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 34

How did it end up like this?

A light metallic blue compact car, driven by Saori, was moving through a suburban neighborhood. In the passenger seat sat Akiko, staring blankly at the scenery passing by outside the window.

Three days ago, Akiko faced the consequences of her affair. Instead of receiving alimony and child support as she had expected, she now had to pay them herself. While she was allowed to keep the house and land, she also inherited the remaining mortgage. Even after selling the property, the debt was not fully covered. In total, she now owed nearly five million yen, including alimony payments. On top of that, she had to make monthly child support payments.

Afterward, Shinichi handled the sale of the house and land. Since Akiko couldn’t afford to pay Ryoko’s alimony, Shinichi covered that as well. He also temporarily took on all of Akiko’s debts and responsibilities. It was decided that once Akiko secured an income, she would repay Shinichi in installments every month. Everything was due to Shinichi’s generosity, yet Akiko failed to fully grasp the extent of his kindness.

Now, Akiko was living with her parents. However, Saori hadn’t spoken a single word to her since taking her in. Alone in bed, Akiko kept whispering to herself, “How did it end up like this?” She still couldn’t accept reality.

“Akiko. We’re going to pick up your things tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

That was all Saori had said to her. And now, after changing her clothes, Akiko had been placed in the car. Their destination: the house she used to call home.

Inside the car, neither mother nor daughter spoke. As they approached a major terminal station, a luxury hotel came into view through the window.

(This is where it all started…)

Akiko remembered how Atsushi, her former lover and supervisor at her part-time job, had confessed his love to her at this hotel’s restaurant. He had convinced her to sleep with him, promising it would only happen once.

“I love you.” “I need you.”

Those words had once made her heart tremble. Now, they felt empty and meaningless. She had truly believed it was real love. But it had all been a lie. On the day of judgment, Atsushi had called her nothing more than a public toilet. The sting of those words still crushed her from within.

The car moved onto the highway, heading toward the residential area where her former home was located.

Along the way, a run-down love hotel, designed to look like a castle, caught her eye.

“Rest – 3,000 yen~ / Stay – 5,000 yen~”
“12-hour Free Time – 4,000 yen~”

It was the cheap love hotel where she and Atsushi frequently went using the supermarket’s company car. The castle-like building was old and deteriorating. The rooms were nothing special. Yet, every time she went there with Atsushi, she imagined herself as a princess being escorted by her prince in a magical carriage.

Looking at it now, she felt disgusted. This was where they had taken explicit photos and videos. Atsushi had told her how beautiful she looked, and she had believed him. But now, if she saw those images again, she would only see herself as the public toilet he had so cruelly described.

As the car entered the residential area, they passed by a prefectural nature park.

She had met Atsushi there many times, making love in the backseat of his car. At first, the thrill of doing something so forbidden had excited her. Eventually, she had even started suggesting it herself. She hadn’t cared if anyone saw them. In fact, she had wanted people to witness their true love.

Now, overwhelmed with regret, Akiko averted her eyes and hung her head.

Saori pulled the car to a stop in front of a house. It was the house Akiko had once lived in.

Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to step out. She had ruined this home. She and Atsushi had defiled it.

“Shinichi and Misaki will be inside watching you. Get your things and leave immediately. Don’t interact with them more than necessary.”

Akiko remained frozen. Her hands clenched into fists on her lap, sweat running down her back.

“Hurry up and go!”

Saori’s sharp voice made her flinch.

Click.

Akiko stepped out of the car, carrying a large travel bag. Slowly, she walked toward the entrance of what was once her home.

Her trembling hand reached for the door handle.