I got this ex-library softcover from Better World Books, taking a chance on a middle-of-series volume. While there's no cast-of-characters/story-so-far page, I didn't have trouble working out what was going on - in part because much of this volume consists of flashbacks showing how each of the main characters became the people they are. They all have troubled pasts of one sort or another, and the focus here seems to be on the young woman Chouko, who's fallen for the remote and enigmatic author Kei. Kei himself had quite the bleak youth, and - whether as a result or from some other reason - seems to be prone to horrific bouts of depression. He's parlayed this into great success in his writing, but not so much in his personal life, and he's anguishing over whether to allow his feelings for Chouko to let her get close enough to him to be hurt. Then there are some romantic complications with Kei's first girlfriend, the boy she left for Kei, and the game-playing among them all now that they're grown up.

Can't say this made me want to read more of the series, despite some good artwork and effectively bleak back-stories {wry grin}. Might have loved it in my teens, though, when all that darkness and brooding and self-sacrifice felt romantic...

[There's a short TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2021 April Showers/May Flowers challenge. ***