いとしいこと

Previous   TOC Thank you for picking up Koi ni Tsuite (About Love) . This is a story where the characters endlessly spin in circles—just as I found myself spinning along with them while writing it. I hope you enjoyed even a little of that journey. While working on this book, my desk was completely buried under stacks of wedding-related books. Many of them were filled with pictures, all so adorable that I couldn’t help but think… Maybe someday, I’ll actually get to use these in a truly “practical” sense… The illustrations this time, as with the magazine, were drawn by Otake Tomo-sensei. And not only that—this time, I even got to request a manga! I’m absolutely thrilled. To be able to read Otake-sensei’s manga featuring my own characters… It made me feel like all these years of writing were worth it! The color illustrations and interior artwork both have a unique sense of timing and atmosphere that I absolutely love. Thank you so much! The next release in the Holly Novels lineup will...

Previous   TOC   Next The room was bright. What time is it…? As that thought flickered through Asaka’s mind, he stared up at the dim ceiling of the room, where the curtains were drawn shut. He couldn’t remember exactly when he had fallen asleep, but he had a vague recollection that dawn had been breaking. His body was sticky, and the sheets were in an absolute state, but he had been too exhausted to care and had simply drifted off like that. Next to him, Sasagawa lay on his stomach, his mouth slightly open in a rather foolish-looking expression. Just looking at his sleeping face made Asaka’s heart race. It was ridiculous, how utterly endearing he found that helpless expression. He reached out and gently brushed his fingertips over Sasagawa’s eyelids. His eyelashes were long. On a whim, he slipped a finger into Sasagawa’s slightly parted lips. A wet, sucking sensation— chup —sent a shiver down his spine. When he pulled his finger free, Sasagawa finally stirred, blinking groggil...

Previous   TOC   Next In the end, Koenji never came back. Even when closing time arrived, he still hadn’t returned to Dragée . When Asaka told Kohara that he had told Koenji he wasn’t suited for the job, she only shrugged and said, "It couldn’t be helped." Asaka stayed late at the office, working through upcoming tasks, when Kohara spoke up. "Don’t wait around anymore. Just go home." "If he’s not coming back, there’s nothing you can do. His phone isn’t connecting either, right?" "I’m sorry… I went too far…" "Don’t worry about it. I’ve been told plenty of times that I wasn’t suited to be a bridal coordinator. But I never gave up. If he quits over this, then that’s all there was to him." Kohara brushed back a stray lock of hair that had slipped loose from her updo. "Besides, I feel like this was bound to happen sooner or later. He likes talking to people, and he has a gentle demeanor, but he lacks the attention to detail. Whether it’...