★ Four popular women writers: Michiko Aoyama (“The Thursday Cacao,” 2020 Miyazaki Book Award), Sonoko Machida (“The Whales of 52 Hertz,” 2021 Japan Booksellers’ Award), Kei Ichiki (15th R-18 Literary Award Readers‘ Award), Mariko Yamauchi (7th R-18 Literary Award Readers’ Award).
★ Four short stories, four “ex-boyfriend” tales: an actress sister complains that fame brings more ex-boyfriends; a wheat-allergic screenwriter learns her ex became a rice-flour baker; Mika, unable to accept a breakup, humiliates herself to keep the relationship; Sara, working at a kimono shop, remembers her ex.
★ Cover copy: “Let go of ‘memories,’ and we move on.” More about letting go than longing. A bittersweet anthology of ex-boyfriend stories.
★ For readers who enjoy Japanese women‘s short fiction, love stories, and growth stories.

Let go of “memories,” and we move on—
Four popular writers depict bittersweet “ex-boyfriend” stories.

“The Older Sister” (Michiko Aoyama)
A sister, an actress gaining attention after her TV drama becomes a hit, complains: “They say fame brings more relatives, but for me it brings more ex-boyfriends...”

“March Feels Like a Past Life” (Kei Ichiki)
Koto, a screenwriter with a wheat allergy, learns her ex-boyfriend has succeeded as a rice-flour baker. The process from meeting to breaking up is reawakened...

“Everything Is Behind the Curtain” (Sonoko Machida)
Mika, unable to accept the breakup and humiliating herself to keep the relationship, reunites by chance with her classmate Saichi. After high school, Saichi caused an incident...

“Two Years Older” (Mariko Yamauchi)
Sara begins working at a kimono shop that says “no experience necessary.” Busy with unfamiliar work, she remembers her ex-boyfriend.

Michiko Aoyama（青山美智子）
Born in 1970 in Aichi Prefecture. After graduating from university, worked as a reporter for a Japanese newspaper in Sydney. After returning to Japan, worked as a magazine editor at a publisher, then began writing. Her debut “The Thursday Cacao” won the 1st Miyazaki Book Award in 2020.

Kei Ichiki（一木けい）
Born in 1979 in Fukuoka Prefecture. Won the 15th R-18 Literary Award Readers‘ Award in 2016. Debuted in 2018 with “There Must Be Not Even One Millimeter of Regret.” In 2026, “The Conclusion Is That, Love” was a candidate for the 47th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.

Sonoko Machida（町田そのこ）
Born in 1980 in Fukuoka Prefecture. Won the 15th R-18 Literary Award Grand Prize in 2016. Debuted in 2017 with “Chocolate Rainbow Fish Swimming in the Night Sky.” Won the 18th Japan Booksellers’ Award in 2021 with “The Whales of 52 Hertz.”

Mariko Yamauchi（山内マリコ）
Born in 1980 in Toyama Prefecture. Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Department of Imaging. Won the 7th R-18 Literary Award Readers‘ Award in 2008. Debuted in 2012 with “It’s Boring Here, Come Pick Me Up.”

“The Older Sister” — Michiko Aoyama
“March Feels Like a Past Life” — Kei Ichiki
“Everything Is Behind the Curtain” — Sonoko Machida
“Two Years Older” — Mariko Yamauchi