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 38

It was early afternoon in a suburban residential area. The town still had some farmland scattered around, giving it a peaceful atmosphere. Among the houses stood an old, worn-out house. The wooden fence surrounding it was aged and had many gaps, making it not very effective as a privacy screen. In front of the house was a small, dark purple car. It was Shinichi’s car.

“Shinichi, Misaki, welcome!”

“Thank you for having us…”

“Grandma, starting today, please take care of us!”

“Come in, come in!”

A month and a half had passed since the day of judgment. Shinichi and his daughter Misaki, who had been living in a monthly rental apartment, had now moved into the house of Saori, the mother of his ex-wife, Akiko.

“Excuse us for intruding!”

Misaki eagerly stepped into the house, but Shinichi hesitated at the entrance, looking somewhat guilty.

“I’m sorry for imposing on you, Mother-in-law…”

“What are you talking about? I told you before, didn’t I? That you’ve been through enough trouble. Have you eaten lunch?”

“Yes, we ate on the way. Thank you, Mother-in-law.”

“Hmm… ‘Mother-in-law,’ huh…”

“?”

“I’m not your mother-in-law anymore, so call me by my name.”

“W-What? No, that’s a bit…”

Misaki peeked out from the living room.

“Dad, just call her by her name. Grandma would be happier that way, right?”

“Fufu.”

Although she was called ‘Grandma,’ Saori was a beautiful woman who didn’t look like she was in her fifties. Even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes added to her charm.

Blushing at Misaki’s words and Saori’s smile, Shinichi hesitantly spoke.

“U-Um… Saori-san…”

“Yes?”

“P-Please take care of us from now on…”

“Of course, Shinichi.”

Shinichi’s face turned red, but there was also a hint of sadness in his expression. Saori noticed that something was off.

“Hey, Shinichi.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“You seem different. You look down, like you have no energy…”

“……”

Shinichi looked pained and remained silent.

“Did something happen?”

“…No, nothing…”

It was clear he was carrying something heavy in his heart, but he didn’t share it with Saori. She assumed he was still struggling with his feelings for Akiko and didn’t press further.

“…Alright, I understand. But if there’s ever anything, please talk to me. I’ll always listen.”

“Saori-san… Thank you…”

Saori gently patted Shinichi’s shoulder to encourage him.

“Standing here won’t do us any good. Go wait in the living room. I’ll make some tea.”

Shinichi placed a hand over his chest and stepped into Saori’s house.

Sitting next to Misaki in the living room, he faced Saori across the low tea table. Taking a sip of hot tea, he asked her something that had been on his mind.

“Saori-san, um… What happened to Akiko?”

For a moment, Saori’s expression darkened, but then she sighed as if she had given up on something.

“I cut ties with Akiko. She is no longer my daughter.”

“I see…”

Saori said this without hesitation.

“She cried and screamed the whole way home that day… She finally realized how foolish she had been and how much she had hurt you and Misaki.”

“She finally realized…”

“I held back for so long… I knew there was no point in scolding her if she wouldn’t reflect or regret her actions… But after bringing her home, I finally snapped. I yelled at her and hit her over and over again. I told her, ‘There are things in this world that can never be forgiven, no matter how much you apologize. And you did one of those things.’”

Saori clenched her fist tightly on the table.

“Saori-san…”

“I gave her one month to find a job and a place to live. I told her to leave as soon as possible… As my last act as her mother, I gave her 500,000 yen. And then… I told her, ‘You are no longer my daughter.’ I cut ties with her.”

A single tear fell onto the table. No matter how terrible Akiko’s actions had been, she was still the daughter Saori had carried in her womb and raised with love. Shinichi could only pray that Akiko understood the depth of her mother’s pain.

Sensing Saori’s sorrow, Misaki hugged her. Saori trembled, letting out quiet sobs—it was heartbreaking to see.

Still, she forced herself to smile and lifted her head.

“Misaki, thank you. I should be the strong one, but I ended up like this. I’m sorry.”

“Grandma, don’t push yourself too hard. You have me and Dad now.”

Seeing Misaki’s gentle smile, Saori nodded with a smile of her own.

“Saori-san, we are family now. If you ever need support, lean on me. I promise to make you both happy.”

But both Misaki and Saori looked dissatisfied with Shinichi’s words.

“Dad, that’s not right.”

“Huh? Not right?”

“Shinichi, happiness isn’t one-sided. You have to share it with each other to be a true family.”

“That’s right, Dad. If you’re the only one working hard, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Shinichi, I will support you too.”

“Just because I’m in middle school doesn’t mean you have to hold back! I can support you too, Dad!”

Don’t worry—we’ll support you.

Feeling their warmth, Shinichi’s heart was filled with emotion.

“Let’s build our own family together and create our own happiness.”

Both Misaki and Saori nodded with bright smiles.

And so, the three of them started their journey toward a new happiness. Each had been deeply hurt by their wife, mother, and daughter, but together, they would find a new way forward. The lingering sadness in Shinichi’s heart slowly faded, replaced by hope.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Saori looked surprised at the unexpected visitor.

“Oh? Who could it be? Coming!”

She quickly walked to the entrance.

“Oh my, welcome! Shinichi, come here for a moment!”

Hearing the joy in Saori’s voice, Shinichi went to the entrance. There stood a woman with short black hair, wearing a white blouse and a soft blue long skirt. Her simple and neat appearance gave off a sincere and clean impression.

When she saw Shinichi, she smiled gently and bowed deeply.

“Shinichi, I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

Shinichi returned her smile just as warmly as Saori.

“Welcome to our home, Ryoko.”

It was Ryoko, the ex-wife of Atsushi—Akiko’s affair partner.