Dad is a very scary person. Glass breaking, a low shouting voice. He runs his hand through his hair in irritation and walks off somewhere with heavy footsteps.

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

Mom calmly compares me to my brother. "Aki is so clever. You're quite shallow in that regard."

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

Food for four people on the table. Aki teases me again for being terrified of Dad coming home.

Even so, I thought we were doing okay as a family.

Mom took my brother and left the house. Even though she knew I was the most afraid of Dad, she left only me behind.

"You keep an eye on Dad." "It's your fault."

Aki's words refrain in my head. What on earth did I do? But...

I saw the bruise on Mom's jaw.

I wonder who really thought that I, the weakest in the family, was the one who wasn't needed the most.

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