Desire Strawberry

Mio is celebrating her sixteenth birthday when her friends surprise her with a trip to get body painting. During the session, she catches the attention of a handsome artist who insists on painting her himself. Captivated by what he claims is the most beautiful body he has ever seen, he develops an immediate crush and even steals a kiss from the stunned teenager. Mio can hardly believe the surreal encounter, but the very next day, the charming artist arrives at her school in a striking red sports car, ready to whisk her away on their first date. This romantic tale is featured as the lead story in the second volume of Tami Takada's age-gap romance anthology, Otona no Inryoku. The collection explores various facets of youthful love and unexpected encounters through four distinct stories. Alongside Mio's whirlwind birthday romance, readers will follow Rena, a confident third-year high school student whose train ride takes a dramatic turn when a charismatic stranger intervenes during an uncomfortable encounter. The volume also features Nozomi, who finds herself nervously navigating a sudden invitation to her new boyfriend Takatsu's empty house, rounding out a compelling exploration of young women stepping into unfamiliar romantic territory.