Playboy Yamada and earnest Takahashi. Oddly comfortable around each other despite being complete opposites, these two were always together. They took it for granted that those days they shared would go on forever, and yet... Even after going their separate ways, they often overhear gossip about each other. The passage of these two years has only deepened and complicated their feelings. They cross paths again, and in that moment, what course of action do they take...?
On my first day working part-time at a bookstore, the trainer Kai was so mystifyingly handsome that the very next day, I impulsively asked him out!! He was so quick to agree that I couldn't help asking, "Are you sure you understand what I mean?" But he fired back with a heated kiss and said, "You mean this, right?" That blitz attack had me completely head over heels, but then I learned of a rumor about Kai: "He'll hook up with people, but he never lets things get serious." Huh...?!
"I've been in love with him...ever since that day when he cried underneath the fake, starry sky. I didn't initially intend to confess to him. I only wanted us to be closer - to spend more time together... So how did things end up this way...?" Kawai is a member of his high school's Astronomy Club. He grows close to Ohara, his fellow classmate, when Ohara helps him out with his club's exhibit for their last school festival. After the two graduate, their paths begin to diverge, little by little...until one fateful day. So close that they can feel each other's breath, yet so tragically distant. A romantic tale of two men constantly just beyond each other's reach. Chasing after one another, like shooting stars.
Every inch of my body within the sworn enemy's tender grasp... How did this happen?! Gangly hero meets monstrous yet charmingly sweet demon in this guiltily sweet romance. -- I'm Masakiyo Kato (21), also known as Skull Black. I may be somewhat scrawny, but I'm a protector of justice. Today, once again, I'm defending the town against Baphomet, a commander from an evil organization. At least that was the plan! He somehow ends up pinning me against the wall... again. As if that weren't enough, he shows up at my place asking, "What do you want first? A bath? Dinner? Or do you want me?" What the hell does this giant beast want? And why is he trying to get me to marry him?!
Miu is a preschool teacher who's strapped for cash. Recently, he started working nights at Club Hatch, where men find comfort through baby roleplay. One night, Miu gets assigned to Hiroshi Yuuki, a first-timer who seems unsociable and disinterested. But when Miu switches to "mommy" mode, little Hiro finds himself oddly aroused by Miu's nipples, and asks his Mommy to breastfeed him for his mealtime! Tonight, our mommy's about to learn that sometimes, to satisfy your baby, you have to get a little naughty!
Hina, who works part-time at an Izakaya, happens upon an old high-school friend he excommunicated named Shinichiro. Shinichiro was Hina's first crush. Hina always loved Shinichiro for his cool, calm, and kind demeanor, but the fear that Shinichiro would find out led Hina to run away from Shinichiro upon their high school graduation. Resigned to his fate of reunion with Shinichiro, Shinichiro surprisingly forgives Hina for running away and proceeds to interact warmly toward Hina. This display of kindness makes your heart flutter! Though he swears in his heart not to run away again, something happens...?!
Igarashi, who spends his days running the teishoku-ya (Japanese food combo restaurant) and tavern he inherited from his father, secretly has a crush on Sora, an apprentice carpenter and regular customer. One day, Sora asks Igarashi to come hang out with him on his day off...! Despite the joy of being asked out, a certain thing in Igarashi's past makes it hard for the day to go in a hoped for direction....? This is a heart-throbbing story of a down-on-his-luck nice guy and a younger puppy-like guy.
Naoki (36) is a workaholic who's never been in a relationship. Then he meets his first boyfriend, the cheerful and animated Minato (21). Desperate for Minato's affection, Naoki does everything he can to maintain that mature, confident and perfect boyfriend. For some reason, though, he keeps on rejecting Minato's invitations to have a bit of good ol' intimate fun. Could Naoki be hiding something from Minato...?
Kippei is always doting on and showing his affection for Munechika. He tousles his hair, feeds him snacks, and gives him secret kisses in the hallway... Everyone is afraid of Munechika's demeanor, but Kippei finds him cute and adorable. Kippei even studied like crazy just to get into the same college as Munechika. But then one day, Munechika suddenly starts acting cold towards Kippei...?
Masachika has been reunited with his childhood friend, and what's more, he's a model! Kiwa suddenly moves in next door, but he can't take care of himself, so Masachika often looks after him. During one drunken night, Kiwa makes his move on Masachika and to his surprise, he relents?! Can they keep their relationship a secret or will they have even bigger problems to worry about?
Cram school teachers, Mr. Aguro and Mr. Shirai are always at odds, and this time, both have their eyes on their student. He rejects both as they know nothing of real love. If either of them wants him, he proposes the date each other temporarily until they discover what it means. Starting out as a simple wager over who gets to date their student, the two begin their complicated relationship. Can these two love virgins find what they're missing?
Yuasa is a capable worker on the fast track to success. He has a nice face to boot, but his personality is a bit of a problem..! As he carries on with his power-harassment toward the new trainee, the amicable Iguchi, it soon comes to light that Iguchi is the CEO's son... In exchange for not telling his dad about said power-harassment, Iguchi offers him a deal...?!
Toma Sugawa is a cool-headed, unsociable businessman. For some reason, he's not in a relationship, and he spends his life watching the days go by. One thing that has become a part of his daily routine is waking up one of the tenants in his grandfather's apartment complex. That tenant is Kaoru Aida. He has countless alarms go off, and still doesn't wake up until Toma comes in to wake him. On top of that, he asks Toma to wake him up the next morning, without a lick of remorse. With an attitude like that, of course Toma is on the verge of snapping. But one day, Toma goes to wake him up as usual, and Kaoru, still sleepy, pushes him down?! Enjoy this clumsy, blooming love story between an inconsiderate guy and a guy still stuck on his ex!
*This volume compiles ch. 1-6 of "The Seduction of the Deep Sleeper"