Kiri and her husband, both in their 30s, have been happily married for several years. They don't have any children yet, and Kiri knows that at her age they'll need to start trying soon if they ever want to. Yet she can't seem to take that first step, knowing that once she makes a decision, she won't be able to turn back. While Kiri agonizes, feeling more drained with every pregnancy announcement she hears, her husband seems awfully detached and casual about the whole thing...? In a sudden rush of motivation, Kiri takes the plunge and manages to get pregnant, only to face a world of new, unfamiliar challenges as a first-time mom-to-be. This story of one woman's journey into motherhood is for the women also struggling to decide, for those already expecting, for long-time mothers reminiscing about their own pregnancies, and of course for the men in all their lives. It's a story anyone and everyone can enjoy.
42-year-old Kyoko Otsuka has spent the last 13 years living life as "mom" for her rebellious daughter and soft-spoken husband. Kyoko thought her average and hectic life would continue this way until one day she is told that she only has a year left to live! Shocked by this news, Kyoko decides she wants to spend the remainder of her life "living for herself." She declares to her family, who have been spoiled and taken her for granted, that she is done being their "mom" and is going to take back her life as "Kyoko"!
Ryo, my husband of six months, has become distant lately. Every time I speak to him, he seems irritated and responds with sharp words. Our strained relationship has taken a significant mental toll on me, but thankfully, I can lean on my best friend Miku. She's someone truly precious whom I trust and can confide in about anything. One day, I decide to surprise Miku with a visit, only to find my husband's car parked outside her apartment. He'd told me he was heading out for golf with his boss early that morning, but it turns out he was lying. The truth? He's been sleeping with my best friend behind my back! And as if that weren't enough, he showers her with affection he never shows me while also trash-talking me. As I grapple with my disbelief, a dark resolve forms within me, urging me to get rid of both my husband and best friend.
Ayumi Suzuki was having a hard time. Between her husband Takuya's backhanded compliments and the loud parties he insisted on hosting at their house, she could barely keep her head above water. Takuya seemed to be trying to relive his glory days by inviting over the usual group of old high school friends to sing and drink all night, while Ayumi was stuck cooking and pouring their drinks. Hard as that was, she still stayed devoted to her husband... And then she found out he had been having an affair with a woman from that "usual group" of party friends! As she listens to them having sex and badmouthing her like the insults were their pillow talk, Ayumi finally hits her limit. Now she has a new party to plan: an Affair Expose Party!
Ayako's a stay-at-home mom, living a happy life with her husband Yusuke, who works at a design firm, and their 4-year-old son Daichi. They've been married for 6 years now, and her husband has been very proactive with both his job, housework, cooking, and taking care of their son. However, there is just one thing... it seems that the two can never have a full conversation together! Up until their son was born, they would sit down and talk about all sorts of things. Is something changing in their relationship? Can they figure out what might be wrong? Another day goes by without any chance to just talk...
"I am a cutie, and I know it, because all the men are crazy about cute little ol' me. It's the same no matter where I go. It's just common knowledge at this point." This was Kotone. She was a cute young lady who led a life of unparalleled popularity. But then Nazuna, a more seasoned cutie, would appear in front of her. No matter what, when, or why, Kotone is overlooked by Nazuna's cute charm, which has Kotone in a panic. Oh, and then there's the handsome senior at work...! "Why!", Kotone wonders. This has never happened to her before! Truth be told, Nazuna is also uneasy about Kotone who she will not underestimate in this battle of the cuties.
Minaho and Yuichi have been married for five years, and in this time, she has been putting up with her husband's verbal harassment. One day Minaho falls ill. Despite this, Yuichi continues to berate her, and instead of worrying about her when she collapses and is rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, he swears at her. At this point, Minaho's patience has run thin, and she consults her male friend, Nanao, for advice. He tells her that she is too kind, and if she doesn't fight back, she'll be treated like a slave for the rest of her life. He then teaches her the secret to fighting in a marriage. Will Minaho be able to get out of the messy doldrums and be happy?
After marrying the person she met in the office, it's been 5 years... and he never comes home. Yuka's been juggling housework and her full-time job. She's treated at a housewife by her husband and pressured for children by her mother-in-law (typical). Everyone's got to be like this, right? It just means that more needs to be done... or at least that's what Yuka's thought. One day, after some harsh words from her husband, Yuka darts out to try and find some peace. But suddenly the headlights are coming at her when-... As she found herself dying in a hospital bed, one thing burned into her retinas... her husband embracing Riko, her childhood friend. They can never be forgiven. They need to pay. As Yuka swears this onto herself while her life begins to fade, she suddenly finds herself at the moment she was proposed to... five years ago. Now it's time to devise a plan for revenge.
From rags to quick riches?! Yusaku Kobayashi grew up in a family running an antique store. He started making a lot of money selling some of the antiques online as well! While cleaning the storage room, Koboyashi gets sucked into a cursed mirror he found sitting in the corner. He was sent to another world! Stuck in a new world with nothing but the clothes on his back, he's attacked by a giant golem! However, just in the nick of time, he's rescued by a treasure hunter by the name of Melca. Kobayashi learns from her that this world that's now overrun with monsters has a magical system that sells items in a way similar to online markets! Now he is determined to sell loot from monsters through this online market, and use the money to buy an expensive magic item that could bring him back! Will Kobayashi be able to get back home?! Now starts a fantasy adventure, with riches to be had!
"Do I really have to work here from now on...?" Maya Blanche was born the daughter of nobility, but the family's wealth is in ruins due to her father's loan. The only place she could find immediate work as a noblewoman was the most fearsome house in all the land, the San-Chevalier House. There are rumors of servants of the house going missing... as pain and fear comes over Maya, she suddenly feels a strong head pain and all her memories come flooding back to her. "In my previous life... I was a high school student!" Maya was reincarnated into the world of one of her favorite fantasy novels after an accident on her way home from her maid cafe job! She now remembers the head of the house, Etel San-Chevalier, is actually an assassin...! Now begins the story of an isekai love fantasy of excitement and wonder, avoding the death flags at all costs!
I'll send you and your soulmate to hell. An enraged, pure-hearted queen stealthy judges evil! A thrilling fantasy on how to steal a country! There are four humanoid races in this world. Jeremiah, princes of the human kingdom, joins King Calvin of the beastmen kingdom in a political marriage. However, she is treated as a thorn in his side. Jeremiah was sent to live in the detached palace and was stood up on the night to consummate their marriage. This is all because of Ymir, the king's soulmate, and his obsession with her! "Then let's severe ties to your bad relationship with the whole country!" With her wisdom, courage, and hidden tactics, Jeremiah exposes the "evil" that has infested the country. A country-stealing fantasy with an enraged, pure-hearted queen who stealthy judges evil!
"Just when I thought my husband was a good partner and father, and okay with not having sex, I find out he's getting some from elsewhere?! I just want to be in his arms again, that's all..." Haruka and Ryosuke are a sexless couple. But they still give it their all to raise their two boys, 8 and 5 years old. Ryosuke also takes care of the house chores, so Haruka has no complaints. But one day, she finds out that Ryosuke is using a sex service... This hits 40-year-old Haruka not only as a wife, but as a woman as well. That's when Haruka decides to try and seduce her husband for the first time in years...
Kotoha was born into an affluent family, never having known hardship. However, her life is turned upside-down when her half-sister Ageha enters the picture. Fooling everyone with her childish "innocence," Ageha wastes no time hijacking Kotoha's life.
Unable to see Ageha's true colors, even Kotoha's father begins treating her coldly. And before long, Kotoha loses her friends, her fiance, and any sense of belonging. Having been deprived of all she's held dear, she begins plotting revenge against Ageha in hopes that someday, she can knock her down from her pedestal. Now, Kotoha is ready, and it's finally time for Ageha to get what's coming to her...!
Mami is in the seventh year of her marriage with Haruki, and three years ago, she gave birth to their son Harunosuke. She thought they had a happy future ahead of them. But boy was she wrong..! Present day. She's fed up with her husband's lack of manners at home. Cutting the cheese during meals, walking around their home naked, you name it! She's worried about him being a bad influence on their son, not that he cares. In fact, her nagging only brings him stress. One day, when doing the laundry, something falls from Haruki's pants' pocket... A love hotel membership card, with recent dates written on it, no less...! Haruki better watch out, because Mami is out for revenge!
"Who... are you?"" Risa's beloved fiance, Aya, got into an accident and lost his memories of her. She thought she would have to go on by herself, but Aya's actually been the one comforting her... Risa's already had enough on her plate, but now her coworkers and Aya's ex are up to something as well! But even with all that, Aya still treasures their time together from the bit of fragmented memories he has. Now Risa is ready to return the love and make memories with Aya again, regardless of who tries to stand in their way."
Tomoko is 37 years old and works in the general affairs department. In the same department is a woman known for her eccentricity, Haru Hatsuse. She doesn't care at all about how others see her, wearing flashy clothes and saying whatever she feels like without reading the room. Tomoko's friends mock Hatsuse and call her "a quirky and strong willed elderly single woman." One day, Tomoko's friends start to see Tomoko in the same way and make fun of her... Do all women have to worry about having an "aging look"? Or aim for marriage? Hatsuse, who has always lived being true to herself, somehow makes other women's lives burdened with various problems, a little easier to live!
Ryo, my husband of six months, has become distant lately. Every time I speak to him, he seems irritated and responds with sharp words. Our strained relationship has taken a significant mental toll on me, but thankfully, I can lean on my best friend Miku. She's someone truly precious whom I trust and can confide in about anything. One day,I decide to surprise Miku with a visit, only to find my husband's car parked outside her apartment. He'd told me he was heading out for golf with his boss early that morning, but it turns out he was lying. The truth? He's been sleeping with my best friend behind my back! And as if that weren't enough,he showers her with affection he never shows me while also trash-talking me. As I grapple with my disbelief, a dark resolve forms within me, urging me to get rid of both my husband and best friend.
Yoshiwara has been reborn in modern-day Tokyo.... In this new Yoshiwara, beloved actresses whose talents grace the screen by day spend their nights selling both their bodies and the idea of romance to their male clientele. Thrust into this world is the ingenue Asuka, who's been sold out by her foster parents to pay off their debts. While at first oblivious to the nature of Yoshiwara, she accidentally barges in on a "transaction" between a courtesan and her client. Confronted with her new reality of being bought and sold, she longs to make a break for it... but is there anyone around her she can trust...?!
*This volume compiles ch. 1-8 of "Worth a Billion: Modern-Day Courtesan"
Ruriko Aoyama, a second-year in high school, was born with a large, blue birthmark on her face. She has lived her life trying not to make a big deal of it, trying to avoid overly conscientious treatment by those around her. One day, Ruriko gets her hands on a notebook belonging to her new homeroom teacher, Kanda. He had written all of her classmates' names in the book, and next to their names: distinguishing physical features. However, Ruriko notices that the space next to her own name is inexplicably blank. When she confronts her homeroom teacher, Ruriko finds that Kanda lives with prosopagnosia -- a disorder which prevents him from being able to make sense of and distinguish the human face...
"I never really wanted good friends. I always thought I'd rather have things I'd be okay with leaving behind." Tsukiko is the new girl in school. One day, she catches a glimpse of her classmate, Utsumi, swimming in the school's pool. She becomes fixated. Tsukiko knew they were classmates, but beyond that, the two girls had no reason to cross paths. However, one rainy day turns all of that around. An emotional story about the everyday lives of the enigmatic new girl and the girl with no filter who happens to love swimming!