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"Baren" is the name of a gathering of writers of tanka, a form of Japanese short poetry. Under the impression he's going on a date with his crush, Maiko, 19-year-old Kunitomo Katsuo finds himself pulled into the group. Surprisingly, Katsuo's first tanka is well-received, especially by the popular published tanka poet Iga Kansuke, who also happens to be Maiko's lover. Katsuo and Kansuke couldn't be more different; Kansuke is jaded, cruel, and sophisticated, while Katsuo is a modest, friendly virgin. Kansuke, darkly obsessed with his innocent young rival, takes Katsuo under his wing. Will Katsuo be able to retain both his skill with words and his good-natured heart as he gets pulled deeper into the drama of the tanka community?
Contents of the anthology: PG-13: Hatching Day by Suzuhara Shino, SanoxKen, 2P PG-13 Love Body Press by Mikimoto Majomi, KenxSano, 2P PG: Time to get going by Echigoya Rioko, KatsuxSano, 3P PG: RK Prejudice Report by Echigoya Rioko, SanoxKen SaitohxSano, 4P PG: Recollection by Shindoh Himeko, Captain Sagara/Sanosuke, 14P NC-17: Pinny by Kanegae Shouko, KenxSano, 10P R: Voice of a late night tryst by Fujii Mitori, SanoxKen, 15P NC-17: Thunder in a forest shade by Tamasaka Miki, KenxSano, 2P PG-13: Sexy Hostage 1 & 2 by Kitsukawa Kayoi, KenxSano JineixSano, 2P PG: Dreaming Grass by Asoh Kai, KenxSanoxKen, 10P PG: First Night by Mitchey, KenxSano, 5P
Kanon Tsumugi is 31 years old and has been without a boyfriend for 9 years since she was dumped as a university student. People around her say that she is good at her job but works too much, and that she does not seem to be interested in love. Then one day, at a blind date she was forced to attend by her sister, she meets Haruomi Inoguchi, the younger brother of her ex-boyfriend. Kaon is bewildered by Haruomi, who is seven years younger than her, but Haruomi has a past that she cannot forget. What will happen to their love, where their feelings intersect?
