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 39
On the first day that Shinichi and Misaki started living in Saori’s house, they had an unexpected visitor. Ryoko, the ex-wife of Atsushi, Akiko’s affair partner, arrived at Saori’s home. Both Saori and Shinichi warmly welcomed Ryoko.
Ryoko was led into the living room.
“Oh my, what a lovely daughter! If I remember correctly, your name is Misaki, right? Nice to meet you, I’m Ryoko.”
Misaki was surprised by the sudden visit of a woman around her father’s age.
“Y-yes. My name is Misaki… Um, who are you?”
Ryoko sat next to Saori, directly facing Shinichi and Misaki. Seeing Ryoko struggling to answer Misaki’s question, Shinichi stepped in to help.
“She’s a friend of your father’s, someone I got close to because of recent events.”
“Oh… I see. I’m Misaki, nice to meet you.”
Being quick-witted, Misaki immediately understood what kind of person Ryoko was from Shinichi’s words.
“Misaki, you’re adorable and very mature. I’m sure Shinichi is proud of you.”
“Thank you. But I’m actually quite a handful…”
Misaki shot a sharp glare at Shinichi, who smiled awkwardly.
“D-a-d!”
“See? She bullies her father like this.”
Laughter filled the living room.
“Shinichi, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“No, Ryoko, you’ve been through a lot too.”
“You encouraged me when I was crying, telling me to ‘hang in there until the end’ and ‘lean on me when things get tough.’ You even helped me financially. I really can’t thank you enough.”
“So, Shinichi, you’ve been supporting Ryoko all this time?”
“I wouldn’t call it support, but we stayed in close contact.”
Ryoko started speaking happily.
“Shinichi is truly amazing! Whenever I was struggling, feeling hopeless, and about to break down, he would always reach out. ‘Ryoko, are you okay?’ he’d ask. He even came to check on me in person when he was worried. I wouldn’t have been able to fight without him.”
Saori smiled warmly as she listened to Ryoko.
“Hehe, Ryoko, you sound so happy talking about Shinichi.”
“Huh?! No, it’s not like that—”
Misaki also grinned mischievously at Ryoko.
“‘Shinichi is truly amazing!’—you said it yourself. Good for you, Dad. Hehehe.”
“M-Misaki! That’s not what I meant—”
“Ryoko, your face is bright red!”
“Um, well…”
“Dad is single now, you know! Ryoko, this is your chance!”
“Hey, Misaki! Don’t tease adults like that!”
Ryoko’s face turned redder with each passing moment. Saori and Misaki watched with amusement while Shinichi hurriedly tried to change the subject.
“So, Ryoko, what brings you here today?”
“Oh, I heard from Shinichi that you’re moving in here today. Since you shared your address with me, I wanted to come and greet you.”
“I see. Thank you for going out of your way. Since that day, Misaki and I have been staying in a monthly rental apartment. Were you staying at your family’s home?”
Shinichi expected Ryoko to smile, but instead, she forced a bitter one, looking troubled.
“Um… I was kicked out of my house…”
“What?!”
Shinichi was even more shocked. He couldn’t understand why a grieving daughter would be thrown out. Saori and Misaki exchanged glances.
“But your parents told you to come home, didn’t they?”
“Well, I’m in my mid-thirties now, and they said since I probably won’t get married again, I should leave…”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense…”
Ryoko couldn’t even force a bitter smile.
“They said they wanted to distance themselves from me since I won’t be giving them any grandchildren… After spending some time with me, that’s the conclusion they reached.”
The room fell silent.
Shinichi, Saori, and Misaki were speechless. How could parents say such cruel things to their own daughter?
Shinichi knew about the abuse Ryoko had endured from her ex-husband, Atsushi. She had been stripped of her dignity as a woman for years, and just when she finally escaped, her own parents trampled on her dignity again.
He had no words for the sheer hopelessness Ryoko faced.
“…Ryoko, what will you do now?”
“I found a job while staying at my parents’ house. The company has employee housing, so I plan to live there.”
“I see…”
The living room fell silent. Misaki, unable to stand the tension, clapped her hands loudly.
“Hey! Looking at it another way, this means there’s no one left to put Ryoko down! Your future is bright, Ryoko! Let’s celebrate your new beginning!”
Puffing out her chest confidently, Misaki made Ryoko burst into laughter.
“You’re right, Misaki! We’ve all started walking new paths. Let’s cook up a feast!”
“Grandma, great idea! I’m all in!”
Misaki cheerfully raised her hand.
“Ryoko, can you stay for a while today?”
“Yes, Shinichi. May I join you for dinner?”
“Of course!”
Shinichi smiled warmly.
“Alright, I’ll go grocery shopping. Misaki, will you come with me?”
“Yes!”
“Oh, then I’ll—”
“Ryoko, stay here and keep Shinichi company.”
“Yeah! Get closer to Dad!”
“Misaki! What are you saying?!”
“Shinichi, we’ll take our time shopping. We’ll be back by evening.”
“Ryoko, this is your chance! You seem like a great person, so I totally approve as his daughter! Dad, do your best!”
“Misaki! That’s enough! Saori, not you too!”
Laughing, Saori and Misaki headed out for shopping.
Left alone, Shinichi and Ryoko sat in silence.
They could hear the sound of a car passing outside.
“Um… Ryoko, sorry about my daughter’s strange remarks.”
“No, it’s fine…”
“Misaki seems really excited lately… Please don’t mind her.”
“………”
Ryoko didn’t respond.
“Ryoko?”
“…Is it okay if I do mind?”
Ryoko slowly stood up and began unbuttoning her blouse—
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