日本文學

Before Much Longer… The White Fog Will Engulf The World In Silence

All is well at the Midgar Academy for Dark Knights, but then something wicked suddenly draws near: The students are vanishing one by one – even Cid’s older sister, Claire! Zeta of the Seven Shadows sets off to investigate, while Cid and Alexia embark for Claire’s room where they find… An ancient script, cool magic circles, and incantations that seem important and yet don’t actually do anything whatsoever. What does it all mean, and why has Claire been talking to herself so much lately…?

I honestly can't remember what catalyzed this desire.

All I know is I've admired shadow brokers for as long as I can remember.

Was it a certain anime? Or was it a manga - or a movie?

Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. I was all in for anything that featured a mastermind, or an eminence in shadow, as I like to call them. These characters were never the protagonists or final bosses but were relegated to a role behind the scenes where they flaunted their powers and meddled in the affairs of others. I've always looked up to the men in the shadows.

I wanted to be one of them.

Think of children who worship their favourite superheroes.

That was me but with master puppeteers.

The Door Of Darkness Is Cast Open – The World Advances To A New Field

The specter of war hangs thick in the air of the Oriana Kingdom, where Princess Rose is expected to wed Duke Perv. This supposed marriage cannot and will not stand, though, as it would throw a major wrench in a certain shadowbroker’s plans. Not one to miss an opportunity for sleuthing, Cid makes his way to the royal capital to put a stop to the ceremony, but are there even bigger schemes at work behind this unholy matrimony?

I honestly can't remember what catalyzed this desire.

All I know is I've admired shadow brokers for as long as I can remember.

Was it a certain anime? Or was it a manga - or a movie?

Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. I was all in for anything that featured a mastermind, or an eminence in shadow, as I like to call them. These characters were never the protagonists or final bosses but were relegated to a role behind the scenes where they flaunted their powers and meddled in the affairs of others. I've always looked up to the men in the shadows.

I wanted to be one of them.

Think of children who worship their favourite superheroes.

That was me but with master puppeteers.

The Red Moon Hangs Low In The Night – An Omen Of What’s To Come

Deep within the Lawless City lies the Blood Queen, a Progenitor Vampire, slumbering in her coffin for many moons. An expert at landing himself in trouble, Cid should know better than to go after her… but he’s dying to get a piece of the action. It’s time he shed his daytime persona to take on the role of Shadow! It seems, however, that he’s not the only one with this idea. Soon enough, he finds the three rulers of the Lawless City-Juggernaut the Tyrant, Yukime the Spirit Fox, and Crimson the vampire – are all on his tail. To complicate things even further, the Shadow Garden descends on the scene as the hour of the Blood Queen’s awakening looms closer and closer…

I honestly can't remember what catalyzed this desire.

All I know is I've admired shadow brokers for as long as I can remember.

Was it a certain anime? Or was it a manga - or a movie?

Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. I was all in for anything that featured a mastermind, or an eminence in shadow, as I like to call them.

These characters were never the protagonists or final bosses but were relegated to a role behind the scenes where they flaunted their powers and meddled in the affairs of others. I've always looked up to the men in the shadows.

I wanted to be one of them.

Think of children who worship their favourite superheroes.

That was me but with master puppeteers.

Nothing Could Be Further From The Truth

Cid pays a visit to the Sacred Land, where he finds himself getting roped into the Goddess's Trial. It's a ritual event that summons warriors from the past to engage with only the most worthy from the present. When Cid squares off against the witch who brought devastation to the world, the door to the Sanctuary creaks open, granting the Shadow Garden valuable insight into the possessed and the Cult of Diablos. That is until Cid, blissfully ignorant of the conspiracies playing out behind the scenes, runs amok!

I honestly can't remember what catalyzed this desire.

All I know is I've admired shadow brokers for as long as I can remember.

Was it a certain anime? Or was it a manga - or a movie?

Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. I was all in for anything that featured a mastermind, or an eminence in shadow, as I like to call them. These characters were never the protagonists or final bosses but were relegated to a role behind the scenes where they flaunted their powers and meddled in the affairs of others. I've always looked up to the men in the shadows.

I wanted to be one of them.

Think of children who worship their favourite superheroes.

That was me but with master puppeteers.

One Big Fat Lie And A Few Twisted Truths

Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind... or at least, do the next best thing - pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the read deal - and everyone knows the truth but him!

I honestly can't remember what catalyzed this desire.

All I know is I've admired shadowbrokers for as long as I can remember.

Was it a certain anime? Or was it a manga - or a movie?

Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. I was all in for anything that featured a mastermind, or an eminence in shadow, as I like to call them. These characters were never the protagonists or final bosses but were relegated to a role behind the scenes where they flaunted their powers and meddled in the affairs of others. I've always looked up to the men in the shadows.

I wanted to be one of them.

Think of children who worship their favourite superheroes.

That was me but with master puppeteers.

Disaster Strikes At The Worst Possible Time!

As Anne and the other candy crafters race to finish their sugar candy in time for the First Holy Festival, the unthinkable happens. Lafalle, a beautiful but dangerous fairy with a strange attachment to Challe, attacks the Paige Workshop and kidnaps Anne and her fairy companion. But even now, when she's being held prisoner, all Anne can think about is the approaching deadline...

Failure Is Not An Option.

The Paige Workshop has successfully won the right to provide sugar candy for the First Holy Festival, but the real challenge has only just begun - making all the candy before time runs out. In a stroke of luck, Anne secures a castle with suitable room to serve as their workspace, only to discover upon arrival that it is in ruins and plagued by ghosts! Meanwhile, Bridget turns up on the arm of a beautiful and mysterious fairy, who Challe believes is more than he appears. As problems arise left and right, will Anne and the other candy crafters meet their increasingly impossible deadline...?

Save The Paige Workshop!

Anne has finally attained the title of Silver Sugar Master, but not without paying a price - Challe has sold his freedom to Bridget Paige, the daughter of the Paige Workshop maestro. Determined to get him back, Anne travels to the Paige Workshop and learns they'll return him if she agrees to work for them. But then she's assigned the difficult task of reviving the debt-ridden business, which is close to shutting down! Set on rescuing Challe, Anne doesn't shy away from the challenge, but with only five candy crafters, and their faction's long history of set traditions restricting her actions, how will she save the Paige Workshop...?

No Sugar Apples, No Silver Sugar?!

The Royal Candy Fair approaches, and Anne Halford is ready to tackle the competition again to win the title of Silver Sugar Master! However, she is in bind due to the year's poor harvest of sugar apples - and the only way to obtain the limited few is by working at the Radcliffe Workshop. Despite having had terrible encounters with the candy crafters from that faction, Anne decides to go, as she won't let anything deter her from achieving her dream. Now she just needs to find a motif for her sugar candy sculpture...

An Impossible Wish Granted

Winter has arrived in the Kingdom of Highland, and Anne Halford, aspiring Silver Sugar Master, is struggling to make ends meet. Barely scrapping by with her earnings, Anne is worrying about securing lodging for the upcoming holidays when she hears exciting news. The Duke of Philax will award and extraordinary amount of money to whoever makes the best sugar candy according to his wishes! Anne immediately jumps at the opportunity but finds herself competing against Jonas. The Duke is notoriously difficult to please - who will win his approval first?

Rush To The Royal Candy Fair!

Anne Halford is a candy crafter determined to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a Silver Sugar Master - a title bestowed only by royalty - by winning first place in the Royal Candy Fair. The journey to the capital will be dangerous, however, so she purchases Challe, a handsome but foulmouthed fairy, to be her bodyguard. Anne wishes to befriend her new companions, but in this kingdom where fairies are treated as property, Challe wants noting to do with humans. Will this journey with her change his mind? And will Anne arrive safely at the fair?

After accidentally breaking Mr. Fujiyama's precious record, Smile is desperate to make amends. Luckily for her, there's another copy... and if she can find it, everyone will finally get to hear Sakura's voice! The only problem is that Cherry's moving day has arrived, and he's already heading out of town... Can Cherry and Smile find a way to reunite and tell each other how they truly feel? Find out in the emotional conclusion to the series!

As Mr. Fujiyama recuperates, Cherry and Smile decide to hunt down the record he holds so dear. They ask around the mall, examining Mr. Fujiyama's empty album jacket for clues - but the breakthrough arrives when they identify the radio tower shown on its back side. Desperate for answers, the two make for the tower to see what secrets it holds!

He's a shy haiku writer who wears headphones to keep people at a distance. She's s streamer who always hides behind a mask. After their worlds suddenly collide, these two strangers find themselves sharing secrets they've been desperate to keep under wraps. Even though their methods of self-expression couldn't be more different, they'll find they understand each other better than they ever expected...

Tokyo - a bustling yet mysterious city, full of rumors and dream chasers. There resides Subaru Sumeragi, the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. When Subaru sets out to investigate a series of anonymous prank calls, he finds three high school girls who are convinced they're part of something greater. Can he save them from themselves before they stray too far into the world of the supernatural?

Tokyo - a lively yet congested city, full of laughter and merriment. There resides Subaru Sumeragi, the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. When Subaru is called to awaken a girl trapped in a four-month-long slumber, he's startled to see his childhood friend Mitsuki, who's barricaded her consciousness within her own memories. All he needs to do is coax her out... but that's easier said than done when the target claims to hate him!

Tokyo - a beautiful yet cold city, full of life and twinkling lights. There resides Subaru Sumeragi, the thirteenth head of his clan and a powerful onmyouji. Aided by his glamorous twin sister, Hokuto, and the veterinarian who claims to love him, Seishirou Sakurazuka, he solves the supernatural troubles that plague the citizens of Tokyo - both living and deceased!

　　老店人情 × 食慾系閱讀：讀完只想衝去吃熱騰騰拿坡里！

　　這家老字號的咖啡館，總會莫名其妙吸引來一些神祕事件，以及一群特別有個性的人物。
　　這裡賣的不只是餐點，它賣的是安心與悠閒：貼近車站的老商圈、窗邊的動物園海報、看得見的開放式廚房，以及會把你當自家人的阿公阿嬤。

　　巴翁咖啡館經營了大約五十年。

　　阿公膝蓋不好，走路時左腳總是一跛一跛的。店裡到處都是高低落差，但阿公畢竟經營五十年了，閉著眼睛也不會被絆倒。他端著托盤的手總是微微顫抖，驚險地為客人送上「阿公的特製奶昔」，以及無論肚子再飽都想吃的「阿嬤的魔法拿坡里義大利麵」，這兩項餐點是本店的招牌料理。

　　我是這家店長的孫子。小五、國一、大一——在人生這三個時間點，我都在這間咖啡館遇見了奇妙事件，發現了意想不到的真相……

　　像鬧著玩，卻把人看得通透；像日常，卻藏著人生的答案。這是一本讀來暖胃又暖心的小說：有笑點、有餘韻，讓人合上書還想再去巴翁咖啡館，再點一盤熱騰騰的拿坡里義大利麵。

作者簡介

椰月美智子

　　1970年出生於神奈川縣。2001年以《十二歲》拿下第42屆講談社兒童文學新人獎，並在隔年正式成為職業作家。2007年憑《寧靜的日子》獲得第45屆野間兒童文藝獎，2008年再奪得第23屆坪田讓治文學獎。2017年以《明日的餐桌》得到第3屆神奈川本大獎。2020年以《曾經和我同齡的田中先生的友情》獲得第69屆小學館兒童出版文化獎。其他作品有《琉璃姊》、《十四歲的水平線》、《金春色的彼方》、《我們的答案》、《鏡像世界》等。

譯者簡介

李彥樺

　　1978年出生。日本關西大學文學博士。從事翻譯工作多年，譯作涵蓋文學、財經、實用叢書、旅遊手冊、輕小說、漫畫等各領域。

Cid's engaging in a little "fundraising" in the treasure vaults of the Crimson Tower to finance his future shadowbroker activities when he senses the presence of an upcoming boss battle! The newly resurrected Blood Queen is hosting a grisly banquet, and Shadow's not the only one on the guest list. With Cid's sister, Claire, diving into the fray on a misguided mission to save him, will she realize she's getting in over her head before it's too late...?

Cid's shadowbrokering fun is interrupted when his sister, Claire, drags him off to the Lawless City to hunt some vampire called the ''Blood Queen" or something. To fit in with the atmosphere of this hard-boiled town, he decides to give his normal background character persona a break and try out a new role - a young man who laughs mysteriously at the violence around him! However, the legendary Red Moon that rises over Cid's carefree head might be more than just an ill omen...

All eyes are on the Bushin Festival as the totally enigmatic Mundane Mann advances toward the finals, winning all his matches in an instant. Just who could this mysterious knight (who is certainly not mild-mannered Cid Kagenou in disguise) possibly be? However, beneath the festivities, a dark drama unfolds as Princess Rose goes on the run following her assault on her fiancé! Was the sordid affair simply a prenuptial argument gone too far, or is something more wicked afoot?

In the depths of the Sanctuary, where ancient memories of mighty warriors slumber, Shadow Garden lays bare the long-hidden truth behind the demon Diablos and the hero Olivier - all very critical plot information that Cid pays zero attention to because it's time for the semiannual Bushin Festival! Playing the part of a weak-looking guy who's actually super-strong is Cid's raison d'etre, and where better to strut his stuff than a tournament are?

Cid is invited to Lindwurm, the Sacred Land, where a ritual known as the Goddess's Trial is held. Ancient warriors are summoned according to the strength of the challenger, providing an opportunity for honor and glory - all the stuff Cid specifically wants to avoid! If his true strength is revealed, all his work to play the part of a nobody will be for naught...

The Midgar Academy for Dark Knights is occupied by terrorists posing as the Shadow Garden! Faced with a stressful, high-intensity hostage situation... Cid is having the time of his life! Whether it's being the first student struck down as an example of swooping in dramatically from the rooftops in the nick of time, there's no better opportunity for him to show off his prowess as a shadowy mastermind!

When the foul-tempered Princess Alexia is captured by the Cult of Diablos, the Shadow Garden takes the stage, assaulting the cult's hidden base. Crossing swords with the kidnapper, Cid gets the chance to make his true debut as an eminence in shadow (and show off his totally awesome secret technique). As the attack lights up the night sky over the capital, all will know of the hidden powers that lurk in the darkness!

Cid Kagenou has a dream. Not being some typical protagonist or the Final Boss - he has his eyes set on becoming a hidden mastermind working in the shadows! Now that he's been reborn in another world, Cid has been hard at work building the perfect stage to act out his long-desired role. The only issue? His imaginary adversaries and plot devices seem to actually exist in this new realm... and his alone is left in the dark!

As Yuuya surveys the Weald, a mysterious cave suddenly opens up before him. Within the cavern, he finds the body of a legendary sage and a book containing their last words - many of which are addressed... to him? The dead sage bestows their mana pathways to Yuuya, granting him the previously unattainable ability to utilize magic! Between these newfound skills and an encounter with a mysterious girl, can Yuuya navigate this increasingly dangerous world while still making time his his classes at Ousei Academy?

As Yuuya's skills in the other world improve, so too does his life in the real world. Starting fresh at Ousei Academy, he begins to shine at academics and sports, even making a few new friends. Has Yuuya finally found a place that really accepts who he is?