138: The Second Step

[To others, your personality seems to have changed. Previously, you abstained from alcohol and avoided people smoking by taking a different route.]

[But now, you've picked up both of these bad habits. Although not frequent, the Isshiki family has certainly noticed.]

[Having just lost your own flesh and blood, your wife's health has also started to show issues, and now your stepmother is pessimistic and wants to pass away.] 

[They understand your troubles and pain but are unable to help in any way.]

[Half a month later, you visit your stepmother's nursing room alone.] 

[She is emotionally charged and, despite not having received any extra "care" from you recently, she has no more attachment to this world.] 

[She wants you to arrange euthanasia for her as soon as possible.]

[Seeing her hysterical face, you decide…]

[1. Absolutely not. This doesn't align with my plan. She needs to live for a while longer, at least until Iroha willingly returns to me to have a child.]

[2. Comfort her with kind words, fulfilling all her requests except for leaving this world.]

[3. She is too agitated and shows signs of losing control. Agree to her request to relieve her and revise the original plan.]

Looking at the three options in front of him, though you don't want to admit it, he does feel a hint of excitement.

This stimulating feeling keeps him mentally alert, even though it's already 2 a.m., and he doesn't feel a bit of sleepiness.

Indeed, does everyone have a dark, evil side hidden deep within?

Chisato gets up from the bed, takes out some drinks and bread from the fridge, and while eating a midnight snack, he deliberates over the options.

For now, everything seems to be going smoothly.

According to the description, after the previous act, the malicious stepmother underwent an unexpected change.

Her emotions have become more agitated, showing signs of being uncontrollable.

Given this situation, Option 1 is definitely out of the question.

A person who desperately wants to die, if pressured aggressively, might do something dangerous.

She has also regained her ability to speak. Although you have arranged for a caregiver to monitor her, there's always a chance of negligence.

If something goes wrong, the current favorable situation could spiral out of control.

Therefore, Option 2 doesn't seem necessary to consider either.

Chisato chose Option 3.

Plans can be revised; it's better to eliminate this unstable time bomb as soon as possible.

[You are deep in thought about your stepmother's request.]

[Your original plan was to use the stepmother's regret and longing for her grandson, coupled with the fact that Miri can no longer conceive and Iroha's intense guilt, to employ a series of methods to make her willingly lie in your bed.]

[But seeing the stepmother's unstable state, you reconsider and abandon this plan, agreeing to her request.]

[Your stepmother feels a sense of relief.]

[You begin to handle a series of procedures and inform the Isshiki family of your decision.]

[On the day you announce your decision, you look disheveled, reeking of alcohol, and have heavy dark circles around your eyes.]

[Mrs. Isshiki feels pity for you and sympathizes with your stepmother's decision, but it doesn't stop her sadness from flowing out as she silently turns away to wipe her tears.]

[Mr. Isshiki comes to your side, puts his arm around your shoulder, and sighs.] 

[He thinks about your life from childhood to now, lamenting the unfairness of fate and why all the suffering has to fall upon you alone.]

[That night, you stay at the Isshiki family home to rest.] 

[Your wife returns to her room first, and you lean on the sofa, staring at the TV screen but unable to focus on much.]

[Iroha sits next to you, looking at your haggard face and tightly clenched hands resting on her lap.]

[Her facial wounds have healed, but the emotional scars have worsened from witnessing your disheartened state day after day.]

[If the baby could be successfully born instead of dying due to her own reasons, and if Chisato's stepmother could see the lovely baby, would she feel healed? Would her thoughts change because of this?]

[Since returning home from the hospital, Iroha has been constantly pondering these questions.]

[You know what Iroha is thinking, and this is exactly what you want.]

[You don't give her a chance to comfort you but instead feign reluctance and comfort her.]

[She ends up crying, burying her face in your chest, letting out the frustration she has been holding in for days, wetting your shirt with her tears.]

[During this time, you suppress the desire to hold her tightly and only gently pat her shoulder, avoiding any other inappropriate actions.]

[Your stepmother successfully undergoes euthanasia abroad.] 

[You bring her back to the country and bury her, officially inheriting her entire estate. The matter is brought to a close.]

[One year later, time has a healing effect on deep emotional wounds. Sadness and disappointment have temporarily faded away.]

[Everything seems to have improved.]

[Iroha graduates from university. Following her family's advice, she does not seek employment but instead accompanies Miri as much as possible while you are busy with work.]

[The revised plan you've developed now quietly begins to take effect.]

[Following your orders, Miri gradually stops being depressed and becomes more cheerful every day.] 

[She pretends not to know that she can no longer conceive and starts repeatedly telling Iroha that she and you are trying to create a new life.]

[Watching her sister-in-law's hopeful expectations for something that is completely impossible, Iroha feels guilt and sadness but can only force a smile.]

[Two months pass, and from Iroha's perspective, Miri occasionally touches her abdomen thoughtfully.]

[Another two months pass, and the time is right.] 

[Miri approaches Iroha alone, slightly suspicious, and asks if you and everyone else are hiding something from her.]

[Iroha appears panicked and remains silent.]

[Miri, seeing this, decides to go to the hospital for a full-body check-up herself.]

[Iroha hurriedly grabs her, tears falling from her eyes.] 

[Unable to keep the secret any longer, Iroha reluctantly reveals to Miri the fact that she became infertile after a fall down the stairs due to her negligence.]

[When Miri learns the "truth" from Iroha, she remains calm, saying nothing harsh to Iroha and showing no extreme reactions.]

[However, it is evident that she, who had finally begun to recover from the "pain of losing a child," has once again sunk into emotional despair.]

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