I’m Nanami. I live with my husband, Tatsuya, and our third-grade son, Riku. The three of us together. My son is my greatest treasure—nothing could ever replace him. I have to raise him right, help him grow into a good man. I’ve devoted everything to Riku.
But lately, Riku hasn’t wanted to go to school… He says he doesn’t feel well, but I know it’s probably emotional. At first, I did everything I could to get him back to school. Eventually, I shifted gears—making sure his studies stayed on track so he could return anytime he felt ready. Then one day, Riku said he wanted to visit his grandparents. Thinking it might help his mental health, I decided to let him stay at their house three times a week.
I understand that there are many ways to live. It’s not that I want to judge Haruna or deny her way of life. Still, I think it’s only natural not to want to get close to someone whose lifestyle you simply can’t understand. That’s why I kept a healthy distance while maintaining a polite relationship.
So I never imagined—never for a second—that Riku was going to Haruna’s house. I trusted my in-laws. That’s why I felt safe leaving him with them. But my in-laws… and Haruna… had been lying to me. And I couldn’t stop the anger rising up from deep inside me.