Takeshi Hideaki's Novels

[MENG SOUMA]

Takeshi Hideaki

It is after a trip in Europe that Takeshi decided to take on writing. Since his first novel, he has proven himself a master in the romance genre with his soft words and fluid storylines. Not very comfortable in public, Takeshi prefers to live quietly in his apartment in Tokyo. He even took on a pen name to keep his life as private as possible, letting his stories do the talking.


**While this is indeed a picture of Souma, they tried to change his look enough so that people may not necessarily recognize him, mostly by giving him glasses and concealing the various moles he has on his face as well as trying to make him look older than he is. They did so when re-editing his first book because people kept asking about Takeshi Hideaki, despite the fact they wrote he preferred to keep a quiet life. Not much is said as lifestory since they didn't want anyone to make the connection between the two. What has been said however is the truth. Souma did go to Europe and he wrote his first book afterwards, just like he lives in Tokyo. No interviews are ever given, so that people wouldn't learn that the is abrasive and rude, quite the opposite of his stories. Any information regarding the books is actually given by the publishing house. They don't say much about Souma himself. The name Takeshi Hideaki comes from two names Souma considered for chraracters in his first book but didn't use in the end.**

[MENG SOUMA]

The Ring Of Promise

Reiji is ready to endure all stones thrown at him by life. Whatever fate has for him, he takes it with a smile. Because he has Sayuri by his side. The young woman had experienced all men could do in terms of evil already and Reiji wants to be there for her and show her she no longer has to suffer. He is here and he will take all of her burden on his shoulders until the pain no longer exists in her heart. This is just how much he loves her. And the day she will be able to truly smile at life, that day, the ring he found in the street and kept, the same day he also met Sayuri, he will give it to her.


**NOTES: this is a love story with a happy ending and the first book published under the pen name of Takeshi Hideaki by Souma. The style is very romantic. Despite that, you can read about rape, physical and psychological abuse. Sayuri also has several panic attacks throughout the story as she remembers those events. Reiji and her do have sex but it is not explicit. At the end, Sayuri finally accepts the ring she had denied earlier in the book. While there are dark topics brought up, it's also filled with hope and the two characters move passed those trials.

There is a note at the beginning of the book. Thanks to Reika and France for the inspiration, to Chiharu for the motivation. Reika is the model he ran away with to France after graduation and returned without a year after. Chiharu is someone working for his father's company who tutored him while in high school and encouraged him to write. France is obviously the country, not a person.**

[MENG SOUMA]

Linging Guilt

Mao was schizophrenic. She lived with her brother Takano who took care of her ever since their parents passed away when they were still relatively young. He always stayed by her side, always watched over her and her health. He worked so that he could pay for someone to look after Mao when he was not around because he refused to place her in an hospital. He saw his friends only when he could bring her around or she was in a good mood. He never allowed himself to be too attached to any woman, not even Kazumi, their beautiful neighbor, who clearly showed her affection for the man and showed no dislike for Mao. Until one day, when the three of them were outside for a picnic and Mao, playing by the edge of the cliff, fell down to her death. Was it an accident or did she commit suicide? The question haunts Takano who already blames himself for her death. The guilt is slowly killing him and only Kazumi's soft touch can help him get over this and accept there an be a life after this death.

**NOTES: Mao is already dead by the start of the book. The tone of this novel is very sweet and innocent, with a bit of humour at times. It is mostly about getting over guilt and moving on. Takano at times either thinks it is a stupid accident and she fell, blaming himself for not having seen she was this close of the edge and telling her to come closer before it happened, that she jumped because they had a fight previously about whether or not placing her in a center and so he blames himself because he put her through that emotional state or that she jumped because she wanted to free him since she often said he should have a life of his own. You never find out which one it is as he accepts the fact that knowing does not really matter. He also choses to live with Kazumi as he leaves his guilt behind him.

There is a note at the beginning of the book. To my sister. This book is for and about you. Sorry if I shared our memories to the world. Some events happening in the siblings' past you read about in flashbacks were inspired by things Souma and Aya lived together when they were younger - the games the two played together for example.**

[MENG SOUMA]

The Weight of the Past

Tomehito, Ryosuke and Mina are childhood friends. They dealt with all sorts of problems through life and they did so together. Now adults, they face other kinds of struggle; Tomehito tries to make a name for himself as a lawyer, Mina dreams of opening a restaurant and Ryosuke cannot keep a job. As for Tomehito, he always loved Mina. Yet it's his brother Ryosuke who is with her. Not wanting to fight, he left them together, thus breaking the special bond uniting them, unaware of the real relationship between the two. But, one day, Mina calls. There had been a murder and Ryosuke is the prime suspect. The sole suspect. Tomehito being a lawyer, she begs for him to help his brother and prove his innocence. Unable to say no to Mina, he goes back home. But in order to solve this case, old wounds will have to be reopened and secrets to be dug out, things that may yet again change their relationship forever.

**The book is more about the psychology of the different characters during the murder investigation and trial than the murder itself. Mina chose Ryosuke because he knew she had been raped as a teenager and she is afraid that Tomehito would judge her. She loves him too but fears so much that it wouldn’t work that she prefers to be with his brother, despite the fact she is more a mother-like figure part-time lover to him than an actual girlfriend or fiancée. At some point in the story, a clash between Tomehito and Mina will happen and they will admit to everything. You do not see them ending up together but she does agree to go out with him, suggesting something could happen, but they would take things slow. Ryosuke is also eventually proven innocent of all charges as they find the real culprit who will almost kill Tomehito in the process.

The picture comes from the fact the story is set in a coastal town and the three main characters always played by the beach as a kid than later used this place to have most of the important discussions they had throughout the story. **