Physically confronting your abusive superior might be cool and satisfying when it happens in a drama, but, as Kazuo Sugishita is learning, it's less cool when you're sitting at home afterwards, terrified to learn how you'll be punished when you return to work the next day. The sentence he faces sounds surprisingly lenient - just a temporary reassignment to the company's entertainment department while things blow over. But he changes his mind when he gets the specifics: Kazuo has been assigned as manager-in-training (read "servant") to Shiro Hoshizono, the "Star Watcher": A pompous, showoff-y, completely insufferable talent with no actual talents except using his sickeningly sweet words and foreign model looks to seduce lonely middle... more>> aged women into paying for the privilege of hearing him speak.

The day after his new assignment, Kazuo and Hoshizono leave for Saitama Prefecture, where Hoshizono has been recruited to become an image character for a campground in the mountains, alongside a group of other colorful characters, including a romance novelist with the looks of Cleopatra but the personality of someone's grandpa and a UFO obsessed conspiracy theorist.

But the morning after their arrival, their host is found strangled to death in his lodge, the road back is buried in an avalanche, and... you can probably see where this is going.

Turns out, despite how he comes across normally, Hoshizono is actually a genius detective!

The novel features a unique chapter naming scheme where each chapter is titled as a three to four sentence summary of its own contents, focused upon what information about the case is discovered and what evidence appears, for ease of reference.

A nominee for the 50th annual Mystery Writers Association of Japan Award, long story category. <<less

In the winter of three years ago, the first locked room mu*der in Japanese history was committed.... more>>

All of the evidence pointed to the defendant. It was certain they were guilty. And yet, they were found innocent and released. Why? Because the crime scene was a perfect locked room no one from the police or the prosecutor's office could solve.

"Since the room was locked, it was impossible for the defendant to have committed the mu*der. It's no different than if they had a perfect alibi." That was the argument of the defense, and that was the argument the judge sided with.

The ruling sent a ripple throughout Japanese society. No matter how suspicious you were or how much evidence you left behind, as long as you managed to create a locked room that no one could solve, you were immune from prosecution. With the common anti-mystery fiction talking point "there's no reason anyone would ever actually commit a locked room mu*der" completely overturned, the rate of locked room mu*ders in Japan skyrocketed.

When the police proved unable to deal with the surge of locked room crime, the Ministry of Justice published an official categorization of all known locked room tricks as an investigative aid. When that proved insufficient, Division Zero of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a police division dedicated solely to solving locked rooms, was created. When that still proved insufficient, locked room detectives, private investigators specializing in locked rooms, were officially licensed by the state and authorized to participate in police investigations. Calling a locked room appraiser, someone specializing in searching buildings for secret passages, is now a common first step in criminal investigations.

On the other side of the spectrum, locked room agents, assassins and crime planners specializing in locked room mu*ders, have become some of the most notorious criminals in Japanese history, and even a cult worshiping the scenes of locked rooms as a way to purify the souls of the deceased has made rapid inroads into Japan.

The protagonist, Kasumi Kuzushiro, is an introverted, somewhat cynical high school student who loves mysteries. Kasumi often finds himself dragged along on bizarre journeys by his flighty childhood friend, Yozuki Asahina. Due to their staggeringly bad luck, these trips often leave them in the wrong place at the wrong time to be caught up in locked room mysteries. Fortunately, another of Kasumi's childhood friends, Shitsuri Mitsumura, is the greatest locked room expert in the world, and can always discover the truth.

Hm? How did a high school girl become the greatest locked room expert in the world?

It's simple.

She's...

Volume 1 was the grand prize winner of the 2022 This Mystery Is Amazing! awards. <<less

The story of Auror Master Locke, set in the fictional mega-city of Midland built in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The once wealthy and powerful Ryuuzen clan has been all but destroyed. Their misfortune began in 1960, when a majority of the family was wiped out when their vacation villa was buried under a landslide. However, search and rescue teams discovered something even more shocking: A majority of the bodies they discovered showed obvious signs of having been mu*dered before the landslide.... more>>

As though it were a trigger, what came to be known as "The Curse of the Ryuuzen Clan" spread throughout the descendants of the family's only survivor. By mu*der, by su*cide, by accident... it seemed none who held the name "Ryuuzen" could live to see the age of 35, and now, the family has been reduced to a single woman, lying in a hospital bed, days away from death.

Kamo Touma was once just another of the endless parade of sleazy tabloid journalists looking to exploit a prominent family's tragedy to sell magazines, but Ryuuzen Rena's kindness melted his frozen heart, driving him to quit his old job and become an investigative journalist specializing in overturning cases of false arrest. Eventually, he and Rena were married, but now, the curse threatens to steal away their happiness.

Kamo prays for a miracle, and his prayers are answered by the Hourglass of Miracles, an artifact spoken of in rumors and urban legends, said to grant one wish to anyone who obtains it.

"Meister Hora", a guide for those who obtain the hourglass, tells Kamo there is only one way to break the curse and save Rena: He must travel back in time to the year 1960 and catch the culprit of the original Ryuuzen Family massacre.

Who was the culprit of the mu*ders that took place almost 60 years ago? Why did they steal away the lives of the Ryuuzen clan? What is the true nature of the "Curse of the Ryuuzen Clan?" And perhaps most mysteriously of all... What is Meister Hora's goal in all this?

Winner of the 29th annual Ayukawa Tetsuya Award. <<less

A young man walks alone through frozen land covered in snow and ice as far as the eye can see. Not for himself, not because... more>> he cares about his hometown, but in order to return to the only woman he loves - a fragile human fighting against a harsh environment. The extreme north of physical expression. <<less

Does free will truly exist? Does man truly exist?... more>>

Okky Madasari explores the seminal questions of mankind and humanity in her latest novel.

A struggle arises between the two main characters, Sasana and Jaka Wani, in the search for freedom from all restraints – from those of the mind and body, to restraints imposed by tradition and family, society and religion, to economic domination and the shackles of authority. <<less

This world is the world before the true savior “The Hero” appeared.... more>>

In this world, there are “Three Hopes.

The “Hero Licht,” the “Saint Milka,” and the “Sage Jamil” exist as the most powerful human beings fighting against the demons.

And…

*The title spoils the story… but there are no heroes in this world yet.

Therefore, unfortunately, there are many beings among the demons that cannot be defeated by them.

This story is not the cool story of the “heroes” you know, but the story before that. <<less

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gaming industry has seen an explosion in popularity. One of the most popular games ever released is Mystery Maker, a VR RPG where players can create baffling puzzles in a virtual space and challenge other players to solve them.... more>>

As a promotional stunt for the game's upcoming sequel, eight real life great detectives have been hand chosen by Kurata Chikage, executive director of MegalodonSoft, to challenge each other to a match in a demo of Mystery Maker 2. Among them are Kamo Touma, a magazine contributor well known for his investigative work overturning false convictions, and his wife's cousin Ryuuzen Yuki, a recently debuted mystery novelist.

However, on the day of the demo event, the detectives are all drugged. When they awaken, they find their smartwatches are locked to their wrists and they are shown videos of their families and loved ones being held hostage. They are contacted by a Gamemaster, who tells them that if they wish to save themselves and their families, they must play a death game called "Delicious Death for Detectives".

As scheduled, the eight of them will play Mystery Maker 2's demo, and the Detectives will challenge the mu*der puzzles created by the mu*derer. If the Detectives are not able to reveal the mu*derer and their tricks before the time limit, all players will be killed. However, if the mu*derer is exposed, both they and their hostages will be killed. And if a Detective makes an accusation but gets even the tiniest detail wrong, they will be mu*dered by the Gamemaster's secret accomplice, the Executioner.

Now the only way for the eight detectives to survive is to expose the mu*derer and Executioner lurking among them, even if they must risk their lives and those of their compatriots to do so.

Which is an especially big problem for Kamo, because he's the one who's been chosen as the mu*derer! <<less

“Mounting” is the greatest ranking system that has been passed down since ancient times. Wealthy children gather at Sakurano Private Academy under an absolute rule,... more>> to take the mount and climb to the top. An ordinary student, Sato Rei, is on the verge of being relegated to the lowest class and spending three years being bullied by the rich. The only way to survive is to move up to the S class. A beautiful girl named Tsukinami Senri appears and kisses him, saying “Become my lover to take the Happy Mount!” “Why!?” Together with the most annoying girlfriend ever, he aims for the top of the school! <<less

A former detective chases after his missing daughter, but what he uncovers in the darkness is…... more>>

Third “Konomys” (このミステリーがすごい!) Grand Prize recipient

A story of descent into lunacy over a single girl.

The 17-year old Kanako has disappeared, leaving behind a trace of drug use in her room. Akihiro Fujishima, a former detective and her father, is in pursuit of her whereabouts. Three years earlier, Naoto, who was tormented by his classmates, fell in love with Kanako, who saved him…

The story of the present and the past intersect, and the outline of Kanako gradually emerges from the blurry darkness. Yet the more one delves into her disappearance, the more unintelligible she becomes. What manner of shocking ending awaits at the end of the tunnel? The recipient of the grand prize of the 3rd “This Mystery is Amazing!”, this work overwhelmed every member of the selection committee. A lurid work of dark emotion that will enrapture the hearts of all who read it. <<less

They met during the most confusing and painful time of their youth, and even now that they are adults, they have always been by each other's side. Their friendship was strong and stood the test of time like armor. But underneath that thick armor, Ji Sunwook nurtured a love that was not just friendship. Driven by the desperation to leave no evidence as the sole driving force behind his unrequited love.... more>>

He had thought he could hide it for the rest of his life, until Lee Jihoon asked in the fall of his twenty-nine.

"Don't you think it's even stranger that I've never heard you talk about women you've dated all this while?"

Realizing that he could no longer hide it, Ji Sunwook meekly confessed that he was dating a man and finally put an end to their relationship with the confession he had been putting off.

Lee Jihoon, who came to catch Ji Sunwook, denied that conclusion. He said that Ji Sunwook didn't love him, so this couldn't be the end for them. Not wanting to believe it, he blocked Ji Sunwook’s way out saying he would prove it.

"What kind of coward abandons the one he loves and then runs away?"

Guided by Lee Jihoon's firm hand, the two stood on a road they had never been on before. Only when standing at the edge of friendship from which no one can retreat did they realize that they were facing something that made them uncertain whether they were proving that it was love or proving that it was not. <<less

2nd place in Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi~! 2019 comes a new one-shot by Ishikawa Hiroshi.... more>>

-

Sou Uehara visits a Seaside Hospital.

He was once hospitalized at this very place.

His former companions suffered from an enigmatic disease that killed them off to the point of extinction. Those who survived however, have still not been discharged yet.

Sou reminiscences the events that happened “That day”.

The disease’s spread to a certain region of a city,

The deaths of the adults it lead to,

The power of an affected child,

And furthermore the conclusion of the battle――. <<less

The mountain was once home to a dragon with fiery red eyes and a red mane.... more>>

Its breath scorched the forest, its claws cut through the rocky skin of giants, and its fangs devoured even devils with horns and wings.

One night, the soul of a sobbing child wandered to the dragon and settled on it.

The dragon, with its power approaching that of a god, is undaunted and will not yield to anyone.

However, the red dragon knew nothing of how to protect those who were much weaker than it, or how to hold on to the life that was dying. <<less

In the year 1989, the Japanese government passed the Media Betterment Act, allowing a group of soldiers known as the Media Betterment Committee (MBC) to destroy and censor any "problematic" media under the guise of protecting public morals. As a response, regional governments established the Library Defense Force (LDF), whose members take up arms and put their lives on the line to protect freedom of expression. At the top of the Kanto branch of the LDF stands the Library Task Force (LTF): an elite squad consisting of only the most exceptional fighters.... more>>

As a high schooler, Iku Kasahara experienced the terror of censorship first-hand when she refused to surrender the newest volume of her favorite series to MBC agents. She only came out unscathed thanks to a lone member of the LDF, who protected her and her beloved book. Now in her 20s and still unable to forget the man who saved her, Kasahara joins the LDF in the hope of becoming just like her prince.

But LDF training turns out to be far more rigorous than she could have imagined, and her instructor, LTF member Atsushi Doujou, seems fixated on making her life a living hell. Given her struggles, Kasahara is shocked when she is selected as one of the two new LTF recruits as a result of Doujou's recommendation. As Kasahara does all she can to become worthy of the LTF and unravel her enigmatic superior's motivations, she wages war—both on the battlefield and in her personal life.

Vol 1 – Toshokan Sensou (図書館戦争) (Library War)
Vol 2 – Toshokan Nairan (図書館内乱) (Library Infighting)
Vol 3 – Toshokan Kiki (図書館危機) (Library Crisis)
Vol 4 – Toshokan Kakumei (図書館革命) (Library Revolution) <<less

The story of a [cute] soba delivery girl.

"I expect a fox to come down this evening."... more>>

I, who spend my daily life working in a factory, saw a woman standing alone on a deserted mountain pass and called out to her without thinking.
She shakes her hair tied in one knot and turns her head to look at me. I was puzzled by her unrealistic words, but I felt nostalgic for her face and decided to wait for the fox to fall with her.

"Um, have we met before?"
"――――, I was sure you'll remember me."

《I》 traced my memories one by one as if I was counting them with my fingers.

A town in the countryside. The noisy sound of cicadas and the choking smell of grass. The summer festival at the shrine and the red and scarlet sleeves of the yukata. The "Fox Fireworks" that the two of us lit on fire together - those days when a new summer came around every year. <<less

This is already her 12th time attempting su*cide. Tsukimi Ichinose stands on the platform as the train speeds by, her typical beautiful appearance seemingly far from suicidal intentions. No one knows she's a victim of bullying at school and has already made up her mind to seek death.... more>>

This is already his 12th time saving her. Jun Aiba can't believe someone's determination to die surpasses his own. Sometimes on the platform, sometimes on the bridge, he always "saves" her at the critical moment, though for the girl, it's nothing but a "hindrance."

Tsukimi doesn't know this annoying boy's timely appearances are not due to miracles, but a deal with the Grim Reaper. He trades for a "Time-Eating Silver Watch" that can turn back time by 24 hours, but the price is having only three years left to live.

So, Jun repeatedly rewinds time to the moments before Tsukimi's su*cide. He takes her on outings, listens to her feelings, and as they gradually get closer, Jun Aiba becomes so happy that he almost forgets the Grim Reaper's warning: never regret the decision to give up on life... <<less

In a world where magical abilities are commonplace, a high-school yuri romance transcending spacetime begins!

A scientist who lost his wife in an unforeseen accident.... more>>

He set out to create a clone of his wife because of loneliness.

But just before the birth of the clone, he was converted and the clone was discarded.

But then for a while. Scientists who are subjected to guilt will receive unexpected punishment.

The runaway of the science which does not stop. The sci-fi short short of two men who are crazy for love, depicting their sins and punishments. <<less

In a provincial city, high school student Sakuma Kamiki has grown apart from his once-close childhood friend, Ushio Tsukinoki, who is stunningly attractive, excels in... more>> academics and sports, and is incredibly popular. Sakuma struggles with past traumas and feelings of inferiority towards Ushio. Despite this, Sakuma develops a romantic interest in his classmate Natsuki Hoshihara, bonding over a shared love for novels. However, he is shocked when he sees Ushio, usually the epitome of perfection, dressed in a sailor uniform and sobbing uncontrollably in a park. <<less

[Exclusive Serialization] Last Savior, the world's greatest virtual reality game. In this game, every user must choose their "Patron Spirit" to accompany them. Patron Spirits... more>> range from Grade 1 to Grade 9. Naturally, every user desires the highest grade, Grade 9. But... my Patron Spirit grade is peculiar. [...What on earth is going on?] "...Indeed." And that was very, very strange... <<less

At the end of the 1920s, Tokyo, the Imperial capital of the Japanese Empire, celebrates the spring of the fifth year of the Kowa era. A handsome young man born to a German mother, Senzaki Masato, is an elite graduate of Teito University, but leads a life of self-indulgence without a home, money, or job. One day, when he is about to be evicted from his place of residence, he visits an acquaintance's salon to look for a job. There he meets a sleeping child-the enigmatic ‘Ono Kahoru’-and Masato finds himself involved in a variety of cases.... more>>

Fictional Japan in the Taisho and early Showa periods. A series of mystery short stories about a self-absorbed beautiful young man and a mysterious boy who solve cases based on fairy tales in the Imperial city, Tokyo. <<less

Charles has killed more than 1,000 criminals.
After more than 1,000 mu*ders, he acquired physical and mental abilities that were better than normal people.
Utilizing... more>> these skills while hiding his past, he slowly rises to the top of the academy.
Follow Charles journey as he becomes the very best at his school and tries to escape his dark past. <<less

Xu Jia accidentally entered the “Infinite Variety Show” game and started the road to win the championship.... more>>

It happened that Zhu Ma Qiyuan was also there.

The two worked together to trick people, and eventually won the competition for many years.

Later daily routine——

Contestants (Victims): Hello, is this the organizer? There are two guys cheating here!

Note 1: Infinite Streaming, the variety show version of Lord God Space

Note 2: This article refers to the game rules of Running Man, but the characters are original, and the plot is mostly original.

Reading instructions:

·1V1, Shuangjie Party, Daily Change, Shuang, Shuang, Shuang

·Unit drama format, strong men and strong women

·The enclosure is self-sprouting, cutting meat to produce food, and abandoning it if you don’t like it. <<less

Winner of the 2022 munpia contest.... more>>

A world where games and reality become one. The story of a man who starts with 13 hidden traits. <<less