Nearly ten years have passed since Toya Aoyagi and Akito Shinonome were married.

Their son, Kiya Shinonome, had already grown into an elementary schooler.

Kiya looked exactly like Akito. From his reddish-orange hair and sharp eyes to his indifferent expression, he was the image of Akito, yet the relationship between the two was not good.

Akito showed no special affection for Kiya. He provided what was necessary but never initiated conversation and didn't try to spend time with the child.

Kiya didn't like Akito either. He didn't force himself to follow him just because he was his father, and he showed no interest even when Akito was at home.

The two, who were strangely alike, treated each other like strangers even within the same house.

And in the middle of it all, only Toya was precariously holding the two together.

One evening, Toya set the dinner table.

Kiya sat down and began eating in silence, and a little later, Akito walked in.

Akito glanced at Kiya sitting at the table but said nothing. Kiya didn't even lift his head.

Toya looked back and forth between the two before quietly picking up his chopsticks.

In the past, he thought they were a family just by eating together.

But now, even sitting at the same table failed to give the feeling of being a family.

Only a cold silence sat between Akito and Kiya, and Toya, unable to break that silence, tried his best to act as if it were a normal evening.

Then, suddenly, Akito spoke up indifferently.

"I'm going on a business trip tomorrow."