Japanese Optional Case Marking

She believes in true love. He doesn’t believe in love. But what is love, really? She is the epitome of success—a star people look up to and admire. To him, however, she is merely a business transaction, a partner chosen to enhance his status. To his friends, she is just a fool in love, a pathetic figure begging for affection. Then shocking news emerges: her first true love returns, throwing him off guard. He realizes he has been nothing more than a substitute for her first love. He should be angry, but instead, he finds himself overwhelmed by emotions he can’t express or understand. Is this possessiveness, or is he finally learning to love her? She is determined to return to her first love, but inside, she is torn. Did she really treat him as just a substitute, or did she actually come to love him? What are they supposed to do when love is a question mark?

In her previous life, Lina Riley harbored an unrequited love for the Fifth Princess, Victoria Ashwood. Lina sacrificed everything for her—securing her place on the throne, protecting her borders, and losing her arm and sight in the process. Yet, her loyalty was repaid with a goblet of poisoned wine and the execution of her entire family. Victoria despised her, accusing Lina of cruelty and of orchestrating her elder sister’s death, deeming her unworthy of love. When the poison took effect, Lina closed her eyes in despair, only to awaken back in the moment they first met. On that fateful day, Lina had stumbled upon Victoria being beaten by palace maids, an encounter that set everything in motion. This time, Lina turned away, choosing a different path, but a faint fragrance of plum blossoms lured her in. One reckless night led to a moment of despair when she awoke to find the coldly beautiful face of her bedmate—Lucille Everard, the Princess Regent. Lucille, while outwardly uninterested in court affairs, was notorious for her swift and decisive actions that had seen emperors replaced with alarming frequency. Compared to Lucille’s power, Lina’s past dealings with Victoria seemed like mere child's play. As Lucille stirred awake, Lina's nerves were frayed. “Given the circumstances, Your Highness, what do you think of me now?” she asked, resigned to her fate. To her surprise, Lucille chuckled softly. “I think you’re wonderful.” Stunned, Lina could only manage a confused “Huh?” From that moment, everything veered off course. Lucille's palace soon bloomed with roses—Lina’s favorite. Amidst the swaying blossoms, the resolute Princess Regent would gently take Lina’s hand, her once-frigid gaze warm and tender. “My dear Lina, you are the finest woman in the world.” In her new life, Lina often dreamed. She dreamt of someone leaving a bouquet of roses at her grave, their robes trailing the light fragrance of plum blossoms. They sipped wine with a wry smile, murmuring, “Silly girl, I avenged you.” Victoria Ashwood was reborn too. She hadn’t expected that killing Lina would provoke her aunt’s ruthless revenge. Determined to avoid a similar fate, she resolved to feign affection for Lina, even if it took a lifetime. At a palace banquet, Victoria was taken aback by Lina’s beauty. Draped in fine silks, Lina was a dazzling sight, so different from the weathered woman Victoria remembered. Drawn to her, Victoria was about to approach when she noticed Lucille at Lina’s side, gently wiping her lips with a soft smile. “Take it slow,” Lucille murmured. Lina paused, then chuckled as she adjusted a strand of Lucille’s hair. Victoria’s heart twisted in fury. When her desperate attempts to win Lina back failed, she demanded, “Why won’t you love me?” Lina sneered. “Show some respect, Fifth Princess. You should address me as Aunt. Besides, your hypocrisy and cold-heartedness make you unworthy of love.” Years ago, a young Lucille Everard encountered a lost girl in the palace gardens. The girl declared that Lucille was beautiful and promised to marry her one day. Thirteen years later, a fateful misunderstanding during a bout of poisoning entwined their paths. What began as teasing quickly turned Lucille from a hunter into prey, helplessly ensnared by the woman she never forgot. Tags: 1. Cold yet protective Princess Regent × Reborn and resigned noblewoman 2. Nine-year age gap (Princess Regent is older) 3. Alternate history, non-patriarchal setting 4. Puppet empress, regent princess ruling behind the scenes 5. Two lifetimes of love, slow-burn romance

In the quiet town of Fifth and Elm, a string of brutal murders has left the community reeling. Detective Alex Turner, newly assigned to the case, must work alongside the experienced Officer Mark Daniels to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper into the investigation, eerie events and mounting pressure push Alex to his limits. Can they catch the killer before more lives are lost, or will the shadows of Fifth and Elm claim them too?

"Let me take a look." The handsome professor, with his broad shoulders and powerful muscles, lifted me effortlessly and placed me on the desk. His strong hands gently lowered the strap of my uniform to examine the bruise from training. "Helanie! Why do you always end up hurt?" His voice grew husky, sending a shiver down my spine as I struggled to catch my breath. I had to remind myself that he’s my professor... and my stepbrother. I shouldn’t be seduced by his touch. "If anyone bullies you again, come to my office and I will deal with them," he murmured, his beautiful eyes locking onto mine. Despite knowing he’s forbidden, I couldn’t help but wonder—should I tell him about the mate bond I felt the night he was drunk? .. When her parents rejected each other, Helanie went from being her daddy's angel to a neglected and forgotten child. But on her eighteenth birthday, things took a dark turn. When her body went into heat, she attracted a group of alphas. Instead of rescuing her, her secret alpha boyfriend ran away. That night changed Helanie’s life forever. Accused of consenting to the attack, she was sentenced to execution by her own pack. Desperate, she fled, determined to find her mother. What she didn’t expect was to find her mother preparing to marry a rogue king with four dangerously handsome and beastly sons. Things turn even darker when she felt a mate bond with her bully stepbrothers, will she be able to escape their claws or their seduction will ruin her life to next extremes? .. Facebook - Alexis Dee

For Thalia, monster-hunting is just a job. Until she unknowingly slays a demon. That's when she realized not all the job can't be done by herself.

Traversing the Nine Provinces in the Immortal Cultivation World, Lu Yuan possessed the Dao Fruit of longevity, an eternal lifespan. If he were careful, he could anticipate the Immortal Method. This was indeed a beautiful thing. However, he was born during the Age of Dharma Decline, with spiritual energy depleted and the Immortal Method difficult. The great path was elusive. Even worse, the Immortal Cultivation World of the Nine Provinces was on the verge of collapse, and the four poles were about to fall, marking the end of an era. If that was the case, why shouldn't a man take up his sword and conquer fifty states across the mountains? To survive in the Age of Dharma Decline, Lu Yuan cultivated the ancient Way of Control Pneuma, established an Immortal Dynasty, and gathered Qi Luck. He brought order to the Nine Provinces and peace to the four seas. Gathering strength from across the world, he ascended to immortality step by step. In ancient times, there were three Human Emperors: Hua Guang, Xia Xi, and Hao Tian. Who is the Human Emperor now? It is Emperor Chu Luyuan.

"You don't deserve to be auctioned" The Don finally said, making me stop the struggle. "Thank you" I said, cleaning my watery eyes. "Get her ready for the ritual!" The Don ordered the big man who was currently still holding me. **** "Once marked by the Don, you do not own your life anymore as you become solely his" ~ Author. ******* The minute he set his eyes on her, he knew he had to make her suffer for the sins of her sister and so he MARKED HER. Jadelyn was being used as a collateral for her father's unpaid debt, landing her in the hands of the most ruthless young don - Romano Callamore. All Romano knew was that she had to pay for the sins of her wicked sister -his ex secret lover and that he did. Just when their love was about to blossom after so many tribulations; Jadelyn's sister reappears back with a child who looked exactly like Romano Callamore. Confusion sets in as Jadelyn doesn't know how to feel considering the fact that she was pregnant and also in love with with her sister's First Love. Jadelyn was torn between letting her beloved manipulative sister have a happy life without her- Jadelyn in the picture AND fighting for what she wants What do you think her decision will be? Family Loyalty or Love?

A thunderstorm and heavy rain woke up Danny Sage from his final rest in bleak dead of night. Shattered memories assaulted his mind of the final battle he had met his end at the hands of two women but he was alive again reborn with a different name and destiny.

Optional. In any case, read at your own risk.

"When a decent living and resourceful young teenager is manipulated by a destructive "Kitsune (Japanese fox spirit)/or to say Huli Jing (Chinese fox spirit)", his life takes a drastic turn. The fox spirit, unaware of the true nature of their pact, forms a love contract with him. As they gradually fall for each other, this becomes the boy's greatest problem. Complicating matters further is the involvement of powerful gods from "Chinese and Japanese mythologies",the Tiānshì (Divine Messengers) of the Chinese gods - East, West, South, North, and Central - and the Mikoto (Divine Messenger) of the Japanese gods, particularly the central deity, Amaterasu Omikami, become entangled in their fate. Unbeknownst to the boy, the Kitsune/Huli Jing is an extraordinary, destructive fox spirit born from the combined spiritual energy of six Japanese and Chinese fox spirits. In ancient times, she was notoriously difficult to seal, requiring the collective efforts of fifteen Chinese and Japanese gods and goddesses from each direction. "Now, in the present, she has broken free from her seal, empowered by her accumulated strength". Having been sealed since childhood, she has forgotten most of her powers. However, this forgetfulness proves advantageous, as she begins to experience human emotions. Unfortunately, this newfound humanity also means facing the wrath of the gods, their Tiānshì, and Mikoto . And lastly that the female lead and the main character doesn't know his identity." Note: the cover is an ai generated I just added the title

Blurb Liana has lived in exile for years because of a birthmark, known as “The Mark of the Forsaken,” which her pack believes brings a terrible curse. But when Ryker, an Alpha in need of help, finds her, Liana has a chance to prove that her mark might be the key to saving his pack. As the two work together, Liana uncovers secrets about her heritage—and a power within her that she never knew she possessed. But with her heart and her life on the line, Liana must make an impossible choice: embrace the power that could save everyone at the cost of losing her fated mate or risk everything to find another way. Exposition The story begins by introducing Liana’s life in isolation, with flashbacks revealing how her birthmark led her pack to fear her, forcing her into exile. Rumors about “The Mark” swirl among the packs, and Liana’s life of loneliness and survival has shaped her into a wary and hardened soul. Inciting Incident Liana’s quiet life is shattered when Ryker, the Alpha of a nearby pack, arrives at her door, seeking her help. His pack has been plagued by an unbreakable curse, and after hearing legends of “The Mark,” he believes that Liana may be his only hope. Initially reluctant, Liana agrees, seeing a chance to finally be accepted and find purpose. Rising Action As Liana and Ryker work together to break the curse, they grow close, their fated mate bond intensifying their connection. Liana begins to unlock strange powers tied to her mark, which allow her to hold sway over the supernatural forces behind the curse. However, she discovers dark truths about her family’s past and the curse’s origins, which reveal that her ancestors created the curse to protect against a greater evil. Meanwhile, Ryker’s initial secret intentions to use Liana as a possible sacrifice to break the curse come to light. Liana struggles to trust him, and her conflicting emotions create tension between them, making their bond even more precarious. Climax Liana faces a devastating choice: use her powers to fully defeat the enemy causing the curse, which could save Ryker’s pack but may cost him his life, or attempt a riskier, untested path that could save everyone without sacrifice. At the height of her internal struggle, Liana must confront the part of herself that longs for acceptance and the part that fears her power. Denouement In the end, Liana’s choice has lasting consequences on her relationship with Ryker, her understanding of her power, and her sense of belonging. Whether or not she finds a way to save him and the pack, Liana finally understands the truth about her heritage and accepts herself fully, stepping into her role not as a curse, but as a force of hope for her people.

the year is 1238 humanity and all other races have accepted to live in Harmony not knowing the dark secrets that are in the light but unseen by a naked eye follow Achlys the boy who got born with a strange marking on his face to see the secrets in the light that create the dark

Clara Hartwell is a 26-year-old woman, living in a small yet busy city, juggling two demanding jobs as a babysitter by day and waitress at a night bar to make ends meet.  Riven Thorne, once a formidable Alpha of the Moonshadow pack, went rogue five years ago after a catastrophic incident that shattered his life.  Now 34, he lives a shadow of his former self, hiding his true identity under a fake name "Joe" and leading a life of obscurity and purposelessness, making a living by doing all kinds of dirty work for rich people and sleeping with women until one night that turned everything when unknowingly marked his one-night stand—none other than Clara Hartwell, setting off a chain of events that forced him back to his past.

A girl named Karin accidentally gets involved in a murder case at her school. It all started when she accidentally found the body of the school janitor behind the warehouse. This piqued her curiosity about what had happened. She still clearly remembers the blood pooling, turning the grass red. The body lay sprawled with several stab wounds. The corpse looked like a small animal, helpless before its predator, dead just like that. Before discovering the body, she crossed paths with a man. A tall man with a mask and dark sunglasses covering his face. The man also wore a hat to cover his hair. His clothes appeared to be layered, and he carried a large bag that seemed very heavy. However, there was something the man could not hide. The clear scent of blood emanating from his body. Karin had a sharp sense of smell and she was certain the odor she detected was blood. Chaos erupted in the school environment. People started forming their own opinions. Karin was the one most affected. She was often questioned about the body she found. People kept asking her to recount the story. At that moment, a new teacher arrived, diverting the attention of the school community. A young teacher with a handsome face that drew everyone's attention. The murder case faded away just like that. The police couldn't find any more clues. When people started to forget, Karin felt something was off. The young teacher looked strange in her eyes. Karin felt that the teacher was constantly watching her. The teacher also had a blacklist that he showed to his students. He said the book was a record for the naughty children. If their offenses exceeded three times, those naughty ones would be punished. That's when the next murder began.

“P-Please... give me a chance. I-I like you, Mr. Kang.” In a world where humans and anthropomorphs coexist, discrimination isn’t just common—it’s an everyday reality. Yueul, a weasel anthropomorph, is drowning in debt after being deceived by his ex-boyfriend into committing illegal acts. Prejudice against anthropomorphs makes stability impossible, as he’s fired from one job after another. Then, an unexpected opportunity arises: if Yueul can work alongside Wooheon, a black mamba anthropomorph, and “fix” his abrasive personality, Wooheon’s older brother promises to pay off all of Yueul’s debts. “Thank you for the offer. I’m not sure if I can meet your standards, but I’ll do my best.” Terrified of black mambas but even more terrified of his crushing debt, Yueul reluctantly accepts. Yet on his very first day, he’s already teetering on the edge of being fired. Desperate to keep the job, Yueul blurts out a reckless lie—that he likes Wooheon and wants to stay by his side. But Wooheon, fully aware of Yueul’s lie, retracts the dismissal with a twist: he suggests they live together, determined to push Yueul into quitting on his own. As if that weren’t bad enough, Yueul soon discovers Wooheon’s unusual way of managing stress: sex. And the room assigned to Yueul? It happens to be Wooheon’s designated “sex-only” space. “S-So if I use that room, does that mean you can’t have sex...?” “Why? Do you want to take their place?” “...If you’re okay with being with a guy... then I’m fine with it.” With Wooheon’s perfectionism driving him to collapse under extreme stress, Yueul wants to help—but definitely not like this! Still, the fear of exposing his lie about liking Wooheon keeps Yueul tangled in his own deception, desperately trying to maintain the facade. Knowing Yueul’s confession is a lie, Wooheon relentlessly pushes him further, testing how long he can endure. What started as a desperate lie to escape his debts has thrown Yueul into a chaotic power struggle. Can he survive life under the same roof with Wooheon and somehow tame his impossible personality?

Who am I?" It's the first question that crosses her mind when she wakes up in a dimly lit shed, memory wiped clean and terror seeping in. Beside her is a stranger—a towering, skeptical man just as lost as she is. Together, they stumble through the eerie confines of their prison, only to uncover a sinister truth: the walls aren't just closing in; they're alive with secrets. Blood drips from the ceiling, strange markings leer from the shadows, and the gnawing feeling of being watched tightens its grip. As reality twists into a waking nightmare, the duo must confront not just the mystery of their imprisonment, but the fragile threads of identity and trust. What does it mean to be human when everything you know—everything you are—is stripped away? Trapped in a game they don't understand, the only rule is simple: survive.

Story of a 17 year old, French/Japanese boy called Theo Kenpachi who thrives to challenge his brothers Lucas and Marcus for the World Cup. With his determination, he will later on face his brothers in a thrilling Competition called European Super League with their own respective teams. Later on, The World Cup will take place, as his brothers take on the French badge whilst Theo takes the Japanese badge, which of the brothers will win? Lappnant or Kenpachi!?

Princess Azalea's life is shattered when Zaydon, the man she loves—a fierce and protective dragon shifter—makes a devastating choice. Bound by the ancient and cruel Dragon’s Bond, a spell that shackles a dragon to a princess at the cost of their own life, Zaydon seals their fates in a desperate attempt to protect Azalea from a looming, unnamed danger. The bond is one rooted in a barbaric tradition that demands the dragon’s death to prove the suitor’s worthiness to rule. This forces Azalea to confront the horrifying reality of Zaydon’s sacrifice. Once a source of safety and love, his actions now threaten to strip Azalea of everything she holds dear. Torn between her unrelenting love for Zaydon and the betrayal of his choice, Azalea spirals into heartbreak and fury. As the weight of the bond looms over them, she must grapple with the cost of his decision and the role she plays in this cruel fate. Her once steadfast trust is replaced by raw anger and sorrow as she searches for a way to save him—or to sever their bond forever. But danger brews beyond the walls of the castle. The political machinations of rival suitors and an impending war force Azalea into a desperate fight not only for Zaydon’s survival but also for her freedom. Caught between duty, love, and revenge, Azalea must summon her strength to defy a destiny written in blood and forge her own path forward—before it’s too late.

BLURB : PARTICIPATING IN CUPID QUILL, PLEASE SUPPORT AS YOU CAN.. MUCH LOVE. Life. " A transient thing; yet it dealt me a wrong hand, with no care for my feelings " Hope. " But I believe it would all be alright when he arrived." " Who?" " Instead I got three mates". Dawn Swan is an ambitious Omega and takes over her father's delivery service the moment he passes away. She rescues a wealthy businessman from a fire accident and hence he rewards her with a scholarship at Venus Luna Academy. Dawn was glad she was able to move from her cruel uncle's house into the dorm and planned to live a plain and regular lifestyle, but things got more interesting when she got entangled with the captivating Trio of the school. Three popular hot guys that had their eyes on her began to bully and tease her but on her eighteenth birthday, they found out she was their mate and they were determined to keep her to themselves for as long as it takes……

Abraham was marked by a creature, which gave him immense powers. This also opened his eyes to the world around him, which is full of supernatural elements. Now he must figure out his purpose. Will he learn to control his power, or will he be consumed by its addicticing presence? He must get stronger to survive. As his benefactor has said- Adapt or Perish This is only being posted on Webnovel. This is an original based off of a prompt.

the story about Degris who has the mark of balance Which is the key that every one is looking for in his battle against other mark holders to see how can get all the parts and remake the world in his own image using the mark of divinty. will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

Kim's company is a huge real estate empire, with wealth and power there's nothing they can't do. Dong-hae is the second eldest son of the Kim family and he was the one who sat in the highest chair in that empire. But everything changed until a major scandal was exposed involving him and forcing him to resign as vice president. Kim Eun-ji is the youngest daughter of the Kim family and she is in charge of taking over the family businesses in Dong-hae's place. Kim Dong-hae wants revenge, humiliated and completely disowned, he just wants to completely exterminate Eun-ji and everyone else who got in his way and for that he hires Jeon Hye-jin an assassin for hire who kills for money and is willing to all to finish a job. Now Eun-ji has a bullet marked with her name and a countdown begins. Protagonists: Kim Eun-ji (Eunji), Jeon Hye-jin (Hyejin) __________________ Support me and give me a gift! https://www.wishtender.com/moonsside __________________ I don't own the rights to the cover image, it's an image taken from the internet and I couldn't find the author to offer the due credits.

So it begins in a class room that I came to realise that I got regressed and the worst is that I also forgot all my memories. I mean,I was really minding my own business, going about my day, trying to understand the world by mastering magic. But no—someone just had to meddle and send me back to the past. At first, I thought it might be alright. I mean, I could manage being regressed. Until I realized that whoever sent me back thought it was a brilliant idea to erase my memories, too. Oh, you think it might still be okay to go back to the past? Even if you forget the future Well, let me just add that I can’t remember anything from my childhood either. I’m a complete blank slate. So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how screwed do you think I am?

2130 marks the year the spiritual and technological age advances to a new level. Neo-Magicians, people that manifest, manipulate, and control the mystic flow of their own Mythos walk the streets and are the main providers of the gaming community. However, ever game has their villains, and the ones that have began to gather aren't playing fair. There is a select group of Neo-Mages that handle these weird cases, simply called VOID.

17 歳のアルンは社会奉仕活動が大嫌いです。環境保護活動家の父親に地元の森林を清掃するよう強制され、他の場所にいたいと思っていました。しかし、謎のワタリガラスが彼を隠れた洞窟に導いたとき、彼の退屈な午後は恐ろしい方向へと変わります。 洞窟の奥深くで、アルンは古代の遺物を発見しました。それは不吉な色が渦巻く壺です。彼がそれを開けた瞬間、暗黒の力が解き放たれ、彼の心と体を侵略します。 次に何が起こるのか、それが今の主な疑問です。

Betrayed, bartered, broken. Cinder, a Luna stripped of her title for a dormant power, simmers with hidden strength. A mark on her skin whispers of a forgotten lineage, and a prophecy foretells her destiny, unites the werewolf packs or brings about their destruction. As a full moon ignites a monstrous transformation within her, Cinder must navigate a web of deceit. A cunning rival offers a dark pact, a redeemed Alpha seeks atonement, and a hidden network of ostracized wolves rises from the shadows. Can Cinder control the feral rage within and embrace her true power before the lunar eclipse throws the werewolf world into chaos? This is not a tale of the weak, but a ferocious rebirth that will rewrite the laws of the pack, leaving a trail of fury in its wake. Cinder's howl will echo through the night, a promise of a new era where all werewolves, regardless of their ability to shift, can rise under the watchful eye of the moon.

"They are strangers yet they are not, they are enemy yet they are not, they are friends yet they are not, they are each other world yet they are not"!! Love or Lust will surely happen when two same personalities will clash with each other in an Indian wedding, which is full of rituals and customs. Meet Vihaan Singh Rathore, the most eligible bachelor in the business world, the handsome jerk who is full of himself, is rude, wants to control everything, boss of his home, but on the top of it, excessive drinker. Meet Shanaya Malhotra, beautiful, cute, intelligent and emerging fashion designer. She hates men who drink, are controlling in nature, but on top of it, she is revengeful and does not forgive those who hurt her. Destiny is going to play the game.

Tasked with defending Lorenzo Santini, a feared mafia boss accused of murder, lawyer Elena Moretti is thrust into a world where truth is buried beneath layers of lies and corruption. As she fights to prove her client’s innocence, Elena uncovers dangerous secrets and finds herself drawn to a man as captivating as he is unpredictable. Torn between justice and temptation, how far will she go to uncover the truth?

Long story short, the two of them stayed overnight at Sanosuke's house, then they both slept next to Sanosuke, afraid that something unwanted would happen to Sanosuke. Sanosuke dreamed that he was in a very, very dark cave and there was not a single light, but on the other hand, he saw a small light from a distance where when Sanosuke approached him it was as if his body had gained a power where the power he got was "he can kill any inanimate object, in the dream he was visited by a black figure which when the figure The man wanted to attack Sanosuke, Sanosuke accidentally threw a force which could make the black figure weak and unable to attack Sanosuke again. Sanosuke was shocked when he saw that he had a force that could kill inanimate objects, for example the black figure that was in his dream, and Sanosuke woke up to find it was just his dream.