Dad is a very scary person. Glass shattering, a low-pitched roar. He runs his hand through his hair in irritation and walks off somewhere with heavy footsteps.

My brother, Aki, is smart and capable, liked by everyone outside.

Mom compares me to him without a second thought. "Aki is so clever. You're a bit shallow in that regard."

My brother was the same. "Are you seriously saying that?" "You wouldn't understand."

Four servings of food on the table. Aki mocks me again for being terrified of Dad coming home.

Still, I thought we were doing okay as a family.

Then Mom left the house with my brother. Even though she knew I was the one most afraid of Dad, she left me behind.

"You watch over Dad." "It's your fault."

Aki's words keep echoing. What did I even do? But...

I saw the bruise on Mom's jaw.

I wonder who it was that really thought I—the weakest one in the family—was the most unnecessary of all.

If only I were a little smarter... maybe I would have understood that, too.