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 52

Misaki lost her sense of purpose after discovering that her mother, Akiko, had an affair and that she was not biologically related to her father, Shinichi. Without a foundation to stand on, she decided to create her own version of happiness from scratch.

When she moved into the house of Saori, Akiko’s mother, Misaki’s heart was already broken. She was searching for her own “shape of happiness,” but she had no clear idea of what that meant. She was simply happy to be living with Shinichi and Saori. She wanted to help Shinichi build the happiness he envisioned. To her, that was the only way to regain her lost sense of self.

However, everything changed with the arrival of a visitor—Ryoko, the ex-wife of Atsushi, Akiko’s affair partner.

This visit marked the true beginning of everything for Misaki.

Although Misaki did not know Ryoko’s name, she had heard from Shinichi that the wife of Akiko’s lover had suffered greatly. That day, as Misaki observed Ryoko and Shinichi, she sensed that neither of them held any resentment toward the other.

The first person to notice that Ryoko was planning to end her own life was not Saori. It was Misaki.

As she left the house to go shopping, she turned to Saori and said:

“Grandma, keep an eye on Ryoko. If she gets what she wants from Dad, she might try to die.”

Saori was shocked by Misaki’s words, but she decided to take them seriously.

At that moment, Misaki’s plan was set in motion.

Late that night, with nothing left to keep her going, Ryoko left the house, searching for a place to die. Just as Misaki had predicted, Saori was startled but managed to stop Ryoko and talk her out of it.

In the darkness, Misaki watched the scene unfold. As her plan progressed just as she had hoped, she smirked to herself.

Early the next morning, Misaki approached Shinichi.

“Dad, can’t Ryoko live with us? She must be lonely by herself. Do you dislike her? I really like kind and serious people like Ryoko. And you don’t hate her either, do you? If you let her leave now, you might never see her again. Please, talk to her.”

Moved by Misaki’s words, Shinichi took action. As a result, Ryoko joined their household as the fourth member of their family.

“The cast is complete… Fufufu.”

Misaki’s plan was progressing smoothly.

As the ferris wheel cabin slowly descended, Misaki continued explaining her plan. She spoke calmly and matter-of-factly, while Akiko listened in silence, trying to steady her emotions.

“So, now you have three people as your family…”

“With more people, things feel livelier.”

“I… I also—”

Misaki burst into laughter at Akiko’s words.

“Hahahaha! You actually think you can be part of the family? How ridiculous! You’re so stupid! Ahahaha!”

Despair spread across Akiko’s face.

“Do you really think you can be forgiven for what you did? How dumb can you be?”

“Ugh…”

As if satisfied with Akiko’s suffering, Misaki smirked down at her. Slowly, her expression changed into something close to ecstasy. It was a look far from normal.

Misaki’s plan was not yet complete.

Because of Akiko’s affair, Misaki’s heart had been utterly shattered.

To protect her, her mind activated its last line of defense.

Reality itself was the source of her pain. So her mind made a decision.

If reality was unbearable, then she should live in another world instead.

The world Misaki chose, after losing her very identity, was—

—Madness.