Tsujimura Mitsuki

This novel follows Kokoro, a quiet middle-school girl who has stopped going to school due to bullying and emotional pain. One day, her bedroom mirror begins to glow, pulling her into a mysterious fairy-tale-like castle hidden in another world. There, she meets six other children who, like her, are isolated from school and society.

Inside the castle, a masked Wolf Queen gives them a rule: within one year, they must find a single hidden key. Whoever finds it may have one wish granted, but breaking the rules comes with terrifying consequences.

As the children spend time together, they slowly open up about their fears, trauma, and loneliness. What begins as a fantasy mystery becomes a deeply emotional story about bullying, social pressure, mental health, friendship, and healing. The novel gradually reveals how the castle connects to each child’s real life, leading to a powerful and moving conclusion.

(Da Vinci Book of the Year 2017 Novel Category 1st Prize ) ( King's Brunch Book Award 2017 ) Winner!