Tsukiho Tsukioka – författare

Now married, Miyo and Kiyoka head to the Old Capital for their honeymoon and to visit the Miyakoujis, the storied head family of the Kudou line. While Kiyoka wants to make the trip as fun as can be, things get off to a rocky start when Miyo is accosted by a beautiful man with blond hair and blue eyes by the name of Eugene on their very first day of the trip...and he seems adamant about recruiting Miyo to his cause. Meanwhile, after the men of the Miyakouji family learn of the power of the Usabas, Miyo becomes the target of harassment... But can Miyo and Kiyoka’s bond as newlyweds hold up under all this pressure?

During his student days, Kiyoka was invited by Yoshito Godou’s father to join the Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit. In this collection of short stories, the beginning of Kiyoka’s military career and the nature of his connection with the Earth Spider are finally revealed! Also included is an episode from Miyo and Kiyoka’s happy married life.

A DAY TO REMEMBER FOREVER…With the Gifted Communion dismantled, Miyo and Kiyoka can finally give full attention to their upcoming wedding, an event both exciting and nerve-racking. But on the eve of their happily ever after, Kiyoka is called away to neutralize a supernatural threat of the utmost urgency, and as the ceremony fast approaches, he is nowhere to be found. Clad in her bridal kimono, Miyo waits patiently for her future husband, putting her faith in him just like he has for her.

IS THIS MARRIAGE A BLESSING? OR A CURSE? Born talentless to a noble family famous for their supernatural abilities, Miyo Saimori is forced into an existence of servitude by her abusive stepmother. When Miyo finally comes of marriageable age, though, her hopes of being whisked away to a better life crumble after she discovers her fiancé’s identity: Kiyoka Kudou, a commander apparently so cold and cruel that his previous would-be brides all fled within three days of their engagements. With no home to return to, Miyo resigns herself to her fate-and soon finds that her pale and beautiful husband-to-be is anything but the monster she expected. As they slowly open their hearts to each other, both realize the other may be their chance at finding true love and happiness.

HER LAST STAND… After Naoshi Usui takes over the military and imprisons Kiyoka on false charges, Miyo takes it upon herself to save her fiancé. However, just before Miyo rushes headfirst into the military headquarters to stage an ill-conceived rescue attempt, she comes across a boy who is the spitting image of Kiyoka. Claiming to be Kiyoka’s familiar, the boy urges Miyo to head to the Usuba estate and rethink her plan. From there, Miyo carves her own path to reunite with Kiyoka, delving into her family’s past and rallying the few allies she can still turn to. But will this be enough to stop Usui once and for all…?

RELATIONSHIP GROWING PAINS... When Miyo Saimori, the unwanted daughter of a declining noble family, is married off to coldhearted military commander Kiyoka Kudou, no one expects their betrothal to last. Against all odds, however, the unlikely couple find themselves drawn to each other’s kindness, and their engagement becomes official. Wanting to prove herself to her talented fiancé, Miyo starts studying etiquette with the goal of making her social debut at an upcoming dinner party. When she refuses to confide in anyone about her dreams (which are becoming more terrifying by the night), though, her health rapidly declines. This provides a third party the perfect opportunity to widen the rift developing between Miyo and Kiyoka…

After months of staying by Kiyoka’s side, Miyo is finally invited to the Kudou family villa to meet her future in-laws. Far from receiving a warm welcome, however, she quickly discovers that her fiancé’s mother, Fuyu, has no intention of accepting her as his bride. But Miyo will do anything to make her engagement work, even if that means putting up with abuse from Fuyu while attempting to bridge the gap between them. Meanwhile, Kiyoka heads to a nearby village to investigate reports of a fiend that stalks the night…

CAUGHT BETWEEN FRIEND AND FOE… On their trip home from the Kudou family villa, Miyo and Kiyoka narrowly escape an ambush from the leader of the Gifted Communion, Naoshi Usui, who claims to be Miyo’s father. Fearing that Miyo will be targeted again, Kiyoka insists that she accompany him to his workplace from now on and appoints a female soldier named Kaoruko as her bodyguard. Though Miyo is unsettled by the revelation that Kaoruko was one of Kiyoka’s previous marriage candidates, the two women gradually warmup to each other and become friends. But can their bond survive the hidden threat coming for Miyo…?

LOVE AT A CROSSROADS…Though Miyo managed to escape Usui after Kiyoka came to her aid, the Gifted Communion continues to gain power and influence across Japan. Foreseeing that Usui and his organization will make another attempt to capture Miyo, Crown Prince Takaihito proposes that she and Kiyoka shelter with him in the Imperial Palace. But as Miyo adjusts to her new surroundings, she is taken aback by her feelings for Kiyoka, which have only intensified since her rescue. Caught between the fear of changing a relationship that already brings her happiness and the desire to express genuine love for her fiancé, Miyo wavers over finally opening up to Kiyoka…