Abstract

Mitsuba lives with her dismissive, controlling mother on the outskirts of Osaka. She struggles with interpersonal communication and figuring out the proper distance to keep people at. Though she can’t sympathize or empathize with others at first, as she begins to work as a chaperone and support system for the sick, bit by bit she learns to open her heart and forge connections with others.

Author’s Information

Born in 1977 in Saga Prefecture, Haruna Terachi currently lives in Osaka. She won the Popular Novels New Author’s Prize for her work “Violetta.” Since her debut in 2015, she has published over 25 novels, including “The Night is Not Always Dark,” “Stitching Water” and “We Don’t Need Wings.” Her novel, “He Who Stands at the River’s Edge,” took the 9th place award in the Honya Grand Prize in 2023. Her works center around the idea that in interpersonal relationships, whether they be familial or absurd, it’s okay to not forgive someone for hurting you.