In this final volume, the characters must come to terms with everything they’ve endured—both the pain they caused and the pain they carry. With subtle... more>> growth and careful distance, the story moves toward a quiet, hard-earned resolution. Featuring new short stories and glimpses into the lives of beloved characters, this volume offers closure without forgetting the past. A gentle, emotionally resonant finale to the COLD series, where healing, love, and accountability come full circle. <<less

The fragile balance between Kusuda and Akizawa is tested when trust begins to unravel. Set against the backdrop of a foreign city, this installment explores... more>> the limits of love, obsession, and personal boundaries. Tense and emotionally raw, it asks what remains when connection is pushed to the breaking point—and whether healing is even possible. <<less

When Kusuda chooses a troubled former actor as the face of his brand, he never expects to be pulled into a complicated and unpredictable connection.... more>> What begins as a professional collaboration soon spirals into something more intense, unsettling, and deeply personal. As the boundaries blur between obligation, manipulation, and genuine emotion, Kusuda finds himself navigating a situation far beyond his control. A gripping, emotionally charged spin-off from the COLD series. <<less

Albert Irving is a man from Nebraska who was turned into a vampire 8 years ago. However, the transformation didn’t go exactly how it should have—he ended up a half-formed vampire without fangs and unable to control his transformations from human to bat, causing him to be bat by day and human by night. ... more>>

A series of mishaps leads him to wind up in Japan with no place to stay, and another series of mishaps leads to him staying with an embalmer named Akira who is the complete opposite of Al’s personality- a tsundere who doesn’t know how to open his heart to others. <<less

"Why would someone 17 years older than me fall in love with me?" College student Kadowaki, who’s clueless about romance, can’t help but be baffled by the unwavering feelings that math professor Matsushita has for him. ... more>>

If only love, like math, had clear rules and formulas...

This side story of Unrequited Love focuses on Kadowaki's perspective and also includes a special short story featuring Mikasa and Yoshimoto. <<less

"Unrequited Love" tells the story of Mikasa, a pure-hearted yet oblivious boy who is devoted and earnest, and his complex relationship with his former classmate... more>> Yoshimoto—a tsundere who, despite his prickly demeanor, takes the lead in their budding romance after Mikasa unexpectedly announces his plans to get married. <<less

Ryoichiro Satake, a university professor studying botany, lives a comfortable life with his loyal servant, Tokuma. Despite their different social standings, Tokuma has always been a steady and protective presence in Ryoichiro's life. However, hidden beneath their quiet daily routine is an unspoken longing—Ryoichiro harbors secret feelings for Tokuma but fears confessing them.... more>>

Set in a historical fantasy world filled with mononoke and yokai, this BL novel weaves a tale of unspoken emotions, complex bonds, and supernatural intrigue.

Ryoichiro: A free-spirited young man with a passion for plants, grappling with his own feelings.

Tokuma: A quiet yet earnest servant with the unique ability to perceive spirits, despite being unnoticed by others himself.

Also included is the bonus short story Shirofuji (White Wisteria), originally published in a pamphlet. <<less

This age-gap Omegaverse story follows Kawachi, an Omega striving to live as a Beta, whose plans are disrupted by an unexpected incident just before his 35th birthday.... more>>

Inukai, a young Alpha from the sales department who has secretly admired Kawachi, steps in to help, intertwining their lives in ways neither expected.

This is a heartfelt story of love, family, and personal growth between a devoted younger Alpha and a kind-hearted Omega pursuing a new path in life. <<less

During their second-year sports festival, Nishizaki found himself drawn to Nagano, whose unexpected coolness caught his eye. Intrigued, Nishizaki tried to get Nagano’s attention, but the more his usual tactics failed, the more frustrated—and serious—he became about pursuing him. ... more>>

By the time he managed to win Nagano over, Nishizaki's own interest had waned, and their fleeting romance came to an abrupt end. Yet, their story didn’t end with high school. Years later, fate brings them back together, forcing them to confront old feelings and navigate a complicated dynamic shaped by their changed circumstances. <<less

This is a story about a spiteful man who gets kidnapped and subjected to revenge by a former subordinate he bullied into quitting.... more>>

Characters:

The capable, gay ex-subordinate (seme) × the straight ex-boss (uke) whose only skill is political maneuvering.

The seme is determined to thoroughly settle his grudge, so the story contains many intense and graphic scenes.

If you’re uncomfortable with depictions of confinement that strip away human dignity, this may be a difficult read. <<less

For Shunji Tokame, life was all about working part-time to pay off his father’s debt and barely managing to feed himself, his older sister, and his younger brother day by day. High school and friends meant nothing to him. ... more>>

However, by chance, he begins talking to his classmate Hiroshi Ninomiya. Gradually, Tokame finds his frozen heart beginning to thaw, warmed by Ninomiya’s kindness and brightness.

Alongside the title story, “River’s End,” this novel includes “God Bless You” and “End Roll,” which explore Tokame’s inner conflicts as he matures into adulthood. These stories share the same universe as Castle Mango, a manga written by Konohara-sensei. <<less

Poverty, violence, exploitation, death... Mura, a man who believes he's an "alien," lives alone and homeless in the slums, waiting for someone from his star... more>> to come for him. Enduring hunger and the grind of harsh, daily-wage jobs, he maintains a quiet existence, sometimes cheated out of money but accepting his life and finding a certain peace in his daily routine. However, this bleak but stable life is disrupted when he encounters a young artist, setting off a story that explores the light and darkness of a man living at the bottom of society without a place to call home. <<less

Seiichi, who reunited with his cousin Keisuke after ten years when Keisuke came to Tokyo for work, was overwhelmed with guilt. Ten years earlier, during... more>> a summer when they were high school students, they had fallen in love. Seiichi had promised Keisuke, "I'll come back for you after I graduate." However, as Seiichi settled into city life, his feelings for his cousin in the countryside faded, and he broke that promise. Yet, Keisuke never blamed him for not returning. This is a bittersweet adult love story that explores the relationship between a man who loves faithfully and another who takes advantage of that unwavering devotion. <<less

Yamamura, a small-time con artist drowning in gambling debt, gets unexpected news of an inheritance from a relative he barely remembers. Elated, he soon finds... more>> out there’s a catch—he must care for his cousin Hirokuni, who was kidnapped as a child and raised in the jungle. Unfamiliar with civilization, Hirokuni is a challenge. Reluctantly, Yamamura takes him in, planning to abandon him if things go wrong. <<less

In their youth, Kunihiko admired Isamu for his athleticism and carefree spirit. As they grew older, their paths began to diverge, and Kunihiko struggled to... more>> understand the changes in his friend. When Isamu shares unexpected news, Kunihiko is forced to confront emotions he had long kept hidden. This novel explores the complexities of friendship, self-discovery, and unspoken feelings as two men navigate the shifting dynamics of their relationship over the years. <<less

Akira, an elementary school student with no parents, is living as a guest at his relatives' house. Although he had been under the protection of his kind aunt, everything changed when his uncle lost his job, bringing the peaceful days to an end.... more>>

"Even if it's lonely, it's better to be alone. When you're alone, no one can betray you."

This bittersweet story of Akira's boyhood reveals the reasons why he became an embalmer. Also included is a short story depicting Akira's college years and his friendship with Pat. <<less

Because of his foolish way of living, Momota lost both his home and family. Just when he was about to give up on life, a... more>> police officer passing by by chance stopped him. Irritated by the officer’s strict sense of justice, Momota throws an absurd demand at the officer Hamauzu: “Sleep with me.” However, Hamauzu, risking everything, saves Momota. From that moment on, Momota vows to live for him... A single-minded love begins to change everything. <<less

Tohru lost his most of his memory in an accident. He can’t remember anything that happened from the past six years. But with time, yet... more>> he struggles, he slowly recovers his memory. He feels as if he is a different person now, and he hates “the other guy” – the “himself” from six years ago… And thinking, Fujishima was his friend, felt like he was being watched over like a guardian angel but in the end he’s betrayed. Miserable and emotionally drained, Tohru is trying not to relive in the shadow of his past. He is trying to move on with his new life… but harder he tries, he finds himself being pulled in by Fujishima. <<less

Fujishima’s wound he suffered from protecting Tohru has healed and he’s finally been released from the hospital. Their life together starts again once more. Tohru... more>> wants them to live together as lovers, but Fujishima refuses, saying “I have no intentions of loving you.” Is Fujishima afraid of Tohru remembering something in particular if he regains his memories? The bonds of the past are finally becoming clearer… <<less

After losing his memory in a serious car accident, Tohru Takahisa is taken in by Fujishima, an older man who claims to be his friend. But the taciturn Fujishima refuses to reveal anything about Tohru’s past! Despite the gulf between them, a strange and awkward tenderness grows, even as they are held apart by the tragic events of Tohru’s forgotten past! Dramatic, heart-wrenching romance and tragedy combine in a gripping story where the past and present are intricately entwined.... more>>

Reading order of the series:
Cold Sleep
Cold Light
Cold Fever <<less

Kenji Yachi (谷地健司) was laid off from the foreign company where he had worked for nearly 20 years. Now, over 40 years old, he started... more>> a part-time job at a bento shop. As he was healing from the shock of being laid off and living peacefully, Haruno (榛野) suddenly appeared before him. Haruno was an elite who had graduated from an American graduate school and was the younger boss who had coldly informed Yachi of his dismissal. Although Yachi wished to never see him again because it reminded him of the feeling of being declared incompetent, Haruno came to the shop every weekend, bought a bento, and started talking to him. What are his true intentions...? <<less

Uno had a love he couldn't forget. Even after graduation, he continued to have an unrequited crush on Murakami, a college classmate who was well-liked... more>> by everyone. Determined to put an end to these feelings, Uno decides to do so at a friend's wedding. However, he discovers that Murakami, who was supposed to attend, has gone missing after accumulating debt. Having lost everything, Murakami had become homeless. In an effort to end his feelings, Uno takes Murakami in and they start living together. <<less

Matsuoka is hooked on wearing his ex-girlfriend’s clothes and going for nighttime walks into town, feeling the pleasure of being stared at by men wherever he goes. One night, after he is assaulted by a man during a one-off encounter, he is saved by Hirosue, a nondescript senior worker from his company. Drawn to Hirosue’s innocent and pure love, Matsuoka continues to meet with Hirosue, all the while dressed as a woman, until Hirosue finally confesses to him. Narise Konohara’s pinnacle of achievement portrays the pain and beauty of unrequited love and has also been adapted to a theatrical play.... more>>

Contains 2 short stories (published in earlier editions) “Of Tenderness” (Itoshii koto) and “Of Love” (Aisuru koto). <<less

On a midsummer night, Utsumi Keita, who was wandering the midnight streets looking for a place to sleep, met a man named Sugiura Mitsuru and... more>> stayed at his place on the condition of having s*x. Keita didn’t actually want to sleep with a man, but he didn’t want to return to his own apartment either. He didn’t want to be alone in his room with the large freezer humming and haunting his dreams. For Keita, who was plagued by nightmares, Sugiura was a convenient partner. However, Keita’s heart begins to waver with Sugiura's sincere feelings. <<less

A side story in two volumes featuring Soichi, the son of the head of the Motohashi Group, who has been unable to be alone for... more>> even a moment due to the trauma of being attacked by an enemy five years ago. At the same time, his repressed fetishes were also exposed. He would relieve his s*xual urges in front of his silent bodyguard, Kato, but one day, instead of using toys, he begged Kato himself. Kato obeyed the order and embraced Soichi. When Soichi felt an intense pleasure he had never experienced before and begged for more, Kato refused, saying, “If I have to embrace someone, I’d rather it be a woman.” It includes follow-up extras of Yamada and Michihiko from “Smiling at the Moon.” <<less