Part 4 : DOOR OF MEMORIES

Kyoshi drifted into sleep, exhaustion weighing heavily on his eyelids. But rather than the comforting embrace of dreams, he was thrust into a nightmarish landscape. Darkness enveloped him, and he found himself standing on a familiar road—a road he had traveled many times before, yet it felt different now.

The air was thick with tension, and he could hear the distant sound of laughter mixed with muffled conversations. It was unsettling, a stark contrast to the emotions swirling within him. As he walked forward, a sudden chill coursed through him. He recognized this place—this was the day of the accident.

The memory unfolded before him like an old film reel. He was standing outside their family home, watching his parents leave for a gathering. His mother waved cheerfully, her smile bright and full of warmth. His father, stoic yet proud, gave him a nod.

“Be good, Kyoshi!” his mother called out, her voice filled with love.

“Yeah, don’t stay up too late!” his father added, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

The warmth in his heart felt like a dagger, twisting painfully. He wanted to run to them, to hug them one last time, but he was frozen in place, helpless as the car pulled away. The moment was idyllic, and yet he knew what was to come.

Moments later, the joyful laughter faded into the distance. The scene shifted, and the warm glow of the day was replaced by sirens, flashing lights, and the chaotic sounds of a world unraveling. He saw the police cars, the ambulance, and the frantic faces of neighbors who had rushed outside.

He could hear the screams—his mother’s voice, echoing in his mind. “Kyoshi! Help! Please!”

Tears streamed down his face as he watched the scene play out, the pain of that day flooding back. He felt his heart break all over again as he stood there, helpless, a child caught in the storm of fate. He wanted to shout, to intervene, to save them, but nothing he did could change the reality that unfolded.

The scene faded, and suddenly, he found himself in front of a door—tall, imposing, and strangely inviting. Curiosity bubbled within him, and he reached for the handle. As he opened it, a rush of light spilled out, illuminating a world filled with laughter, love, and joy.

Inside, he saw vivid memories—scenes from his life with the six women who had once loved him. Each moment danced before him like fragments of a dream, and he felt drawn to them, yearning to step inside and relive those happier times.

**First Memory: Yumi**

He found himself back in high school, watching a younger version of himself and Yumi at an art exhibition. They were laughing together, surrounded by paintings, their fingers intertwined. Yumi was excitedly explaining her favorite piece, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

But as the memory shifted, the warmth faded. Kyoshi saw their breakup play out—a cold winter evening. He watched as Yumi’s face fell, hurt and disappointment clouding her features.

“I can’t do this anymore, Kyoshi. You’re always too busy with school, with your future. I feel like I’m just an afterthought to you.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “I need someone who can be there for me, who cares.”

The words pierced his heart. He remembered that night, how he had tried to explain, to reach out, but she had turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks as she left him standing there, alone.

**Second Memory: Hana**

The scene shifted again, and Kyoshi found himself in a coffee shop, sitting across from Hana. She was animated, her laughter brightening the space around them. They shared a moment of tenderness before the memory darkened.

He watched helplessly as Hana’s expression changed, turning from joy to despair. “You’re always working late, Kyoshi! You never make time for us anymore!” she shouted, her voice breaking. “I can’t keep waiting for you to notice me. I need someone who is present, not just physically but emotionally.”

He felt a lump in his throat as he remembered how desperately he had wanted to make things work, but she had pushed him away. She had left, her heart shattered, and he had let her go.

**Third Memory: Reina**

Kyoshi was suddenly in an office, filled with the sounds of typing and phones ringing. He saw Reina working late, her focus unwavering. They shared quiet moments, but soon he could feel the tension building.

One evening, after another long day, he witnessed their breakup unfold. “I can’t keep doing this, Kyoshi,” Reina said, her voice low but firm. “I need someone who will prioritize me, not just work. I can’t be the one who always adjusts my life to fit around yours.”

He wanted to scream, to reach out and stop her from leaving, but the memory slipped through his fingers like sand.

**Fourth Memory: Keiko**

The scene shifted to a park, where he and Keiko had shared countless hours. He could see them walking, laughing, and teasing each other, but soon the mood shifted.

In a moment of tension, he saw the arguments flash before him, culminating in their breakup. “You’re impossible, Kyoshi! You think everything is a competition! I can’t be with someone who doesn’t respect me or my opinions!” Keiko’s voice was filled with frustration as she walked away, leaving him standing there, feeling like a fool.

**Fifth Memory: Mayumi**

Next, he found himself at a lavish corporate event, where Mayumi was dazzling in a beautiful dress, her smile bright and radiant. They danced, laughed, and shared tender glances. But then the atmosphere shifted again.

He saw their breakup unfold during a quiet dinner. “You’ve changed, Kyoshi. You’re so consumed by work that I feel like I’m losing you. I can’t be with someone who can’t even make time for me,” she said, her voice trembling as she pushed her chair back and stood to leave.

**Sixth Memory: Aiko**

Finally, he was transported to a serene garden, where he had first met Aiko. They had shared beautiful moments among the flowers, but darkness fell again. He watched their heartbreaking breakup.

“I deserve more than this, Kyoshi! You’ve shut me out for too long! I can’t wait for you to realize what we had.” Aiko’s eyes were filled with pain as she turned away, walking into the distance, leaving him alone once again.

---

Each breakup was like a dagger to his heart, and he realized the patterns that had played out in each relationship. He had always thought that work was the answer, that as long as he was providing, he was doing enough. But the truth hit him like a wave: he had taken them for granted, and when they needed him the most, he had failed them.

As the memories faded, he stood alone in the dream world, the door behind him closing slowly. The weight of realization crushed down on him. He had poured his heart into work, thinking he could fix everything from a distance. But the distance he had created with his girlfriends had also pushed him away from his family.

He remembered how he had neglected Emi and Hiro, choosing to bury himself in his career instead of nurturing their relationships. The guilt washed over him like a tidal wave. He had sacrificed the bonds that mattered most for the sake of his ambitions.

Kyoshi awoke with a start, his heart racing. The room was dark, and the echoes of his dreams lingered in the air. He sat up, rubbing his temples, trying to shake off the haunting memories. But the realization was clear: he needed to change. Not just for his girlfriends but for his family, too.

In that moment, he vowed to himself that he would never let work come before love again. He would reach out to his siblings, reconnect with them, and make amends for the years lost.

He had a second chance, and this time, he would not waste it. He would mend the broken bonds in his life, starting with his family, and work to build the connections he had let slip away.

With a new determination fueling him, Kyoshi climbed out of bed and headed toward his family’s rooms, ready to embrace the change he so desperately needed. He wouldn’t let the past define him any longer; he would carve a new path forward.

Chapter end