Soichiro Arima, a figure shaped by childhood trauma, emerges from a fractured lineage as the illegitimate grandson of the Arima family. His early years under abusive mother Ryoko—marked by starvation, violence, and near-fatal neglect—forge deep insecurities and a terror of replicating his parents’ failures. Rescued at three by relatives, he armors himself in a meticulously crafted persona of academic brilliance and kendo mastery, achieving national acclaim. His rivalry with Yukino Miyazawa ignites when he uncovers her concealed imperfections, manipulating her into companionship through blackmail. Their dynamic shifts from competition to reluctant kinship as both confront their shared compulsion to perform perfection. Soichiro’s spiraling jealousy and possessiveness, fueled by abandonment fears, climax in a reckless library encounter with Yukino. The aftermath triggers self-destructive guilt, manifesting in a violent act of self-harm—a box cutter driven through his hand. Yukino’s steadfast compassion anchors his turbulent journey toward self-acceptance, paralleled by tentative reconciliation with estranged father Reiji, a jazz pianist. Their fragile bond deepens through shared time before Reiji withdraws, believing distance aids his son’s healing. Defying family tradition, Soichiro enters law enforcement post-graduation, rising swiftly to inspector by thirty while navigating marriage to Yukino and fatherhood. Lingering shadows of trauma surface in vindictive impulses toward his mother and emotional detachment from others. His evolution hinges on dismantling control, embracing vulnerability, and accepting unconditional love—a path solidified through parenthood and hard-won trust in Yukino. The narrative closes on reconciliation, not eradication, of his past, as familial bonds anchor his continued growth.