The Another Ocean

Contains 5 chapters: 1. **Inu to Anata to Haru Kaze to** (犬とあなたと春風と) 2. **Promise** (プロミス) 3. **Kimi Sarite Nochi** (君去りてのち) 4. **Koko e Oide** (ここへおいで) 5. **Mizu ga Koori ni Naru Toki** (水が氷になるとき) We open with a light-hearted story of a guy whose best friend is highly dependent on him on all matters. He tells his friend he can continue his clingy ways only if he were a dog. His friend goes missing, but then he comes across a dog... The next two very solid chapters are "Promise" and "Kimi Sarite Nochi". The former tells the story of a girl who keeps running into this mysterious young man whenever she is troubled. "Kimi Sarite Nochi" is on a cheating man whose lover is trying to persuade him into taking a trip with her and leaving his wife for good. Karino Yoshihito\* takes the stage again for the last two chapters; we get to know more about him when he was 26 and 15. \*recurring main character in some of Nishi Keiko's stories; see "September" and "The Another Ocean"

Contains the following stories: \- Itsuka Konna Hi Ga (いつかこんな日が) \- Hitori de Kurasu Riyuu 一人で暮らす理由 \- Kugatsu -September- (9月-September-) The volume comprises 3 short stories. The first one has a slight supernatural element to it, but is primarily centered on the relationship between a father and son. I feel obligated to add (as a just-in-case) that there are absolutely no incestuous undertones in this story. Next, we have a story that's kind of philosophical at points when it touches upon the interrelations between humans and existence. The last story is on friendship, growth and love. It delves lightly into the background of the previous story's protagonist, Karino Yoshihito, as well. Karino Yoshihito is a character who also appears in "Mizu ga Kooru ni Naru Toki" and "The Another Ocean".