Just Like Mona Lisa
5 primary works
Book 1
In this world, people are born without a gender.
Then, children's bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach twelve years old. Until Hinase's eighteenth spring, they lived content without a gender. But bubbly girl Ritsu and thoughtful boy Shiori both confess their feelings on the same day! Romance was never on Hinase's mind, so how can they respond? Hinase must explore their identity as they arrive at the cusp of adulthood.
Who will they choose, and who will they become?
Then, children's bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach twelve years old. Until Hinase's eighteenth spring, they lived content without a gender. But bubbly girl Ritsu and thoughtful boy Shiori both confess their feelings on the same day! Romance was never on Hinase's mind, so how can they respond? Hinase must explore their identity as they arrive at the cusp of adulthood.
Who will they choose, and who will they become?
Book 2
In this world, people are born without a gender.
As Hinase approaches their eighteenth birthday, their life continues to diverge from those of their peers. After Shiori and Ritsu both confess their feelings on the same day, confusion sets in as Hinase begins to see their two childhood best friends in a new light. And now that their body is starting to hint at transformation, Hinase must decide who to give their heart to before it's too late...
What draws the line between friendship and romance?
As Hinase approaches their eighteenth birthday, their life continues to diverge from those of their peers. After Shiori and Ritsu both confess their feelings on the same day, confusion sets in as Hinase begins to see their two childhood best friends in a new light. And now that their body is starting to hint at transformation, Hinase must decide who to give their heart to before it's too late...
What draws the line between friendship and romance?
Book 3
In this world, people are born without a gender.
Why does Hinase feel so uncomfortable with both choosing a gender and exploring romance? Their friends are growing up without them, and Hinase’s nostalgia for a simple childhood creates friction. After Hinase awakes from a brush with death to an ever-changing present, Shiori drifts away, blaming himself for their misfortune. Ritsu hopes to uncover the source of Hinase’s anxiety—but that’s a struggle Hinase will have to overcome on their own.
What is the connection between gender and attraction?
Why does Hinase feel so uncomfortable with both choosing a gender and exploring romance? Their friends are growing up without them, and Hinase’s nostalgia for a simple childhood creates friction. After Hinase awakes from a brush with death to an ever-changing present, Shiori drifts away, blaming himself for their misfortune. Ritsu hopes to uncover the source of Hinase’s anxiety—but that’s a struggle Hinase will have to overcome on their own.
What is the connection between gender and attraction?
Book 4
In this world, people are born without a gender.
Shiori and Ritsu grapple with how it would feel in a same-gender couple with Hinase. To both their surprise, they learn their other classmates have more complex views on romance and gender than they thought. A chance meeting with Nao, the woman who saved Hinase’s life, leaves the trio with a mystery: the identity of the androgynous older figure in her photo.
What if true love subverts society's expectations?
Shiori and Ritsu grapple with how it would feel in a same-gender couple with Hinase. To both their surprise, they learn their other classmates have more complex views on romance and gender than they thought. A chance meeting with Nao, the woman who saved Hinase’s life, leaves the trio with a mystery: the identity of the androgynous older figure in her photo.
What if true love subverts society's expectations?
Book 5
In this world, people are born without a gender.
The summer festival is approaching, and Hinase's plans to go with Ritsu return their focus to the question of selecting a gender. While Ritsu dreams of a romantic night out, Hinase struggles to break free from nostalgia. Shiori's friend Shirogane also has his own struggles with the festival. He talks with Hinase about how his best friend, Kurokawa, decides to attend the festival with a girl instead him.
Does jealousy mean friendship yearns for something more?
The summer festival is approaching, and Hinase's plans to go with Ritsu return their focus to the question of selecting a gender. While Ritsu dreams of a romantic night out, Hinase struggles to break free from nostalgia. Shiori's friend Shirogane also has his own struggles with the festival. He talks with Hinase about how his best friend, Kurokawa, decides to attend the festival with a girl instead him.
Does jealousy mean friendship yearns for something more?