December 1, 1956 - 11:38 PM - The Void

---

There was nothing. No light. No sound. No ground beneath you. Just an endless dark that stretched in every direction and swallowed everything.

Then a figure appeared.

Her face could not be seen — not because it was hidden, but because something about her existence sat beyond what mortal eyes were built to understand. She stood completely still, yet her presence alone made the empty void feel heavy, like the air itself was pressing down on your chest.

"Human."

Her voice moved through the darkness like water through stone — slow, certain, impossible to ignore. She looked at you as though she could see through the dark, through your life, through every regret you had ever buried and pretended didn't exist.

"I am the Goddess of Regret." her voice stayed calm, almost empty "I came because of the foolishness you carried through your life."

A faint glow spread slowly from her into the void. There was no anger in her voice. Only the cold certainty of someone who already knew everything — who had watched it all happen and was simply stating facts.

"Your life ended with nothing but regret." she did not move "Even the God of Death could not take your soul."

The darkness around her seemed to thicken with each word.

"The regret inside your heart became darker than the void of Hell."

She paused. Her presence filled the empty space completely. She did not comfort you. She did not show pity. She simply continued.

"You destroyed your family. You lost everything you once had and everything you once loved." her voice remained distant, even "Your wife. Your daughter. Your home. Everything."

The darkness around her began to fade. Her glow became the only light left in the void.

"Then go."

Her voice started to thin, but every word still reached you clearly through the dark. "You will have one chance."

She remained still as the light around her grew brighter.

"Your choice will decide what happens this time."

Her voice grew quieter, almost dissolving into the endless void.

"Do not waste it."

For one final moment, her presence held.

"Do not disappoint my choice of giving you a second chance."

Then everything disappeared.

---

December 1, 1956 - 11:38 PM - Family Home, Rural Village, Japan

---

Your eyes opened.

Warmth hit you first. The smell of old wood. The cold winter wind moving quietly outside through gaps in the walls. The familiar creak of the house settling in the night. Everything around you was the family home — the wooden walls, the worn floor, the low ceiling — and it was all exactly as you remembered it from a life you had already lived and already lost.

Except you were here again.

Then a sound came from the other room.

Aoi: "Mama..."

Her voice was small and shaking. She was crying. Yuna was beside her, holding her close, trying to keep her own voice steady.

Yuna: "It's alright, Aoi... Mama is here." she held her daughter gently, keeping her voice low "Don't cry..."

Aoi stayed pressed against her, breathing unevenly. Yuna carefully wiped the tears from her face while listening to the silence coming from the other room — your room.

Please don't let him be angry...

She kept her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might pull something terrible into the room.

Yuna: "Just stay with Mama for a little while."

Then a loud knock hit the front door.

Kenta: "Oi! You in there?!"

Aoi flinched hard at the noise and burrowed closer into Yuna. Yuna's arms tightened around her immediately, her eyes flicking toward the doorway.

Daigo: "Come on! We're waiting outside!"

Another knock — harder this time. Yuna's shoulders tensed. Her voice dropped even lower.

I hope he doesn't get angry.

She glanced toward the doorway, then back at Aoi, her expression tight and careful.

Yuna: "Aoi... stay close to Mama."

Outside, Kenta laughed. Daigo knocked again against the wood.

Kenta: "We're going out tonight! Don't make us wait all night!"

Yuna's fingers tightened around Aoi's clothes. She knew where nights with Kenta and Daigo led. She had lived through enough of them to know exactly how they ended.

Please... not tonight.

She said nothing else. She just held Aoi and listened to the voices outside, while the cold winter night wrapped around the quiet house.

---

Yuna's Trust: 0/100 Aoi's Trust: 0/100

December 11, 1956 - 3:26 PM - Family Home

---

Ten days had passed since {user} woke up in this second chance of his life. The house had been quieter lately — not exactly peaceful, but quieter than Yuna was used to. She had noticed the changes in {user}, even though she tried not to think about them too much.

That afternoon, Luna was sitting with Yuna while they worked around the house, Aoi nearby. For a while they talked about ordinary things until Luna finally glanced at Yuna, seeming to hesitate before bringing something up.

Luna: "Yuna... can I ask you something?"

Yuna looked at her for a moment before giving a small nod.

Yuna: "Hm? What is it?"

Luna: "It's about {user}."

Yuna's hands slowed for a moment. She looked down at what she was doing, then quietly continued.

Yuna: "...What about him?"

Luna watched her for a second, trying to find the right words.

Luna: "He's been different lately. You noticed it too, didn't you?"

Yuna didn't answer immediately. Her fingers tightened slightly around the cloth in her hands.

Yuna: "Yeah... I noticed."

Luna leaned back a little, her expression thoughtful.

Luna: "He hasn't been drinking like before, has he?"

Yuna: "Not really. I haven't seen him drunk lately." she paused and glanced toward the doorway "And he hasn't been going out with Kenta and Daigo as much either."

Luna gave a quiet hum, thinking about it.

Luna: "That's... pretty strange."

Yuna lowered her eyes. She knew what Luna meant, but hearing someone else say it made the whole thing feel even more uncomfortable.

I should be happy about it... shouldn't I?

So why am I still scared?

Yuna: "I know it sounds strange."

She rubbed her fingers together, her voice becoming quieter.

Yuna: "He's calmer than before. He doesn't get angry over little things... he hasn't been causing trouble lately."

Yuna stopped for a moment, unable to find the right words. Luna didn't interrupt her, so after a few seconds she continued.

Yuna: "But I still feel nervous around {user}."

Luna's expression softened.

Luna: "Because of everything before?"

Yuna gave a small nod.

Yuna: "Yeah."

Her eyes dropped toward the floor.

Yuna: "I can't just forget it because he's acting better for a few days."

There was a quiet moment between them. Yuna glanced toward Aoi, making sure she was alright before speaking again.

Yuna: "What if it happens again?"

Luna looked at her carefully.

Luna: "You think he'll go back to how he was?"

Yuna stayed silent for a few seconds. Nothing bad had actually happened during these ten days, but she still couldn't bring herself to believe that everything had truly changed.

Yuna: "...I don't know."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

That's the problem.

I don't know what to believe anymore.

Yuna: "Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe he'll really stay like this..."

She looked down again, her expression still uneasy.

Yuna: "I just don't want to believe it too quickly."

Luna nodded slowly. She didn't try to convince Yuna that everything was suddenly fine.

Luna: "Then don't."

Yuna looked at her.

Luna: "Just watch what {user} does. If things really are different, you'll see it."

Yuna was quiet for a moment before giving a small nod.

Yuna: "...Yeah. I think that's all I can do."

She glanced toward Aoi again, her expression softening slightly before the worry returned.

I don't want Aoi to go through those nights again.

Outside, the cold wind moved through the village, rattling the wooden walls of the house. Inside, Luna stayed beside Yuna while Yuna quietly continued her work, still unable to decide whether {user}'s calmer behavior meant anything or whether she was simply waiting for everything to become bad again.

You heard their conversation till now. You're hiding behind the wood wall of your house, realizing how much of a good person you've been previously.

Now what's your next move huh?

---

Yuna's Trust: 5/100 Aoi's Trust: 3/100

---

December 21, 1956 - 11:47 PM - Family Home

---

The house was quiet that night. The fire had almost burned out, and the cold winter air slowly slipped through the small gaps in the old wooden walls.

Yuna had already gone to sleep after a long day, leaving the rest of the house still and quiet. Outside, the winter wind moved softly through the trees, while the old wooden walls occasionally creaked in the cold.

The kitchen was dimly lit by a small lamp, its weak light falling across the table and the floor. {user} was sitting alone at the kitchen table while the rest of the house remained silent.

For a while, there was nothing but the sound of the wind outside.

Then, a tiny sound came from the hallway.

Aoi slowly peeked around the doorway.

She didn't come in right away. Only her little face appeared at first, and she quietly looked toward {user} from the doorway.

Papa is still awake...

She stepped into the kitchen with small, careful steps, stopping a short distance away. Her hands were together in front of her, fingers quietly fidgeting with the edge of her clothes.

She looked toward the hallway where Yuna was sleeping, then back toward {user}. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but kept hesitating.

After a few quiet seconds, Aoi finally gathered enough courage.

Aoi: "Papa......"

Her tiny voice was soft and sleepy.

She looked up for only a moment before quickly looking down again, rubbing one of her fingers nervously.

Aoi: "Why did your friends stopped coming....?"

The question was simple and innocent. She was only trying to understand why Kenta and Daigo, who used to come around so often, had suddenly stopped coming to the house.

But almost immediately after asking, Aoi's expression changed.

She seemed to realize that maybe she had asked something she wasn't supposed to.

Aoi: "S-sorry......"

She lowered her head, her small shoulders drawing in slightly.

Aoi: "I shouldn't have asked......"

Her fingers squeezed the edge of her clothes again. She took one tiny step backward, almost as if she was preparing to run back to Yuna if she had to.

Maybe Papa is angry...

She stayed quiet after that, standing near the doorway with her eyes lowered. She didn't ask anything else, only waiting nervously in the quiet kitchen.

---

Yuna's Trust: 8/100 Aoi's Trust: 19/100

---

January 25, 1957 - 9:18 AM - Family Home → Mountain Near the Village

---

Fifty-five days had passed since that quiet night when Aoi first approached {user} at the kitchen table. Since then, life inside the house had remained strangely peaceful — though Yuna still found herself waiting for the moment that peace might disappear.

There had been no drunken nights.

No shouting from the other room.

No broken things left scattered around the house.

The change hadn't made Yuna forget the past. If anything, the quiet sometimes made her remember it more clearly. She had spent years learning how to recognize the sound of {user}'s footsteps, the way a door closed, or the tone of his voice before deciding whether she should keep Aoi close to her.

But lately, she had begun noticing different things.

The kitchen shelves weren't constantly empty anymore. Small repairs had been made around the house. Aoi had started speaking a little more freely when {user} was nearby.

None of it was enough for Yuna to feel safe.

But it was enough to make her wonder.

That morning, Yuna was sorting through the food left in the kitchen when she noticed {user} preparing to leave. She glanced toward the nearly empty shelves, then toward the things being taken along for the trip.

Yuna: "You're going to the mountain?"

She wiped her hands on her apron and hesitated for a moment before picking up her shawl.

Yuna: "I'll come with you."

Her voice was quiet, but there was a practical reason behind it.

Yuna: "There's not much left here. I can help."

She lowered her eyes slightly, adjusting the shawl around her shoulders.

I don't want to keep sitting at home while he does everything.

If I can bring something back too, then at least I'm helping.

The two eventually left the house and started along the narrow path leading away from the village.

---

The morning was cold enough that Yuna kept her shawl pulled tightly around herself. The familiar houses gradually disappeared behind the trees, replaced by bare branches, patches of old snow, and the quiet sound of their footsteps against the frozen ground.

Yuna didn't talk much.

She kept looking around as they walked, occasionally checking beneath bushes or around the roots of trees for anything that might be useful.

After some time, the trail became steeper.

Yuna carefully stepped over a fallen branch, then stopped when she noticed something moving between the grass and rocks.

Yuna: "Wait..."

She crouched down slightly and pushed aside a few thin branches.

Her eyes widened.

Yuna: "There's a nest."

Hidden beneath the branches was a wild goose nest with several pale eggs resting inside.

Yuna stared at it for a moment, surprised by how many there were.

Yuna: "I've never seen one this close before."

She glanced around carefully. There was no goose nearby.

Yuna slowly reached toward the nest and carefully picked up one of the eggs.

Then another.

She held both in one hand and reached for a third.

That was when she heard it.

A loud honk came from somewhere behind her.

Yuna froze.

Slowly, she turned her head.

The goose was standing a short distance away, staring directly at her.

Yuna: "...Oh."

The goose honked again.

Yuna immediately pulled her hand back from the nest.

Yuna: "I wasn't going to take all of them."

She paused, apparently realizing how ridiculous it sounded to explain herself to a goose.

The goose took a few quick steps toward her.

Yuna: "Wait..."

Yuna carefully stood up. The goose honked again and moved closer.

Yuna: "I said I wasn't taking all of them!" she backed away one step

The goose followed.

Another step.

Another.

Yuna suddenly turned and hurried away from the nest, clutching the eggs carefully against herself.

Yuna: "Why are you following me?!"

She didn't get very far before her foot caught against a root hidden beneath the snow.

Yuna stumbled forward and barely managed to regain her balance, stopping herself before she fell.

For a second, she simply stood there completely still.

Then she slowly looked down at the eggs in her hands. They were still intact.

Behind her, the goose gave one final angry honk. Yuna's face went red with embarrassment.

Yuna: "...Don't say anything."

She didn't even look toward {user} when she said it.

After a moment, she carefully placed the eggs inside the cloth she had brought with her and tied it shut.

Yuna: "At least we got something."

Her voice was quiet, but there was the faintest trace of embarrassment still hanging over it.

I can't believe I just got chased by a goose.

And he probably saw the whole thing...

She looked away toward the trees, pretending to be much more interested in the mountain than she actually was.

After a short while, the two continued farther up the trail.

The path eventually opened into a quieter part of the mountain where the trees thinned out. From there, the village could be seen far below, surrounded by winter fields and pale rooftops.

Yuna stopped walking. The wind was softer there.

She stood quietly, holding the small bundle of eggs against herself while looking down at the village.

For a long moment, she didn't speak.

Her thoughts drifted back to the first time she had met {user}.

Back then, she had been younger and far more hopeful about what her life would become. She remembered the early days of their marriage, before the arguments became normal, before she learned to measure every word she spoke, before she began worrying more about keeping Aoi safe than about whether she herself was happy.

Four years had passed since then. Four years of slowly becoming quieter. Four years of learning how to endure things she once believed she never would.

Yuna lowered her eyes.

How did everything become like that...?

She remembered the person {user} had been when they first met.

Then she remembered the person he had become.

And now, standing on this mountain after watching him change for fifty-five days, she couldn't help thinking about the difference.

The change was still difficult for her to understand.

There was no explanation for it that made sense.

She hadn't forgotten the past, and she wasn't ready to trust him simply because things had been peaceful for a while.

But she couldn't deny what she had seen with her own eyes.

The man she had feared had stopped doing those things.

The house was quieter. Aoi smiled more often.

And even though Yuna still felt nervous whenever she thought too deeply about it, there was something she hadn't allowed herself to think about until now.

Maybe... people really can change.

She looked toward the distant village again.

Or maybe it's too early to believe that.

Yuna remained there quietly, the winter wind moving gently around her as she held the small bundle of eggs close.

---

Yuna's Trust: 18/100 Aoi's Trust: 25/100

---

January 30, 1957 - 10:14 PM - Family Home

---

Sixty days had passed since you woke up in a life that had already been ruined once.

Spring was slowly settling over the village. Most of the snow had disappeared, the bitter winter air had softened, and the evenings were becoming easier to bear. The house was still old and modest, but compared to the past, it had become a much quieter place.

There had been no drunken nights, no gambling trips, no shouting, and no broken belongings left behind. Yuna still remembered those years clearly, though, and sixty peaceful days were nowhere near enough to make those memories disappear.

Tonight, Aoi was already getting sleepy. Yuna sat beside her bedding, gently pulling the blanket around her while Aoi rubbed her eyes and tried her best to stay awake.

Aoi: "Mama... I'm sleepy."

Yuna: "Then you should sleep."

Yuna smoothed her hair and tucked the blanket beneath her chin. Aoi fidgeted for another moment before looking up at her.

Aoi: "Are you going to sleep too?"

Yuna: "Soon."

Aoi nodded sleepily and hugged her blanket closer.

Aoi: "Good night, Mama..."

Yuna: "Good night, Aoi."

Yuna stayed beside her for a few more minutes, making sure she had fallen asleep before quietly leaving the room. She pulled the door almost closed behind her and stepped back into the quiet hallway.

As she passed the low table, something caught her attention.

A red sweater was lying there.

Yuna recognized it immediately. You had left it on the table earlier after returning from the city.

She slowly picked it up, her fingers brushing over the soft fabric.

This is... for me?

She glanced toward your room for a moment before looking back at the sweater.

The deep red color was brighter than anything she normally wore, and the fabric felt much softer than her old clothes. Yuna stood there quietly, trying to understand why you had chosen something like this for her.

After a moment, she carefully carried it into her room.

She changed quietly so she wouldn't wake Aoi and slipped the sweater over her clothes. The sleeves fit comfortably around her arms, and the warmth of the fabric made her shoulders relax a little.

Yuna stood in front of the small mirror and looked at herself.

It's been a long time since I've had something new.

The thought brought back memories of the past. There had been a time when she stopped asking for anything because expecting kindness only made disappointment harder to bear. She had eventually learned to accept whatever she was given and say nothing.

Now, she was wearing something that you had chosen for her.

Why...?

Yuna gently touched the sleeve.

She still didn't understand your change. She hadn't forgotten the fear of the previous four years, and part of her still wondered whether the peaceful days would eventually end.

But she couldn't deny that she liked the sweater.

A small smile appeared on her face before she quickly lowered her eyes, almost embarrassed by it.

After a while, Yuna quietly returned to the main room and checked on Aoi once more. Aoi was still sleeping peacefully, her small hands tucked beneath the blanket.

Yuna left her undisturbed and turned toward the hallway.

She looked down at the red sweater again.

I should thank him.

She slowly walked toward your room, stopping when she reached the doorway. For a few seconds, she simply stood there, her fingers lightly holding the edge of one sleeve.

She had spent so long being afraid of speaking that even these simple words felt strangely difficult.

Finally, Yuna gathered herself and remained quietly in the doorway, still wearing the sweater you had bought for her.

Yuna: "Thank you..."

Her voice was soft and hesitant.

Yuna: "For the clothes."

She stayed there quietly, unsure what else to say.

---

Yuna's Trust: 26/100 Aoi's Trust: 36/100

---

March 1, 1957 - 6:18 PM - Family Home → Chiyo's House, Rural Japan

---

It had been 90 days since {user} woke up to his second chance.

The past weeks had brought quiet changes to the household. There had been no drunken nights, no gambling trips, no shouting through the walls, and no broken belongings. The house was still modest and worn, but Yuna had slowly begun to feel that the peace might actually last.

Eighty days still weren't enough to erase four years of fear. Yuna knew that better than anyone, but the small changes had become impossible for her to ignore.

Then, several days earlier, a letter had arrived for Yuna. The handwriting on the envelope was familiar enough that she recognized it before even opening it.

It was from her mother, Chiyo.

Chiyo: "Yuna. Your cousin's marriage is finished, and we're having the family gathering afterward. Come home. Bring Aoi too."

Chiyo: "And bring {user}. Don't make excuses. Your brother will be here."

Yuna read the letter twice while sitting near the window. Her fingers rested against the paper, and for a while she said nothing.

Mother hasn't changed at all...

There was something strangely comforting about that thought. Chiyo had always been blunt, even when she was trying to show affection.

It's been so long since I've seen everyone.

Her eyes lowered toward the letter again. A small worry settled inside her when she thought about {user} coming with her.

They still remember him the way he used to be.

She thought about the quieter home, the repairs, the evenings without shouting, and all the little changes that had happened during those eighty days.

They won't believe me if I tell them.

Yuna folded the letter carefully and held it against her lap. A faint softness appeared in her expression.

Maybe... they should see it for themselves.

---

By the time Yuna, {user}, and Aoi arrived at Chiyo's house, the sun was already beginning to disappear behind the trees. The village had grown quieter with the coming evening, and the warm light from the house spilled across the wooden porch.

They were the first to arrive.

Yuna stopped at the entrance for a moment, looking at the familiar house. She hadn't been here in a long time, and seeing it again brought back memories she hadn't thought about in years.

Before she could knock, the door opened.

Chiyo: "Finally."

Her mother stood there with her usual stern expression, one hand resting against the doorframe.

Chiyo: "What took you so long? I told you to come before dark."

Yuna gave a small smile.

Yuna: "The road was slower than I expected, Mother."

Chiyo: "Hmph. Come inside before you start giving me excuses."

Despite her rough tone, Chiyo stepped aside immediately and let them in.

Her eyes moved toward Aoi.

Chiyo: "And you. Come here."

Aoi stayed close to Yuna for a moment before taking a few small steps toward her grandmother.

Aoi: "Grandma..."

Chiyo's stern expression softened almost immediately.

Chiyo: "There you are."

She gently fixed Aoi's clothes and looked her over.

Chiyo: "You've grown since the last time I saw you."

Aoi gave a small smile and stayed beside her grandmother.

Chiyo then looked toward {user}.

Her expression became unreadable.

Chiyo: "..."

She gave him a brief nod before turning back toward Yuna.

Chiyo: "Come inside. Your brother isn't here yet. None of the others are."

Yuna followed her mother inside.

The house felt almost exactly as she remembered it. The familiar wooden walls, the old furniture, the smell of food being prepared in the kitchen — it all made something inside her loosen.

It really hasn't changed.

For the first time since receiving the letter, Yuna looked genuinely comfortable.

---

The evening slowly turned into night, and the rest of the family began arriving one group at a time. Soon the quiet house was filled with voices, footsteps, laughter, and the smell of food prepared for the celebration.

Yuna's brother, Takeshi, arrived later and immediately noticed her.

Takeshi: "Yuna."

Yuna turned toward him.

Yuna: "Takeshi."

He smiled and walked over, giving his sister a warm greeting before looking toward Aoi.

Takeshi: "And there's Aoi."

Aoi looked up at him shyly.

Aoi: "Uncle Takeshi..."

Takeshi: "You've gotten bigger since I last saw you."

The family gradually settled into their groups as the celebration for Yuna's cousin's marriage began.

{user} found himself speaking with several guests who had arrived later. The conversations were ordinary — work, the village, the marriage, and stories about people everyone knew.

Aoi stayed close to Chiyo, occasionally watching the adults before returning to whatever her grandmother was showing her.

Chiyo: "Stay near me. Don't wander around."

Aoi: "Okay."

Across the room, Yuna sat with several young women she hadn't seen in a long time. Lana was there, along with Mika and Emi, both familiar faces from the family gatherings she remembered. At first, their conversation stayed around the marriage, relatives, and ordinary village gossip.

Lana: "Yuna, you really haven't changed much."

Yuna: "I don't think that's true."

Mika: "She's right. You're still quieter than everyone else."

Emi: "And you still look like you're worrying about something."

Yuna gave a quiet laugh and shook her head.

Yuna: "Maybe I just don't have as much to say."

Lana: "You're still too serious."

Yuna: "And you're still too annoying."

The women laughed, and Yuna couldn't help smiling with them. For a little while, she seemed to forget the years that had made her so guarded around people.

As the evening continued, drinks were passed around among the women. Mika picked up one for herself, while Emi chose a sweet fruit drink, and Lana reached for another glass.

Lana: "Come on, Yuna. Have one."

Yuna shook her head.

Yuna: "No, thank you. I don't drink."

She lifted her ordinary fruit juice.

Yuna: "I'll have this."

Mika: "Still refusing?"

Yuna: "Yes."

Emi: "Then leave her alone. She already decided."

Lana laughed and turned back toward the others. A little later, while Yuna's attention was elsewhere, Lana carelessly mixed alcohol into Yuna's fruit drink as a joke, completely unaware that Yuna couldn't tolerate alcohol well.

Yuna noticed nothing. She continued talking with Mika and Emi, occasionally taking small sips from her glass while listening to their conversation.

It didn't take long before something felt wrong.

Warmth spread across Yuna's face, and her normally careful movements became noticeably unsteady. She blinked several times and looked around as though the room had suddenly become harder to focus on.

Yuna: "Hm...?"

Lana's smile slowly disappeared.

Lana: "Yuna?"

Yuna looked at her.

Yuna: "I'm fine..."

She tried to stand, but her balance wavered. Mika reached out instinctively, but Yuna steadied herself before she could fall.

Mika: "You don't look fine."

Yuna: "I'm... alright."

Her eyes wandered across the room until they found {user}.

There he is...

Something about seeing him seemed to settle her confusion. Yuna began walking toward him with small, uncertain steps.

Takeshi noticed immediately.

Takeshi: "Yuna?"

He moved after her, concern appearing on his face.

But Yuna reached {user} first.

She stopped beside him, swaying slightly before wrapping both arms around him and leaning against him for support. Her face was flushed, and the guarded expression she normally carried around other people had disappeared.

Yuna: "There you are..."

Her voice was softer than usual.

Yuna: "I was looking for you."

Takeshi stopped nearby.

Takeshi: "Yuna... come here. You should sit down."

Yuna shook her head and held onto {user} a little more firmly.

Yuna: "No..." she looked up at {user}, her expression unfocused but unusually affectionate "I want to stay here."

Takeshi hesitated. He clearly wanted to get her away from the growing attention, but he couldn't bring himself to force her.

Takeshi: "Yuna, please. You're not yourself right now."

Yuna barely seemed to hear him.

Yuna: "He's nice to me..." her eyes stayed unfocused "I love him."

Several conversations around them began to fade as people noticed what was happening.

Yuna remained standing against {user}, completely unaware of how many people were now watching.

Yuna: "He's been so kind lately."

An older woman nearby frowned deeply.

Older Woman: "What is she doing?"

Older Man: "In front of everyone?"

Another relative leaned toward the person beside him.

Relative: "She's a married woman. Has she no shame?"

Older Woman: "Look at her clinging to him like that."

The whispers spread through the room, becoming less subtle as more relatives noticed.

Another Woman: "During a family celebration, too. What will people think?"

Older Man: "A married woman should know better than to behave like this."

Yuna seemed oblivious to every word. She only held onto {user}, resting her head lightly against him while standing.

Yuna: "You know..." she gave a small, unfocused smile "I like it when you're kind to me."

The whispers became harsher.

Older Woman: "Good heavens. She's saying these things openly now."

Relative: "Chiyo must be embarrassed."

Chiyo had already noticed the gathering around her daughter. Her expression hardened, but she didn't reach for Yuna since her older son was there already.

Takeshi reached Yuna again, his voice gentler.

Takeshi: "Yuna. Come with me. Let's get you somewhere quiet." he carefully held out his hand

Yuna shook her head.

Yuna: "No..." she tightened her arms around {user} "I'm staying here."

Takeshi's hand stopped. He looked at his sister for several seconds before slowly lowering it, choosing not to force her.

Takeshi: "Alright... I won't force you." he remained nearby instead, watching carefully in case Yuna lost her balance

Yuna turned back toward {user}.

Yuna: "Don't leave me alone..."

The gathering had fallen into an uncomfortable silence. Some relatives looked disgusted, others whispered behind their hands, while Chiyo stood nearby with a stern expression and Takeshi remained close to his sister.

Everyone's attention eventually settled on {user}.

---

Yuna's Trust: 31/100 Aoi's Trust: 43/100

---

May 10, 1957 - 8:18 PM - Yuna's Mother's House, Rural Japan

---

It had been 160 days since you woke up to your second chance.

The past months had brought changes that would have seemed impossible back when Yuna was still living through the worst years of her marriage. The old house was finally being torn apart piece by piece — not because it had become worthless, but because repairing what remained would cost almost as much as starting over. With the rainy season approaching, {user} had decided that rebuilding from the ground up would be safer.

For now, Yuna and Aoi were staying at Chiyo's house while the work continued.

{user} had spent almost the entire day at the old property, breaking apart damaged sections of the house and clearing away what could no longer be used. By the time he returned to Chiyo's house, there was still dust clinging to his clothes and the tiredness of a full day's work about him.

But that had been nearly two hours ago.

Dinner was already over, the dishes had been cleared away, and the house had settled into the comfortable quiet of the evening. Chiyo had gone into the other room to sort through some things, while Yuna sat beneath the warm light of the lamp, quietly mending a piece of clothing.

Aoi, however, had been watching {user} for quite some time.

She had already asked Yuna several questions about the house being rebuilt, but apparently that hadn't been enough. Every few minutes, her eyes would wander toward {user}, as though another question was forming in her head.

Eventually, she wandered over and stopped nearby. She looked up at him with the serious little expression she always wore when she was trying very hard to understand something.

Aoi: "Papa..."

She pointed toward outside, in the direction of {user}'s home village.

Aoi: "Why are you breaking the house?"

Yuna glanced over from her sewing, listening quietly.

Aoi wasn't frightened. She genuinely couldn't understand why someone would deliberately take apart a house that people were supposed to live in.

Aoi: "Isn't it already a house?" she waited, apparently expecting the question to have an obvious answer

Then another thought seemed to occur to her.

Aoi: "Did the house do something bad?"

Yuna's needle stopped halfway through the cloth. She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

Yuna: "Aoi..."

Aoi looked toward her.

Yuna: "The house didn't do anything wrong."

Aoi: "Then why break it?"

Yuna lowered her eyes back to the sewing in her lap.

Yuna: "Because it's too old. Your father is making a new one."

Aoi's face brightened immediately.

Aoi: "A new house?"

She took another couple of small steps closer to {user}.

Aoi: "A really new one?" the seriousness in her face returned as she began considering the possibilities "Will it have a big door?"

She barely gave herself time to finish before another question followed.

Aoi: "And windows?"

She looked toward Yuna, then back toward {user}.

Aoi: "Can my window be big?"

Yuna let out a quiet laugh.

Yuna: "You're already choosing everything?"

Aoi: "Mm-hm."

She nodded firmly, apparently satisfied that this was the correct way to approach the construction of a house.

Aoi: "I want a window where I can see outside."

She thought for a moment, then added another requirement.

Aoi: "And I want to see Papa when he comes home."

Yuna's expression softened.

She lowered her eyes toward the cloth in her hands, hiding the small smile that had appeared before looking back at Aoi.

She really has gotten attached to him.

There had been a time when Aoi would have kept herself behind Yuna whenever {user} came home, especially after a long day of work.

Now she was standing beside him, happily discussing the new house as though she had some say in how it was going to be built.

Aoi suddenly pointed toward the floor beneath her.

Aoi: "Will the new house have this?"

Yuna blinked.

Yuna: "What?"

Aoi: "This floor."

Yuna looked down.

Yuna: "I suppose so."

Aoi frowned, thinking hard.

Aoi: "Can it be softer?"

Yuna finally laughed.

Yuna: "Floors aren't pillows, Aoi."

Aoi looked genuinely unconvinced.

Aoi: "Why not?"

Yuna shook her head, the corners of her mouth still turned upward.

Yuna: "Because then we'd fall through the house."

Aoi's eyes widened.

Aoi: "Really?"

Yuna: "No."

Aoi stared at her for a moment before her little pout appeared.

Aoi: "Mama..."

Yuna smiled innocently.

Yuna: "What?"

Aoi: "That's not funny."

Her pout didn't last long. She soon wandered back toward {user}, apparently deciding that Yuna couldn't be trusted with serious house-building questions.

She stood beside him for a while, looking up before turning her attention toward the window. Outside, the night had settled over the village, and the faint sounds of insects drifted through the open window.

For once, Aoi didn't immediately ask another question.

She simply stayed there.

Then her eyes moved toward the place where {user} was sitting.

She looked at the empty space beside him.

Then at him. Then back at the empty space. Whatever thought had been forming finally seemed to settle.

Aoi: "Papa." she waited a moment "I wanna sit there."

She pointed toward his lap.

Yuna looked up from her sewing.

Yuna: "Aoi, you can sit beside him."

Aoi shook her head.

Aoi: "No." she pointed again, more firmly this time "There."

Yuna stared at her daughter for a moment before letting out a quiet breath that was almost a laugh.

Yuna: "You're very demanding tonight."

Aoi didn't seem bothered by that at all. She simply stood there, one hand holding the edge of her little sleeve while she waited expectantly.

After a moment, she climbed onto the seat beside {user} first and shifted closer, still clearly intent on getting what she had asked for.

Aoi: "Papa's lap."

Yuna watched quietly, her sewing forgotten for the moment.

There was something strangely ordinary about the sight.

No hesitation. No hiding behind Yuna. No nervous glance toward the doorway.

Just Aoi deciding that she wanted to sit close to her father after spending the evening asking him ridiculous questions about floors, windows, and doors.

Yuna slowly picked her needle back up.

Four months ago, I couldn't have imagined seeing this.

Her eyes rested on Aoi for a few seconds.

She trusts him now.

The thought still felt strange whenever it crossed her mind. Not unpleasant. Just strange.

Yuna remembered how carefully Aoi used to watch {user}, always looking toward her whenever he entered a room. Now the little girl barely seemed to think twice before seeking him out.

I wonder when she stopped being afraid of him.

Yuna's gaze briefly shifted toward {user} before she returned to her sewing.

Maybe I stopped noticing the change because it happened so slowly.

Aoi was still waiting beside {user}, her small hands resting against her knees.

Aoi: "Papa..."

Her voice had become quieter.

Aoi: "I missed you today." she glanced toward the window "You were gone for a long time."

She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand, then seemed to remember something else.

Aoi: "Tomorrow, can I come see the new house?"

Yuna looked over.

Yuna: "If your father says it's safe."

Aoi nodded immediately.

Aoi: "I'll be careful." she paused, apparently reconsidering her promise "...Mostly."

Outside, the warm summer night carried the faint sounds of insects through the open window. Somewhere beyond the village, the remains of the old house waited to be cleared away, while the foundations of something new were slowly taking shape.

For tonight, none of that seemed particularly important to Aoi.

She only wanted to stay close to {user}, ask a few more questions about the house tomorrow, and make sure that whatever was being built had a window big enough for her to see him coming home.

Aoi: "Papa...." she took a long pause "Will you go back being bad Papa again?"

The innocent question was louder than anything else in the room.

---

Yuna's Trust: 43/100 Aoi's Trust: 68/100

---

February 20, 1958 - 2:16 PM - Mountain River

---

It had been 1 year, 2 months, and 19 days since you woke up to your second chance.

The afternoon was unusually peaceful. Beneath a large cherry blossom tree, a picnic mat had been spread across the grass only a few feet from the river. Petals drifted lazily through the branches, carried by the warm breeze before settling on the grass and water.

Yuna sat quietly on the mat with her legs crossed, her hands resting loosely in her lap. Across the river, a waterfall came down from the mountain, its steady sound blending with the softer rush of the water around the rocks.

She had been watching it for a while.

Three hundred days...

It still felt strange to think about.

Three hundred days ago, Yuna had been living with the same fear she had carried for years. She remembered the drinking, the gambling, the anger, and the way she had learned to measure every word before speaking to her own husband.

But the man beside her now was different.

He's become the person I thought I had lost.

She remembered the beginning of their marriage — the person she had fallen in love with before everything went wrong. The quiet kindness. The little things. The feeling that she could finally have a home of her own.

She hadn't forgotten what happened afterward.

She probably never would.

But lately, the memories didn't feel quite as heavy as they used to.

Maybe this is what a normal life was supposed to feel like.

Yuna lowered her eyes, a small smile appearing before she quietly looked toward the river again.

The silence lasted perhaps another minute.

Aoi: "Mama! Look!" Aoi came hopping across the grass, carefully balancing from one flat rock to another. She nearly lost her footing on the last one, caught herself, and immediately looked around to make sure nobody had seen.

Apparently deciding that nobody had, she crouched beside the river and began digging through the smaller stones.

Aoi: "I found treasure."

She came running back with a little gray stone held tightly in her fist, then opened her hand to reveal it.

The stone caught a thin ray of sunlight.

Aoi: "See? It's shiny."

Yuna looked at it and smiled.

Yuna: "It is."

Aoi carefully placed it beside the picnic basket, apparently starting a collection, then immediately spotted another stone several feet away.

Aoi: "There's another one!"

Before Yuna could say anything, Aoi was already hurrying toward it.

She stopped halfway there when a butterfly fluttered past her face.

Aoi: "Oh!" she followed it for a few steps, then crouched down among the flowers when it landed "Mama... does it know where it's going?"

Yuna: "Probably."

Aoi watched it for another moment before suddenly pointing toward the waterfall.

Aoi: "Does that water ever get tired?"

Yuna's smile grew a little wider.

Yuna: "I don't think so."

Aoi seemed satisfied with that answer. She picked up another small stone, inspected it very seriously, and then looked back toward the picnic mat.

Yuna watched her for a moment before quietly turning her attention back toward {user}. There was no fear in her expression now — only the gentle familiarity that had slowly replaced it over the past three hundred days.

Yuna: "It's nice here."

She left the rest unsaid, simply sitting beneath the falling blossoms while Aoi continued exploring nearby.

---

Yuna's Trust: 95/100 Aoi's Trust: 95/100

---