The Princess of the Grass Crown

This manga is a collection of four distinct one-shot stories, led by the titular tale, "The Princess of the Grass Crown." In this opening story, a young woman named Kiriko finds herself at the center of vicious rumors. Her peers whisper malicious speculations about her true nature, branding her as an evil spirit, a demon, a ghost, or a witch. Meanwhile, a boy named Kifune endures his own share of cruel gossip, with classmates dismissing him as stupid, bisexual, and promiscuous. Despite the hurtful words directed at him, Kiriko steps forward to defend Kifune against his detractors. Deeply moved by her unexpected support, he decides to ask her out on a date. As their relationship begins to develop, the narrative explores whether there is any truth hidden behind the cruel words spoken about them, or if the malice of others is entirely baseless. Alongside the main story, the collection features three additional one-shots that offer unique, self-contained narratives. These include "Call Me Heine," "I Love Yohane," and "Painful Thorns, Painless Thorns," rounding out the volume with a variety of emotional themes and character dynamics.