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 22

Saori’s House—

Shinichi and his mother-in-law, Saori, sat facing each other across a low table in the living room. Both wore serious expressions. On the table, a thick file lay open—the result of the private investigator’s surveillance on Akiko.

Shinichi spoke first.

“This is everything.”

Saori was silent, unable to find words for her daughter’s disgraceful actions.

“I also saw the video footage taken inside the car,” Shinichi continued.

“In the car…? How shameless…”

“The man wasn’t wearing a condom.”

“Shinichi-kun… really…”

“Please, Mother, don’t apologize. I have no intention of letting this go. They will face severe consequences.”

Saori met Shinichi’s determined gaze and nodded slowly in agreement.

“Then we’ll gather more evidence and strike all at once. Please take care of Misaki for me, Mother.”

“Of course. Stay strong.”

Saori placed her hand gently over Shinichi’s.

There was still a bond here—

Shinichi clasped her hand in return, feeling the warmth of her touch. It gave him a sense of relief deep in his heart.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

In a quiet residential neighborhood, one house stood out—surrounded by high walls, larger than the others. It had the appearance of wealth.

Near the entrance, a deep purple compact car pulled up smoothly. A man in a suit stepped out, checked the nameplate, and rang the doorbell.

“Yes?”

A woman’s voice came through the intercom.

“I apologize for the sudden visit. My name is Shinichi Takagi. I’m here to speak with Mrs. Matsunaga regarding her husband Atsushi’s affair with my wife. I understand this is unexpected, but I wanted to meet you in person.”

“What?! P-please wait a moment! (click)”

Shinichi checked the nameplate again.

Matsunaga.

Click. Clack. Rattle.

The front door opened, revealing a woman with short black hair—Ryoko, the wife of Atsushi Matsunaga, the store manager involved with Akiko. Her face was tense with worry.

“T-this isn’t something we should talk about outside… please, come in.”

“I’m sorry for showing up so suddenly.”

Shinichi followed Ryoko into the house.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

A few hours later, that evening—Shinichi’s home.

Click.

Akiko returned home.

“So this is Akiko’s house, huh?”

“What a pathetic little place, isn’t it? This is all my useless husband could afford.”

Atsushi, her lover, had followed her inside. Apparently, he snuck out of the store and was brought here by Akiko.

“Are you sure your husband won’t come home?”

“He said he’d be late again tonight. Lately, he’s been coming home late.”

“Coming home late?”

“Well, I’m usually home later than him—because you never let me go.”

“So your husband is working away, completely clueless? What a fool. What about your daughter?”

“She stays over at her friends’ houses a lot.”

Akiko had no idea that her husband was actually on leave from work, or that their daughter Misaki was at her grandmother Saori’s house.

Atsushi wrapped his arms around Akiko from behind.

“Then I can take my time loving you.”

“Hehehe… Not just me—fill this tiny house with your presence, too…”

Atsushi smirked.

“I’ll erase all the memories of every room—the living room, the bedroom…”

“Let’s do it in my daughter’s bed too.”

“Akiko is such a bad mom. Hehehe.”

“She needs to be punished for being such a brat. Hehehe. Come on, hurry…”

“This thrill is just irresistible… Alright, first, the marital bedroom.”

“Hurry—fill everything with you.”

They climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered the bedroom. The moment they stepped in, Atsushi pushed Akiko onto the bed and began tearing off her clothes. Her phone slipped from her pocket and fell onto the floor with a dull thud.

“I love you, Akiko.”

“Oh, Atsushi… I love you too…”

Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.

Akiko’s phone vibrated on the floor, but lost in their passion, neither of them noticed.

In the dimly lit room, the phone’s screen glowed faintly.

The caller ID read: Incoming Call – Mother

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Why isn’t she picking up?! At a time like this?!”

Back at home, Saori gritted her teeth, holding her phone in frustration. No matter how many times she called, she couldn’t reach Akiko.

She hung up and quickly dialed another number. Holding the phone to her ear, she spoke in an urgent tone.

“Please… pick up…! Ah! Misaki-chan?! Where are you?! Still at school?! Listen carefully and stay calm… Your father… he collapsed at work—”