The Carp on the Chopping Block Jumps Twice

Kyoichi has built his entire identity around effortless charm and a string of romantic conquests, so the last thing he ever expected was to lose his heart to a man. That man is Imagase—quiet, steady, and utterly unlike the parade of women who have always flocked to Kyoichi. Their connection catches him completely off guard, yet it runs deeper than any fleeting infatuation he has ever known. For the first time, Kyoichi finds himself navigating unfamiliar emotional waters, torn between the comfort of his old habits and the profound, unsettling pull of a love that defies his every expectation. But old patterns die hard, and Kyoichi’s notorious weakness for feminine attention refuses to fade quietly. When a young colleague at his workplace develops an obvious crush on him, the careful balance he and Imagase have built begins to wobble. Though Kyoichi’s feelings for Imagase are genuine, his lingering susceptibility to outside temptation throws their relationship into a state of painful uncertainty. Every flirtatious glance and kind word exchanged with the new admirer becomes a crack in their foundation, forcing both men to confront uncomfortable truths about trust, loyalty, and the limits of their bond. As the tide of temptation rises, Kyoichi must decide whether he can truly abandon his former self for the man he claims to love. Meanwhile, Imagase watches from the sidelines, left to wonder if his partner's heart will ever fully belong to him. With the current pulling them in opposite directions, their fragile union faces its most dangerous test yet—one that will determine whether they can weather the storm together or be swept apart for good.