The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese Kyouichi Ootomo, an indecisive and passive office worker, runs into his college underclassmen, Wataru Imagase. Imagase reveals that he was hired by Kyouichi's wife, Chikako, to investigate his
infidelity, but he also confesses that he is
gay and has been in love with Kyouichi for a long time. He promises not to reveal anything in exchange for a kiss. Kyouichi agrees to the tryst, hoping it will save his marriage, but their secret relationship begins to escalate and eventually becomes sexual. Eventually, Chikako reveals to Kyouichi that she planned on divorcing him and only hired Imagase to get a higher settlement. Kyouichi also learns that Imagase had kept his promise not to reveal his cheating on her. Shortly after Kyouichi and Chikako separate, Imagase breaks up with his boyfriend and begins living in Kyouichi's apartment. As the two grow closer, Kyouichi begins spending less time with women and realizes he is becoming attracted to Imagase. At his university reunion party, Kyouichi reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Natsuki, who becomes interested in renewing their relationship. While Kyouichi remains unsure as to whether he wants a life with Imagase or return to dating women, Natsuki, however, discovers his relationship with Imagase when she takes him home after a night of drinking. To settle their confrontation, Imagase and Natsuki force him to choose. Kyouichi picks Natsuki, believing he could never be in a relationship with a man. After the two sleep together, both Kyouichi and Natsuki realize that Kyouichi's feelings for Imagase remain strong and they break up. Two months later, Kyouichi finds Imagase in town and the two reconcile.
The Carp on the Chopping Block Jumps Twice Kyouichi is promoted to section manager at his job, and he learns that his assistant, Tamaki Okamura, is interested in him. He later learns that Tamaki is the daughter of his superior, Yanagida, and is offered to be set up in a relationship with her. As Kyouichi and Tamaki become more deeply acquainted, especially after Yanagida's death, Imagase becomes increasingly insecure and decides to end the relationship himself. After Imagase moves out of Kyouichi's apartment, Kyouichi and Tamaki begin dating. Later, while on an assignment, Imagase spots Tamaki going to a gynecologist and notices that she is being stalked by his target, but he is too late in stopping him, resulting in Tamaki falling down a flight of stairs. At the hospital, Kyouichi reunites with Imagase, and Imagase begs him to let him be in his life, to which he rejects. Before Imagase leaves, Kyouichi confesses about his frustrations with him and admits their relationship has been dysfunctional. The two make up, and Kyouichi ends his relationship with Tamaki, to which he is met with scorn from their co-worker. After he turns to Imagase, the two decide to live together again, uncertain about what their future may bring. ==Characters==