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 47

Akiko slowly made her way to the Ferris wheel platform. Misaki, who had arrived earlier, did not look at her. Instead, she stared at the slowly rotating Ferris wheel.

“Two passengers! Please proceed to the next gondola!”

A young female attendant spoke cheerfully. However, even she could sense that something was off between Akiko and Misaki. Are they a mother and daughter with a complicated past? she wondered.

Clank.

“Please, step inside this gondola!”

Following the attendant’s guidance, Akiko and Misaki entered and sat facing each other. The attendant confirmed they were seated and then—

“Enjoy your 15-minute ride! Have a safe trip!”

Clank.

The door locked, sealing the gondola into a closed space.

From that moment, Misaki stared at Akiko, her face completely expressionless.

The bright and innocent little girl Akiko remembered was gone. Misaki had grown into a beautiful young woman rather than just a “cute” girl. It made sense—she was about to graduate from high school. It was natural for her to have a more mature presence. Her outfit—a thick black hoodie, gray pants, and white sneakers—was the only thing that still carried a trace of the girl she used to be.

“Misaki, how have you been?”

Summoning her courage, Akiko spoke.

“…………”

But Misaki said nothing.

“You’ll be graduating soon, right? Have you decided on your future plans?”

“…………”

“Are you going to college? A vocational school? Or starting work?”

“…………”

The conversation was completely one-sided.

As the Ferris wheel continued its merciless rotation, Akiko finally got to the heart of the matter.

“Misaki… about what happened five years ago… I’m truly sorry.”

“…………”

“I must have lost my mind back then. I can’t believe I did something so terrible.”

“…………”

“For these past five years, I’ve deeply regretted my actions. I’ve lived in shame, reflecting on what I did.”

“…………”

“I betrayed you and your father… I’m truly, truly sorry.”

Akiko lowered her head deeply.

When she slowly lifted it, Misaki’s expression remained unchanged.

Feeling the bond with her daughter slipping away, Akiko became desperate.

“Misaki… please… forgive me… I beg you…”

She pleaded for Misaki’s forgiveness.

Finally, after watching her mother without emotion, Misaki spoke.

“Is that all?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if that’s all you have to say.”

“What do you mean…?”

Akiko was confused by Misaki’s words.

“Think carefully about what you’ve done.”

Akiko reflected on her past mistake—her affair. It was true that she had hurt Misaki deeply. But she had paid alimony and child support, and she had just clearly apologized.

What else is there?

Akiko had no idea what Misaki meant.

“Is there something you should realize?”

“W-What? What are you talking about?”

For the first time, a faint expression appeared on Misaki’s face—one filled with hatred.

Seeing it, Akiko panicked.

But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t figure out what Misaki meant.

Misaki let out a small sigh and gave a bitter smile, as if she had finally given up.

“I see… now I understand.”

“U-Understand what…?”

“You don’t even realize it yourself.”

“I don’t… realize?”

“Exactly. That’s why you can sit there with such a straight face.”

“W-Wait, Misaki, what do you mean? I really don’t understand.”

The hatred in Misaki’s eyes grew stronger.

Akiko instinctively shivered.

“I have something I want to ask you.”

“Y-Yes! Ask me anything, Misaki! I’ll answer whatever I can!”

But the words that came out of Misaki’s mouth made Akiko freeze in shock.

“Who is my real father?”