Kitchen (Yoko Ogawa's Youth Dream Scroll)

Author: (Japanese) Banana Yoshimoto, translated by Li Ping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Kitchen – The author's breakthrough work. After losing all her family members, the girl Yuki Migi can only sleep peacefully by the refrigerator in the kitchen. At this time, Tambe Yuichi, who was once taken care of by her grandmother, and his transgender mother, Riko, take her in. This sick family makes her feel warmth. Starting from the kitchen, she gradually moves out of the dark loneliness in Full Moon – Kitchen II. After Migi begins to live independently, Yuichi suddenly calls to inform her that Riko has died. Upon hearing the news, she rushes over the next night, and they live together again as before. Soon after, she goes out for work-related reasons, and he follows her out of the house. After learning about his troubles, she finally overcomes her hesitation and delivers food to his hotel on a night under a full moon, expressing her feelings. A perfect ending is finally achieved. Moon Shadow – The author's graduation work. The girl Haruka suffers immense grief after her boyfriend dies in a traffic accident. Every morning, she runs to try to alleviate her inner sorrow. Through running, she meets the eccentric Pro, witnessing a rare sight: in the morning mist, she faintly sees her boyfriend smiling and waving goodbye to her, then gradually fading away. This special reunion fulfills the heart's longing for the sun and moon, allowing her to finally face reality again.