マース / Mars Series by Fuyumi Soryo

Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches. And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her!

Rei promised Kira that he would protect her from anything and everything, but he never knew how soon his chance would come. When a conniving classmate steals Kira's original painting, Rei quickly stands up for her, but his efforts are hardly rewarded. He gets kicked out of school, and now it looks like he might become a permanent dropout. Suddenly, "good girl" Kira finds herself in the middle of a bad situation... moreRei promised Kira that he would protect her from anything and everything, but he never knew how soon his chance would come. When a conniving classmate steals Kira's original painting, Rei quickly stands up for her, but his efforts are hardly rewarded. He gets kicked out of school, and now it looks like he might become a permanent dropout. Suddenly, "good girl" Kira finds herself in the middle of a bad situation. She'll need more than a little luck if she ever wants to rescue Rei and salvage her hopes for a future romance. less

Although Kira and Rei are opposites in every way, their bond just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Rei finally trusts Kira enough to take her to the racetrack to watch him ride his beloved motorcycle. Just when Kira and Rei's romance is getting hot and heavy, Rei is called away to ride in the race of his life, the Suzuka 8-endurance. Kira would give anything to be there to support him, but her mom forbids her to go along... moreAlthough Kira and Rei are opposites in every way, their bond just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Rei finally trusts Kira enough to take her to the racetrack to watch him ride his beloved motorcycle. Just when Kira and Rei's romance is getting hot and heavy, Rei is called away to ride in the race of his life, the Suzuka 8-endurance. Kira would give anything to be there to support him, but her mom forbids her to go along. As Kira roots for him across the miles, Rei fights his way to the finish line in this mile-a-minute manga. less

When old friends of Rei show up at the school fair, Kira finds that she may have some heated competition for his love. His old flame, Shiori, confesses that she never gave up loving Rei, and she now wants him back. To make things worse, Kira uncovers more about Rei's dark past and his brother's suicide. Would she be better off if she just let Shiori have him?

Kira and Rei's roller-coaster romance continues! When Rei suddenly gets ill, Kira takes care of him at his apartment... and ends up sleeping over. After their night together, Rei finally tells Kira the real reason his twin brother Sei killed himself: Rei told him a secret he knew Sei would never be able to handle. Kira tries to comfort Rei, but secretly wonders if mere words have the power to ease the pain Rei harbors deep inside... moreKira and Rei's roller-coaster romance continues! When Rei suddenly gets ill, Kira takes care of him at his apartment... and ends up sleeping over. After their night together, Rei finally tells Kira the real reason his twin brother Sei killed himself: Rei told him a secret he knew Sei would never be able to handle. Kira tries to comfort Rei, but secretly wonders if mere words have the power to ease the pain Rei harbors deep inside. Meanwhile, Kira's best friend, Harumi, warns Kira if she doesn't start sleeping with Rei soon, he'll probably break up with her. Ouch! Kira's worries deepen when Rei's ex-girlfriend tells him she's still in love with him - and will do anything to win him back. With the pressure mounting by the minute, Kira is about to make the biggest decisions of her life! less

Kira and Rei are definitely in love, but no one said love was easy. When a new guy enrolls in their school, he instantly develops a big crush on both Rei and Kira. Gulp! To make matters worse, it turns out that this mysterious stranger is actually a face from Rei's violent past. Slowly, Kira begins to discover Rei's darker side, but she's not so sure she likes what she sees... moreKira and Rei are definitely in love, but no one said love was easy. When a new guy enrolls in their school, he instantly develops a big crush on both Rei and Kira. Gulp! To make matters worse, it turns out that this mysterious stranger is actually a face from Rei's violent past. Slowly, Kira begins to discover Rei's darker side, but she's not so sure she likes what she sees. As scandalous stories and shocking secrets are revealed, Kira hopes beyond hope that their love will be able to conquer all. less

A bad boy can change a good girl forever. Kira and Rei are made for each other... but no one said love was easy. Masao directs his violent temper at Kira. When Kira's mother is unexpectedly hospitalized, Rei and Harumi offer their undying support. Masao, who hates seeing Rei's sensitive side, is outraged and attempts to put Kira out of the picture... forever. As murderous plots are hatched and hidden secrets revealed, Kira and Rei must fight for each other - and for their lives.

Is Kira and Rei's love built to last? Mixed signals abound in this on-again, off-again relationship. Every time Rei tries to make a move on Kira, she freaks and pushes him away. Finally, Rei guesses she's hiding a horrible secret from her past. What could it be?! Meanwhile, Kira's mother gets out of the hospital - and tells Kira they're moving. When Rei finds out, he tells Kira to come live with him, but she doesn't want to leave her mom's side. Could this be the end of Rei and Kira's love?

The unthinkable has happened! Rei and Kira have finally broken up and it's the talk of the town. Kira can only stand by helplessly as Rei walks out of her life. Though Rei feigns indifference and walks into the arms of waiting suitors, he begins to realize that he may have been too hasty in his decision to break up. Kira struggles to come to grips with being alone and also questions what she has done... moreThe unthinkable has happened! Rei and Kira have finally broken up and it's the talk of the town. Kira can only stand by helplessly as Rei walks out of her life. Though Rei feigns indifference and walks into the arms of waiting suitors, he begins to realize that he may have been too hasty in his decision to break up. Kira struggles to come to grips with being alone and also questions what she has done. At her friends' advice, she decides to try and make up with Rei before it's too late, but he is nowhere to be found. With her family life also paying the price, Kira has no idea who to turn to. Find out what happens next in this nail-biting volume of Mars. less

Now that Rei and Kira are an "official" couple, Kira experiences a refreshing taste of freedom for the first time in her life. She is finally able to leave her troubled past behind and give in to a newfound joy. As the happy couple takes a deep look at what they have together, they find themselves at one of life's major crossroads. The two must decide how school and work will play into their future... moreNow that Rei and Kira are an "official" couple, Kira experiences a refreshing taste of freedom for the first time in her life. She is finally able to leave her troubled past behind and give in to a newfound joy. As the happy couple takes a deep look at what they have together, they find themselves at one of life's major crossroads. The two must decide how school and work will play into their future. Kira decides to take a job to secure her independence, while Rei contemplates quitting school to support Kira and become a respectable member of society. Just when you think you have your future all mapped out, love enters the picture and changes the scenery. less

Nearly tragic domestic disturbances highlight this compelling volume of Mars. Step-fathers and fathers figure prominently and futures hang in the balance - as if Kira and Rei needed any more complications!

Kira leaves home with her mother's blessing. When Kira goes with Rei to meet his father, she realizes that he is the elegant man who tried to buy her painting of Rei. It comes out that Rei is actually the son of his father's brother, who Rei's mother had an affair with. Rei's father invites Kira to come live at his house with Rei as his fiancée until they graduate from high school... moreKira leaves home with her mother's blessing. When Kira goes with Rei to meet his father, she realizes that he is the elegant man who tried to buy her painting of Rei. It comes out that Rei is actually the son of his father's brother, who Rei's mother had an affair with. Rei's father invites Kira to come live at his house with Rei as his fiancée until they graduate from high school. As Kira and Rei explore the giant mansion together, Kira learns details about Rei's life, and Rei is also beginning to remember things that he had long forgotten. When Kira and Rei go exploring alone, they both discover things that were held secret for years. Kira finds a suicide note painted into one of Sei's paintings, in which he shows his true colors, which are far darker than anyone could've imagined. Meanwhile, Rei remembers things about his mother's illness that shock him. less

Rei remembers more events from his childhood and discovers the truth about his mother's mental illness. The complicated relationships within his family are all brought out into the open, including the fact that Rei's real father was a racecar driver who died in a horrific crash.

Rei begins his training to become a professional racer, and Kira must come to grips with how dangerous the sport really is. There are many people who have high expectations of Rei, and he performs wonderfully. Kira is pleased that Rei is finally following his true passion in life, but her happiness turns to anxiety when she discovers that Masao has been released from the psychiatric center.

Includes a short story prequel to the bestselling series, Mars. A must-have for all fans!