Chapter 3: The Shadows of the Past

The crystal pendant glinted in the fading light, a constant reminder of the Ohtani family's warm welcome and the complexities that lay beneath their polished facade. As Helen sat on her couch, she couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness, her mind consumed by thoughts of Shohei and his enigmatic presence. The image of him in the photo with Mamiko lingered, and she found herself wondering about the story behind their marriage and his subsequent divorce. As she pondered, Helen's gaze drifted around her apartment, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of her solitary life. It was a life she had grown accustomed to, but now, with the Ohtani family's influence woven into her daily thoughts, she felt a sense of disconnection. The hum of the air conditioning, the soft glow of the table lamps, and the faint scent of her perfume all seemed muted, as if waiting for a new chapter to unfold. Determined to uncover more about Shohei's past, Helen rose from the couch and began to pace around the room. She thought about Yumi's words, about the passion and turmoil that had defined Shohei's marriage to Mamiko. The more she thought about it, the more Helen felt an overwhelming urge to understand the intricacies of their relationship. As she walked, Helen's eyes landed on her bookshelf, where a collection of Japanese literature sat alongside her favorite novels. One book in particular caught her eye – a biography of the Ohtani family, which she had purchased on a whim a few months ago. She had never gotten around to reading it, but now, it seemed like the perfect time. Helen settled onto the couch with the book, opening it to the first page. The words transported her to a world of ancient traditions, family legacies, and the weight of expectation. As she read, the shadows in her apartment seemed to grow longer, as if the past itself was seeping into her present. The biography revealed a complex web of alliances, rivalries, and scandals that had shaped the Ohtani family's history. Helen's eyes widened as she read about Shohei's parents, their struggles and triumphs, and the burdens they had placed on their son. The more she read, the more she began to understand the pressures that had driven Shohei to make the choices he had. Hours passed, and the room grew darker, the only sound the soft rustling of pages turning. Helen's heart ached as she read about Mamiko, a woman who had been both strong-willed and vulnerable. The author's words painted a picture of a marriage that had been passionate, but ultimately doomed by the very forces that had brought them together. As the last page turned, Helen closed her eyes, letting the weight of the story settle within her. She felt a sense of empathy for Shohei, for the pain and the struggles he had faced. The crystal pendant, now a tangible connection to him, seemed to glow with a newfound significance. In that moment, Helen knew that she had to see Shohei again, to talk to him about the past and the future. She reached for her phone, her fingers hesitating for a moment before sending a simple message: "I'd like to see you, Shohei. Can we talk?" As she waited for a response, Helen's heart fluttered with anticipation, unsure of what lay ahead, but certain that their story was far from over.