Fans of fantasy are currently coping with their PFA with “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”, but even this is at risk to leave them as the anime draws to an end. Nonetheless, things are still rolling here with the One-Shot Manga Roulette! Love was in the air, and chocolate is now discounted. Valentine’s Day may have passed; however, it is still being celebrated here with the theme of this week.

Romance as a genre is as broad and expansive as the ways love can be explored as a theme. As complicated as love is, it can be made easy to understand through the many different tropes in the genre.

There are classic story tropes such as the first kiss, the love triangles, and opposite attractions. Then there are personalities like the hot tsundere, cold kuudere, and the always questionable yandere.

Similar to romantic pulp magazines of the past, one-shots are the quick and easy way to mess around with the fierce/slow-burning thing that is a relationship. In an all too confusing world, having certainty can feel invaluable. However, knowing for sure that confessions can reach the other person can often leave one feeling anxious or restrained. 

And for this week’s edition of One-Shot Roulette the focus will be on exactly that! Will they accept? What if they hate me? What if they end up hating me!? Am I even ready for a relationship!?!?

The different aspects of love and relationships can be a bit much to deal with, which makes it appropriate that this week’s emotional stress level is 6 out of 10; love can be wild.

Features this week is “How Our Indifference Fades”, created by manga artist and light novel illustrator Ako Arisaka. The story was originally an 8 page one-shot posted to Pixiv and plagued many readers with those same feelings common with last week’s fantasy one-shots.

This sentiment is reflected in its comment section filled with readers begging for a continuation. Comments such as those left by Towa, “What is this… so cute… I want to continue,” captures the sentiment well.

Fortunately nine months later, in a rare event for one-shots, a full 29 page continuation of the one-shot would be released on Nov. 23, 2020 at Comitia134, one of many doujinshi (self-published works) conventions held around Japan.

Similar to stories such as “Midnight Sun” and “Grey”, the featured one-shot presents both perspectives to the characters’ story. Unlike those aforementioned novels, this one wasn’t a mistake to make the second perspective for (although admittedly the “Twilight” novels are a guilty pleasure of mine.)

DISCLAIMER: To preserve the experience of the column, tags and disclaimers have not been included for individual one-shots. Stories may contain suggestive or sensitive content. Discretion is advised.

“How Our Indifference Fades” – Arisaka Ako (29 pages) – What started with a Valentine’s day gift in middle school eventually grew to become indifference the time they graduated high school. Thoughts of what could have been is all they have now.

“Mischief in Love” – Seto Megumu (43 pages) – Kaho is clueless as to how to get the boy she loves to like him, all her efforts might’ve actually done the opposite… If she can’t be honest, what she needs is more charm!

“Cannibalistic Indulgence” – Hamita (33 pages) – Confessions mean commitment especially when she eats people, though she doesn’t want to. I can fix her… 

“Make Me Fall in Love With You” – Sun(すん) (16 pages) – There’s a lot more struggles in a relationship than just the confession.

“Desire For a Reply!” – Story: Nisio Isin, Art: Miyokawa Masaru (21 pages) – A collaborative one-shot between “Monogatari” writer Nisio Isin, and former assistant to Kohei Horikoshi of “My Hero Academia” fame. Having his love letter harshly rejected, Sunaki, fueled by a desire for revenge, works hard to improve his baseball skills.

Whether you had cuddles or struggles this Valentine’s Day, I hope you can enjoy the recommendations for this week (and don’t forget to go check out the discounted Valentine’s Day stuff at your local grocery store!)