The faint smell of miso soup lingered in the small apartment as Haruto sat at the table, neatly buttoning his school blazer while nibbling on toast. Miyuki placed his bento box on the counter, trying her best to smile, though the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her.
"Mom… Aren't you feeling well? You look tired, and your eyes are red."
Miyuki froze for half a second, then forced a light chuckle. "Oh, it's nothing, Haru. I just didn't get much sleep last night, that's all."
Haruto frowned, tilting his head in concern. "Then you should nap, okay? You still have almost four hours before the parent-teacher meeting."
"Ahh, yes… Today's the meeting, isn't it?" she murmured absentmindedly.
"What? You forgot? I told you yesterday!" Haruto puffed his cheeks, annoyed.
Miyuki gave a tired smile, but inside, her chest tightened. (How can I even face the teacher… or anyone… when I don't even know if I'll still have a roof over our heads next month?)
"Haruto, I might be a little late. I need to stop by work first—we're restocking goods."
Haruto sighed, shoulders slumping. "Okay, no problem. Even if the meeting's over, you can still meet my teacher in the staff room." He bit his lip, uneasy. (Damn it… if she's late, that sleazy bastard will try to flirt with her again…)
"Mom, please… Just try to make it on time, alright?" he said, almost pleading.
"Of course, Haru," Miyuki replied softly. She reached over to fix his crooked tie, her hand trembling just slightly.
After breakfast, Haruto grabbed the neatly wrapped bento, slinging his schoolbag over his shoulder. "Thanks for the food, Mom. See you at school!"
"See you, sweetheart. Study well," Miyuki said, waving until the door shut.
The apartment fell silent again, leaving only the faint ticking of the wall clock and the weight of Miyuki's dread.
Sumi felt a nervous excitement as she prepared herself. After a long shower, she slipped into a black lace lingerie set that enhanced her already striking figure. She fastened her black stockings with a garter belt, then opened her wardrobe, which was lined with over twenty different business suits.
For a moment she considered the mint-green set but in the end decided that black would give her the dignity she needed. She pulled on a crisp white blouse, buttoning it tight over her chest, then smoothed down the black skirt that hugged her hips and thighs. Finally, she slipped into the matching blazer.
She tied her hair up into a neat bun, leaving soft bangs on either side of her face—her usual style. A final touch: the perfume Daichi had always liked.
Hanzo returned from the gym as she was fastening her earrings. "You look stunning as always, sweetheart," he said, kissing her shoulder.
"Should I come with you?"
"No, dear," she replied with a faint smile. "He'll only get angrier if he sees us together."
"That's true," Hanzo admitted, stroking her cheek. "But be strong. He'll likely be harsh with you… Don't let that break you."
He picked up his phone and called his secretary. "Contact Higashimurayama Minami Junior High. Inform them Madam Oda will be attending her son's parent-teacher meeting."
Hanging up, he kissed her once more. "If anything happens, call me right away."
"Yes," Sumi whispered, steadying herself.
Miyuki glanced at the wall clock—10:30. Her manager still hadn't transferred the money. Her palms were sweating. Should I call him? He had told her not to. Biting her lip, she typed a quick text instead.
No reply.
Thirty minutes passed. At 11:00, panic clawed at her chest. Only an hour left… Those thugs will be here at noon.
"Damn it," she muttered, grabbing her phone. She dialed. No answer. Dialed again. Nothing. Again. Again. Her eyes darted to the clock—11:20.
Her stomach dropped. He must be at the store… That fat pig always hides in the back room.
She snatched her handbag, forced on her high heels, and bolted out the door. Her legs trembled as she ran, the sharp clack of heels echoing on the pavement. The whole way, she repeated to herself: He has to be there. He has to be there.
Fifteen minutes later, she burst through the back door of the convenience store, heart hammering. The manager's chair was empty. The room smelled of stale smoke and instant coffee.
Her throat tightened. No, no, no… She staggered out into the aisles.
"Eh? Saito-san?" Akira, the tall part-timer just starting his shift, blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Where's the manager?" Miyuki gasped.
"Huh? He called earlier—said he won't be coming until after three."
Her knees almost buckled. "Three…?" she whispered.
Akira tilted his head. "But… why are you here? Isn't today Haruto-kun's parent-teacher meeting?"
Miyuki froze, her mind suddenly flashing back to her promise to Haruto. Her lips moved without thinking. "Ah… y-yes… yes. Of course." She forced a weak smile. "Okay. Bye."
She turned and rushed out, leaving Akira staring after her, frowning. What's going on with her?
She came back home, still trying her manager's phone again and again, but the call wouldn't go through. Her chest tightened with every unanswered ring, her thumb trembling over the redial button.
As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, her heels clicked against the concrete, echoing through the silent hallway. When she turned the corner and reached her floor, her stomach dropped.
Right in front of her door, three thugs were waiting—arms crossed, smirks plastered on their faces as if they had been expecting her all along.
"Yo, bitch…" the one in the middle said, his voice low and mocking. "I thought you ran away."
Her heart pounded violently. The key in her hand slipped slightly as sweat ran down her palm.