not all stories are meant to be happy and beautiful sometimes a person must go through the harshest realities of life in this manga our characters face situations so dire that it becomes difficult to decide if it's easier to live or better to die filled with suspense drama and the Stark truths of existence this tale explores life's struggles and bitter realities stay tuned to uncover this compelling story of pain and hardships a cruel tragedy unfolds as a boy stands in front of a life less body he wasn't alone on this day 7 years ago as a
young girl witnessed it all today is the day the boy is getting released from Toyama prison having paid for his crime he feels he can finally put an end to his life he is startled by the voice of his mother calling him in a soft voice she mumbles welcome back kesuma notices the puffiness under her eyes a clear sign that she has been crying sitting in the car she fills the Silence by making small talk she tells Kazuma to be be careful when walking as it has been snowing a lot after listening for a while
he finally speaks up and expresses I am truly sorry the tears she had been holding back came pouring out as soon as he brings up Yuri his mom lets him know it wasn't his fault she mentions that they are going to her grave to give her the news arriving at the graveyard they make their way to her grave along with flowers and incense she expresses how after a long time all three of them have finally reunited as a family standing in front front of her sister's grave he gets flashbacks of when she was alive it
was a beautiful day like any other Kazuma picked his sister from her cram school feeling annoyed she tells him how a creepy teacher named Matsumoto kept talking to her she adds that he is always learing at her Kazuma flusters her by expressing that she always has her brother and he would kill anyone who lays hands on her with a bright smile Yuri expresses brother you are very cool she was a cheerful girl who smiled as often as she cried she was an Irreplaceable part of kazuma's life and he imagined that they would always be together
however that reality disappeared when he found her lifeless body hanging from the ceiling of her room he snaps back to the present as his mom tells him that they should head back she apologizes for dragging him around and expresses she has to run by her workplace for a bit before leaving she lets him know that it wasn't his fault however she adds that killing someone is wrong which is why they must make amends for making a daughter miserable she informs him that she is currently working at the isumo orphanage but Kazuma seems a bit lost
in thought he can't forget the misery his actions have brought as they are about to leave his mom remembers she forgot the incense stick at the grave kazumin goes to grab them as she waits for him by the car despite everything she has been acting cheerful in front of her son we see how the people at the orphanage criticize her for working there when her son is a murderer Kazuma is consumed by guilt to the point that he sees hallucinations of his sister blaming him for not coming that day in a flashback we see Yuri
crying uncontrollably she questions Kazuma why why today of all days did he not come to pick her up unable to say what she wants she apologizes for lashing out Kazuma had no idea what she was saying as she told him to keep it hidden from their mother it was after Yuri suicide that he found out his sister was raped Kazuma knew the cram school teacher was the culprit due to the note left filled with rage he wanted nothing but revenge and waited outside his house with a knife with zero thought about the consequences he followed
Matsumoto inside and pushed him to the floor Shivers ran through his spine as the man knew exactly the person standing before him and what he wanted Matsu tried to talk his way out of the inevitable but the more he spoke the angrier Kazuma became he deeply regretted not picking up his sister that day as he endlessly stabbed mat he wonders if he could have avoided all this by just properly listening to Yuri however having realized the pointlessness of these thoughts he stands at the edge of a cliff he knew very well that those Blissful Happy
Days would never return and all that remained for him was death for ruining the lives of so many people feeling that death is the only way to atone for his sins he slowly steps forward suddenly he hears the footsteps of someone walking by glancing over he notices a young girl standing in front of the grave as as their eyes meet they both get startled and just like that the girl runs away he stands there confused before heading back to the car his mom thanks him for getting the incense and lets him know that they are
almost home he just blankly stares outside the window the whole ride they arrive at his grandma's house which will be their new home his mom quickly sets up the table with all kinds of dishes she tells Kazuma to eat as much as he likes and relax while she runs some errands she adds that there are some things she want wants to discuss with him and we'll be back soon all alone Kazuma lies down on the floor he wonders if the girl he saw today was Yuri's acquaintance as she looked familiar he hears his sister telling
him to come to her Kazuma knows what he has to do and quickly gets up he heads back to the cliff and mumbles Yuri your brother will soon be with you a vision of a knife pointed at a man's throat suddenly comes to kazuma's mind the voice calling him was his daughter the girl he saw today looked famili he wakes up from this dream with cold sweat running down his face he wonders if she is that girl the thought makes him anxious Kazuma quickly turns on his computer and starts looking for answers he doesn't want
to remember anything from that night but he can help himself he finds a forum about the incident that changed his life from the comments he learns Matsumoto was a single father the people on the internet being the wonderful people they are find out his daughter's name is Matsumoto shika and she was sent to the orphanage which is funny to them for some reason reading the name he wonders if she is the same girl from 7 years ago he looks further into it to try and figure out what she has been up to and why she
was at Yuri's grave however he suddenly stops as he feels that there is no need to know when he's going to die soon besides he still feels guilty about making her life miserable as he is about to close the browser he ends up reading a comment about the girl being in the asumo orphanage it is the same orphanage his mom said she was working at before he has time to process all this his mom returns she has someone with her I'll talk to him she says instructing the girl to wait however the girl is already
standing outside kazuma's room he dist startled when he realizes that the girl before him is shika the daughter of the man he killed he starts to breathe heavily and sweat begins to appear on his forehead before he is able to speak his mom comes running in she apologizes for startling him explaining she wanted to talk to him first regardless now that they have already met his mom introduces him to nishin nishika who is from the shelter where she works she clarifies that shica will be staying with them only on weekends she further clarifies that shika
was supposed to arrive the next day but the situation has changed slightly shocked Kazuma has some vague memories related to her but can't fully understand the situation while shica looks at him greeting him kindly his mom then introduces Kazuma to her explaining they have been living separately and suggests to shika that she consider Kazuma as her own brother observing his startled expression his mother asked Kazuma if he is okay suggesting they discuss it tomorrow since it is already late she then directs shika to proceed with taking a bath she asks to kneel before the altar
before her bath impressing kazuma's mother who goes to warm the bath for her meanwhile Kazuma feels overwhelmed with many questions in his mind about why shika is praying before his sister whether she knows about his past and the fact that he killed her father but these questions only give him a headache shika heads to the bathroom to take a bath after bowing to him once again and kazuma's mother mentions that shica has wanted to meet him for quite some time she apologizes for giving him this news so suddenly but assures him that he can behave
normally since she hasn't told the girl about his past Kazuma apologizes to his mother for his reaction but she blames herself for not talking to him before bringing shika home she feels that things are no longer the same and regrets having been a bad mother by burdening him with so many things Kazuma thinks he should have been the one to say those words however his mother reveals that she also had the intention of ending it all feeling guilty for not being able to save her two children but now she has decided to live seriously and
help other children Kazuma tries to tell her that she didn't do anything wrong and everything was his fault but his mother stops him assuring him that he has suffered enough and deserves to find his own happiness she suggests that together they can be a happy family again this proposal generates a whirlwind of emotions in Kazuma who still feels responsible for causing misery to others he feels that he cannot allow himself to harm more people as he did in the past at that moment shika arrives and asks kazuma's mother for a towel she apolog Oles for
not noticing earlier while affectionately joking with shica she suggests shica call her mom at home to which she expresses concern about accidentally calling her by the wrong name at the shelter she teases shica for acting shy again in response startled Kazuma looks at them and confirms his suspicions by recognizing the girl's eyes and fears that she may never get along with the family he concludes that this is not a mere coincidence and that the girl might be seeking Revenge he recalls how he murdered her father mercilessly and seized the girl holding a knife and piercing
it through him with a vengeful look in her eyes after this nightmare he opens his eyes while trembling and sweating kesuma questions why he feels fear now when he has already decided to die and it doesn't matter how it happens even if it's by her hands suddenly he hears noises on the first floor and goes down to investigate wondering if it's his mother the sound comes from the kitchen where he finds shik holding a knife which perplexes him confused she asks him the reason he came downstairs but he responds with a question asking if her
name is Matsumoto shika but she corrects him saying her last name is nishima not Matsumoto although Kazuma feels uneasy he insists that he remembers her anyway which leaves shik confused since they have just met she wishes him good night and seems at peace but Kazuma takes her hand and confesses that she has every right to detest him and that he will accept any punishment he kneels before her and begs her not to involve his mother in this as he does not want to make her suffer or hurt anyone else blaming himself for everything with teary
eyes he begs her to kill him leaving her in a State of Shock scared shik not understanding what he means explains that she only wanted to eat an apple before going to bed then returns to her room the next day he reflects with regret questioning what he has done and expressing uncertainty about whether she has any connection to the situation he feels bad for scaring shica and decides to apologize to her before carrying out his plan to die as he believes his presence will only bring Misfortune to both of them he doesn't want to ruin
their peace and happiness just then his mother appears snapping him out of his thoughts and invites him to have lunch together outside with shika mentioning it's been too long since they ate together but Kazuma refuses as he is reluctant fearing negative comments from mothers about his mother if they see them together however she does not worry about this and hugs hugs him happy to have her only son back she assures him that he will always be her child no matter what others say Kazuma finally relaxes and his mother leaves happy shedding a few tears over
his touching words in the restaurant he feels overwhelmed by the noise and doesn't notice his mother calling him to tell him that shik looks adorably shy he notices that shik doesn't want to eat the corn which brings a slight smile to his face he plays a bit with her trying to steal her corn but apologizes at the last moment shika doesn't seem to mind while Kazuma enjoys spending time with his mother again and shika's presence brings back memories of his little sister Yuri being with them however something unexpected happens when he starts hearing a voice
accusing him and making comments realizing that it's all a creation of his mind but it deeply disturbs him amid this mental chaos kazuma's mother announces her intention to adopt shika which leaves him even more perplexed while his mother asks him to think about and spend more time with shika Kazuma thinks about having a sister again and continues to hear voices this time from his sister Yuri asking if he will die for her he feels remorseful for not saving his own sister the situation becomes overwhelming and Kazuma ends up vomiting in the restaurant worrying his mother
shika and all the onlookers who notice something familiar about the situation overcome he finally faints while shika silently watches without saying anything on their way back back home kazuma's mother apologizes for forcing him and notes his pale face suggesting they take a break somewhere they decide to go to a grassy field with a beautiful view of distant mountains something that amazes both his mother and shica this scenery makes him recall moments when Yi and their mother used to go out together and he wonders if perhaps God showed him this beautiful view before his death after
enjoying the view for a bit they get in the car and his mother asks how he feels now and he responds that he feels better at the end of the weekend shika prepares to return to the orphanage kazuma's mother asks him what he will do Kazuma voices that he will visit Yuri's graved to which his mother agrees before leaving with shika he bids her goodbye and returns to his room with heavy steps he decides to write a letter with his last words addressed to his mother as he does so tears flow because he knows they
won't see each other again and he blames himself for being a useless son who has caused her so many problems s he wishes her happiness with her new family he addresses Yuri telling her that he is coming soon and leaves the letter in front of his sister's grave but at that moment shika appears and grabs his arm asking where he is going this confuses Kazuma who doesn't understand why shik could is here and not at school looking up at him she asks again if he is going anywhere or going to die shika shows Kazuma the
letter he wrote and tear it up which enrages him he tries to stop her from doing so shaking her angrily asking what she wants to which she responds in a firm voice stating she won't let him end his life she asks him not to leave because miss wacu his mother would be sad if he died noticing that he has been acting strangely since her arrival she mentions her concern he apologizes to her for yesterday and assures her that he is fine now but shica pleads with him not to die he responds that it would be
best for his mother and her she asks him not to leave them alone which infuriates Kazuma he tells her that she doesn't understand that there are things that are unforgivable and that he is a terrible person shik asks why he speaks so cruy about himself and he coldly responds that he deserves to die she asks sadly if they aren't family Kazuma with a heavy heart replies that they can't be family because he is a killer she falls silent at this confession Kazuma explains to her that there is no future for him and informs her that
he made a promise to Yuri that after killing that man he would end his own life however Sheik Embraces him and assures him that everything will be fine calling him brother this makes Kazuma see Yuri reflected in shika and he whispers his sister's name through tears shik decides to take him to a place that turns out to be the orphanage where she resides Kazuma uncomfortable being there feels pressured to enter shika's room he ask why she brought him there but she ignores his question and instead inquires about his Hobbies Kazuma responds that she should be
in school to which shika a bit shy confesses that she doesn't want to go she then invites him to come closer urging that it be cozy and tells him that he can always come to this place whenever he feels like escaping she shows him one of her stuffed animals which brings a small smile to kazuma's face making shika see him smile for the first time she then asks if a new sister could replace Yuri which confuses Kazuma Kazuma asks ask shica why she cares so much about him and she states that he is family to
her she explains that even though she can't replace his sister Yuri they can still be a family Kazuma decides to return home slightly disappointing shika who blushes and says she'll see him later while Kazuma and his mother have dinner his mother shows happiness upon hearing that he talked with shika then he ask why shika ended up living at retto his mother explains that shik lived with a relative after the in but had a strained relationship with them leading to her being sent to the rettos she confesses that when she first saw shik her figure reminded
her of Yuri prompting her to embrace her since then she has opened up more to her and thinks that perhaps Yuri sent shika so they wouldn't feel alone without her his mother mentions that it will snow heavily tomorrow and asks Kazuma to pick up shika the next day while he waits for shika he struggles mentally about whether he should continue living there he places his head on the steering wheel feeling confused about his situation as he looks for shika he sees a group of girls bothering her which disturbs him one of the girls slaps shika
causing Kazuma to hesitate from intervening fearing he might cause more trouble and relive his past torment he sees the girl push shika down the road causing her to fall seeing her being bullied triggers memories of this sister Yuri crying Fury overwhelms him and he is about to hit the girl but shika stops him the last moment the group of girls retreats in fear except for one Kazuma gives her a hand to stand asking if she is all right he apologizes to shica for almost doing something unforgivable but she assures him it's okay and thanks him
with a big smile inviting him to go back home together prompting him to visualize as if it's Yuri in the car shika impresses Kazuma with how he stood up for her and she asks him to take care of her from now on as he couldn't do it for Yuri who is no longer in this world this Echoes his mother's suggestion that perhaps Yuri sent shik so they wouldn't feel lonely without her still debating in his mind Kazuma hears a voice that seems to be Yuri's reassuring him that everything is okay this moves him to tears
and he confesses that he has finally decided to live and Promises to protect shika regretting that he couldn't fulfill his promise to protect Yuri this time he VES to do it right playfully shika tells Kazuma that she's thirsty and asks him to wait while while she buys something at the store he waits happily feeling as if Yuri has truly returned and as he picks up shika's backpack some papers fall out he picks them up and discovers they are newspaper articles about his case from seven years ago among them he notices words written saying go meet
him in 5 years intrig he wonders if shik already knew about him before they met and why she dared to approach him despite that shocked he recalls her remark prompting him to wonder why she said this to Nim Kazuma decides to hide the papers again so that shica doesn't find out while questioning if everything he experienced with her was a lie at that moment she returns and timidly shares some snacks with him although he still has questions about why she wanted to meet him when shika leaves he feels pale and doesn't dare to ask her
anything fearing it could destroy his relationship with his new family moreover he does not sense any bad intentions from her back home his mother thanks him for dropping shika at her house and then helps his mother carry some boxes she informs him about a Christmas party at her workplace the orphanage and urges him to attend and help him she asked if he had a chance to talk to shika properly initially reluctant she convinces him that it would be a chance to bond with shika she also notes that having him around will be helpful for them
Kazuma thinks that maybe at the party he will find some clues about her and his promise to protect her becomes his sole reason to move forward with that he agrees to join the party prompting his mother to become happy the next day on his way to the orphanage he wonders about the life shika has led expressing a desire to know trembling with nervousness he rings the bell and someone asks him about his identity prompting him to reveal that he is sent by Miss waku overwhelmed by the number of children there he encounters a girl who
turns out to be the same one who had slapped and bothered chica earlier other children excitedly notify the girl suir about a Str Str boy she informs the kids about his intention to help with party Arrangements she coldly asks Kazuma to accompany her to help with the preparations he is surprised to learn that this girl also lives in the same orphanage as shica causing him to wonder about the tension between them suddenly he runs into shika who seems amazed to see him she asks why he's here and he explains that his mother asked him to
help with the party she could jokingly suggests he's there to play Santa which makes her laugh before Kazuma can tell his mother about his arrival he sees shika's expression and hesitates thinking if it is really of a child unsure if her smile is genuine he remembers the note where she can mentioned wanting to meet him in 5 years but decides to stop thinking about it for now just then the Bold girl appears behind him asking if he is already Frank with shika shocked he looks at her recalling the previous day meanwhile she warns Kazuma not
to get involved with shika claiming she only brings misery to others he's jolted from his thoughts as shica calls out to him and he leaves thinking about the girl's words he goes to where shika is with his mother who is delighted to see him they request him to dress up as Santa for the party as he puts on the costume shika and his mother are impressed with shika commenting that it suits him well the party starts and many children gather around Santa making him decide to enjoy the party with his sole Focus being to protect
shika however an inner voice tells him that for now he doesn't want to atone or protect but he wants to enjoy the moment meanwhile shika and suar head somewhere after talking kazuma's mother asks him M seen shika and trying to hide his Joy he replies that he hasn't his mother requests him to find her as they are giving gifts to everyone handing him shika's gift he eagerly agrees reflecting on how long it has been since he felt so comfortable and decides to find her as he leaves she contemplates the suir also isn't around while searching
for shika Kazuma decides that he will talk to her properly so they can truly be like siblings finally he finds her and as she turns to look at him he notices something strange about her appearance she is standing above suir her hair looking disheveled shocked shika looks at his surprised face and tries to run away while Kazuma instantly grabs her arm telling her to stop Unsure how to address the situation he remains silent shik informs kazum Uma that she brings misery to people and apologizes before running out leaving him feeling worried and confused Kazuma heads
out to find her haunted by her words echoing in his ears about bringing misery to people as he opens the door he sees sumar wobbling and sitting in a corner noticing her injuries he rushes towards her intending to call for help and urging her not to move around suir however pushes him away insisting that it's not his problem and that he shouldn't touch her ignoring her protest he gently places a cloth on her wound to staunch the bleeding telling her to stay still while he applies pressure he calls out for assistance and kazuma's mother appears
clearly concerned she notices sumir bleeding and addresses her gently while Kazuma quickly explains that the cut seems shallow but won't stop bleeding He suggests getting her some medical help and expresses relief that his mother is there she then asks Sumer what happened but she is too scared to speak when his mother turns to Kazuma for answers he nervously fidgets and responds that he doesn't know she then questions why the front door is open and notices that shika's shoes are missing she asked sumire if something happened between them suggesting that perhaps shika had hit her sumir
immediately responds stuttering that she fell while playing around at the party and hit the table corner kazuma's mother accepts this explanation though summer adds that she saw she could go outside Miss wacu asks if Kazuma can go look for shika to which he nods in agreement she then checks if Sumer can stand and she confirms she can Kazuma steps outside to search for shika noticing Footprints and thinking it's likely they're hers as he follows the trail shika's words about bringing misery to people echo in his mind he Ponders what kind of secret she might be
keeping and why suir would cover for shika he gasps when he realizes the footprints lead to Yuri's grave and questions why shika would go there reflecting on Yuri he acknowledges that he will never be forgiven and that Yuri won't come back no matter what he does despite this he resolves to keep living and protect shika to atone for his past and the crime he committed he decides that he must move forward even if he doesn't fully understand shika's motivations just then it starts snowing and he realizes the urgency of the situation he knows he has
to hurry before the trail Fades away and heads toward Yuri's grave when he reaches the grave he finds shica sitting on the ground trembling from the cold he rushes to her covers her with his coat and urges her to go home despite his efforts shica remains silent he expresses his desire for them to become a family but she rejects the idea citing that she brings misery to people around her she starts to walk away but he calls after her pointing out that his mother has been happier since meeting her and that he is alive because
of her insisting that nobody is unhappy he wonders if sumir said something to shika inquiring about su's wound and suspecting shika's involvement he believes that if they talk to each other properly everything will be all right and reassures his help shika tells Kazuma that he doesn't understand anything but assures him it's fine she apologizes for saying she would become his new sister shocked Kazuma questions his promise to keep living be her brother and protect her to which she critically responds that it was all a lie Kazuma taken aack asks why she met him if that
were true which surprises her Kazuma then reveals he saw her notebook and thought she would hate him for turning her life upside down suspecting she had an agenda in getting close to him despite this he never sensed any malice from her he points out that her behavior toward his mom her words to him and her gestures at Yuri's grave make it hard to believe it was all a lie shika trembles and stutters no while Kazuma pleads for her to tell him everything not wanting to repeat them the stake of ignorance he expresses that both he
and his mother want to cherish her shik again stutters trying to stop him he insists she was a gift from Yuri as shik motions for him to stop she slips Kazuma catches her embracing her tightly promising not to let her die anymore with tears in her eyes shika listens as Kazuma VES they will keep on living together become a family and that he will protect her no matter what she admits she is Matsumoto shiko revealing she hid it because she feared everyone would be hurt she apologizes for hiding it being the daughter of someone Kazuma
detests clenching her fists she expresses her desire to hear him say he'll protect her and to properly talk about herself Kazuma asks her to disclose more thanking her and saying it's fine to take it a little at a time shika starts crying apologizing to him Kazuma takes her hand reassuring her that everyone is worried and that they should go home shik startled upon noticing someone making her SOB uncontrollably while murmuring an apology to Yuri the scene shifts to someone laughing while reading about shika's adoption into the Wu family on their phone the girl's eyes flicker
as she sees this declaring that she has to pay her respects to the family the scene shifts to the orphanage where Kazuma is fixing the lights a staff member thanks him and Cory's if he can help with the cleaning next noting how nice it is to have a man around as he starts cleaning the children rush to hug him warmly reflecting on his decision to volunteer at the institution after the Christmas party he thinks it's a great opportunity for former convicts and a chance to spend time with shika meeting her outside Kazuma asks if something
happened with sumir Chan before he arrived shica clearly scared reveals that suir knows about her past when he asked if Sumer knows about the incident and her past shika nods she explains that Sumer talked about her being born from rape and the family that took her in despite that they fought and when she pushed for more details suir got hurt shika expresses a desire to apologize for hurting suar Kazuma responds noting that if suar knows about the incident she must also know about him shika clarifies that suir didn't mention anything about him he advises shika
to be cautious with sumir suggesting that while she may not know all the details yet he has a bad feeling about the situation as he returns to cleaning sumar enters looking surprised he explains that they will be seeing each other more often since he is starting to help out at the institution he notices the wound on her head seems fine and despite having a lot on his mind he wants to get along with her he asks if her wound has healed and she responds that it's fine relieved he smiles and expresses that he's glad nothing
really bad happened suir looks at him briefly then shy walks away saying she's going to school just then shika appears and apologizes for hurting sumar earlier seeing shika's distressed expression suir responds that it's all right and doesn't matter before leaving and slamming the door behind her Kazuma confused asks shik if she thinks suir has forgiven her she remains silent for a moment before asking if he will be there after school as well he confirms that he will be and she requests that he wait for her because she wants to talk Kazuma agrees with a nod
as the school bell rings excited kids burst out cheering about the start of winter vacation they chat about their holiday plans one mentioning how delicious Grandma's New Year's food is and another joking about getting fat over the break they all laugh and talk about watching comedy shows and eating lots of food Samir feeling detached coldly asks what they mean her friend quickly apologizes for getting carried away she smiles waves and wishes everyone a Happy New Year as she walks away just then someone calls out to her from behind and she turns her eyes cold and
sad meanwhile shika meets Kazuma in the common room and starts explaining her past she reveals that the surname of the family who took her in was nishimi they were people she had never known before an older brother close to her age and his mother she constantly questioned why she was adopted feeling the mother's cold gaze and sensing things getting worse between them eventually she discovered that nish's mother was her father's previous wife meaning she and her stepbrother were actually blood siblings with a sad expression she could admits that being family isn't just about blood relations
she explains that things didn't go well with the Nish family leading her to end up in the institution Kazuma feels sorrowful while listening and reflects on the situation he realizes that due to his crime shica lost not only her place in a family she was biologically connected connected to but also her father he reflects on how lonely she must have felt acknowledging that he understands the pain of losing family better than anyone seeing kazuma's sorrowful expression shika asks if he is all right with a trembling voice and teary eyes he tells her she didn't deserve
any of the suffering and apologizes for the pain he caused shica quickly stands up insisting that it was not his fault but hers she then mentions that there are still some things she hasn't shared yet just then Kaz Zuma's mother arrives and tells him it's enough for today suggesting you rest she mentions her night shift and proposes to leave with shika the next morning he agrees asking shica if they can continue their talk later noting the late hour she tries to protest but he reassures her with a smile that they'll have plenty of chances to
talk during the winter vacation he then expresses his concern about being her new family given that he had disrupted her life she assures him she is okay with it as they prepare to leave shika thanks him waving goodbye Kazuma reflects on his desire to make her happy to atone for the pain he caused even if they aren't blood relatives suddenly he hears footsteps and someone slips on the stairs in front of him he rushes to help asking if the person is okay and if they're hurt the boy wincing in pain looks up at him Kazuma
alarmed asks if he's injured and whether he can stand the boy mentions his wrist hurts and it seems strained Kazuma suggests going to the hospital but the lad trembling hesitates saying he doesn't like hospitals and tries to reassure him that it's not broken Kazuma examines the wrist finding it likely not broken and then checks if he can stand the boy giggles and confirms that he can't so Kazuma lifts him onto his back and suggests taking care of it at his place the boy blushes and mutters that this is why she likes him leaving him puzzled
when kazum asks if he said something the boy laughs and responds with another no at his house he thanks him with a smile Kazuma puts a cloth on his strained knee and inquires if it hurts and if he's all right he admits it hurts but insists he's fine he advises him to take it easy and asks if he should contact his parents to pick him up he replies sadly that he'll wait until it stops hurting and apologizes for the trouble observing his reluctance Kazuma offers for him to stay the night noting that it's too late
for him to be out and his leg might hurt more as as Kazuma heads towards the door he mentions that he'll prepare the guest bed and that his family won't be home tonight so he should feel free to make himself comfortable the boy responds with a chuckle and thanks him later as Kazuma falls asleep in his room the boy quietly enters and hovers over him Whispering that he can't see him as a murderer he gently touches his hair reflecting that he doesn't appear to be the person he thought he might be Kazuma stirs awake surprised
to see him and apologizes for sleeping so late he mentions that his mother will be home soon and expresses hope that she won't ask too many questions the boy laughs and Kazuma realizes he never asked his name but he realizes something and questions how the boy knows his name then the scene shifts to shika and kazuma's mother driving home she being cheerful and excited remarks how happy she is to spend New Year's Eve with the family and plans to visit a shrine and make lots of New Year's food shika responds noting her happiness and expressing
how much she enjoys spending time with her family when they finally arrive home they notice something unusual kazuma's mother asks if they have a guest pointing out the unfamiliar shoes at the entrance shika curious heads towards kazuma's room as she opens the door she freezes in shock upon seeing the boy with Kazuma she gasps the name shusuke while the boy looks up with a welcoming smile and says welcome home shika Kazuma is confused by the situation during during breakfast he learns that shusuke is her brother introducing himself as nishim shusuke he remarks on The Coincidence
of Kazuma being the one taking care of her Wu intrigued points out that shusuke must be from the family shika lived with previously he confirms that it has been six years since they last met he explains that he was heading to the institution in isumo when Kazuma helped him considering at The Stroke of Luck shika looks on visibly shocked and unsettled Kazuma disoriented asks shusuke if he needs something from shika he reveals that he wants to discuss the possibility of her returning to live with their family this Revelation surprises them all Wu astonished asks a
shusuke is referring to their family he explains that he deeply regrets putting shika in the institution and as a child at the time was unable to act he had promised himself to rectify the situation once he grew up and now wants to make good on that promise shika is taken back by the suddenness of the offer kesuma notes that she is supposed to become their adopted child but acknowledges the need to wait and consider the situation carefully shusuke reaffirms his intention to take shika in and expresses his sincere regret for the abruptness of the situation
emphasizing that the final decision rests with her Wu observing shika's shocked and frightened reaction emphasizes that her wishes are the most important and that she should make her own decision regarding such a significant matter a moment of silence Falls over the room as Kazuma reflects on the situation he senses something is off and questions whether this is all just a coincidence he wonders how shusuke knows his name and about the adoption and begins to suspect that he might be hiding something shusuke then breaks the silence admitting the abruptness of his visit and deciding to leave
as he stands he Grimes and sits back down on the floor wincing in pain Kazuma concerned inquires about his condition shusuke admits his leg still hurts apologizing and trying to get up despite his discomfort wake noticing shusuke's pain insists to stay and rest until he feels better offering to make lunch for everyone shuk with teary eyes expresses his gratitude Wu reassures him that Kazuma will take care of his wound and instructs Kazuma to fetch a new wet compress he stands prepared to help and heads off to get the compress see shika's frightened and Silent demeanor
Kazuma asks her what's wrong shika with a shaky voice begins to apologize revealing a painful memory from her past she recalls an incident where after being hurt by other children shusuke had come to her Aid asking if they had troubled her again in a desperate gesture he had cut his own hand vowing not to let her be the only one in pain expressing his sorrow for not being able to protect her the memory then shifts to their mother's angry voice SC in shuusuke and blaming shika for the situation he with teary eyes insists that it's
not shika's fault overwhelmed by guilt she had run away feeling responsible for the suffering and pain caused to others she had struggled with her sense of guilt which led her to distance herself from shusuke's feelings in the present shika filled with regret apologizes to him acknowledging how kind he had always been to her despite their blood connection she bows deeply expressing that she can't can't return with him shusuke however smiles and takes her hands reassuring her that he doesn't care about the past or their blood relationship he expresses his relief at hearing her feelings admitting
that he always thought she hated him he reminisces about the times when she used to call him big brother and expresses his desire to reform their bond he extends his other hand gently taking shik's hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze as Kazuma returns with a cold compress he overhears them laugh laughing and chatting recollecting about past family card games shoses shika about a game of President where she won by a large margin and they eagerly agree to play again seeing their cheerful interaction Kazuma reflects on their strong sibling Bond and shika's evident happiness he
realizes that they must have shared many experiences together and their reunion is significant however he becomes troubled by the thought that despite his good intentions he is the person who took away shusuke's parents creating a moral dilemma about his own role in shika's life but she believes they can't have gone far due to shusuke's Injured ankle they were already gone when she woke up and she plans to search for them he reassures her that he will call if anything comes up and tells her to stay calm he agrees to head home immediately and stay there
to avoid missing them if they return as he prepares to leave sum interjects asking if wuan is on the phone and notes that shik and her older brother are missing Kazuma shocked asked how she knew Samir responds by expressing concern for Miss Wu's safety and urges him to hurry home implying that shusuke might be dangerous rushing home his mind races with questions he wonders if suar is connected to shusuke somehow and how she knows so much about the situation he recalls shika's warning to be careful around Sumer and feels increasingly uneasy with thoughts swirling about
sumer's knowledge shusuke's intentions and shika's safety he focuses on finding shika as soon as possible driven by his growing worry Kazuma returns home wondering if his mom has come back yet he is surprised to see a pair of unfamiliar shoes at the entrance as he enters he finds someone sitting in front of Yuri's photo the person turns around revealing themselves as shusuke who greets him with a smile Kazuma clenches his fists his mind racing with questions shusuke explains that shika went out to buy a new press for him and that he had only been in
the garden Kazuma tries to stay calm believing shusuke's words but still feeling uneasy Kazuma then confronts shuusuke about his suspicions he points out the inconsistencies he noticed such as him dragging the wrong foot and knowing kazuma's name without being told he demands the truth realizing that shusuke's approach to them was not a coincidence but a planned act hearing this he speaks up with fiend shock claiming he thought he was doing well but but got caught red-handed he admits to mistakenly dragging the wrong leg mocking Kazuma for paying such close attention shate expresses disappointment pretending to
regret letting his guard down and reveals that he thought it would be easy to take shica back by buying sympathy being surprised he asks why shusuke feels the need to deceive people and reminds him that he is shika's biological brother shuke laughs mocking Kazuma for his Navy and accuses him of not being able to protect his own sister he calls Kazuma a murderer freezing him in place and leaving him speechless he then taunts Kazuma further by pointing to Yuri's Altar and questioning how Kazuma feels about killing someone's father and then making his daughter his sister
he accuses Kazuma of trying to make a substitute for his dead sister and mocks him for being a horrible person Kazuma overwhelmed with anger tells shuke to stop he admits that he couldn't protect his sister and doesn't expect forgiveness he accepts his rage led to taking shusuke's father's life Kazuma explains that his decision to make shika happy is his way of atonement to both Yuri and shika and that's what he lives for seething with anger he asked shusuke if he truly wants to live with shika and what his mother would think he questions how far
shusuke is willing to go shusuke responds dismissively calling the situation Troublesome and stating that as long as there's a blood connection it's enough he insists on taking shika in regardless of kazuma's concerns and asserts that his mother's situation has nothing to do with it he expresses annoyance calling Kazuma a hassle and a pain suddenly shusuke places a finger on kazuma's lips ominously stating that his presence is a big problem he then slides his hand into his pocket taking out a knife with a smile he threatens Kazuma suggesting that if he were to tell someone he
found shuke bleeding and crying for help and claimed that Kazuma someone with a criminal record was responsible it would be a serious issue he shows Kazuma the knife tauntingly wondering what might happen next he is stunned as shusuke brings the blade closer to his arm trying to cut himself acting swiftly Kazuma grabs the knife preventing shuuk from harming himself but cuts his own hand in the process blood oozes from his hand as he holds the knife preventing shusuke from hurting himself further Kazuma asks shusuke what he is doing and accuses him of using the knife
to make the wound on his right ankle he implores Shu skate to stop hurting himself stating he doesn't mind being demeaned but doesn't want to see another child get hurt shusuke shocked responds by saying if Kazuma really wants to be shika's big brother that badly he'll reveal something he taunts Kazuma suggesting he probably doesn't know the real reason his sister committed suicide Kazuma in disbelief insists that Yuri died because of that man shuke calmly responds indicating that he is unaware of the truth kesuma still shocked demands to know what he is talking about he then
reveals that the reason Yuri died was because of shika just then wuan comes back home with shika announcing their arrival she apologizes to Kazuma explaining that she found shika buying a wet compress for his brother Wu then asks if shusuke is there too Kazuma visibly shaken responds awkwardly saying he remembered something he had to do and left noting that his leg seems better now wake could concerned expresses her worry about shusuke mentioning how much pain he appeared to be in shika then notices the blood on kazuma's hand and sees the large wound shocked she takes
his hand asking what happened Kazuma still in shock recalls holding the knife and shuk's chilling words about shika being the reason for Yuri's death he drops the knife accusing shusuke of lying shusuke picks it up and taunts him telling him to meet at the institution tomorrow to find out the truth he then dashes out of the house ignoring kazuma's attempts to stop him Kazuma watches him leave overwhelmed by the Revelation presently shika concerned asks Kazuma if he is okay snapping out of his thoughts he smiles and reassures her explaining that he dropped a vase on
the Altar and got cut while cleaning it up downplaying the injury Wu surprise asks why everyone is getting hurt shika then gives Kazuma a souvenir she found at a convenience store saying it looks really delicious and encouraging him to eat it and get better Kazuma responds with a smile saying he will try he silently observes shika overwhelmed by confusion and the recent Revelations the scene shifts to another house where suar sits at a study table nervously glancing at her phone she hears a lock click and a knock at the door as she peeks out the
window she sees shusuke standing there smiling surprised she asks him why he is here he apologizes and reveals that he has told Kazuma and shika about Yuri suir shocked and angry grabs his shirt and coldly reminds him that she told him not to say anything he reassures her that he didn't tell Wu anything he then questions why she is protecting Kazuma a stranger she pushes him away asserting that he wouldn't understand what it's like to be in pain shusuke informs her that things are progressing faster than expected and tell tells her that Kazuma is coming
over today implying she knows what to do suir shuts the window in his face leaving him outside laughing maniacally the scene shifts again to shika standing alone holding a teddy bear and mumbling something Kazuma confused and unable to understand her words listens as she repeats in a dark tone that she is the one who killed Yuri the words shock him and he suddenly wakes up from his sleep groaning realizing it was just a dream he sighed and P the implausibility of her involvement in Yuri's death determined to clear things up he decides to meet with
shusuke convinced there must be a misunderstanding as he gets ready his mother comes to his room greeting him and questioning if bread is okay for breakfast kesuma responds that he forgot something at the institution and needs to retrieve it so he won't be eating he asked if he can take the car his mother concerned tells him to let her know if something is on his mind and asks if he is okay noting he seems tired Kazuma sounding sad assures her he is fine as he walks out of his room he is surprised to see shika
sitting in front of Yuri's altar sweat Pours Down his face as he sees her she turns and greets him noticing his sweat and asking if he is okay she slowly approaches and touches his shoulder asking if he has a fever or something Kazuma flinches and moves her hand away in Surprise as he walks off shika asks with concern what's wrong he quickly explains he forgot something at the institution and needs to pick it up urging her to eat breakfast before it gets cold leaving her in a State of Shock shika later finds a note from
Shu skate telling her to meet at Yuri's grave leaving her stunned meanwhile Kazuma on his way to meet shusuke Pond why he said those things convinced shika couldn't be involved standing in front of the institution he resolves to clear up the misunderstanding upon entering he's shocked to see sumir who leads him inside avoiding his questions about shusuke she reveals she didn't want him to know the truth but feels forced to explain everything due to shusuke she admits that if shika didn't exist their problems wouldn't have happened and she'll never forgive her Samir recounts how she
was Wu's favorite until shika appeared taking that place but she was okay with it until shika became a murderer he demands an explanation and suir presents Yuri's phone revealing it was found in shika's room he questions why shika had Yuri's phone sumir speculates she picked it up on the day of the incident Kazuma tries to rationalize suggesting shika might have found it later not knowing it was Yuri's phone sumir denies his reasoning stating that Yuri and shika knew each other overwhelmed he questions how sumar could know this she responds by opening a recording which begins
to play Yuri's painful screams and cries for help suir explains that shika may not have found the voice recordings but Kazuma Hears A child's voice apologizing to Yuri amidst the screams he is overwhelmed wondering if shik can knowingly hid the recordings and failed to call for help or if she was simply apologizing for letting Yuri die the emotional weight of his sister's please brings him to the ground sobbing in agony suir CLE continues explaining that shika once confessed to letting someone die to find happiness in a new family she suggests that shica wanted to get
rid of Yuri to escape her own unhappiness questioning if he really wants her as a sister Kazuma overwhelmed by grief and confusion sobs uncontrollably on the ground while suir watches sadly meanwhile shika walks alone on the road pondering kazuma's sudden departure to the institution and feeling the need to follow him from a distance shusuke smirks as he watches her approach when she reaches him he greets her revealing he placed the note under her bag and that he has been waiting for her shocked shik asks why and shusuke with a smile tells her that he informed
Kazuma about her and Yuri she's stunned and asks why he told Kazuma shusuke Giggles explaining that he wanted to enjoy the situation a little more before revealing everything but Kazuma was smarter than expected causing everything to come out he mentions that suir was also mad at him for revealing it to Kazuma confused Sheik could asked about sumir he explains that Sumer is the one who knows everything and is probably talking with Kazuma at the in stitution right now about her secret ignoring her horrified expression he continues saying it doesn't matter for them because they are
siblings sharing the blood of a filthy criminal he questions why she should get to be happy and not him taking out a knife he calls her name and in a dark tone suggests ending the fake happiness already Sumer sadly questions Kazuma if it's really okay to make someone as horrible as shika his sister Kazuma still kneeling on the ground and tearful thinks about Yuri and wonders how difficult it must have been for her he blames himself for not picking her up that day not noticing her pain and questions why shik could didn't help Yuri he
rationalizes that she was just a kid but the thoughts continue to pierce his heart causing him to groan in pain suir rushes to him asking if he's okay but he remains silent gazing at the ground just then he receives a call from his mother she asked if shik is with him at the facility he stutters saying she isn't and his mother reveals that she might have gone to Yuri's grave after finding a letter from shusuke Kazuma realizes shika might be in danger he tells his mother he'll take the car and find her instructing her to
stay home suir watches him sadly as he prepares to leave she then gives him Yuri's phone saying he should hold on to it Kazuma thanks her and pond his duty to resolve everything sitting in his car he bangs his head against the steering wheel feeling remorseful and wanting to die to a tone for his sister's suffering he recalls Yuri's comforting words and shika's face reminding himself of the promise he made to live he thinks about what he should say when he meets shika still unable to fully accept the truth he questions if shika Bears any
guilt and why she wanted to see him when Kazuma arrives he sees shuusuke holding a knife clearly intending to end shika's false happiness he steps in front of shika to protect her shika is surprised and calls out to him which also catch cches shuusuke off guard Kazuma tells shuusuke to stop going after shika and questions why he's trying to hurt her in a mocking tone he says that Kazuma must have heard the truth about shika from suir Kazuma admits he knows everything but insists that this is a family matter and asks shusuke to leave he
becomes angrier mocks their supposedly happy family calling it all fake his rage intensifies as he vents about Kazuma and shika's supposed happiness he reveals his deep resentment explaining how he used to be their mother's favorite until shik came along he hoped to share their mother's love with her but instead he ended up being bullied and hated because of her over time the situation worsened and he faced the harsh reality of their family's messed up Dynamics and his own feelings of being overpowered and unloved shusuke recalls the heavy price he and his mother paid his mother
felt ill and he needed money to help her desperate he took a job at a Japanese br nervous he met his boss who invited him to join him in the bath shusuke stalled pretending to prepare things and when the man went to the bathroom he saw an opportunity he opened the man's bag and found a wallet but he was caught by the man trying to play it off shusuke complimented the bag but the man wasn't fooled he assaulted shusuke brutally then handed him some money bruised and tearful shuusuke returned home where his mother questioned his
late return overwhelmed he tearfully confessed the incident and the horror he endured he remembered his mother's harsh words after he revealed his traumatic experience she blamed him for wanting a little sister and called him a plague insisting that he was definitely his father's child he apologized and wondered if she could had to endure a similar hell he believed they both shared the blood of a criminal and could never Escape that fate now holding a knife he confronted shica questioning why only she could escape from their shared torment kesuma tried to reason with him acknowledging his
suffering but urging him to seek happiness for himself instead of making her unhappy shusuke feeling dirty and defeated asked Kazuma if he still had a reason to keep living after killing someone he then pleaded with Kazuma to kill him believing it would save shika and end his own suffering shika trembling apologized and begged her brother to stop while Kazuma tried to make sense of shusuke's desperate words he handed the knife to Kazuma tears in his eyes insisting that there was no other way and begging Kazuma to join him in death he and shika desperately tried
to stop shusuke Who Cried Out questioning the point of listening and suggesting that Kazuma could never be happy with someone like shika in his despair he even proposed dying together leaving them in a State of Shock and Desperation suir arrives and pleads for everyone to stop she approaches shusuke and manages to snatch the knife from his hand startling both Kazuma and and shusuke in a frenzy he rushes towards Sumer yelling at her not to interfere they struggle over the knife with suir trying to hold him back seeing the struggle Kazuma rushes towards them shouting for
them to calm down and stop however it's too late sumir accidentally stabs shuke in the stomach during the struggle he closes his eyes smiling with tears streaming down his face shika and Kazuma rushed towards him desperately calling his name here I am know it's been a while I was in Deni about my love here I stand I know I walked away I had to find a person I become