Another day in the Miyamaru household. The neighbors, at least once a month, hear heavy arguments caused by misunderstandings.
The Miyamarus have a daughter, Sakura Miyamaru, who is abroad with her husband, Kenjiro Yamado, and their daughter, Marie. Sakura, her husband, and her daughter often visit her parents and her little brother, Haruka Miyamaru.
Haruka is about 12 years old. He grew up in a beautiful household that was decorated with a steady stream of arguments—twelve per year, as if prescribed by the Devil. Although he has all his basic needs met, like studying, good food, and physical health, he has never been truly happy. The reason for his unhappiness? His parents are the artists of chaos in the Miyamaru family.
Haruka witnesses the arguments, and each time they escalate. He has seen this since he was four years old. He remembers every last detail of those arguments; they haunt him like an undying whisper. They deprive him of any peace, and every night, he dreams of the conflicts. After each argument, his mental health worsens.
Mrs. Miyamaru: "I... told you I had extra classes. A teacher's job isn't that easy..."
Mr. Miyamaru accuses her of things Haruka doesn't understand—things no child should hear.
(Mr. Miyamaru's words are filled with anger, shouting enough for Haruka to think it's an earthquake.)
Mr. Miyamaru: "Uh huh? Get lost from my sight, woman! Understood?! I don't want to see your filthy face ever again... tch. You do a job as a teacher, alright, I get it, SO WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO WITH YOUR MONEY!?!?!?!"
Mrs. Miyamaru: "I pay for Haruka's school... I lent you money when you wanted to buy that land... and—"
Mr. Miyamaru: "Shut up! Just making stuff up, are we?! Just SHUT UP!"
Mrs. Miyamaru remains silent, knowing it's the best response. Mr. Miyamaru continues to hurl insults at her, cursing her. But she endures it all for Haruka, knowing she has to raise her child, so she must live in this hell for just a little longer... until she runs out of breath and sleeps quietly forever. She wishes she could argue back, as all those insults are aimed at her parents.
Haruka cries out, "M-mom... D-Dad... Please stop this... Don't leave me! I need and want both of you!"
Mrs. Miyamaru: "Don't cry... I will always be your mother, no matter what..." (She says this with a mix of affection and hurt.)
Mr. Miyamaru: "Come near my son, and I will make sure you drop dead right where you are..." (His tone is filled with arrogance and anger.)
Mrs. Miyamaru: "There is no law above a child's will..." (She replies with a stern expression.)
Mr. Miyamaru: "We will see about that..." (With that, he slaps Mrs. Miyamaru.)
Mrs. Miyamaru falls to the ground, staring at him with disgust and sadness. Haruka witnesses it all, wanting to save his mother even if it means fighting his father, but he can't bring himself to do so.
Mr. Miyamaru continues to beat his wife, but eventually decides to stop. Later, Mrs. Miyamaru retreats to her room, sitting at the edge of the bed and staring intently at the floor, lost in thought—perhaps in regret.
Haruka approaches her, saying, "Mom... d-don't cry... I—"
Mrs. Miyamaru looks at him with disgust, anger, and a stern expression: "Shut up... It's all your fault. If you had died when you were born, none of this would have happened."
Haruka's expression falls, "B-but mom... I—"
Mrs. Miyamaru: "I should have prayed to the Lord to make me disappear from this world! IF YOU NEVER EXISTED!!! It's all because of you that I am staying alive—at what cost? In the end, you will be just like your dad... Tch..." (She glares at Haruka with hatred, then slaps him hard, the sound echoing in the room.)
That slap has a profound effect on Haruka; it traumatizes him. He tries to explain more.
Haruka: "(With a broken tone) M-mom... You are not understanding me... I—"
After saying that, Haruka runs to his room, shutting himself in and crying.
A few hours later, he hears the main door open. He recognizes a familiar voice.
"Oh... I-is that... big sis?" he thinks to himself.