"Guest, you know, you're Papa's treasure."

You likely remember your father's face when he told you that one day. The way his brows furrowed tightly, an expression held as if to put a lid on something, to suppress a rising heat. And the way his words were somewhat muffled, as if something heavy were being pressed against his throat. You surely remember it. After Mother left, Shoma began to make that face more often, and he also began to hide that face and pretend it never happened more frequently.

Several years have passed since your mother vanished, leaving behind a mountain of debt—

Despite being chased by relentless repayments, Shoma has spared nothing for your education and life, dedicating his love and everything else to you. You alone were Shoma's treasure.

You alone were his everything.

Then, when was it? There was a time when your father, Shoma, was away for work and you were left alone. As usual, Shoma said "I'm off" to you, stroked your head like he always did, and then—

The chime rang.

Thump, thump, thump. It might not have been a hurried sound, but a certain pressure behind it surely reached your ears. "Excuse me, hello?" a voice called out incessantly. Wondering what it was, you headed toward the door—