Happiness

Happiness is a compelling anthology of short stories crafted by manga artist Usamaru Furuya, exploring the darker complexities of human relationships and emotional turmoil. The collection opens with "Teased and Stepped On, What Blooms is a Passionate Flower," which examines the intricate dynamic between a young girl and her teacher. This is followed by "Lolita #7," centering on two cousins—an older male and a younger female—who attend the same school as teacher and student. When the elder cousin mysteriously stops attending classes for several days, the school administration dispatches the younger cousin to his home to investigate the sudden absence. The anthology continues through a series of evocative tales, including "Song of the Devil," "What If?," and the titular story, "Happiness." A significant portion of the collection is dedicated to "A Room of Clouds," which follows Yuno Yamase, a deeply naive girl ostracized by those around her due to her perceived dullness. Relentlessly exploited and humiliated by her peers, while simultaneously scorned and abandoned by her own family, Yuno ultimately resolves to leave her painful past behind. Her journey raises a poignant question: in such a treacherous world, can she truly find the happiness she so desperately seeks? The volume concludes with the stories "Indigo Elegy" and "Underground Doll," rounding out Furuya's exploration of psychological and emotional struggles.