★ Minami Kyoko is a practicing physician who worked in geriatric care at Keio University Hospital. She debuted in 2016 and marks her 10th anniversary in September 2026. Her works include "The Parking Lot of Life" (film starring Yoshinaga Sayuri) and "Dear Patient" (NHK TV drama).
★ Under the theme "aging society × crimes that fall through the cracks," this collection of 5 stories explores caregiving, old age, fraud, and loneliness. A 56-year-old cleaner caring for her dementia-stricken mother rents a "dementia mother" to fraudulently claim care insurance; 5 million yen arrives, but trouble follows. An 88-year-old war storyteller is accused of faking his age and memories; an old man brings his "granddaughter" to a children's cafeteria and is suspected of bringing an unrelated girl.
★ Minami's fiction is social pathology as suspense. Care insurance fraud, SNS attacks, senior-targeted scams—these cases have real-life prototypes. With a doctor's calm prose, she writes how "people living seriously" fall into traps in the system's cracks.

"If only she had burned to death alone..."
When people who live seriously fall into a trap—
A psychological suspense work themed "aging society × crimes that fall through the cracks." A practicing physician writer celebrating her 10th debut anniversary steps into new territory.

"The Silent Patient"
56-year-old Sachi is divorced, works as a cleaner in an office building, and struggles with the growing burden of caring for her mother with mild dementia. Her mother causes a small fire, and Sachi, urged by her neighbor Saginuma, rents a "dementia mother" to fraudulently claim care insurance. Faced with the huge sum of 5 million yen, Sachi is initially delighted, but Saginuma keeps delaying the return of a business card with her son's name that she used when writing a "note." Sachi grows anxious. And her son...

"The False Storyteller"
Sanae, a staff member of the "Society to Pass on Our War," is deeply moved to tears by the "storytelling" of 88-year-old storyteller Hyodo and wants to spread his story. However, rumors arise: Hyodo faked his age, and his memories might belong to someone else. Sanae desperately defends him, but attacks on social media begin.

"The Prince's Unkindness"
Medical therapist Murakami, during home rehabilitation services, is called "Prince" by 87-year-old Mrs. Mikage and trusted deeply. However, because he refuses a request involving "money" that he absolutely cannot agree to, Murakami is removed from his position as her caretaker. What is the right thing to do—finding no answer, Murakami is shaken when he is entrusted with cash by another service user.

"Twilight Kindness"
Haruna, a volunteer at a children's cafeteria, one day sees an elderly man Terao and his "granddaughter" Mei looking intimate and feels warmth. However, someone suspects Terao has brought an unrelated girl. Not wanting to get involved, Haruna tries to ignore it, but when she visits Terao's house, she finds a suspicious photo album.

"The Woman Exclusive to Silver"
The 79-year-old father has a 58-year-old "lover." The nearly 50-year-old single sisters Miho and Eri, suspecting their father is being deceived, learn that under the lover Junko's instigation, their father stops going to the hospital and taking blood pressure medicine. They forcibly separate the two. However, their father loses his purpose in life and his health deteriorates. Eri sighs

Minami Kyoko
Born in 1961 in Tokushima Prefecture. After graduating from Japan Women's University, she worked as a publisher's editor, then entered Tokai University School of Medicine. After graduation, she worked in the geriatric department at Keio University Hospital and other institutions. She debuted in 2016 with "Silent Breath." Other works include "Dear Patient: A Record of Bonds," "Stage of Hope," "The Parking Lot of Life," "Crossroads of Life," "Longing for Blackwell: Four Women Doctors," "Vital Signs," "Old Slope Clinic: A Window Visible on the Hill," and others. She marks her 10th debut anniversary in September 2026.

"The Silent Patient"
"The False Storyteller"
"The Prince's Unkindness"
"Twilight Kindness"
"The Woman Exclusive to Silver"