Chapter 30 – Past ④

Reika’s mother had raised her on her own ever since getting divorced when Reika was still a little girl.

As a result, to put it bluntly, they hadn’t lived a wealthy life.

Even so, Reika had always respected her mother, who worked tirelessly to raise her alone.

That’s why Reika studied so hard—not just for herself, but to meet her mother’s expectations.

“Mom’s thinking about getting remarried…”

It was right before she was about to start her third year of junior high when her mother broached the subject.

“That sounds great. You’ve raised me all on your own until now—I have got no reason to be against it.”

“Reika…”

“But… I don’t think I can really treat that new person like family. Still, I promise you—I won’t go off the rails or anything. Not after everything you have done for me.”

It wasn’t just about adolescence. It was simply impossible for her, about to start her final year of middle school, to suddenly see a complete stranger as a father figure.

Still, while Reika personally couldn’t accept him as her father, she saw no reason to oppose the remarriage if it meant her mother could be happy.

“Thank you. Just hearing that is more than enough…”

“You’ve worked so hard—of course you deserve some happiness.”

Back then, Reika truly believed that her mother was finally getting the happiness she deserved.

About a month after her mother brought up the idea, Reika met the man who would become her new stepfather.

“Hello, Reika-san. I’m ●●●●. We’ll be living together from now on—pleased to meet you.”

To Reika, the fear and hatred she felt were so overwhelming that the man’s name has since been sealed away entirely.

Naturally, even Satoru doesn’t know the man’s name to this day.

“…Hello.”

At first glance, it seemed like a formal introduction to a child. He was dressed neatly in a suit, giving off an air of being properly put-together.

But even then, Reika had already begun to feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

Still, thinking of her mother’s happiness and the possibility that her life might improve financially thanks to this man, she tried not to show her discomfort.

For that reason, once the man moved into their home and their new life began, Reika started spending as much time as possible out—at cram school and studying late—to avoid being home.

No matter what the paperwork said, the feeling that he was just a stranger never went away.

Still, she stuck to her decision not to “go off the rails,” and channeled that energy into further improving her grades, keeping the promise she had made to her mother.

And around the time that routine became her norm… she met Satoru. And for the first time, she found a place outside her home where her heart could find a little refuge.

Distorted as it may have been, she thought this new life would continue until she became an adult and left for university.

That was what she believed—until that day.

“I’m home.”

That day, Reika had been in especially high spirits after a particularly fun conversation with Satoru.

“W-Welcome home…”

“Welcome back, Reika-san.”

Just like always, the two of them greeted her at the door.

But something was clearly off with her mother.

Having spent so many years together, Reika immediately sensed something was wrong.

And her mother, realizing that Reika had noticed, frantically shook her head when the man wasn’t looking.

A silent plea—Don’t say anything out loud.

After dinner, Reika waited until the man went to the bath before confronting her mother.

“What happened?! You’re not acting normal. Something definitely happened!”

“We just had a little fight, that’s all…”

As she said that, her mother clutched her left upper arm and winced.

Reika rolled up her mother’s sleeve—and saw a deep, painful-looking bruise.

It was obvious—this wasn’t the kind of bruise you get from a simple argument.

And now that she noticed, she realized her mother had been wearing long sleeves to hide several other smaller bruises as well.

“T-This isn’t something you can just explain away with ‘a fight’! We need to call the police!”

Reika pulled out her phone and started dialing 110.

“Reika, you can’t!”

“W-Why not?! This is unforgivable—it’s obvious he’s abusing you!”

“You’re right—he is a violent man. But… the truth is, our lives have gotten so much easier since he came. Financially speaking.”

“I don’t care if things are harder! We can cut back, save money! I don’t even need to go to cram school—I can study on my own!”

“Even if that’s true, that’s not the only problem. If we go to the police, they won’t be able to hold him for long. And if that just makes him more vengeful, and he comes after *you*… I couldn’t live with that.”

“But…!”

Reika understood what her mother was saying—but that didn’t make it any easier to see the painful reality right in front of her.

“Even now, in a home like this, you’ve stayed strong and kept achieving amazing results. Just like you promised—you haven’t gone off the rails. That’s why I want you to keep living your life the way you have. He has no intention of hurting you, so please… just stay uninvolved.”

“Stay uninvolved…”

“I’m so sorry… that you’ve had to suffer like this because of my choices…”

Reika didn’t blame her mother.

She couldn’t understand how someone who had given so much—who had worked so hard for others—could be treated this way.

And she hated that man more than she had words for.

But if she acted recklessly now, she’d only push her mother into a worse situation.

And so, she began searching for ways to stay away from home as much as possible.

Still, no matter how mature she was, Reika was just a third-year middle schooler. Spending so much time alone was incredibly lonely.

Worse, just imagining what might be happening at home made her feel like she was going to lose her mind.

And in that moment of emotional exhaustion, she let the words slip.

“Are you… heading straight home after this?”

It was the first time she’d ever leaned on someone other than family.

And then—

“C’mon, let’s go.”

He gently accepted her—without question, without knowing the reason, without hesitation.

To the cornered Reika, that alone felt like salvation.

Whenever she returned home, the darkness threatened to swallow her again. But thanks to him, she could endure it.

That was the moment her “knight” was born.

Though… that “knight” carried his own darkness—his self-loathing.

And no one could have predicted that it would be that very darkness that would one day save Reika from her own.