Imaginary Ritual

Based on the novel of the same name by Jirō Asada. Three adult children visit their mother living in the countryside, each at separate times, but things aren't really what they seem to be.

Narumi Yamaguchi, a single woman who enjoyed her independent life, suddenly started dating after her admired aunt died alone. After failing to find a partner and being bluntly told by her younger colleague Yuya Nasuda that "marriage security is outdated thinking", she shifted focus from marriage hunting to end-of-life planning.

It's Shouko Komi's first day at the prestigious Itan Private High School, and she has already risen to the status of the school's Madonna. With long black hair and a tall, graceful appearance, she captures the attention of anyone who comes across her. There's just one problem though—despite her popularity, Shouko is terrible at communicating with others.

Since his father died, manga artist Ichiro has barely scraped by, forced to support his two younger siblings on just a middle school education. He doesn't even have time to learn how to use a computer, which forces him to keep wrestling with pen and paper. When his art assistants quit to strike out on their own, on top of juggling deadlines, family, and the constant fear of losing his job, Ichiro feels close to a total breakdown. But then a new assistant pops into Ichiro's life, and his prospects immediately start to brighten! She's an incredible artist, she always finishes on time, and she's beautiful, to boot! But she also seems to know an awful lot about him, and soon, she makes a confession that bends Ichiro's mind beyond the confines of Earth…