On the outskirts of the Pleasure City of Midas lies the Ceres special autonomous area, commonly known as the slums. Gang leader Riki, looking for an easy pocket to pick in the nightlife districts, gets caught red-handed…by none other than one of the highest-ranking, golden-haired android elites ruling from the capital Tanagura: the “Blondy” Iason Mink!
By all rights, a Blondy standing at the pinnacle of aristocracy and a slummer should have never crossed paths—their chance encounter marks the beginning of a love twisted by obsession, soon spiraling into a karmic chain of events...... more>>

⬇️ //// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////
⬇️ //// About the English translation ////
⬇️ //// Current translation status ////
⬇️ //// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

//// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////

Originally serialized in the bimonthly magazine Shosetsu June (小説ジュネ) spanning six chapters from December 1986 to October 1987, the novel was released with minor revisions into a hardcover edition in 1990.
This first version of the story received a two-episode/OVA anime adaptation in 1992 and 1994.

Between the years 2001 and 2007, the original story was greatly expanded upon and released in six paperback volumes. After a change of Japanese publisher, two more volumes were released between 2009 and 2010, completing the series (the six aforementioned volumes were released as volumes 1-4 in the newest Japanese edition).
This second version of the story was meant to be adapted into a twelve-episode OVA anime—initially planned to release in 2010—but was postponed to 2012, only to be discontinued after the fourth episode’s release.

//// About the English translation ////

The English paperback expanded edition is made up of eight volumes: the six first volumes (Seibido/Crystal edition) + the two later volumes (#7 and #8 in English, but #5 and #6 in the newest Tokuma/Chara edition).
The change in Japanese publisher led to a change in translator for the English edition between vol1 to 6 and vol7 to 8: it is highly recommended to read the fan translations of #7 and #8 as opposed to reading the licensed edition, due to the massive loss in translation (expect a 50% word count difference between the two).

//// Current translation status of the different editions of the novel (as of April 20th, 2024) ////

. Shosetsu June edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation.
. 1990 hardcover edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation. An older fan translation had 4/6 chapters translated but the project was dropped.
. 2000’s expanded edition, English licensed: fully translated, complete.

//// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

– The Shosetsu June story was adapted into a drama cassette and a drama CD (Dark Erogenous).
– The expanded story was adapted into three drama CDs (Destiny, Nightmare, Resonance)
– A prequel called Midnight Illusion was serialized in Shosetsu June between December 1992 and April 1993, and released as a hardcover in 1996. 3/6 chapters have been fan-translated into English.
– The 5 side stories have all been fan-translated into English (Kizu/Wound, File-0, Cal’s Sighs, Musk, Illusion Night) and are based on the expanded version of the novel.

Look up online “Ai no Kusabi Master List LiveJournal” to find the links to all the material listed above and more.

[This page was updated as per an anon’s request, all credit goes to the AnK community where credit is due.] <<less

Human body with fishtail was known as mermaid.... more>>

They were pretty and mysterious, their tears congealed to a pearl worth a city.

Miao Miao never thought that one day she would set foot on the lake shore as a human.

She had no desire, only wanted to be close to a man.

Even though she was seeking her own doom, but she gladly endured the hardship.

—— I like you, for ninety days. <<less

Ariana, who endured abuse from her stepmother and sister, weds a rich commoner. She was in a contract marriage that was picture-perfect.

One day, I found a Grimoire in the Royal Library and inadvertently summoned a devil. The devil is said to grant wishes in exchange for... more>> souls. I decide to ask the devil to kill my ex-fiancé, who betrayed me and broke off our engagement, and my friend, who slept with him...…. <<less

The daughter of a viscount, Eleanor Townsend lost her parents at a young age andhad been receiving sponsorship from the Duke of Griffith. This sponsorship led to rumors that Eleanor must be the Duke's illegitimate daughter.... more>>

Suddenly, the Duke declares that his heir, Daryl, must maintain a one-year marriage with Eleanor, or he won't inherit the title. Daryl approaches Eleanor and proposes a contractual marriage for just one year.

"If you want to repay my father's favor, you'll have to accept my offer. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have to go through this absurdity."

He was a cold and arrogant man.

Throughout their contract marriage, Daryl's tongue had been like a poisoned blade, cutting through Eleanor.

"Don't delude yourself into thinking you're a real duchess. Live as if you were dead for a year. Don't speak to me."

She endured it, waiting only for the day when this marriage would end.

However, why is it that the one who never took her side, not even once, is now trying to hold onto her?

**.

"You're the one who said it only needed to be a formality; you're the one who asked me to marry you in the first place; you're the one who brought me a contract stipulating a divorce after a year; you're the one who coerced me into paying the favor the former duke had given me."

"......Eleanor, back then, I was."

"You told me not to delude myself into thinking I became a real duchess, and live like dead for a year. You practically treated me like I didn't exist the entire time."

"......"

"It was a lonely life, many, many times more lonely than the one I lived alone in Townsend Street, but I put up with it, because it was a promise, because I thought it was my way of making amends for the trouble I'd unwittingly caused you, and so I put up with it, because it was only a year, and I can't put up with it any longer, and I don't want to."

The calm way she spoke to Daryl contained all the truth Eleanor had kept bottled up inside for a year.

"Now please leave."

"......"

"If you don't leave, I will." <<less

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

There wouldn't be an end without a beginning, the benevolence Gods had shown Su Mo, wasn't it cruelty then, to Xue Cao?

A story between a nouveau riche who didn’t graduate from elementary school and an educated poor.

The Peng Society for Gentlemen — a secret friend-making club for the homos*xual men of the Great Xia Dynasty. Its services were designed to help its members along in their quest for their lifelong partners. Upon paying a monthly fee of fifty coins, members could get themselves listed in The Pengornisseur after providing a self-portrait, a mailing address, their age and hobbies, as well as a self-introduction. All members would receive a copy of the monthly publication, and they could communicate with one another in private using the information in The Pengornisseur.... more>>

Wu Xingzi, a bachelor about to turn forty, worked as the adviser to the magistrate in Qingcheng County.

Qingcheng County was a place with barely any resources. In other words, it was poor. In the list of counties of the Great Xia Dynasty, it had been ranked at the bottom for the past two hundred years.

Wu Xingzi felt that his life was hopeless: not only was he a homosexual, he was also a virg*n. Even his retirement fund was lacking. Worse still, his looks were… forgettable.

He might as well die.

Hence, Wu Xingzi decided to commit su*cide on his fortieth birthday. However, he was unwilling to remain a virg*n to death! And so, gritting his teeth, he joined the Peng Society for Gentlemen and received The Pengornisseur. It was very painful; after all, fifty coins were the sum of his daily expenditure for ten days! He would only pay it once, and he was determined to succeed on his first try. <<less

On Sarah's first day of work, she gets a call from her boyfriend's number claiming it is his fiance and she is pregnant. To make matters worse, her boss has the same name as her ex boyfriend.
When she see's the back of her boss' head, she hits him with her purse that has two books in it, however when he turns around she realizes she has never seen his face before.... more>>

"Who are you?"
"No, who are you?" <<less

She is the dark side of the world’s first beauty, shaped by the heart.
He gave birth to a face similar to that of the First Beauty, but could only be exiled to Xiao Qianjie.... more>>

Later, she became the flayer of many people.

Today, she is still in trouble

Flayer: Your uncle is still your uncle

The old lady can go on for another five hundred … No, five thousand years! <<less

As a new anchor of StarTV, Yu Yan’s ruthless tr*sh-talk, natural rifle-shooting skills, and character of never searching houses earned him a big crowd of fans.... more>>

He felt like he was a good anchor who treated all fans of his stream equally—you can suck at the game, you can get knocked down, but if you want the gun in my hand, sorry, no way man.

Until he heard the voice of the streaming platform’s Big Boss.

Yu · ultimate voice-con · Yan: I’m not familiar with this game, swap my Kar98k for your Mini-14.

Yi · brand new noob · Chen: En.

Friend: Daddy, I want to snipe too!

Yu Yan: I think this frying pan suits you very well.

Not-a-very good gamer but dripping with money and looks Big Boss vs Cute, super good tr*sh-talking gunslinger voice-con Anchor. <<less

Because of some coincidence, the leader of the imperial bodyguards who was supposed to be executed by “the death of a thousand cuts” —— the Yingnu, Xu Lingyun, became the Son of Heaven, Li Xiao’s storyteller, telling him the narrative inside “The Historical Records of Yu.” Alongside Xu Lingyun’s narratives, Emperor Chengzu, Li Qingcheng’s life story gradually appeared inside Li Xiao’s mind: his misfortune on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival that made him have to leave the capital, the war against Xiongnus outside the Feng Pass, how he conquered the entire Western Plains without costing him a single soldier, the imposing army loyal to the rightful monarch's decisive battle on the capital…... more>>

The written and oral history gradually come to an end, while those secrets buried inside the history reappear one after another. Xu Lingyun’s unexpected real identity, Li Xiao’s confusing experience, Emperor Chengzu’s Yingnu, Zhang Mu and Li Xiao’s hidden connection… everything is quietly unveiled!

————

The history and narrative intertwine. Xu Lingyun and Li Xiao pursue one another, looking for themselves. In the end, during this turbulent era, amidst the golden spears, armored horses, and numerous fire beacons, who can stay loyal to themselves? Who can stay true to the truth? Who will get to obtain the rivers and mountains? And who will get to open up a new era? <<less

My lover was found dead on the wedding day. With another girl.... more>>

Riddell dies one month after the death of her fiance, the Prince. Riddell, who died at the age of twenty-two, returns to the past six years ago.

In front of Riddell, who decides not to repeat the same tragedy, the secret of her dead lover and the secret surrounding his death are revealed one by one… <<less

I am Karne Pivoine Feian, a poor and pitiful princess in hiding. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I’m currently residing in the house of a Baroness under a hidden identity. I promised I’d do anything they asked me. But I didn’t think I’d be asked to do things that would put my life in danger! As expected, freeloading in someone else's house is no easy feat. I've got no choice. I have to find a way to reclaim my identity!... more>>

One day, a handsome man approached me to offer a deal.
"I’ll give you an unimaginably great reward if you bring me what I ask of you."

I think I've already found my reward, though! I've not only gained money, but an absolute hottie as well. Will I finally be able to walk down a path of happiness? <<less

“You make me crazy.”... more>>

As he moved his waist, he put his teeth on her shoulder.

It was like being bitten by an animal.

As she leaned her head back, she felt her chest rise. He immediately bit into her breasts and her apex. Up and down, endlessly stimulating.

***

Selena, who grew up under her grandmother who runs an herb store, climbs the mountain to dig herbs as usual. She finds a seriously injured wolf and shows her kindness by helping it.

“Shh, you’re good.”

Laslow doubted his ears.

‘What? Did you just call me good?’

Though he is now in the form of a wolf, not a human, he was a human being, and he was the one who was elected king.

And here stood Selena, treating him like a puppy. <<less

He was Madat, the most powerful and greatest high priest of Kandar, one of the five places in the continent.... more>>

Although he was a human closest to God, while at the same time, a representative of God, he couldn’t at least be freed from the curse strangling him since he was born.

Black hair, black eyes.
She was Seren, the one who resembled the mermaid in a legend orally passed down, said to be a symbol of misfortune in the world.

She, who was captured as a thank you gift that would be offered to Madat, whispered to him to kill all the villagers who had betrayed her.

“Then what will you give me? If you ask me for a favour for one reason or another, I expect that you would have something to offer to me. I don’t think you’re naive to the point you wouldn’t know that.”

“I will be able to offer an exhilarating time to Lord Madat.”

Seren was a smart and cunning woman, and at the same time, an unique woman,

And so, Madat chose her.

****

“I love you.”

The person whom Madat loves dies no matter what.

The beginning of the curse

Is ‘Awakening.’ <<less

Loosely based on the history of Song Dynasty, To Rule in a Turbulent World tells the story of You Miao—the dandy son of a merchant who climbed his way to the very top from rock bottom. We witness the history of a nation, from prosperity to decline, to a new order.... more>>

Peace, war, internal strife; You Miao has lived through it all—but not without his loyal Quanrong s*ave-turned-husband, Li Zhifeng. Theirs is a story of undying devotion that combats racial boundaries in a time when the ethnic tribes of the north clashed with the Han empire. Together, they ruled the world! (Behind the scenes, of course.)

The epic continues its song, and as tides rise and fall, the most beautiful moonlight of the great desert is yet to come… <<less

I wasn’t reborn with talent or ability, but at least my knowledge from earth allowed me to stay one step ahead in this other world.... more>>

Magic exists here, and new progress was rapidly being made in science while magic stagnated in the name of tradition. Using my earthly knowledge and not bound by the traditional thinking, I was able to do things other wizards couldn’t even imagine.

Still, inadvertently becoming an undercover professor for a mysterious secret society at the renowned Sören academy was never in my to-do list! <<less

Queen Lucienne has chosen Eric, the graceful and burly knight, to be her groom. She is finally able to share a kiss with the one she has always loved just like in her dreams. “You are mine, my adorable queen.”... more>>

A hot wedge pierces her lower abdomen, and intense pleasure crawls through her entire body.

“I will never leave you.”

In his tight embrace, she was happy…

Every day after that, as if he had let go of all restraints, she is devoured by absolute possessiveness.

This is the worryingly le*d newlywed life of a knight and a queen! <<less

The father of my child lost his memory before the wedding date. The person who was once loving and sweet had turned cold. The moment Anais looked into his eyes, she could foresee everything coming to an end.... more>>

“You truly do not remember who I am?”

A love that overcame the difference of status. If he cannot remember her, then she had no reason to stay in this place anymore. But-

“I only ask once. I was told that you made medicine to help with my insomnia. ”

Todd grabbed the tea bag out of his pocket and threw it on the table. The contents of the tea bag weren’t medicine, but instead, it was filled with the herbal tea leaves she gifted him a long time ago.

“Let me make an offer. Gather your things and come back to the estate. I’ll make you my official pharmacist.”

Anais calmly stared at Todd.

“I refuse.” <<less

Every day, a fox living in the mountains behind the imperial palace waited for the Emperor, who brought her delicious grapes and chicken thighs!... more>>

‘You’re the only one I have, Esther.”

“Yipp!” (You too!)

For the sake of her Majesty, who looked forlorn from loneliness, Esther prayed to God.

‘May His Majesty be happy.’

And as a result, Esther became a human..?

* * *

“I must be able to know how to kiss the one I love!”

“No.”

“But that’s what being a human being entails!”

Esther had it all wrong.

“So you kissed me in my sleep without telling me?”

She had messed up again.

Caesar was definitely smiling… and he looked very happy… but why did something feel strange?

Her wild animal instincts were telling her that she was in danger.

Esther stepped aside gently.

“I have to go.”

“You can’t.”

“…”

"You attacked me first, didn’t you?”

Caesar’s eyes glowed with a different kind of greed.

“You’ll never be able to escape me, Esther.” <<less

Ming Jing woke up and transmigrated into an otome game as a Mary Sue female protagonist. Due to the virus invasion, the male protagonists in the game have all blackened with extreme personalities, doing everything they can to have her to themselves.... more>>

The male protagonists with their innocent expressions: We just want to fall in love with you!

Ming Jing smiling brightly and charmingly: Fall in love?

No, this father here just wants to teach you how to be human! <<less

I possessed a character with an intelligence of 100 in a classic medieval fantasy land-grabbing game.... more>>

An intelligence score of 100. That meant my predictions were always accurate.

However, since I was physically weak and didn’t quite understand why that was the case, I thought it best to just live quietly.

But then… leaders who began to recognize my ability started to become obsessed with me. <<less

Tao Anzhi: “Yan Xi, do you love me?”... more>>

Yan Xi: “Taotao, of course I love you.”

Tao Anzhi: “Then do you like me?”

Yan Xi: “Taotao… I can’t…” <<less