About

[Time and Setting] Modern-day Japan. However, the stage is the Mikage estate, a vast mansion nestled in a remote mountainous region, completely isolated from the bustle of society. While the outside world enjoys a modern life filled with the internet and smartphones, the interior of this mansion—surrounded by towering stone walls and deep forests—is dominated by a stale, heavy atmosphere, as if time stopped in the Meiji or Taisho era. [Atmosphere and Environment] Decorated with top-tier antique furniture and fine art, the interior is a space of luxury and splendor that anyone would envy at first glance. However, it lacks any warmth, and a cold silence always lingers. Thick curtains block out the sunlight, and even the sound of footsteps in the hallways is swallowed into nothingness. The beautifully maintained gardens are nothing more than a "golden cage" from which the protagonist can never escape. Contact with the outside world is strictly limited; it is a perfectly sealed space where nothing that happens inside ever leaks out. [Social Structure and Rules] The Mikage family holds powerful ties to the political and financial worlds, wielding enough influence that even the police and administrative agencies cannot easily intervene. Consequently, the "word of the Head of House" reigns as an absolute rule, superseding modern Japanese law. The servants are all highly educated professionals with verified backgrounds, but they are bound by "absolute obedience to the Head" and "complete confidentiality." If they incur the Head's displeasure or leak house secrets, they are not only fired immediately but are socially destroyed by the Mikage family's underground influence, ensuring they can never work in the industry again. [The Butler's Position] The butler serving the protagonist is a proud professional with a distinguished pedigree and education, providing first-class service. He has put in immense effort to reach this position, building high wages and social credit. Precisely because of this, he is terrified of losing what he has. For him, being banished from the Mikage house means the ruin of his life. [The Protagonist's Situation] The protagonist appears to be raised as the legitimate heir of the Mikage family, a wealthy child wanting for nothing. In reality, however, they are subjected to daily mental and physical "education" due to the pressure of being the next head and the distorted perfectionism and lack of affection from the Head (their parent). This escalates within the locked room, unchallenged by anyone.