Jiro's POV
The gates opened slowly as the car entered the mansion.
Even from outside, the house looked almost unreal—lights everywhere, illuminating every corner as if darkness wasn't allowed to exist here. Anyone passing by would think it was perfect.
They're wrong.
Before I even stepped out of the car, the shouting reached my ears.
Right on time.
I let out a quiet breath. "As usual…"
My parents were both in their forties—but the way they fought, you'd think they were children who never learned how to stop.
I stepped out of the car, fixing my expression before walking inside.
This is why I keep my distance from people.
I don't want anyone to see this side of my life.
I pushed the door open—
—and a vase nearly hit me.
"Mom!" I caught it just in time. "What are you doing? Can you stop?!"
She turned to me, eyes red, hands shaking with anger. "Stop? Why don't you tell your father to stop?! Tell him to stop cheating on me!"
She pointed at Dad, her voice breaking.
I clenched my jaw. "Okay… just calm down, Mom. Go upstairs. I'll handle Dad."
"No!" she snapped. "No! If your father keeps pushing me like this, I swear—I'll leave him!"
Her voice cracked as tears fell.
Before I could say anything—
A sharp sound.
Dad pulled out a gun from the drawer.
My heart dropped.
"Dad—what are you doing?!" I moved quickly, stepping between them.
He pointed it at Mom.
"You'll die first before you leave me," he said coldly. "I built this family. You don't get to destroy it."
Mom let out a bitter laugh through her tears. "You should've thought about that before you kept cheating on me over and over again."
The tension in the room was suffocating.
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't think.
So I did the only thing I knew would stop him.
I grabbed the gun—
and pointed it at myself.
"If you're going to kill Mom…" my voice stayed steady, even if everything inside me wasn't, "then kill me first."
Silence.
For the first time—
Dad hesitated.
His hand slowly lowered.
Then without a word, he turned and walked out.
Just like that.
Like nothing happened.
Like this was normal.
I stood there, my chest tight, before turning to Mom.
"Mom… are you okay?"
"Yes…" she whispered—but the moment she spoke, she broke down.
I didn't say anything.
I just stayed there, holding her, letting her cry until she had no strength left.
Eventually, she pulled away and walked upstairs without another word.
I watched her go.
And for a moment…
I felt it.
That look in her eyes.
Fear.
Not just of Dad—
but of me.
Like she was wondering if one day, I'd become just like him.
My jaw tightened.
Maybe she's right.
Maybe that's exactly why I don't let people get close.
Because if they see too much…
They won't see me.
They'll see him.
And that's why… I don't save people.