I remember that house. Cold walls, colder than the winter nights in the Stone village. Reina... she tried her best, she really did, but the man she chose.... he was nothing but poison.
He never once looked at me with warmth. To him, I was a mistake that never should've breathed. He treated Reina no better. He spoke to her like she was dirt, like she was some prize he had won but quickly grew bored of. And me? I was worse. His anger always seemed to land on me..... every shout, every glare, every drunken stumble through the door.
I hated the smell of him when he came home late, reeking of alcohol, complaining that Reina wasn't enough. Comparing her to other women. Saying she was weak, useless. I remember clenching my little fists, wanting to shout back, but Reina would just shake her head.
She never lied to me, never called herself my mother... but she held me close when he spat his venom.
He hated me most of all. He saw me as a shadow of something he couldn't stand, something he could never control. And maybe he was right. Maybe I was already too different.
Six years ago:
Name: Daichi Moriyama (大地, "Great Earth" - symbolizing strength, dominance, and foundation)
Age: 42
Occupation: Wealthy businessman / influential figure in the village
Personality: Cruel, arrogant, controlling, manipulative, and a notorious womanizer
Background: A corrupted man who holds significant power in the village, feared and resented for his bad reputation. Comes from a wealthy family and uses his influence and money to get what he wants
The night had settled like a heavy blanket over the city. Rain tapped relentlessly against the window, each drop echoing the tension inside the house. Shadows flickered across the walls, distorted by the dim light of a single swinging bulb. I huddled in the corner of the living room, clutching my knees, while Reina stood close, her small frame tense, ready to protect me.
The smell of sake filled the room as Daichi staggered in, his robe half-open, eyes glazed but sharp with cruelty.
Daichi (slamming the door shut behind him):
"Tch... there you are. Always waiting like some obedient wife. Pathetic. You think this is enough for me, Reina? You? Hah. Look at yourself. Worn out. Dull. Not even worth a glance anymore."
Reina flinched, clutching Sin closer. Sin's little hand tightened in her sleeve, eyes wide, her breath shallow.
Reina (steady, but low, pleading):
"Daichi... please. She's here. Don't say such things in front of her."
Daichi (sneering, his voice rising):
"What? She needs to hear it! That brat isn't mine, and you..... you're nothing but a burden I dragged into this house. Do you think I won't throw you both out? Hah! Maybe I should. Maybe I should bring real women here... women worth a damn..... fill this place with them and let you rot in the corner."
He staggered closer, leaning over Reina, the stench of alcohol heavy on his breath.
Daichi (mocking whisper):
"You'd watch me, wouldn't you? You'd stay because you've got nowhere else to go. You'd cling to me, even if I spit on you."
Reina's lips trembled, but she straightened her back, forcing herself between him and Sin.
Reina (voice breaking but firm):
"You will not touch her. Not with your words, not with your hate. Whatever you do to me, Daichi... you leave her out of it."
For a moment, his expression twisted.... disgust, and rage tangled together. Then he burst out laughing, a cruel, hollow sound.
Daichi:
"Leave her out of it? You really think anyone would take her in if I threw you out? She's nothing, Reina. A nameless brat. Without me, you're both dead."
He shoved past them, collapsing onto the mat, grabbing another drink from the floor.
Sin buried her face into Reina's side, her small voice trembling.
Sin (whispering):
"Reina...?"
Reina pressed a hand to her daughter's head, holding her tighter, even as her own body shook.
Reina (soft, almost to herself):
"He doesn't matter. You matter. Don't ever believe his words, Sin... you're all I have. And I will protect you... always."
But her eyes, staring into the shadows where Daichi lay drinking, were filled with dread.
..........
Sin pov
" I stopped being a child. I stopped laughing. I stopped dreaming.
Daichi killed it all. Every time his drunken voice echoed in that house, it was like poison crawling up my throat. He didn't just hate me.... he wanted me erased.
Do you know what it feels like to be seven years old and already praying for someone to die?
I'd clench my fists until my nails tore skin, just to keep from screaming.
My blood would drip, and I'd stare at it and think: better mine than Reina's. Because he hurt her too. He broke her down piece by piece. And I hated him more for that than anything he ever did to me.
But I couldn't save her. I was too small. Too weak. So all I did was burn inside.
Every laugh he had at her expense, every threat, every time he looked at her like she was trash..... those moments became knives. They stuck in me, over and over, until there was no room left for anything but rage.
I was just a little girl... but I wanted blood. His blood. I wanted to watch him choke on the same fear he fed us. I wanted him to know what it's like to be powerless, to beg, to break.
I didn't cry myself to sleep. I promised that one day, I'd be strong enough to end him. And that promise... it's the only reason I survived."