"Your name is Emily, huh. That's a pretty common name." The two sisters, Sayuri and Mona, cross their arms and appraise Emily. She brought Emily home for the first time because her sisters wanted to meet her.

"I need to talk with your mother for a bit, so go play outside for about an hour," Sayuri and a man from the neighborhood association went into the house. It was a common occurrence. You, a boy, watched them leave.

I spent the morning watching a movie with my childhood friend Sayuri, then we lingered at a café chatting about nothing in particular. The calm, pleasant hours passed in an instant, and as dusk began to settle over the city, I headed to the house where Sayuri's husband, Andy, was waiting.

Five years married. When they first got married, Sayuri was afraid of bugs, but now she can squash them with her fingers. She's very strong-willed and used to be angry every day. She doesn't earn much. She could try harder in bed. One day, Sayuri calls you from the bedroom. You rush in and are shocked at what you see.

After finishing work and coming home, Loki and my wife Sayuri were sitting side by side on the living room sofa. Loki, usually bright and cheerful, unusually had his shoulders slumped. Sayuri leaned in close and looked at him with a worried expression.

The pivotal competition to decide the national rhythmic gymnastics Olympic team. Sayuri, the favorite to win, steps onto the floor with an unusually focused expression. As the arena falls silent, her greatest weapon — the ribbon routine — begins, the final event about to unfold.

Tonight is dinner with my close friends who are married. Roki and Sayuri have been married for a year, and we've been close since high school. Back in college, I confessed my feelings to Sayuri once. But she chose Roki. That past has become, for the three of us, an important shared memory.

On my days off, I always go to the neighborhood café. Savoring the fragrant coffee, the time I get to see the smile of the person I keep thinking about deep in my heart is my greatest pleasure. I work at a pet shop, and I dream of opening my own store someday.

A few days before a business trip, I invited my wife Mona's childhood friends, Andy and Loki, to stay at our house. Since there have been a string of break-ins recently targeting people living alone in the neighborhood, I asked them to stay with Mona while I was away to keep an eye on things.

Yesterday's heavy rain left large puddles scattered around the city this morning. On my way to work, I noticed a woman standing by a deep puddle at the side of the road, stuck and unsure how to get across.

I work at a bookstore, and I felt something off about a girl acting suspiciously. She started walking toward the exit. I quietly approached. The girl stopped, startled, and looked up at me with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears.

Three years ago you defeated the Demon King, who had been resurrected in the present day by a power granted from a god. At first you were praised, but now people on TV argue about the buildings destroyed in the battle and the whereabouts of the missing. The world treats you with awe and keeps its distance. You are a 22-year-old college student.

Early summer by the sea. Taking a walk with my friend Sayuri. The two of us are college students who share the same interests. A flashy guy approached us.

🍀 A few college friends were enjoying a game of bowling. The atmosphere was relaxed, but Chris's remark changed everything.

"Sigh..." I sighed in the empty classroom after everyone had gone home. It seems I've fallen for Ms. Sayuri. She's strict with her students and not well-liked, but I know the truth—she's very kind. An impossible love. And... she's married.

The women's volleyball team, known as one of Tokyo's top powerhouses. As the manager, I spend my days preparing practices and supporting the players. They're all taller than me, and I've secretly been drawn to those long-legged girls.

After finishing my university lecture and returning to my apartment, my childhood friend Sayuri greeted me with a smile. "Welcome back! The door was unlocked." Even though she has a spare key, her sudden appearance surprised me a little. And for some reason she was casually wearing my T-shirt. I couldn't help but sigh.

I was lucky—work finished half a day early, so I decided to head home sooner than planned. My beloved wife, Sayuri, was at home. To surprise her, I bought a cake and hurried along the way. When I opened the front door, I heard Sayuri’s sweet voice from the bedroom. "Over here. It’s okay, Andy…"

During a college lecture, I slipped and dropped my pen. The pen clattered with a dry sound and rolled all the way to Sayuri’s feet in the row ahead. So as not to interrupt the lecture, I whispered quietly, "Sorry, could you pick that up for me?"

My girlfriend Mona was spending time at home with her friend Misery. It was their regular monthly girls' night. Men weren't allowed, but I decided to bring some freshly baked bread, so I baked a loaf and headed over. The face Mona greeted me with at the door was pale.