The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story, and translated by Polly Barton. There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine. Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back. Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought? Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer", Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan

A New York Times bestselling author—and “a mythmaker for the millennium, a wiseacre wiseman” (New York Times Book Review)—delivers a surreal and elaborate quest that takes readers from Tokyo to the remote mountains of northern Japan, where the unnamed protagonist has a surprising confrontation with his demons. An advertising executive receives a postcard from a friend and casually appropriates the image for an advertisement. What he doesn’t realize is that included in the scene is a mutant sheep with a star on its back, and in using this photo he has unwittingly captured the attention of a man who offers a menacing find the sheep or face dire consequences.

Not long ago, in a fantasy world in a different dimension, a business guy was dragged through a portal. Stranded in a new land, Kondou has only one request—to spend his days peacefully working himself into the ground. But when he collapses from downing potion after potion day after day, it’s the handsome knight captain Aresh who rescues the bean counter in distress... However, ‘twas just the beginning of the tale for these star-crossed lovers. After all, not even a near-death experience and his first time can stop Kondou from working the very next day! And so, jilted by the man he saved after a night of many firsts, Aresh starts a personal crusade to teach Kondou how to work to live instead of living to work. Meanwhile, Kondou for the life of him just can’t figure out why he’s not allowed to take any overtime...

Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, a holy maiden was summoned. Not just any holy maiden—one hailing from modern Japan. But this story is not her story. This is the tale of the humble accountant, Kondou, who accompanied her and his trials and woes as he accounts in a new world... But no tale is complete without a love interest. And who better to play that role than the handsome knight captain Aresh? Will he begin a personal quest to save said bean counter—who toils around the clock—or is Kondou doomed to be married to his work evermore...?!

A New York Times bestselling author—and “a mythmaker for the millennium, a wiseacre wiseman” (New York Times Book Review)—delivers a surreal and elaborate quest that takes readers from Tokyo to the remote mountains of northern Japan, where the unnamed protagonist has a surprising confrontation with his demons. An advertising executive receives a postcard from a friend and casually appropriates the image for an advertisement. What he doesn’t realize is that included in the scene is a mutant sheep with a star on its back, and in using this photo he has unwittingly captured the attention of a man who offers a menacing find the sheep or face dire consequences.

INDECENT EXPOSURE Just when things are going well between Seo Hyunsoo and his coworker Baek Youngchan, Hyunsoo receives a lucrative offer to leave City Casual. Hyunsoo is pretty certain he won’t take the gig, but decides to keep it from Youngchan anyway. Which backfires when Youngchan catches someone spying on Hyunsoo and connects the dots. It turns out this “offer” has some strings attached—and there’s already a plan to blackmail Hyunsoo if he doesn’t take it! Can Youngchan find a way to keep Hyunsoo safe?

TAKING A BREAK Seo Hyunsoo’s relationship—if you can call it that—with his coworker Baek Youngchan is getting too complicated. Hyunsoo knows his personality is difficult to deal with, which is why he’s always had a hard time making friends. So how can the ever-positive Youngchan put up with him, both in the office and in bed? However, his decision to end things doesn’t go over well with Youngchan, bringing new tension to the office that everyone can sense. And to top it all off, Hyunsoo’s mom ends up in the hospital. If ever Hyunsoo needed a boyfriend to lean on, now would be the time. But is Youngchan up for the challenge?

TAKING A BREAK Seo Hyunsoo’s relationship—if you can call it that—with his coworker Baek Youngchan is getting too complicated. Hyunsoo knows his personality is difficult to deal with, which is why he’s always had a hard time making friends. So how can the ever-positive Youngchan put up with him, both in the office and in bed? However, his decision to end things doesn’t go over well with Youngchan, bringing new tension to the office that everyone can sense. And to top it all off, Hyunsoo’s mom ends up in the hospital. If ever Hyunsoo needed a boyfriend to lean on, now would be the time. But is Youngchan up for the challenge?

COWORKERS WITH BENEFITS In the aftermath of sleeping with his incredibly girthy coworker Baek Youngchan, Seo Hyunsoo is in a panic. Youngchan’s nonchalance doesn’t help matters. Shouldn’t it be a bigger deal that the two slept together after Hyunsoo got wasted at a work dinner? Instead, Hyunsoo and Youngchan agree to keep things casual…including the sex. With the arrival of a new team in the office—comprised of Hyunsoo’s ex-coworkers—everyone’s workloads increase, leading to first Youngchan, then Hyunsoo falling ill. As they nurse each other back to health, they realize their feelings are much stronger than casual. But can they own up to their feelings?