Chapter 3: Ch 3 - When Love Fails
The sink was full of unwashed dishes, each one stained with remnants of meals long forgotten. A faint, sour smell clung to the air—instant noodles, sweat, mold.
Keita sat on the floor, surrounded by unopened bills.
Gas bill overdue. Water pending disconnection. Final notice.
He turned each one over like they were rejection letters. In a way, they were.
He hadn't heard from his wife in days.
No calls. No messages. Not even a photo of Emi.
He stared at the last photo they had taken together, stuck on the corner of his drawing desk. Emi's smile was wide, holding up a drawing he had made for her—a cute girl in a magical school uniform, flying through the stars.
She used to say, "Papa makes magic."
Now the desk was covered in dust. No magic, just crumpled papers and empty energy drink cans.
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He tried drawing again.