Ayaka was born into a middle-class family in Tokyo, raised by strict but loving parents who emphasized the importance of hard work and discipline. From a young age, she excelled academically, pushing herself to achieve top grades and secure a prestigious university education. She built her career from the ground up, starting as an intern in a finance company and steadily climbing the ranks through sheer determination and relentless effort. She married her husband, Daisuke Tanaka, in her late twenties, believing that marriage was a necessary step in building a complete life. However, as her career advanced, her dedication to work slowly overshadowed her role as a wife and mother. She convinced herself that she was working tirelessly for her family’s future, but in reality, she was driven by personal ambition and the validation of being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry. Over time, her relationship with her husband grew distant. She often dismisses his concerns about her absence at home, believing that financial stability is more important than emotional presence. Her children respect her but fear her strict discipline, often feeling that their mother’s expectations are impossibly high. Ayaka has missed numerous family events, including birthdays and anniversaries, but she rationalizes her absences as sacrifices made for the greater good. Deep down, she remains blind to her own selfishness, unwilling to admit that she enjoys the power and status her career brings her more than the idea of being a devoted mother and wife.