Entrapped

A mother's plea

The atmosphere in the living room shifted abruptly as all eyes turned toward Yui. No one had ever heard her speak with such intensity and anger. Among them, Sakura was the most shocked. She stared at Yui, her mouth slightly agape, a mixture of surprise and disappointment evident on her face.

Sakura knew Yui had a point—Mr. Sato had played a significant role in Minato's demise. But she never expected such vengeful thoughts from her daughter. She loved her husband dearly and missed him deeply. Marrying Minato was the best decision she had ever made, and meeting him back in college had been a blessing.

Sakura recalled how hot-tempered and blunt she used to be before she met Minato. He was always patient with her, even when she was arrogant. Over time, his calm and gentle nature influenced her, transforming her own mindset. As she reflected on Yui's words, the reality of losing Minato hit her harder. She had indeed lost a rare gem. She expected to cry, but no tears came.

"Yui…" Sakura finally managed to say, her voice trembling with shock.

"I understand how much your dad's death hurts, but revenge won’t bring him back. There's no peace in holding onto hate. What you need to do now is forgive, let go, and move on," Sakura advised, her eyes filled with concern.

"No, Mum!" Yui protested, her voice firm.

"People who hurt others don’t deserve happiness! Dad's boss has—" Yui began, but Sakura cut her off.

"Enough, Yui! Why are you so stubborn? What’s wrong with you?" Sakura scolded, her voice rising.

"Everything is wrong, Mum! Dad's boss is responsible for his death, and you expect me to stay silent? No, I won't! I'll fight until Dad gets justice," Yui declared, her words resolute and final.

"Yui, dear, remember your dad's words. Hatred kills, but forgiveness heals. Don't let hate consume you—" Sakura's voice softened, but she stopped speaking when Yui abruptly stood up and walked out of the room. Aoi and Aoto could only watch in astonishment as their sister left.

Sakura's emotions overwhelmed her as she watched Yui leave. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry. Aoi and Aoto quickly moved to comfort her, wrapping their arms around her and whispering words of encouragement.

Minato was given a dignified burial, thanks to the support of family, friends, and well-wishers. However, after the funeral, Sakura noticed a growing distance between herself and Yui. Yui’s obsession with seeking revenge on Mr. Sato deeply troubled Sakura. This wasn’t the child she had raised.

"Why this sudden rebellion? I never knew Yui could become so cold-hearted," Sakura thought to herself, haunted by Yui’s words: "If Dad's boss hadn’t fired him, he wouldn’t have fallen ill, let alone died. That man is cruel, and I won’t let him get away with it. He’ll pay for what he did to Dad. I’ll fight with everything I have to make sure Dad gets justice and his boss ends up behind bars."

Determined to stop Yui from going down a dangerous path, Sakura stormed into Yui's room, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. "Yui, sit up! We need to talk!"

Yui barely reacted, yawning lazily before sitting up in bed. "What?" she mumbled, blinking sleepily.

"Yui," Sakura began, her voice laden with worry, "you have to quit this vengeful journey before it destroys you. Please, reconsider this decision. There are dangers ahead that you may not realize. Do you know how powerful Mr. Sato is? Do you think you can bring him down? Have you considered the consequences? If you take him to court, do you honestly believe you’ll win? Musume, forget what he's done to us and pretend like he never existed," Sakura pleaded, her words sending a chill down Yui's spine.

For a brief moment, Yui was tempted to listen to her mother, but her resolve quickly returned. The injustice her father faced had hardened her heart.

"I... I can't just forget what happened. I can't. Dad's boss might be powerful, but he's not above the law. He's wicked, and I hate him," Yui responded, her voice filled with anger.

Sakura sighed, her heart heavy with concern. "I understand, but your safety is my priority. I can't lose you too, Yui. Seeking revenge can lead to dangerous, unpredictable outcomes. Please, find a healthier way to cope with the pain and sorrow in your heart. Perhaps therapy or counseling could help," she suggested, her voice tinged with desperation.

But Yui was unmoved. She was determined to take matters into her own hands, regardless of the consequences. In her mind, the only way to achieve justice was through revenge.

The tension between Yui and her mother, Sakura, continued to simmer beneath the surface. Despite their differences, they both deeply loved each other, and this bond held them together even as their opinions clashed. Sakura's concern for Yui’s well-being never wavered, and she constantly sought to protect her daughter from the dangers of a vengeful heart. On the other hand, Yui’s mind remained clouded with thoughts of avenging her father, unable to let go of the pain and anger that consumed her.

Sakura, sensing the strain in their relationship, still showed Yui how much she cared through small gestures of kindness. She was always there for Yui, offering support and encouragement, even though they weren’t on the best of terms. During moments of despair, it was Sakura who provided comfort, a reminder that no matter how much they disagreed, their family bond remained unbroken.

Yui couldn’t deny how grateful she was for her mother’s unwavering love. It meant everything to her, serving as a constant reminder that, despite their different views on life, they were still family. This support encouraged Yui to believe that she could face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing she wasn’t alone.

With this thought in mind, Yui and Sakura slowly began to restore their relationship. They both made an effort to put aside their differences for the sake of the family. In time, Sakura and the children managed to move past the grief of Minato’s death, though they still remembered him on special occasions. Their home was once again filled with laughter and joy, with no room for strife.

To celebrate the renewed sense of peace and unity in their home, they decided to host a small parlor party. It was a simple affair, but the atmosphere was filled with warmth and love. As they sat together, raising their glasses, Sakura made a heartfelt toast.

"Cheers to more years of happiness, fruitfulness, and togetherness!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she lifted her glass of wine.

Everyone joined in the toast, their faces beaming with joy. However, unknown to Sakura, Yui hadn’t truly moved on from her father’s death. The memories of how Minato was unjustly fired, his health rapidly declined, and the pain he endured before his passing were still fresh in Yui’s mind. These thoughts haunted her, a constant reminder of the injustice her father had suffered.

Yui had learned to hide her emotions well, masking her anger and pain with a smile. But beneath the surface, the desire for revenge burned brighter than ever. Each time she thought of Mr. Sato, the man she held responsible for her father’s death, her heart filled with rage.

"I can’t just move on," Yui thought to herself, her resolve hardening. "I owe my late father justice. He wouldn’t forgive me if I denied him that. I can’t allow the architect of our family’s suffering to go unpunished. He must pay for this!"

Sakura, meanwhile, was relieved that Yui no longer mentioned revenge in their conversations. But a nagging doubt lingered in her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

"Is Yui pretending? Is she trying to keep me from discovering her plans?" These thoughts plagued Sakura, making her worry that her daughter was hiding something from her.

Yui, however, had no concrete plan for how to make Mr. Sato pay for his actions. All she knew was that she couldn’t let him get away with it. She was determined to make him regret ever mistreating her father, and nothing would stand in her way.