Kare First Love
9 primary works
Book 1
Coy and self-conscious high school student Karin Karino never paid much attention to boys until she met Kiriya, a popular student from a nearby boys' school. Karin and Kiriya embark on a romantic journey despite Karin's classmate Yuka's best efforts to sabotage their relationship, but Karin soon learns that living happily ever after isn't on the curriculum when she becomes Kiriya's center of attention, as well as embittered Yuka's bull's-eye on her dartboard of hate.
Through a series of chance meetings, Kiriya discovers the exquisite beauty lurking behind Karin's thick glasses and coy demeanor, and asks her to be his girlfriend. But living happily ever after in high school isn't on the curriculum, as Karin soon finds herself the center of Kiriya's attention, as well as the bulls eye in embittered pal Yuka's dartboard of hate.
Through a series of chance meetings, Kiriya discovers the exquisite beauty lurking behind Karin's thick glasses and coy demeanor, and asks her to be his girlfriend. But living happily ever after in high school isn't on the curriculum, as Karin soon finds herself the center of Kiriya's attention, as well as the bulls eye in embittered pal Yuka's dartboard of hate.
Book 2
Coy and self-conscious high school student Karin Karino never paid much attention to boys until she met Kiriya, a popular student from a nearby boys' school. Karin and Kiriya embark on a romantic journey despite Karin's classmate Yuka's best efforts to sabotage their relationship, but Karin soon learns that living happily ever after isn't on the curriculum when she becomes Kiriya's center of attention, as well as embittered Yuka's bull's-eye on her dartboard of hate.
As Kiriya's object of affection, Karin wonders if she can truly deal with the consequences, especially when Yuka's bullying pushes her down a stairway to depression. Later, Kiriya asks Karin to go on a trip over their summer vacation, but their plans take one wrong turn after another. Can Kiriya bring Karin happiness? Or does his love just spell trouble?
As Kiriya's object of affection, Karin wonders if she can truly deal with the consequences, especially when Yuka's bullying pushes her down a stairway to depression. Later, Kiriya asks Karin to go on a trip over their summer vacation, but their plans take one wrong turn after another. Can Kiriya bring Karin happiness? Or does his love just spell trouble?
Book 4
Karin and Kiriya's relationship is in jeopardy after a heated argument during Club Day at Kiriya's school. The following morning, Karin gets wind that her rival Yuka went on a group date with members of Kiriya's class, but Kiriya isn't talking. Is Kiriya cheating on her? But despite Karin and Kiriya's romance blowing hot and cold, their desire to spend Christmas together is overwhelming. Too bad Karin's father has them swaying to a melancholy holiday tune instead...
Book 5
Karin's overprotective father foils her plan to spend Christmas Eve with Kiriya, but the two manage to meet anyway. Kiriya gives Karin a pair of diamond earrings, but Karin's friend and confidante Nanri warns her about the earrings' symbolic meaning as a gift. Meanwhile, Kiriya invites Karin to a trip to the mountains to observe the photo shoot of Shinji Takagi, a good friend of his late brother Yuji, but a rainstorm finds them alone together at a sleazy hotel room for lovers. Will Karin finally conquer her fear of intimacy and "go all the way" with Kiriya?
Book 6
It's the proverbial teen love cha-cha - one step forward, two steps back - and they dance to the beat of their own hearts. Old-fashioned curiosity propels Karin to the sexual frontier, but the little girl inside her holds her back. Passion escalates as hormones surge, and once all the "bases" are loaded, every parent's nightmare becomes the next big step. In the case of Karin and Kiriya, Karin's hesitation to have sex has been the cause of their most bitter quarrels, but nothing could have prepared these troubled lovebirds for the Valentine's Day drama that looms ahead....
Book 7
Karin agrees to do another commercial shoot but is dismayed when she discovers that Shinji Takagi, Kiriya's object of jealousy, is directing the commercial. Meanwhile, Kiriya bumps into ex-girlfriend Saori Mikami at the studio, but he tells Karin he doesn't know her. The truth haunts Kiriya when Saori calls him while Karin is at his apartment. Can Karin deal with Kiriya's past?
Book 8
When Kiriya's ex, Saori Mikami, shows up, Karin's insecurities get the best of her. Trying to overcome her anxiety, she decides to focus on the upcoming photography contest, but Kiriya stands her up at the photo shoot. Kiriya explains that a family emergency came up, but Karin's confidence is shattered. Now she's thinking about going to his house to make sure that he's telling the truth...
Book 9
Blood proves to be thicker than water when Kiriya leaps straight into the path of danger to save his father from being hit by a speeding car. But will this selfless act be enough to mend the chasm-like rift between father and son? The situation intensifies when Karin learns a secret about Kiriya's dad that she is asked to keep from her beau!
Book 10
This is it - the dramatic conclusion to Karin and Kiriya's up and down saga of young love! What will the future hold? Will Kiriya go to art school in New York and leave Karin behind in Japan? Whatever his plans, Kiriya's has the future of their relationship in mind when he sets up a trip to the great outdoors for just the two of them. Other highlights to this impassioned finale include a wedding, a memorial service, and a visit to a very private couples' dressing room in a super-hot bikini shop!