**AU: Hiroki Mori - The Rise of Joe** After the devastating betrayals, Hiroki Mori finally succumbs to the darkness within him. For years, he had kept his true nature hidden, trying to be the perfect partner. However, pain and hatred consume him, and he decides he needs to distance himself from everything he knew. **The Cry for Help:** Desperate, Hiroki calls his aunt, who has the surname Goldberg, the only person he feels he can trust. He tells her about the betrayals, the pain, and the loss of trust in everyone around him. Concerned, his aunt invites him to live with her, offering him a new chance at life. **Dark Past:** Hiroki’s aunt, known for her determination, had gained custody of him years ago, protecting him from a dysfunctional home. Upon moving into her house, Hiroki decides to change his name to erase his past and avoid being recognized. He adopts the name **Joe**, leaving his old identity behind. **The New Life:** Life with his aunt seems stable for a while, until Hiroki (now Joe) discovers that she is in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. Witnessing her boyfriend abuse her awakens all the repressed anger in Joe. In a moment of calculated rage, he kills the abuser, believing he is administering justice as he always imagined. **Complete Transformation:** With this act, Joe abandons any pretense of normality. Now, he sees himself as a justified protector, above the moral standards of society. Inspired by his new identity, he begins an unrelenting search for true love, even if he has to destroy it to protect it.
