CHAPTER 3: THE PRICE OF A PALACE BUILT FOR OTHERS
THE FINAL DAY
October 12, 6:32 PM
Swayam Kiryuin sat in his favorite armchair, the one he'd bought secondhand fifteen years ago. The upholstery was worn thin where his shoulders rested. On his lap lay an open book—The Unbearable Lightness of Being—borrowed three weeks ago and never finished.He reading it and then feel dizziness and think i should rest for a minute and His reading glasses had slipped down his nose.
On the side table:
· A half-empty glass of water (tap, not filtered)
· That month's hypertension medication (still sealed)
· A single photograph: the family at Satoshi's wedding three years ago and he thinks how fast time flies well it's ok
In the photo, everyone was smiling. Miyuki in a designer dress she'd made, Takumi with his arm around Emi, the parents looking proud, the grandchildren bright-eyed. Swayam wasn't in the picture. He'd been the one taking it.
His last conscious thought wasn't profound. It was practical: 'I should call Mom at 4 tomorrow. Don't forget.'
Then a pressure bloomed in his chest—not sharp, but deep, like a weight he'd been carrying for fifty-seven years had finally settled in one place. His breathing hitched. The room tilted slightly.
He didn't fight it. There was no panic. Just a quiet, final recognition: 'Ah. So this is it.'
He closed his eyes. Not to sleep. To rest.
For the first time in his life, Swayam Kiryuin put himself first.
THE DISCOVERY
October 13, 10:00 AM
Takumi called about Sunday dinner. No answer. Unusual—Swayam always picked up by the third ring.
2:00 PM
Miyuki texted about a fabric sample. "Aniki, which blue—sapphire or cobalt? You have the better eye." No read receipt.
4:30 PM
Their mother Yuriko, 76, put down her knitting. "Swayam always calls by 4. Something's wrong."
A cold dread settled in the Kiryuin household.
5:15 PM
Takumi stood outside Apartment 304 with spare keys. His hand shook. 'Don't be stupid, Aniki's probably just asleep. Or his phone died.'
He opened the door.
The apartment was immaculate, as always. Spotless floors. Everything in its place. And there, in the armchair…
"Aniki?"
Silence.
Takumi approached. Saw the peaceful expression. The slight smile. For a wild moment, he thought: 'He's resting. Finally resting.'
Then he touched his brother's hand.
Cold.
The world fractured.
---
THE 18 REVELATIONS
Day 2: Funeral Home
1. The Wallet
The funeral director handed over personal effects. Miyuki opened the worn leather wallet:
· ¥8,420 in cash
· Company ID: Tanakawa Corporation - 34 Years Service
· Library card: Last borrowed The Unbearable Lightness of Being
· Behind the health insurance card: A folded, yellowed photo of Akari at 20, smiling in a sunflower field
· In a special corner compartment: Another photo—a beautiful woman with sharp eyes and silver hair, looking away from the camera. Takumi whispered, "That's… his CEO? The one who moved abroad?"
· A note in his handwriting: "Medication refill - 15th. Call Mom - Sunday 4 PM. Miyuki's anniversary gift - ordered."
2. The Apartment
32 square meters. Rent: ¥85,000/month. View: Concrete wall. Decor: Family photos (all of them), one bookshelf, minimal furniture.
Miyuki traced the frame of their parents' 50th anniversary photo. "He always said it was 'cozy.' It's a box. We gave him boxes for birthdays and he lived in one."
3. The Financial Records
Lawyer's presentation:
· Savings: ¥842,367
· Life Insurance: ¥50,000,000 → Beneficiary: Miyuki Kiryuin,Takumi kiryuin
· Retirement fund: ¥0 (cashed out 12 years ago)
· Will: Entire estate to "Family Education Fund"
Takumi's hands shook. "He had nothing. We have homes, businesses, investments. He had nothing."
4. The Medical File
Dr. Emi accessed records, her professional composure crumbling:
· Hypertension, diagnosed age 34, poorly controlled
· Mild heart attack, age 44, untreated
· Insomnia, chronic
· Last note: "Patient declined stress test due to cost. Stated 'family comes first.'"
Emi, a cardiologist, whispered: "I'm a doctor. My own brother-in-law died of preventable heart disease and I never noticed."
5. The Box Under the Bed
A simple cardboard box:
· Every birthday card they'd ever given him (56 total)
· Miyuki's first fashion sketch, age 6
· Takumi's elementary report card: "Needs to apply himself"
· Parents' 50th anniversary photos
· A sealed envelope: "Things I Wanted to Do"
6. The Phone
Last messages:
· Draft (unsent): "To everyone: Don't worry about dinner Sunday. Feeling tired. Love you all."
· Last received: Miyuki: "Thanks for the fabric advice! You always know best!"
· Last call: To mother, Sunday 3:58 PM
· Browser history: "Is loneliness a cause of heart disease?" (Searched 3 days prior)
7. Saito-san's Visit
Retired HR director, 68: "He trained 47 managers. Wrote letters that changed lives. When offered early retirement at 50, he said no. 'My niece wants to study abroad. I need five more years for her fund.' He was the only one who save me whn I am in a big false scandal and my wife got heartattack he save us and our relationship and prove my truth and save me i really can't repay him he is the one because of whom my family till now happy and together."
8. The Landlord
"Kiryu-san paid rent 34 years, never late. Every December he'd ask if rent was increasing. When I said yes, he'd nod: 'My sister's business is doing well. That's good.' Last month, he asked about renewing for five more years. I thought… he'd live forever." He pay me more when my husband has kidney problem and my son has a accident and my relatives don't even look at us and say they are busy but he help us .
9. The Scholarship Letter
Miyuki found it in his files: Tokyo University Business Program - Full Scholarship - DECLINED. Dated the week their father was hospitalized.
10. The Bank Transfers
Takumi matched them to his wedding costs, his business bailouts, his children's tuition whn he is in big debt and struggle. Every major expense in his life—paid by Swayam.
11. The Emails
Work email, accessed by his assistant:
· To Miyuki's investor: "My sister has unparalleled talent. I'll personally guarantee..."
· To Takumi's scammer's lawyer: "My brother was naive, not dishonest. Here's repayment..."
· To Hana's sponsor: "Please consider my niece. I'll cover any fees..."
· Draft to himself: "Today I saw a couple in the park. They were my age. Holding hands. I wish one day someone come to my life too"
12. Mrs. Tanaka
Neighbor, 82: "He helped with groceries every Thursday. We'd have tea. Last week he said, 'My niece's business launched successfully.' I asked if he was proud. He said, 'I'm relieved.' Like his job was finally done."
13. The Medical Bills
Neatly filed:
· Parents' hospital bills (PAID)
· Satoshi's childhood treatment (PAID)
· His own unpaid cardiology consult (Note: "Can wait. Mei's startup needs seed money next month.")
14. The Calendar
Every date marked:
· Birthdays (theirs)
· Anniversaries (theirs)
· School events (their children's)
· Medical appointments (parents')
· His birthday: One word: "Working."
15. "Meals for One"
The only cookbook. Notes:
· "Too salty"
· "Miyuki would like this"
· "Made double, gave half to neighbor"
· Last page: "Maybe I'll learn proper ramen. If I have time."
16. The Phone Log
Notebook by the phone:
· "Mom - called, 15 min, she sounded happy"
· "Takumi - business going well"
· "Miyuki - new collection approved"
· "Mei - got A on exam"
· No incoming calls. Only outgoing.
17. The Last Receipt
Grocery store, day before:
· Jasmine Tea (mother's favorite)
· Chocolates (for niece's visit)
· Fruits
· Instant noodles (for himself)
· Cashier's note: "Regular customer. Always buys gifts for others. Never anything just for himself."
18. The Final Note
On the refrigerator:
1. Call plumber for Mom's sink
2. Transfer Mei's funds - 15th
3. Miyuki's fabric sample arrives Tuesday
4. Dad's medication refill
5. Schedule days off for Hana's concert
6. Alone.
The last word was circled. As if he'd been staring at it.
THE FAMILY'S COLLAPSE
Miyuki's Breakdown (Day 3, 3 AM)
Her design studio, filled with silk and dreams. She screamed at her reflection: "I named my company Kiryuin Couture! I thought that honored him! He was living in a box eating instant noodles so I could have this!"
She threw a bolt of French lace—worth more than his monthly rent—across the room.
Her husband Shinji held her as she sobbed. "He never let us see. He was too good at hiding it."
Takumi's Realization (Day 4)
Going through work files, he found the early retirement paperwork from 12 years ago. Reason for declining: "Family obligations."
That was the year they renovated their house. Added the extension. The sunroom his wife wanted.
Takumi stared at the signed form. "We paid for the renovation with his retirement. He said he 'had a good investment.' We believed him."
Parents' Agony (Day 5)
Yuriko arranged photos. Found one of Swayam at 7, smiling widely with a missing front tooth. "He stopped smiling like that at 18. I noticed but thought… he's mature. He was carrying us." She hold that photo to her heart.
Haruto, 78, stroke survivor, sat in Swayam's old room. For hours. Then whispered his first coherent words in a week: "My son. My good son."
The Younger Generation
· Satoshi (28): "He analyzed my portfolio for three hours. I bought him lunch. He ordered the cheapest thing. I should have known." His wife cry and say he say you are not outsider you are family and don't feel lonely ok.
· Hana (26): "He left his own retirement party to come to my competition. I won. He missed his speech."
· Mei (18), holding the ¥50 million insurance check: "My business launched with his death money. How do I spend this?"
· Kaito (20): "He helped with my research paper until 2 AM. I got an A. He looked tired. I thought… work stress."
---
THE FUNERAL (Day 7)
Attendance: 347 people
Colleagues from five decades. People he'd trained. The thief-turned-employee Kaito, sobbing. Neighbors they never knew he helped. Distant relatives.
Miyuki's Speech
She stood at the podium, dressed in black, holding the crumpled photo of him at 7.
"My brother was… my brother was…"
Fifteen seconds of silence.
"I can't. He was everything. And we gave him nothing."
She walked away.
Takumi's Turn
"He saved me seven times. From fraud, from bad decisions, from myself." His voice broke. "Who saves the savior?"
The Company President
"Swayam Kiryuin trained 20% of our management. His improvements saved ¥2.3 billion. His last review: 'Quiet but indispensable.' We offered director three times. He declined: 'Family commitments.' We thought he meant he was busy. He meant… he was busy taking care of everyone else."
Kaito's Testimony
The former thief, now a father and working in swayam's former company in logistics, stood trembling.
"Three years ago I broke into his home to steal. He don't beat me or call police he see first my face, then asked why. When I told him about my pregnant wife… he called his lawyer. Paid her bill. Got me a job. Saved my family. Asked for nothing. Three years ago… my son was born." He laughed and say don't named him after me name him after a great man but in my life he is greatest man ever.
He looked at the coffin. "I named my son Swayam."
Silence. Then weeping.
---
THE AFTERMATH
The Empty Chair
Sunday dinners continued. They set his place. Every week, someone would forget: "Pass this to Aniki." Then silence. Then they think we forgot our pillar gone but he doesn't leave us helpless but strong and respectful
Miyuki's Collection
"Foundation." All shades of grey, beige, white. Notes: "For the unseen structure that holds everything beautiful up."
Takumi's Fund
"Swayam's Fund" - 20% of profits to single caregivers. First recipient: a 52-year-old man caring for aging parents, who'd postponed his own life.
The Apartment
They paid rent for a year. Couldn't empty it. Miyuki would sit there sometimes. Found taped inside a drawer:
Birthday Wish List - Age 10
1. Baseball glove
2. Trip to beach
3. Piano lessons
4. Happy family
The Calculation
One evening, they calculated it:
· Monetary value given: ~¥186 million over 36 years
· Opportunities sacrificed: 7 career advances, 5 relationships, 3 educations
· Health traded: 12,000+ overtime hours, 4 undiagnosed conditions
· Family outcomes: All prosperous, healthy, happy
· Personal outcome: Alone, in a rented box, wondering if it was enough
Haruto looked at his children and grandchildren. "We were his happy family. That's the only one he got."
The true cost of their happiness settled on them like a physical weight.
---
ONE YEAR LATER
· Mei's business donated its first million to caregiver support
· Hana composed "For the Quiet Heart" - piano piece that made audiences weep
· Satoshi's first child: "Swayam Tanaka"
· Miyuki opened the sealed envelope
Things I Wanted to Do:
1. See the northern lights
2. Learn to dance
3. Fall in love
4. Be someone's first priority
5. Feel needed, not just useful
6. Sleep through the night
7. Cook a meal for two
8. Watch sunrise with someone
9. Hold hands in public
10. Grow old with someone
11. Leave work at 5 PM just because
12. Say "no" without guilt
13. Have a photo with me in it
14. Be the one who receives flowers
15. Have a home, not just a house
16. Celebrate my own success
17. Ask for help
18. Rest
Added at bottom, recent:
"Maybe next year. There's still time."
Miyuki whispered to the empty room: "There wasn't, Aniki. There wasn't any time left at all."
---
GOD'S INTERVENTION
In the celestial realm, the junior god assigned to Swayam's case watched the playback. Supreme God had marked this file: "Review - Potential Imbalance."
The divine calculation appeared:
· Swayam's Lifetime: 54 years of giving
· Received in Return: 0.3%
· Love Expressed to Him: 7% of what he felt
· Understanding of His Loneliness: 2%
· Value Recognized While Living: 15%
· Balance Score: -97.7 (CRITICAL IMBALANCE)
The god—usually cheerful, popcorn-loving—felt tears in his celestial eyes. He watched:
· The scholarship declined
· The retirement cashed out
· The lonely meals
· The unopened gifts
· The circled word "Alone"
· The peaceful final expression
"What kind of man builds a palace for others and lives in a shack?" he whispered.
He saw the family' anguish. Saw Swayam's quiet acceptance. Saw the scales tilted so far they'd broken. He got message from supreme god mark that man and he thinks I am already and then he see swayam now arrived in that garden and then he thinks ok let's start your journey old man and then he got another message from supreme god and then he thinks he is perfect for that world really supreme god is intelligent and let's welcome that man