Hereditary Triangle

Gr 9 Up–As Koutarou and his wife, Touko, prepare to move back to Koutarou’s childhood home to care of his elderly mother, he learns that his adolescent friend and rival in love, Kajiwara, passed in a tragic accident. This leaves Koutarou alone to wrestle with the guilt he has been harboring since Kajiwara disappeared many years ago. Koutarou has severe doubts about whether his wife would have married Kajiwara instead, if things had gone differently. This title is a beautiful exploration of life’s mysteries, taking readers on a journey through grief, of what could have been, and some of the stages of mourning. The resulting narrative is a fresh spin on a classic love-triangle trope. Hayashi pairs this examination of humanity with smooth, subtle illustrations that allow for an overall tranquil ambiance. Readers of the series “Blue Flag” or other romance titles who are looking for something featuring adult protagonists will relish the attention to interpersonal relationships this story brings.