What is love?... more>>

Love is a wound that is unable to be exposed merely from pictures;

Love is a sorrow that is unable to be expressed solely by words;

But love consists of more than just pain and despair,

Love can be exhilarating, it can also be blissful.

Even if it’s ambiguous, it can still be mutually protected for life.

In this novel, there are many stories; some maybe vague, others perhaps clear. <<less

This is the story of a lonely young man.... more>>

This young man comes from wealth and prestige, is well-endowed in both appearance and temperament, is a warlord by profession, and has no unhealthy avocations. In the opening of this romance, he is in the course of performing military service in some desolate dump, making a living from pillaging neighbouring towns and moonlighting as an opium dealer. <<less

Li Hengyuan was an internationally known "Medical Lunatic". Having saved countless lives, he was eventually gunned down by someone he trusted the most. ... more>>

Fortunately, Li Hengyuan's soul was reincarnated, and he found himself sitting in a sedan chair on the way to warding off the imminent death of His Highness, Lord Pinghe by marrying him.

With fair skin, a good figure and long legs, Lord Pinghe had always been known as the most gorgeous man in the capital. However, he was also a vicious beauty. Not only that he had mastered all sorts of fascinating tricks of using poison, but he was also like a glutinous rice ball with sesame filling, looking soft, sickly and harmless to everyone, but under the meek surface there was a dark heart.

Despite that, Li Hengyuan doted on him, and couldn’t have loved him or pampered him more.

Until one day, the allegedly ailing beautiful Lord pressed Li Hengyuan against his bed.

Li Hengyuan stared at him with astonishment: "Honey, what are you doing?"

The gorgeous Lord ripped open Li Hengyuan’s clothes, and responded with actions.

After finishing their intimacy, Li Hengyuan felt like weeping but failed to shed a tear. He had just been deflowered by the flower he had nurtured!! <<less

Jiang Sheng fell from a skyscraper. He ought to be dead, but somehow his soul traveled to another world. More surprisingly, he even transmigrated to become someone who was expecting a baby.... more>>

‘What the hell? Are you kidding me? Isn’t this a male’s body? Pregnant?’

Jiang Sheng almost freaked out, but what’s even worse was that this body belonged to a surrogate “mother” and boy toy of a tycoon. Apart from that, guess what? They happened to have an identical appearance. Why? <<less

A good-for-nothing from a family of exorcists was given away as a complimentary gift to be another man’s spouse.... more>>

After being stabbed in the back and humiliated, he was married to his mortal foe whom he disliked the most.

His husband was the kindest to him.

His family treated him with total indifference, while his foe treated him with deep affection. <<less

He, Ye Han, was destined to be alone for the rest of his life. However, his destiny had no effect on animals, and he ended up being conquered by a spiritual snake. He took all the sufferings of life in his stride—he was a hypocritical medicinal immortal, a real poison physician, an irresponsible martial arts leader, and also the greatest living bodhisattva in people's hearts. At their first meeting, he snatched its food while it almost strangled him to death.... more>>

At their second meeting, he saved its life despite laughing at its plight, but it returned kindness with ingratitude, biting him and leaving a mark behind. At their third meeting, it saved him from falling off the cliff, and it didn't understand why the man was in such a bad state when he was actually born to enjoy good fortune. In order to find the answer, it stayed by him and never left his side. He later became blind, but couldn’t clear the poison as the antidote had a missing ingredient—its gall. Having fallen for him, it offered him its gall, and he had to return the favour with the rest of his life. <<less

“Quick transmigration world notification: Among the thousands of rules here, safety comes first.” There came a mechanical sound. ... more>>

“Are the male leads the same one?” Fu Yan was surprised to see that handsome man one more time.

The system, “Host, you are so fickle that you are coveting other men.” Fu Yan became flustered upon seeing the suddenly darkened face of the male lead and nervously explained, “No, don’t get me wrong, okay?”

After he won over so many male leads who looked the same, Fu Yan was confused, “Why are the other characters are becoming adorable while the male leads are becoming more pe*verted?” <<less

He Yun Zui said, “Little white rabbit, since you’ve entered my heart, you’re not allowed to leave.”... more>>

Chi Ran replied, “Big tiger, I hope my heart can belong to you alone.”

Chi Ran is a simple white rabbit, small and white, who makes He Yun Zui’s head hurt. As soon as Chi Ran was taken over by He Yun Zui, he knew that his acting career was no longer ordinary. After He Yun Zui brought Chi Ran to his side, he knew that this person would definitely belong to him.

But when the little white rabbit with emotional disorder was approached purposefully by the domineering tiger, he couldn’t understand his heart.

The tiger confessed. As long as the little white rabbit could stay by his side, then that was enough. He Yun Zui finally plucked up the courage to confess his love: “I like you.”

Chi Ran blinked his eyes, puzzled: “I don’t know what like is, can you… teach me?” <<less

The end of the world came, the land was barren and food was scarce. The nightmare beasts destroyed the earth and hunted the living. Living had become the luxury of all things. And when the world fell into the abyss of despair, a miracle suddenly appeared.... more>>

The messenger generously rescued the living creatures, hunted the nightmare beasts, and established the last pure land in the last days.

Humans called it - the city of hope. -- The socially anxious He Fang had been in his house for three years, and his daily business was to eat, sleep and play games.

One day He Fang suddenly went out and found that there were very few people on the street, and all were handsome men and women.

Suddenly a ragged beggar rushed out, hugged his leg and cried: "Lord, please let me stay."

Socially Anxious He Fang didn't know what to do, and hastily pulled up the kneeling beggar and fled the scene of the crime. Behind him, the beggar looked at He Fang's departing back, he was touched by the Creator, it was like getting purified. The crowd looked at the beggar with envy and jealousy. "Lucky guy, to have gotten the Creator's mercy!"

"Let him work for me, with him, maybe I'll have a chance to get the Creator's gaze."

Back in the house He Fang cried and ordered a milk tea to comfort his wounded heart.

The Main Lord had mercy on the world, accepting the humble to worship and harvest faith. However, the perfect Main Lord wore a yellow takeaway uniform when no one was around, and his fierce beast became a small tram. The takeaway car with two small wheels ran fast to deliver to the creator.

The Main Lord looked in the rearview mirror, combing his long blonde hair, as he worriedly asked the beast: do I look good today? Can I attract the Creator and start a delivery boy love story?

A few moments later he returned, filled with disappointment: he didn't see me, he asked me to put the take-out outside again ooooooooooooooo.

-- He Fang opened the infrastructure game he had been playing for three years -- the doomsday city-building.

The statue of the main lord within the game was crying.

He Fang: "Is this some kind of quest? Is there another disaster somewhere? Or did the nightmare beasts attack the humans again?"

Mandatory quest: comfort the weeping Lord (please offer your precious kiss to soothe the Main Lord).

He Fang climbed up to the huge statue, stood on its shoulder, put his hands on its cheeks and kissed the corners of its eyes. <<less

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

High school senior, Junya Sawa, gets a new classmate when Uzuki Kobayakawa, the heir to notorious crime syndicate, transfers to his school. The other students... more>> in Junya's class all keep their distance, giving Uzuki a wide berth, however Junya soon becomes good friends with him. Gradually, the two become attracted to one another, but Uzuki's educational "advisor" admonishes him, telling Uzuki that the world he must live in has no room for Junya, and the two are separated. Then, 8 years later, still holding that wound that never healed, the adult Junya reunites with Uzuki... <<less

Takechi Shigeto needs medicine for one of his patients, but can't afford it. a childhood friend sees his problem and pays for it for him.... more>> However, the medicine must be paid back at a cost.. <<less

One moonlit night, Detective Kusaka Daisuke of Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Investigation Department, 1st Division, managed to catch some criminals red-handed in the middle of an... more>> illegal drug deal. Struck by one of the perp's bullets, the detective sought refuge down one of the city's many back alley and stumbled upon a beautiful blond boy. The boy's eyes shone red, his skin unearthly pale like a porcelain doll. He called himself Luca, and against all logic, mysteriously aged into a young man before Kusaka's very eyes! What will become of this chance encounter? Find out in this modern-day fantasy set in the bustling streets of Tokyo. <<less

The cool, attractive chemistry teacher Kuroki reaches out to the timid, lonely Tomoya. He forces his man-heat into Tomoya's sensitive body at school and on... more>> the train they commute by together; forcing Tomoya to drown in lustful pleasure. Pleasure and shame turns into attraction, and Tomoya begins to bloom. As his lonely heart trembles at this unpredictable love, the always kind Sakisaka sweetly approaches him... The men's ecstatic love hungers for Tomoya's affection. <<less

The uninhibited young master of a rich family in modern society traveled through time and reincarnated in the body of the son of a medicinal herb collector who had been living in the mountains. Unfortunately, in addition to losing his memory, he was kidnapped by accident and thrown into a sedan chair.... more>>

Marrying a man? God damn it!

Do I look like a gay? <<less

Hit by a car, he transmigrated to the future. But it seemed that he was about to die again. After rebirth, he became a man with a miserable childhood who had no money or superpower. What’s more, he secretly had a crush for another man! Fine. He accepted his fate. However, there was more than that.... more>>

“Yuan, let’s make a baby together.”

Excuse me? Two men? No, Wait!

“I don’t have that function!”

“Yes, you do.”

With that, the man pounced on top of him with a wicked smile.

Two months later, a doctor smiled at him and said, “Congratulations. You’re now five weeks pregnant…” <<less

In his previous life, Tang Shi was a cannon fodder. For a jerk, he even turned down a blind date his father arranged for him, but finally died in the hands of his lover and half-blooded elder brother.... more>>

Before he died, his elder brother told him that the one that always went against him, teased him and used him as a bait was the one who truly loved him, also that blind date his father had arranged for him—Yan Xu.

Feeling regretful?

What would have happened if he hadn’t made that kind of choice from the very beginning? <<less

It is a story about a plain Ω that has s*x after drinking sake and is worried about the relationship between them.

Oh wow! An aspiring cyclist falls in love with a domineering CEO!... more>>

Domineering CEO: Man, you are playing with fire!

Aspiring cyclist: That’s it! That’s the spirit! Come on! You can do it!

Domineering CEO: ???

An inspiring (goofy) doting (outrageously sweet) story of a dreamy cyclist falls in love with a domineering CEO.

A domineering CEO who is a neat freak participates in an idol talent show in order to woo his little lover who is a cyclist with one track mind — bike track <<less

During Grand Elder Bai’s birthday banquet, the always mysterious Feng Long, the Alliance Leader of Wulin, came to personally offer his birthday wishes, making the old man brimming with smiles.... more>>

When the distinguished guest graced everyone with his presence, the joyous atmosphere grew even stronger. Whilst the eyes of the crowd as well as their admiration and envy focused on the pride of Wulin, Feng Long’s eyes, instead fell upon the most inconspicuous corner of the birthday banquet.

“I, Feng Long, am untalented. To think that there is such a handsome new talent in Wulin. May I ask this honorable friend for your name?”

The people from the Bai family secretly frowned. The guests in the hall were also distinguished and outstanding talents, why was it that the stain of the Bai Family, the most unloved by his father, the third young master of the Bai Family, who was not even allowed to learn the Bai family’s style of martial arts, had attracted the attention of the Alliance Leader, Feng Long?

This is the world-famous Bilu sword?

After one meeting, Bai Shaoqing immediately came to a conclusion: this person was powerful, he should not stay any longer at the Bai Family Manor. Out of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best answer. <<less

Xu Qichen, who has made a habit of receiving blades from his readers, dies suddenly.... more>>

Ding! Your survival system has appeared out of the blue: transmigrate into all your bad ending novels and be the main character.

It wants him to change the ending? And it’s even asking him, an emotional defect, to personally date?

System: The deeper the emotional plot line between the gong and shou, the higher the probability of successful task completion!

Xu Qichen: It’s impossible to write a sweet novel, it’s impossible in all of this life

System: Very well, the host has decided to maintain the state of sudden death and not…

Xu Qichen: I’ll transmigrate! I’ll personally make a sweet biscuit [kneel]

#it’s my survival instinct that made the move#

Xu Qichen: You’re really like a certain person…

Old Gong: Open your mouth, eat this candy.

Xu Qichen: You’re really not…

Old Gong: Even a candy can’t stop your mouth!

Xu Qichen: You bit me <<less

Jiang Yan, aka b*tchy Jiang, was an insignificant white-collar worker. When he woke up from a coma after a car crash, he found out that... more>> a straight-gay switch had been added onto him. Only by completing a certain amount of tasks was he allowed to return to the old world.
Jiang Yan, “Is this some sort of a sick joke? I’m a straight guy! I can’t be gay! No freaking way! What if I say no?”
No. 888 replied emotionlessly, “Then you’ll have to die.”
Despite the initial resentment, Jiang Yan started to take to being gay. This is a story about turning someone into gay and being turned into gay. <<less

Kanae is a university student whose "cold beauty" has led people to spread nasty rumors about his promiscuity. In truth, Kanae is a virg*n, and... more>> is secretly in love with the Don Juan of the campus, Yuuichi. Poor Kanae would do anything to be with Yuuichi, even if it meant a merely s*xual relationship with no feelings involved. But when the opportunity arises, can he settle for anything less than love? <<less

This is a typical story of love and betrayal between a mafia boss and an undercover cop.

The most f*cked-up separation in the world, is that there is a baby in your belly when you break up with someone.... more>>

Bo Yu draws on his cigarette, slowly puffing out the smoke, and looks at the little boy lying in bed with deep eyes.

Two years later, he finally comes back. <<less