愛は、憎しみによく似ている 憎しみは、愛によく似ている

The stage is Tokyo during the early years of the Showa era. The protagonist Narushima Ayako, raised in Asakusa, worked as a typist and lived with her father who ran a sweets shop. On a weekend when her eldest brother was visiting after a long time, the family held a feast with sushi from a local shop, and enjoyed the evening among themselves. All on a sudden, her father brought up something.

“A letter came for you from some unknown person.”

The letter from the unknown law firm that her father mentioned held grieveous content that she could have never imagined.

“This is Gamou Tatsuhiko from Shirobazu law firm. As the executor appointed by the recently deceased millionaire Konuma Saburou, I would like to speak to you regarding the matters of succession of his will.” (What’s this……？ Things like inheritance of a millionaire sounds like something out of a romance novel.)

Although puzzled, Ayako agreed to hear out Mr. Gamou. After her second brother had also joined them at home, Mr. Gamou made a strange request to Ayako. He wished for her to be present at the reading of the will that would take place in near future and cooperate in its execution. Apparently any further details weren’t available until the will was opened. Ayako wasn’t even guaranteed to receive any inheritance. Such vague words filled Ayako with doubt and anxiousness.