Suou watched his daughter struggle with her grammar assignment. Shion had a better head for math. But even at eight, she wouldn't let him help until she'd tried everything herself.

He could tell she'd be something great someday. If she had a someday.

No. That was why Suou performed test after test on Aoi. His wife was too far gone but their daughter could be saved.

Aoi got paler each day, and thinner, and her eyes never opened. There was nothing Suou could do now but study her, for Shion's sake.

Suou wouldn't let up until he'd tried everything himself.