Slice of Life - Page 104

Vampires, who cannot be exposed to sunlight, have been able to integrate into modern society by only going out at night. Yura Toraki is a vampire who works the graveyard shift at a convenience store in Ikebukuro. One day, he happens to save a woman named Iris, who turns out to be a member of an order of vampire exterminators! Before he knows it, Yura is living in the same apartment as his should-be nemesis!

Childhood friends Koutarou Fujiki, Kajiwara, and Fuyuko thought they would always be together. They spent their youth in a strange love triangle, the two boys fighting over who would date Fuyuko. But suddenly one day, that life ends. Kajiwara goes missing, and Koutarou takes his sweetheart's hand in marriage. Now middle-aged, Koutarou is left to wonder—would his wife have chosen differently if Kajiwara were still around? On a visit to his hometown, the memories come rushing back...

Wako Machida yearns to show off her boyfriend's irresistible charm to the world, while Meguru Soma, a fashion-forward boy who loves the "genderless" subculture, has the power to attract attention and leave a lasting impression at any event. Despite their unconventional pairing, their shared passion for the latest fashion trends and beauty products is enough to solidify their relationship.

Student council president Terano is confident and smart. On the other hand, the good-looking, but scary yankee Kumazaki has been failing school for the past few years. One day, a friend in school catches Terano texting someone. Could it be a new girlfriend? However, Terano remains quiet on the subject... No one would have guessed that the rebellious Kumazaki is actually quite shy, and is completely wrapped around Terano's finger...

How about this, a manga for adults—and not young adults either. This is a series of stories about love and romance amongst the older generations. As the manga itself says, "In the later years of their lives, men and women sometimes find themselves in the glow of love. Their love stories are shining like shooting stars in the twilight."

Twenty-seven-year-old Maki Enomoto is done with relationships. One year ago, her terrible boyfriend made her the joint guarantor on a loan before promptly ghosting her with a mountain of debt. Now she just wants to be left alone to her quiet otaku life, working her office job to make her ex's monthly repayments, and devoting what scant little is left to her hobbies. Namely, her virtual boyfriend Allen-kun, who is hot, kind, and dependable in a way that real-life men aren't—least of all the hotshot young VP that keeps getting on her case about deadlines and deliverables. But when said VP shows up with a rather interesting proposal, Maki must decide if she's ready to roll the dice one last time...

Unlike most girls who crave popularity among boys, Futaba Yoshioka wants the complete opposite – to avoid it altogether. In middle school, her popularity with boys caused her female classmates to shun her, leading her to take the opportunity in high school to reinvent herself by acting indifferent and unfeminine towards boys, allowing her to make some acquaintances along the way. However, things take a dramatic turn when her first love, Kou Mabuchi, suddenly reappears after disappearing years ago. Though she still cherishes the fond memories they shared together, she soon learns that the sweet and gentle boy she knew has disappeared, replaced by a cold and pessimistic version of himself. Although he acknowledges that their past feelings for each other were mutual, he warns her that they can never return to the past, as everything, including himself, has changed. Throughout Ao Haru Ride, Futaba navigates the complexities of searching for true love and friendship while staying true to herself.

Matsuoka is deeply addicted to the thrill he experiences when he struts through the streets at night in his ex-partner's clothing, basking in the attention of male onlookers. One night, a stranger assaults him, but his serious boss, Hirosue, saves him. In spite of rumors about Hirosue's boring and clumsy persona, Matsuoka is attracted to the sincerity of his thoughtful actions. One fateful evening, while dressed in feminine attire, Matsuoka meets Hirosue, who confesses his feelings to him. However, when Matsuoka realizes his own emotions, he declares, "We can't meet again. It's out of the question." What will be Matsuoka's next move?

Formerly a member of her high school track and field club, Akira Tachibana's injury has left her unable to move at her previous pace. In order to support herself, she works part-time at a family restaurant where she unexpectedly falls for her 45-year-old manager, a divorced man with a young son. Despite their age difference, Akira appreciates her manager's tender nature, a stark contrast to how other employees view his weaknesses. Through small moments shared between the two, they begin to understand each other until Akira realizes that true love requires no explanation. On a rainy day, she chooses to confess her feelings, drastically shifting the dynamic between them. What remains to be seen, however, is how her manager will respond.

Yamato and Kakeru were childhood best friends, each one complementing the other. Yamato was the cool and intelligent one who excelled at everything whereas Kakeru was just an average, clumsy buddy who faced difficulties in accomplishing tasks. Despite being inseparable, they yearned to be together in a way that they truly desired. However, no matter how much effort they put in, their hearts were unable to connect.

Even through hard times, Helena has always found her strength through stories. So when she gets to meet her favorite author, Mr. Big Bad Wolf, she and this cold, reserved man bond over a shared love of storybooks.

The manga centers on 34-year-old Nichiko, who moved away from her city and back to her hometown island alone after a certain incident. She returns to her childhood home, where nothing is left except a lonely kennel, and begins an impoverished life. She meets Chimaki, who works at the local convenience store at the island, and they begin a curious relationship.