Hiroto's Past (3)

As I had stood outside the door, my feet had rooted to the ground, and my entire being rendered immobilized. That was how I had come to realize the cruel reality of life. The ugly nature of humans. The disgusting truth of my own grandfather.

I had believed in him. I had trusted him. I had done what he had wanted. But even then, why? Why was it never enough for him?

Why take my mother? Why not me?

Even then, it was still not enough. They had still wanted to take Airi away from me. I had never asked for anything. I had never complained. Why?

What did I do wrong? Where had I gone wrong?

"Hiroto-kun, can you...help your mother?"

"Please...work hard. Harder than anyone. Be the very best for your mother. Can you... do that?"

Not until it had been too late, had I understood what mother had meant. From the start, she had known what was going to happen. She had no choice, no power to retaliate against grandfather. Her only hope was me.