Ano Yoru no Pool

Ano Yoru no Pool is a one-shot that follows the quiet struggles of a student who exists on the fringes of their school's social hierarchy. Alienated and isolated from their peers, the protagonist navigates the daily challenges of feeling entirely out of place in an environment that demands conformity. The weight of this exclusion shapes their everyday reality, leaving them to drift through the halls without any meaningful bonds or sense of belonging. This solitary existence begins to shift when they cross paths with a classmate who carries their own distinct sense of otherness. Rather than mirroring the indifference of the rest of the student body, this shared experience of standing apart becomes the foundation for an unexpected connection. Through their interaction, both individuals discover a rare and genuine moment of human understanding, proving that even the most marginalized people can find solace in one another. Recognized for its poignant exploration of isolation and empathy, the one-shot was honored as the winner of the Monthly Morning magazine's "Morning Zero" award in October.