生日快乐

Akiko firmly believes her mother (Shizue) only favors her older brother (Naoto) and despises her. 　　 She eagerly awaits her 12th birthday. However, when the day finally arrives, her mother returns home late, drunk, shouting and cursing, even saying to Akiko: "What sin did I commit to have given birth to Akiko!" This utterly crushes Akiko’s heart. 　　 This complete rejection causes her to develop mutism and school refusal syndrome. Isolating herself from the outside world, Akiko refuses to go to school. As her condition continues to worsen, her brother Naoto cannot stand by idly and forces Akiko to leave home for a while to live with their grandparents in Fukushima Prefecture. 　　 After moving to the countryside, Akiko gradually recovers. Under her grandparents’ careful care and the soothing beauty of nature, she slowly regains her vitality and is finally able to return to school life. 　　 Before her breakdown, Akiko always endured bullying at school without resistance. This time, after enduring hardships upon returning to campus, she resolves not to let her classmates suffer oppression anymore. Soon, influenced by Akiko, her classmates also decide to stand up together against the malicious forces. 　　 Around this time, Akiko meets Emi, who has severe learning disabilities, and becomes good friends with her. Akiko accompanies Emi through her short life, reigniting her respect for life and ultimately resolving the emotional rift with her mother, Shizue…