134: The Gears Begin to Turn

[What you want to obtain isn't achieved by simply speaking it out, but by finding ways to make others voluntarily offer it to you. That is the subtle and clever approach.]

[The news of your stepmother waking up was known by your girlfriend and the Isshiki family, and you brought them to visit her one after another.]

[In front of them, you appeared very filial and gentle towards your stepmother, attending to her with meticulous care.] 

[Your stepmother knew your true nature, but due to her weakness and inability to speak, she couldn't convey effective information.]

[No one noticed the inappropriate nature of your relationship with your stepmother.] 

[You arranged for a very obedient caregiver for her, who was meant for monitoring rather than just caring.]

[As you had said before, you visited her daily without missing a day, personally "caring" for her each time.]

[Under your shadow, she trembled in fear every day, dreading your arrival.] 

[After the doctor confirmed with you repeatedly, he began using aggressive treatments that caused the patient pain.] 

[Although her condition seemed to gradually improve, she suffered daily, and her mental state weakened day by day.]

[After six months, one day, you finally heard the words you wanted to hear from her: "Please let me go, let me die."]

[You told her that, except for the law, no one has the right to end a life, even if it is her own.]

[She told you she had heard from the caregiver that Switzerland allows euthanasia, and she pleaded with you to stop her suffering.]

[You remained silent. The caregiver's actions were carried out with your backing, and the plan was proceeding smoothly, but something was still missing.]

[Seeing your silence, she thought you had softened.] 

[She immediately began to plead like a pitiable creature, crying and begging for mercy.] 

[She repented for what she had done to you in the past, claiming she was no longer human.] 

[If you agreed, she would be willing to work as a servant in her next life to repay you, only asking that you release her now.]

[All conditions were met, and you felt genuinely elated.] 

[You could almost see the future moment when the plan would succeed, with Iroha, whom you had longed for since childhood, coquettishly nestled in your arms, displaying both pain and pleasure.]

[For her desperate pleas, you remained silent for a long time before agreeing.] 

[However, you didn't believe in the next life, so you made a counter-demand: she had to help with something within her capacity.]

[After hearing your words, she eagerly nodded in agreement, willing to cooperate as long as you fulfilled her request to allow her to decide her own life.]

[On the day of your college graduation, surrounded by friends, classmates, and family, you knelt on one knee and proposed to Nakakita Miri.]

[One month after graduation, you held the wedding, becoming a model couple in others' eyes for your affectionate relationship.]

[On your wedding night, Miri knelt before you. You gently touched the collar around her neck and told her the plan had begun.] 

[She blushed and nodded in acknowledgment.]

[A week later, at the Isshiki family dinner table, Miri, in front of everyone, touched her stomach, which was not yet pregnant, and bashfully announced a false pregnancy.]

[Except for you, who knew the truth, the Isshiki family and Iroha displayed mixed expressions of surprise.]

[The Isshiki couple discussed preparing baby essentials like cribs and bottles. Iroha was so excited she went over to place her ear on Miri's belly.]

[As six months passed, Miri's belly grew.] 

[Following your advice, she did not look for work and stayed home to rest.] 

[During the day, she waited for you to return from work to have dinner together, and in the evening, you drove her back to your new apartment.]

[Iroha, observing your affectionate relationship, was genuinely happy for you. Now a senior, she had little academic pressure and voluntarily took on the task of caring for Miri during the day.]

[On a Sunday, while you were resting, an "accident" occurred.] 

[The Isshiki couple was out for a meal, and Iroha, while helping Miri downstairs, slipped on water you had deliberately spilled on the wooden stairs.] 

[She fell down with Miri.]

[Iroha was not seriously injured, just with a sore backside, but Miri was in critical condition.] 

[She clutched her stomach in pain, and blood was flowing from beneath her long skirt.]

[Iroha realized the gravity of the situation and was terrified seeing Miri in extreme pain.] 

[She was on the verge of tears, rushing to help her sister-in-law but ending up with her hands covered in sticky blood.]

[You, in the living room, heard the commotion and rushed over like a madman. Iroha had never seen such an expression on your face.]

[You quickly carried Miri to the car, not waiting for Iroha to catch up, and drove straight to the private obstetrics and gynecology hospital you had prepared in advance.]

[When Iroha and the Isshiki couple arrived at the hospital, they found you sitting anxiously outside the emergency room, like an ant on a hot pan.]

[Mr. Isshiki sat beside you, comforting you by saying everything would be fine, and Mrs. Isshiki held your hand tightly.]

[As for Iroha, she stood silently with her head bowed, her hands stained with blood that hadn't been cleaned properly.]

[Half an hour later, a doctor wearing a mask came out of the emergency room. This doctor, whom you had bribed, approached and recited the lines you had set up.]

"We did everything we could; we managed to save your wife, but we are very sorry about the child. Also, due to this accident, your wife will be unable to have children in the future."

[The doctor said a few comforting words and then bowed and left.]

[After hearing this, you were devastated, collapsing to the ground like a soulless, hollow puppet.]

[Mrs. Isshiki held you tightly, crying uncontrollably.]

[Mr. Isshiki, with red eyes, walked over to Iroha and slapped her face with great force.]

[Iroha fell to the ground, covering her face. Her once bright and energetic eyes were now dim and lifeless.]

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