The volume Isshou Sukutte Yutta jan is a captivating collection of oneshots written and illustrated by the talented manga artist Mengo Yokoyari. Oshi no Ko a work she contributed to turned out to be in itself of rather questionable quality in terms of its narrative but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it from an artistic standpoint particularly in the later volumes. This appreciation for the art style motivated me to delve deeper into Mengo Yokoyaris body of work. I had already developed an interest in her as an artist given that I knew she had created several works that were notably dark twisted and psychologically intense. And so here I am having finally read the first volume of hers eager to share my impressions. If I were to pinpoint recurring themes present in this collection of stories I would definitely highlight love and the intricate nature of interpersonal relationships as the core elements. Across all the tales there is a pervasive heavy and dark tone that I found particularly engaging and thoughtprovoking. This emotional weight adds a distinct depth to each narrative. Hagane no Kokoro is a compelling story centered on betrayal though it is made far more interesting by the unique perspective of its protagonist and the striking reversal her life undergoes. Up until a pivotal moment people have always gone out of their way to do everything for her fulfilling her every need and whim. However to win over the one man she hadnt yet managed to obtain the dynamics of her life take a dramatic turn and the situation becomes entirely flipped. She must now face life from the other side of the equation. Neo Dutch Wife delves deeply into the oftenoverlooked subject of how sex for many young individuals is a topic fraught with inexperience and insecurity. This story does an excellent job of illustrating how fragile individuals can be shattered entirely by situations they are unprepared for. Its a sobering exploration of vulnerability. Stand by You shifts focus to a protagonist who is a deeply depressed young woman. Her journey set against a backdrop of domestic abuse and her time spent in care centers is driven by her desperate desire to have a child. This aspiration serves as her sole motivation to keep going. The story concludes with a bittersweet and openended finale that resonates on multiple levels. Kawaii takes a critical look at the entertainment industry and its oftenunseen consequences. It examines how this world can act as a catalyst for unhealthy Pavlovian responses leading individuals down destructive paths. However the narrative does offer a glimmer of hope as the ending suggests the possibility of a brighter future. One Flower is without question my personal favorite story in this collection. Its realism struck a chord with me it feels like a heartfelt stream of consciousness. The narrative reads like someone reflecting on a person they once knew and the profound impact that individual had on their life. Its simple yet beautifully introspective. Koi wa Zenkei Shisei by contrast is the shortest and most peculiar story in the volume. It tells the bizarre tale of a yanderea character consumed by obsessive lovewho lacks the ability to restrain herself. Her fixation leads her to repeatedly kill her beloved who then reincarnates in various forms. This cycle of death and rebirth continues until at last they arrive at an understanding. Despite its brevity the story leaves a lasting impression due to its sheer strangeness. Namu Ami Daisuki closes the collection with a disturbing narrative about a toxic relationship between an obsessive fan and her oshi idol. The fan reveres him to the point of deifying him utterly devaluing herself in the process. She tolerates anything he does accepting even the worst behaviors without complaint. When the idol attempts to treat her as an equal and restore her sense of selfworth she ends their relationship entirely. For her a balanced mutual relationship is unthinkable.