A story that begins and ends with tears. A mysterious affliction known as 'chloride disease' transforms victims into salt, causing their bodies to crumble away. Yakumo Saegusa, who lost his mother to this cruel illness, crosses paths with Yuzuki Igarashi, a gifted piano prodigy. Yakumo is captivated by Yuzuki's dedication to her music and her fearless defiance of bullies with her delicate touch. As Yuzuki departs for Italy upon entering high school, blossoming into a striking young woman, Yakumo becomes acutely aware of the stark differences between them. This realization prompts him to embark on a journey of self-discovery through writing. Their unexpected reunion one fateful day sets in motion events that will irrevocably alter Yakumo's destiny.
This summer, I lost you twice. Rin Moriyama, who suddenly transferred to our school, was suffering from an incurable disease. Together, we played music, shared the best moments, and then, Rin died. What I was left with was an irreparable, singular regret—the words I should never have said. If only I hadn't said what I did, surely Rin would have been smiling until the very end... The second summer. A time leap. I meet Rin again. Once more, I see that radiant smile. Within this miracle granted by a single summer, I will lie to myself. I hope her short life will be filled with smiles...
How many versions of myself must I surpass to truly find who I am? Nineteen-year-old Nao finds himself face-to-face with Yura, the VR character he created for Rino Akesumi when they were just 15. Reunited through Yura's mysterious wish, Nao and Rino are drawn back into each other's lives. Now a rising star in the entertainment industry, Rino shines brightly but continues her solitary search for a place where she truly belongs. Seeing her again stirs up memories in Nao—memories of their 'first time' together in the school infirmary, the sweet moments they shared, and the unfulfilled promise that still haunts him. As these fragments of longing and inner conflict resurface, Nao is forced to confront the gap between reality and his ideals. Together, they begin to unravel the true purpose behind Yura's sudden appearance—a journey that will reveal the deeper truths they've both been avoiding. In this young adult fantasy, characters lost in their own struggles come together to face the conflicts that define them.
I’m a 22-year-old woman who began living in my family's bathtub. My name is Medaka Isohara, and I’m from Koriyama City, in Fukushima Prefecture. I was born small, grew up small, and have almost no desire to do anything with my life. Although I have always struggled to live and felt out of sync with society, I was supported by my delightful family. After graduating from university, however, I decided to leave home for a job in another city. Unable to endure the harassment from my boss, my mental health deteriorated, and I quickly returned home. Seeking refuge, I started living in the bathtub, a space that makes me feel calm and safe. My days are fairly enjoyable, but of course, things can’t just end happily ever after . . . This is the slightly strange story of how I discovered the new me.
To erase Christmas, I must become this girl’s boyfriend. Early December, just before Christmas Eve. After being dumped by my girlfriend, I stood in front of the station, staring at the Christmas lights, trembling with an overwhelming mix of frustration and sadness. I wished Christmas would just disappear . . . Suddenly, a high school girl appeared before me. "It's possible to erase Christmas," she said. She held a notebook that could supposedly grant only unwanted wishes. To erase Christmas with the notebook's power, I needed to fall in love with it. So—"Please, become my pretend boyfriend." This is a story about the strange relationship between me and the girl, a tale to end love.
"If Koichi dies, then I'll die too." And so I died. The 17 years I spent on Earth were filled with nothing but bad things . . . But I was given a second chance at life, being told by a mysterious being named Makiel that if I start over from age 10 and collect enough "miracle fragments", I might be spared from my original fate. During my journey, I meet Sofia, the bright exchange student from Scandinavia, Tomomi, the skilled illustrator, and, Yayoi, the girl-next-door who spoils me with affection. Makiel didn't tell me what these miracle fragments would be, but I decided to start with cherishing my interactions with the girls around me, something I couldn't do before. This time, I wanted to live a life without regret. However . . . Winner of the 3rd Light Novel Award, Gagaga Prize.