現有書籍

It's time for the Ousei Academy camping trip! Yuuya and his classmates head into the wilderness, where they'll need to build shelters, find food, and otherwise fend for themselves. Yuuya quickly steals the show (and several of his classmates' hearts) after saving the day, thanks to his maxed-out survival skills! And back in the other world, the day Yuuya promised to meet Princess Lexia has arrived. But an ambush cuts their reunion short when Luna moves to complete her mission and assassinate the princess! As Yuuya recalls their time training together in the forest - and the bond they forged - will he be able to do what's necessary to stop her...?

Upon arriving at the Oriana Kingdom, Cid is blindsided by the news that Princess Rose is set to wed Duke Perv! This unexpected plot twist throws a major wrench in Cid's future plans - after all, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow, and Cid had been counting on Rose to illuminate the world for him. It seems like it's be a good idea to crash the party and get the deets about what's going on, but are there even bigger schemes at work behind this unholy matrimony?

After years of the Mitsugoshi group quietly using Cid's Shadow Wisdom to reshape the world from behind the scenes, the time has finally come to pay the piper. The quagmire of a credit collapse threatens Shadow Garden and the Cult of Diablos alike in an economic disaster orchestrated by one man - Super Elite Agent John Smith! (Don't tell anymore, but it's Cid in disguise.) Weaving a web of betrayal from threads of chaos laid throughout the market, Cid finally succeeds in entangling his enemy, but in the wake of his treachery, will things ever be the same between him and the girls...?

A troubled wind is blowing - Mitsugoshi's new innovations have put them in the sights of entrenched business interests,  and the filthy quagmire of shady underworld schemes is escalating to all out economic warfare! Naturally, there's no way Cid would ignore something that cool-sounding! If it looks like the girls are getting in over their heads, he'll just have to step in and betray them to save the day - not as mild-mannered Cid or the grim and mysterious Shadow, but as Super Elite Agent John Smith, he who destroys all and rebuilds it anew...!

　　蘋果的輝煌，不僅來自賈伯斯的「不同凡想」，
　　更深深仰賴由富士康領軍的「中國製造」。
　　《金融時報》資深記者觀察5年、遍訪200餘位業內人士，
　　首度剖析中國加入WTO以來，
　　「美國設計、台商帶路、中國製造」，
　　從互相扶持的共生關係，到彼此牽制的難解困局，
　　25年後，美中台的企業、政治與所有人，
　　將面對如何的挑戰與風險？
 
　　「研究紮實、內容震撼又發人深省……你將看到，全球最賺錢的公司如何受制於全球最強勢的獨裁者。」——克里斯·米勒，《晶片戰爭》作者
 
　　「這是有史以來關於蘋果最精彩的書，也是最出色的中國主題書，更是科技類書的顛峰之作。」——班·湯普森，《Stratechery科技電子報》作者
 
●美國夢——蘋果誕生，從「美國製造」開始
　　1976年， 21歲的賈伯斯、26歲的沃茲尼克在自家車庫創立蘋果公司，以Apple II打響名號，初期大多在美國製造與組裝，是純粹「美國夢」的體現，僅部分產能外包日本。1985年賈伯斯被趕出蘋果後，公司創新力衰退，製造效率又落後戴爾、康柏，蘋果在財務泥淖中賣掉製造工廠，放棄垂直整合，開始大舉外包，從日本、韓國到台灣代工廠。

●台商帶路——賈伯斯回歸，郭董帶路前進中國
　　1997年賈伯斯回歸，推出「Think Different」（不同凡想）廣告力挽狂瀾，iMac需求強勁，超出韓國代工負荷，此時富士康董事長郭台銘主動致電蘋果營運總裁庫克，自此開啟長期合作，「美國製造iMac模具需12週，富士康只要25天，品質還出奇的好！」到了iPod時代，富士康展現「中國速度」——從一片空地到量產工廠僅需半年。有廉價勞動力和規模效益，工廠何必續留美國？表象的中國製造奇蹟，實質上是美國產業空洞化與藍領失業潮。

●中國製造——富士康壯大，紅色供應鏈崛起
　　2007年iPhone問世，複雜設計需要動員中國數十萬工人組裝。蘋果把代工廠利潤擠壓到極低，富士康換取的是蘋果長年投資與持續輸出的技術與訓練，蘋果工程師長期駐廠培訓，帶來了「隱性知識」的轉移。中國政府隨即以資金與政策扶植本土企業——立訊精密、比亞迪等「紅色供應鏈」迅速崛起，取代富士康與台灣代工廠的地位。2021年，蘋果前200大供應商中，中國企業數量首次超越台灣。

●中國反噬——從開放合作到養套殺
　　中國政府以創造就業、技術學習為國家戰略，鼓勵地方官員與外商深度合作，提供土地、基礎建設與勞動力。蘋果為確保供應鏈穩定與中國市場銷售，漸失談判籌碼。中國政府對蘋果的態度從歡迎轉向施壓。蘋果不得不一次次妥協，下架敏感 App、遵守數據政策，甚至在敏感議題上保持沉默。在 2019 年，華為全球智慧手機出貨量超越蘋果 ……這一刻，蘋果不再只是掌控者，而是受制於中國市場的巨人。

●未來怎麼走——泥足深陷的蘋果
　　川普總統勝選和上任是基於「美國優先」政策，公開要求蘋果回美製造。蘋果遂啟動供應鏈多元化計畫，尋找中國以外的新基地，印度被視為最有潛力的替代者。然而印度製造生態尚未成熟，中國由國家主導的勞動力分配和高效率，在其他民主國家難以複製；勞工制度與工會文化不同於中國，加上中國政府報復與民間抵制，使轉移過程充滿阻力。

●未來怎麼走——台灣的角色
　　台灣代工廠：包括富士康、和碩已在印度積極將勞力密集型的最終組裝業務轉移到東南亞和印度。
　　關鍵的台積電：台積電是全球最先進晶片的製造者，負責iPhone的「大腦」。若兩岸衝突升高，將對全球供應鏈造成災難性衝擊。即便台積電在亞利桑那州設廠，晶片仍須運回台灣進行先進封裝，凸顯供應鏈轉移的複雜與限制。

◎本書特色
1.《晶片戰爭》後最受矚目科技史詩巨作！媒體一致盛讚
　　《金融時報》蘋果產業記者揭露蘋果、台商與中國的錯綜複雜關係，《晶片戰爭》克里斯‧米勒甫讀初稿即盛讚並推介出版，甫出版即獲傳統及網路媒體一致好評，《紐約時報》、《經濟學人》推薦為年度最佳書單。
2. 揭開蘋果創意神話的另一面——關注蘋果、關注科技產業者必讀
　　賈伯斯的願景、艾夫的設計、矽谷的創新，只是蘋果品牌傳奇的一半面目，本書揭開了另一半。那些讓人驚嘆的極致設計，其實是靠著中國製造大軍和低毛利供應鏈，以手工方式製造複雜且難以自動化的精細設計。更具矛盾的是，蘋果一邊宣揚「不同凡想」的自由精神，一邊向中國政治壓力妥協而自我審查，顯示品牌價值與現實利益的衝突。
3.全球最強品牌如何養大中國對手——企業管理者的必修課
　　蘋果追求極致低成本、極致高效率、極致高利潤，壓榨供應鏈卻輸出工程團隊協助培訓與最新技術轉移，最後成為培育華為、小米等本土品牌的土壤。蘋果原本只想降低成本、提升效率，卻無意間養大了能與自己競爭的強敵。
4.蘋果設計vs富士康帶路vs中國製造——理解台商供應鏈的關鍵視角
　　從郭台銘領導的富士康等台商曾憑靈活與執行力成為蘋果崛起的關鍵推手。但在中國政府補貼與資本挹注下，本土企業如立訊精密、比亞迪以更低利潤甚至虧損換取市場，取代了台商位置。這是產業轉型的縮影，也是全球化的代價。
5. 蘋果供應鏈多元化的挑戰——地緣政治新焦點
　　隨著中國政治施壓與美中角力加劇，蘋果成為地緣政治的「人質」。即便產能轉往印度或越南，中國的基礎設施、產業鏈與勞動力優勢，短期內仍無法替代。台積電晶片的核心技術難以複製，一旦兩岸緊張升高，將全球供應鏈動搖，台積電的亞利桑那晶圓廠成為全球經濟和地緣政治的關注焦點。
6. 產業與政治的世紀攻防戰——精采絕倫的故事
　　作者遍訪兩百餘位業內人士，以記者的敏銳與小說家的筆法，帶領讀者親臨現場，深入每個細節，令人一頁接一頁，欲罷不能。蘋果發展史在眼前展開，這是一個產業巨頭與中美政壇如何在全球權力版圖中角力的精彩故事。
 
◎推薦
吳介民（中研院社會所特聘研究員，《尋租中國》作者）
克里斯·米勒（Chris Miller，《晶片戰爭》作者）
班·湯普森（Ben Thompson，《Stratechery科技電子報》作者）
呂明銳（Martin Laflamme，加拿大外交官）
強·史都華（Jon Stewart，《每日秀》主持人）
湯姆·諾爾斯（Tom Knowles，《每日電訊報》〔The Telegraph〕記者）
易明（Elizabeth Economy，《習近平與新中國》〔The Third Revolution〕作者）
詹姆斯·法洛斯（James Fallows，《Breaking the News》主筆）
麥可·吉爾（Michael Gill，《Inside Story》獨立評論平台作者）
亞歷克斯·塔普斯科特（Alex Tapscott，《WEB3新商機》作者）
布萊恩‧麥錢特（Brian Merchant，《解密iPhone》作者）
特里普·米克爾（Tripp Mickle，《蘋果進行式》作者）
彼德·梵科潘 （Peter Frankopan，《絲綢之路》作者）
羅柏·卡普蘭（Robert D. Kaplan，《南中國海》作者）
拉娜‧福洛荷（Rana Foroohar，《大掠奪》作者）
 
 
「研究紮實、內容震撼又發人深省……你將看到，全球最賺錢的公司如何受制於全球最強勢的獨裁者。」
——克里斯·米勒（Chris Miller，《晶片戰爭》作者）
 
「這是有史以來關於蘋果最精彩的書，也是最出色的中國主題書，更是科技類書的顛峰之作。」
——班·湯普森（Ben Thompson，《Stratechery科技電子報》主持人）
 
「令人震撼且不安……這是極致的警世故事，而馬斯克的特斯拉如今才正深刻體會其中教訓。」
——呂明銳（Martin Laflamme，加拿大外交官）
 
「精彩絕倫……這本書令人瞠目結舌。研究之紮實令人敬佩，既非偏激之作，也非誇大其詞。」
——強·史都華（Jon Stewart，《每日秀》主持人）
 
「《蘋果在中國》令人驚嘆。」
——湯姆·諾爾斯（Tom Knowles，《每日電訊報》（The Telegraph）記者）
 
「報導極為嚴謹。」
——《紐約客》（The New Yorker）
 
「引人入勝……麥奇指出，蘋果的決策不僅為公司未來成長帶來風險，也直接促成了中國崛起為美國唯一的科技對手。」
——易明（Elizabeth Economy，《習近平與新中國》（The Third Revolution）作者）
 
「本書是最具現場感的深度個案研究，揭示美中之間錯綜複雜的依存關係。」
──詹姆斯·法洛斯（James Fallows，《Breaking the News》主筆）
 
「《蘋果在中國》為關於蘋果的龐大研究補上了長久缺席的一部分。」
——麥可·吉爾（Michael Gill，《Inside Story》獨立評論平台作者）
 
「將原本可能枯燥的全球供應鏈主題，寫得扣人心弦——融合尖端產品設計的史詩故事與栩栩如生的企業領袖肖像。最終呈現出一幅引人入勝的圖像：全球資本主義如何征服中國，又反過來被中國所征服。」
——《出版人週刊》（Publishers Weekly）

作者簡介

派翠克·麥奇（Patrick McGee）

　　《金融時報》2019年至2023年專責蘋果公司報導記者，以報導蘋果公司榮獲舊金山新聞俱樂部獎。
　　2013年加入《金融時報》，派駐香港、德國與加州，長期關注科技產業的變革，報導涵蓋自駕車、電動車與全球供應鏈的重要發展。
　　此前曾任《華爾街日報》債券記者。畢業於多倫多大學宗教研究系，並取得倫敦大學亞非學院全球外交碩士學位，論文主題為美國軍事預算與中美競爭；並畢業於多倫多大學宗教研究系。出生於加拿大卡加利，目前與家人定居美國舊金山灣區。
熱愛長跑、歷史閱讀與旅行。
　　欲知更多訊息，請造訪：https://patrick-mcgee.com/

譯者簡介

鍾玉玨

　　台大外文系畢，從事國際新聞編譯近30年，現為台灣大學外文系翻譯學程兼任講師，幸能透過教書與譯書結識年輕學子與各界菁英、擴大知識觸角以及精讀各領域名作。近期譯作《MBA必讀50本管理經典》、《失控的焦慮世代》、《輝達之道》、《長勝心態》、《變化中的世界秩序》、《國家為什麼會破產》（合譯）等。

What's wrong with this story?

After being kidnapped, Kimizuka, Natsunagi, Saikawa, and Charlie have learned the truth about Siesta's death... or have they? A girl who looks just like the deceased appears and informs them that the footage they've been investigating contains an error. As they hunt for an answer to a mystery that even Siesta couldn't uncover, the group will learn what it truly means to inherit the legacy of an ace detective. Though the detective may already be dead and the truth of her passing revealed, it's still early for the epilogue...

Who were you to her? Who was she to you?

While out and about one day, Kimihiko Kimizuka and his three friends are kidnapped by...Siesta herself?! But they soon learn there's more to the story as the long-forgotten truth of the detective's death is revealed. Will this be the clue that finally unlocks the secrets of Kimihiko's part?

When the story begins without its hero

Kimihiko Kimizuka has always been a magnet for trouble and intrigue. For as long as he can remember, he's been stumbling across murder scenes or receiving mysterious attaché cases to transport. When he met Siesta, a brilliant detective fighting a secret war against an organization of pseudohumans, he couldn't resist the call to become her assistant and join her on an epic journey across the world.

...Until a year ago, that is. Now he's returned to a life that is normal and tepid by comparison, knowing the adventure must be over. After all, the detective is already dead.

August 2025 – The Little Singapore Book has been a bestseller since its first release in 2015, and was the first children’s book that traced all 700 years of Singapore’s history. Since then, it has sold over 18,000 copies. Now, on its 10th anniversary, Pepper Dog Press has published the Chinese edition of this modern Singapore children’s classic! To be released early September 2025, 小小新加坡故事书 is presented in simplified Chinese script, and fully supported with hanyu pinyin, making it accessible to a wider audience. 

Just like the English original, 小小新加坡故事书 is a fun-filled romp through Singapore’s 
history, packed in four chapters. It starts with a simplified history of Singapore from the 14th century through nation building and to the present day, then on to a whirlwind tour of the historical districts of Singapore. Flitting from past to present, it reveals the fascinating origins of neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and Little India, and how they have changed. For instance, did you know that Serangoon was once cattle farmland? Or that there was actually a race course in Race Course Road? The final chapter touches on contemporary culture and life in Singapore, from the colourful language that we call ‘Singlish’ to local food. 

Activities, quizzes, and sidebars of fun facts are sprinkled within to pique children’s interest.
All content and illustrations have been rigorously researched and is sprinkled with engaging details that encourage exploration and conversation between young readers and grown-ups. First published with the support of the SG50 Grant, The Little Singapore Book is a firm favourite among children, and a choice pick among teachers and parents. In 2022, The LittleSingapore Book was named in the prestigious IFLA World Through Picture Books, an annotated list of recommended picture books compiled and endorsed by librarians from around the world. Criteria for making this list include being able to “stand the test of time” and demonstrating excellence in publishing. In 2024, illustrator Chloe Chang won the inaugural Illustrator of the Year in 2024 for her illustrations in The Little Singapore Book.

Now, the Chinese edition brings this rich content to Chinese readers in softcover version, and an expanded 96 pages, translated by Chen Shuang and edited by award winning translator Chua Sok Koon. This is also Pepper Dog Press’s first Chinese language publication.

　　《我狮城，我街道》系列以“街道与记忆”为主题，从文学视角描绘新加坡的城市肌理、人文地景与生活日常。两册作品共汇聚五十多位作家的诗与散文，串联语言、族群、空间与记忆，构筑出属于狮城的文学地图。

《我獅城，我街道》
　　本书收录新加坡三代、二十六位作家的原创作品，以诗歌与散文书写街道与地方的故事、记忆与生活。有书写大坡小坡的周维介、小印度学艺的黄子明、描绘黑街旧事的吴伟才、漫步耶礼峇路的潘正镭、回望死人街的何志良与林方伟、记录上班日常的蔡欣洵，以及虚构“登百灵坊”的杨薇薇等。
　　书中不仅是一场文学漫步，更是一份留给城市与读者的“记忆档案”。主编汪来昇于〈心之所向〉中回顾了编书缘起与传播历程——若繁体版是让狮城走向世界，简体版则是温柔地回归故土。

《我獅城，我街道２》
　　延续第一册的精神与热度，本书收录三十位作者的二十九篇散文，书写更宽广的时间与地理幅度，继续关注新加坡的地方故事与生活痕迹。
　　从中峇鲁一颗“铁球”的跨世记忆，到安德逊路、苏菲雅路与盛港的人文变迁；从新加坡河与安祥山的静谧步行，到加冷河畔的劳动与歌声；从“阿裕尼十楼”的半世纪风华，到勿洛北与高文的烟火气、武吉巴督的魔幻写实、裕廊西与实龙岗北的陶窑兴衰——每一篇都以文字留住生活的温度。

　　愿我们深深爱着的这片土地与日常，历久弥新，继续闪耀人文的光彩。

特别附赠：英译版选集 —— Streets & Places of Singapore 1 & 2: Works originally written in English
　　此小册精选两册中原以英文创作的作品，完整收录英文本，展现文学跨语言的对话与文化交流之美。

Corrupted by the Dark Side!

After a narrowly won battle, Yuti surrenders to Master Rabbit and Yuuya, abandoning her plan to destroy humanity. She has no home to return to, so Yuuya offers up his. However, traces of demonic energy remain inside Yuti, and there's no telling when they might take over, so Yuuya decides to risk transferring them to himself. Will he be able to resist his dark impulses and the temptation of power?

A Knight in Shining... Thunderbolt Armor?!

After stopping an assassination attempt on King Arnold and Princess Lexia, Yuuya is roped into the hunt for the traitorous Prince Reigar. In the ensuing chaos, a mysterious girl attacks without warning. Her goal? Destroy the world! To have any chance of holding his own against this new foe who is on par with Master Rabbit, Yuuya will have to think fast - as fast as lightning. Hopefully, his quick thinking will be just as useful on Earth, because when Kaori visits his place to study for midterms, she accidentally stumbles upon the door to the other world!

Life in the Limelight!

Yuuya's not sure how things ended up this way. His training buddy, Luna, made an attempt on Lexia's life, and now his planned visit to the capital has fallen apart. The King's opinion of him has hit rock bottom, and conspirators against the crown are eager to make Yuuya the scapegoat for their heinous plot. Back in his world, the Ousei Academy Ball Sports Tournament is making it impossible for Yuuya to stay incognito, no matter how much he's rather avoid the attention. His good looks and strength might be unrivaled here as well, but can he handle the pressure and responsibility that come with them?!

Living his best life!

Leveling up has truly changed Yuuya's life. In the real world, things have done a complete 180. He's getting used to his new school and making fast friend-which includes a fluffy companion in the other world. Meanwhile, thanks to his physical prowess and good looks, his popularity is through the roof (though he's oblivious to this). He's also finally learned how to use magic! Will it be enough to help him survive fires, assassins, and trials in the wilderness?!

A chance to come back!

Á mysterious door stands open, inviting a boy who's been brutally bullied all his life to take a courageous step forward into the unknown. On the other side, he finds a hoard of priceless artifacts and a world as filled with magic as it is with monsters. The most shocking revelation, however, is that he can bring whatever he wants back with him when he returns to Earth. It won't be long before this double life changes him forever...

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...?