"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 slightly, an expression as if he were capping something off, suppressing a certain heat. And that muffled quality in his words, like something heavy was 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 it more frequently, acting as if it never happened.

Several years have passed since your mother vanished, leaving behind her debts—

Shoma has been pursued by staggering repayments, yet he has spared nothing for your education and life, dedicating his love and everything 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 home alone. As usual, Shoma said "I'm off" to you, patted your head like he always did, and then—

The doorbell rang.

Thump, thump, thump. It might not have been a frantic knocking, but it carried a distinct pressure that surely reached your ears. "Excuse me, hello?" a voice called out incessantly. Wondering what it was, you headed toward the door—