I used to be a normal kid.
When my mom passed away, I was only six. After that, my dad brought me to Japan so we could "start fresh."
Back then, I had no idea what kind of truth was waiting for me.
It had been one month since Mom's death.
One night, I woke up to the sound of voices outside my door. I quietly leaned closer and peeked through a small gap. My dad, my stepmom, and my stepsister—who was just a month younger than me—were whispering about something.
It took me a moment to understand.
They were talking about my mom's property.
Scene shift — Stepmom
"Huh… that woman really lived surrounded by luxury," my stepmom said, her voice sharp. She glanced at my dad.
"How pathetic that she fell for someone like you."
She laughed—a cold, mean laugh. My dad forced a smile and laughed with her.
My stepsister stayed silent, staring at the floor.
Back to me
My hands trembled. My eyes widened.
I stepped back, my mind spinning.
Why…? Why are they talking like that about Mom?
Anger, confusion, fear—they all crashed into me at once.
I ran back to my room.
I pulled the blanket over my head, trying to hold myself together.
"Why… Why are you doing this…?" My voice cracked as tears slipped out.
"Mom… Dad… why?"
The thought hit me so hard I could barely breathe:
My own father… he wasn't who I thought he was.
At some point, I cried myself to sleep.
A little later, the door creaked open.
My dad peeked inside, checking if I was awake. He smirked quietly, then whispered something to my stepmom before leaving.
Their footsteps faded.
My stepsister entered, muttering something under her breath with an irritated expression, then left again.
When the door finally clicked shut, I sat up, wiping my face.
From that night on… I knew I could only walk the path Mom left behind.
No father. No mother.
Just me.
Scene shift — Present
My name is Souko Haruto.
Yeah, yeah, I know the name sounds unusual. Mom picked it, so don't complain.
It's been eleven years since that night.
I live with my grandma now, in a peaceful apartment far away from all of that.
I'm seventeen.
Over time, I realized the truth behind everything. My dad had been manipulating things for years, and now he's in the US for some business deal.
I knew all that… and still chose to stay quiet.
Mom always said: "Leave bad memories behind."
So I try.
Anyway—good news—I do have a friend.
Kenji.
He's my best friend.
Rich, good-looking, the "perfect guy" according to half the girls in high school.
Pretty much the opposite of me.
Scene shift
"UWAH—Souko! SOUKO!!!"
My grandma's voice shattered my sleep.
"Uahh… Grandma, what is it…?"
"Wake up, you fool! You're going to be late!"
"Huh? Late? For wha—"
I froze.
"AHHHHHH! TODAY IS COLLEGE ORIENTATION!"
"Grandma! Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!"
She gave me a look like I had personally caused her life to be difficult.
"Haruto, here's your breakfast."
"Th—thanks… but I'm so LATE!"