be ignored soon enough.”

“Well, as long as it’s just ignoring. Hehe.”

“Don’t scare me like that… but it can’t be helped.”

Shinichi gave a wry smile, and Akiko smiled back, but then seemed to remember something.

“Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure, what is it?”

Akiko spread out a supermarket flyer on the table. It was for a shop two stations away, a privately owned store that was surprisingly large and well-stocked. Shinichi sometimes drove there with Akiko for shopping. He thought she was asking him to pick up something heavy, but instead, she pointed to the job listings.

“Well, I was thinking of getting a part-time job.”

“Wait, is something wrong? Do we need more money? Are we short on living expenses or something for Misaki’s activities?”

Akiko quickly reassured him.

“No, no! Misaki is getting more independent, and I just want to get some fresh air. I thought maybe I could work during the day, but I won’t let it interfere with the housework.”

“I see. You’ve been doing so much around the house, so I’m fine with it.”

Looking around the kitchen, Shinichi saw no dust, no mess, and everything was spotless. He knew that he and Misaki were able to enjoy their home thanks to Akiko.

“Use the salary for yourself, okay?”

“Hehe, thanks! But I’ll save it for now. Maybe we can use it for a nice family trip and treat ourselves!”

“Sounds good. I’ll start saving too for a little secret stash.”

Their happy laughter filled the house during this peaceful morning moment before Shinichi went off to work.

In the supermarket office—

The small office, likely built as an afterthought in the back of a large supermarket, was about the size of a small room. There was a desk with a laptop and a folding table for meetings.

Akiko sat on a pipe chair, taking an interview with a man in his late thirties who had short brown hair. He was the supermarket manager and was holding Akiko’s resume.

“Takagi Akiko… is that right?”

“Y-Yes!”

He placed her resume on the table and looked up with a big smile.

“We’d be happy to have you work with us.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

“If someone as beautiful as you works for us, our sales will surely go up!”

“Well, you’re good at flattering people, manager!”

“No, no, I’m famous for being honest and not telling lies.”

Their laughter filled the office, and Akiko felt hopeful about working at this store with such a fun manager. The manager, too, smiled broadly, excited for her to join.

But Akiko didn’t realize the truth—

The manager’s expectations were filled with dark, malicious intent. His gaze was full of lust, like a predator eyeing its prey.