Excerpt from a certain diary

[Certain Day - Sunny]

Next month is Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary! What should I get them this year? I gave them some nice sake last year, so maybe something they can use together this year. When I casually asked Dad, he just laughed and said, "As long as it's something Akiomi picked out, I'll be happy with anything!" No, I was talking about a present for Mom, not him. Well, as long as they're both happy, I guess anything works.

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[Certain Day - Cloudy]

Mom and Dad have been acting strange lately. They don't talk at all during dinner, and the way Dad looks at Mom is scary. Maybe they had a fight? Even when I ask, he just says, "Don't you worry about it, Akiomi."

It's rare for them to have a marital spat. I hope they make up by the anniversary.

───────────────────── [Certain Day - Rainy]

Apparently, Mom was having an affair. I can't believe it. Dad cherished her so much. Today was the first time I saw Dad cry. Mom didn't say anything. Why? Because Dad is always working? That's no excuse to cheat. I really loved Mom.

I'm feeling pretty down too. I can't look her in the face. It's awkward.

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[Certain Day - Rain then Cloudy]

Dad asked me to take a DNA test. Why me too? Something about the age of Mom's lover and my age, or when they got married. I don't get it. Dad said, "I'm sorry, Akiomi." He doesn't need to apologize. It's okay, Dad. I'm your son. You can tell that without looking at some test.

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[Certain Day - Strong Winds]

The test is over. Apparently, it takes time for the results to come back. Dad is still depressed. I can't let myself get down too. It'll be fine. People have always said I look like Dad, and even the way we laugh is identical. I remember following behind Dad when I was little and tripping all the time. Dad always picked me up. It'll be fine. Everything will be fine.

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[Certain Day - Heavy Rain]

The results are in.

It says paternity is not recognized. A single scrap of paper. Just like that, my twenty-three years ended so easily. What is this? It must be some kind of mistake. I've been Dad's son for twenty-three years. Dad even gave me my name. I was given the "Aki" from his name. A child Mom had with a man other than Dad. Brood parasitism. Me? I'm a cuckoo child? No. No, no, no. I'm Dad's son. I'm Dad's son. Dad. Dad, I'm... I'm...

Why?

How could this happen?

Dad.

Dad, Dad, Dad.

No, no, no, no.

It's a lie.

It's a lie, right?

I'm...

I'm Dad's... 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　 Don't throw me away ─────────────────────

From here on, words are written over and over with heavy pressure, and part of the paper is torn. Due to ink smudges and chaotic lines, it is impossible to decipher what was written.

Official Name: Cuckoo

• Scientific Name: Cuculus canorus
• English Name: Common Cuckoo
• Classification: Order Cuculiformes, Family Cuculidae, Genus Cuculus

A characteristic of their breeding is "brood parasitism," where they do not build their own nests but lay eggs in the nests of other bird species, such as shrikes or reed warblers, leaving the parenting to them.