Hoshi no Michishirube

Makoto's lover, Kazuomi, and her brother, Yuji, are longtime friends. When the two get lost in the winter mountains, it was Yuji who was the one who doesn't make it home. Ever since then, Kazuomi has closed his heart to Makoto, and he speaks of calling off their engagement. Makoto desperately tries to reach out to the suffering Kazuomi, but he is unable to reciprocate....... When they meet Kaji, who had climbed the same mountain... Kazuomi leaves Makoto behind and heads back up the mountain. A masterful collection of short stories that questions the meaning of "love"! (Source: Kodansha, translated)