とつくにの少女 / Totsukuni no shōjo Series by Nagabe, Mie Ishii, ながべ

Once upon a time...In a land far away, there were two kingdoms: the Outside, where twisted beasts roamed that could curse with a touch, and the Inside, where humans lived in safety and peace. The girl and the beast should never have met, but when they do, a quiet fairytale begins. This is a story of two people--one human, one inhuman--who linger in the hazy twilight that separates night from day.

UntouchableTo be touched by an Outsider is to become an Outsider. A clawed, black hand reaches out to touch Shiva's cheek in her sleep. The hand does not belong to Teacher. Who is this strange new Outsider, and what do its creepy murmurings about "mother" portend?Enter a fantasy realm shrouded in mystery, in a dark fairy tale-like setting for fans of The Ancient Magus' Bride.

Shiva's aunt has come to the Outside to bring her home, with several soldiers in tow. Alarmed at this show of force, Teacher tries to protect Shiva, but to no avail. Meanwhile, chaos threatens to engulf the small hamlet on the Inside. Where does Shiva truly belong?

A FATE WORSE THAN DEATHShiva's little white lie has had devastating consequences. While she reels from the shock of the horrific events that have unfolded, Auntie reveals to Teacher how Shiva came to live under her roof--and the cruel fate that awaits all who are afflicted by the curse.

What Teacher feared most is true -- the child Shiva has been afflicted with the curse of the Outsiders. Yet somehow, even touched by the blight, she remains human. How can it be possible? And what of the Insiders, and the revelation from their Holy Father? His divine words portend trouble for Shiva and Teacher alike...

FAR FROM HOMEPursued by soldiers, Teacher and Shiva left their home and searched for a new one in a distant hamlet. They thought to hide away there, but fate was not so kind to them. The cursed soldiers… The Insiders’ plans… Even Teacher himself. The mysteries surrounding them slowly begin coming to light…

OF MONSTERS AND MENHounded by two transformed soldiers desperate for salvation and with Teacher reeling from revelations about his own forgotten former life, the past finally catches up to Teacher and Shiva. With danger closing in around them at terrifying speed, is there nowhere safe for them to live a normal life together…?

WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOSTFor Shiva’s sake, another life must be sacrificed. Teacher thought he had steeled himself to commit the deed, but perhaps some lingering trace of his humanity stilled his hand. Unable to harm others, he realizes the only recourse is to instead sacrifice himself. But what remains once the soul is gone?

Teacher has lost himself, becoming just another wandering Outsider. At first, Shiva doesn't want to believe, but as she realizes she's been forgotten, she falls into despair. Will the two of them ever truly connect again? Meanwhile, the truth of the world -- and the machinations of gods -- begins to come to light within the Inside. Humanity makes a choice. A little girl makes a choice. Their actions lead the way to a future that must not come to pass.

REVELATIONSShiva has escaped, thanks to the agonizing decision made by the king of the Insiders to betray his kingdom. Now, with locket in hand, Shiva has returned to the cottage to rejoin Teacher. What she discovers there will bring her to tears as an unimaginable truth comes to light.

Everything eventually crumbles to dust, even a cozy stone cottage. The creaky floorboards and sooty chimney are now only a sweet memory. Time marches inexorably forward. Only the world will remain, spinning ever on. As everything slips into the past, what remains of Shiva and Teacher's last moments? This was a story of two people -- one human, one inhuman -- who lingered in the hazy twilight that divides night from day. Now it reaches its end.

It was inevitable that the road walked by Teacher and Shiva would be sorrowful, but not all of their times together were bleak. Many of their days held quiet, shimmering joy; comfortable days of sunlight and soft breezes where nothing of significance happened. Days that remained unseen…until now. These are the side stories of two people—one human, one inhuman—who linger in the hazy twilight that separates night from day.FINAL VOLUME.