“I’m happy.”
“Me too.”
And so they were happy, both on that day and thousands more to come. Aiko never felt such peace as she did then. She wouldn’t feel it again until the day she drew her last breath and finally joined her spouse in the afterlife they would go on to build together for all eternity.
She knew Reina loved her. Her ikigai needed nothing more than that.
Hildred Billings is a Japanese and Religious Studies scholar who has spent her entire life knowing she would write for a living someday. She has lived in Japan a total of three times in three different locations, from the heights of the Japanese alps to the hectic Tokyo suburbs, with a life in Shikoku somewhere in there too. When she’s not writing, however, she spends most of her time talking about Asian pop music, cats, and bad 80’s fantasy movies with anyone who will listen…or not.
Her writing centers around themes of redemption, sexuality, and death, sometimes all at once. Although she enjoys writing in the genre of fantasy the most, she strives to show as much reality as possible through her characters and situations, since she’s a furious realist herself.
Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her cat, with dreams of maybe having another human around someday.
Connect with Hildred on any of the following:
Website .:. Twitter .:. Facebook .:. Tumblr
REN’AI RENSAI is an ongoing look at one lesbian couple’s relationship over the span of decades. Below is a short list of other titles currently available and those that are coming soon!
AVAILABLE NOW
“DAISUKI.”
(Novella)
Two Japanese women attempt to balance their relationship with their society's rigid gender roles, polyamorous relations, and the inability to say "I love you."
“HATSUKOI.”
(Novel)
A young Japanese woman falls in love with a philandering lesbian.
“SEIKOU.”
(Novel)
Three months of wedded bliss later, Reina is on the verge of her biggest breakdown yet. Between her gender dysphoria, lonely boss, hostile in-laws, and a young couple in constant need of her “help,” Reina’s about to drag her wife Aiko down their darkest hole yet.
“KATAOMOI.”
(Novel)
Moving in together was supposed to be a dream come true for Aiko, but Reina’s race to a promotion at work is cutting into their personal time. Can Aiko make new friends to fill the void of her new life as a housewife? Ex-girlfriends, dramatic coming outs, and all-female musicals are the only things standing in her way.
“KOIBUMI.”
(Novel)
Just as Reina is making headway with her gender dysphoria, Aiko is on the verge of her own mid-life crisis: she’s now convinced that only a baby can complete her life. And with a handsome, intelligent man waltzing toward her, will she begin to rethink the whole “lesbian” thing as well? Not if she listens to all the ghosts of her past cropping up like weeds.
“MITSUSHIN.”
(Short Story)
As a Valentine’s Day gift, Reina decides it’s time to introduce her girlfriend into the wonderful world of menage.
“NANPAKAI.”
(Short Story)
For her birthday Aiko is taken to a risque nightclub, where she’s expected to seduce a random stranger.
“CHINSEKI.”
(Short Story)
A menage with a new friend forces Reina to reconsider her attractions and jealousy meter. Continuation of “NANPAKAI.”
“SHIMONETA.”
(Short Story)
When Reina is roped into giving a sex seminar in front of a dozen young women, she ends up with an unlikely student - her wife!
“TOKOIRI.”
(Short Story)
Aiko has waited for her wedding day her entire life, but she never thought she’d be so nervous about consummating her marriage!
“JIHAKU.”
(Short Story)
Against her better judgment, Reina participates with her wife in a local “newlywed” game for a chance to win a great vacation. What should be an easy win, however, throws Reina off her game when she sees who they’re up against!
“UMIIRO.”
(Short Story)
Golden Week in Okinawa provides golden opportunities for fun in the sun. Hopefully not too much fun, because Aiko is worried about being banned for PDA!
“YARIKON.”
(Short Story)
When Reina takes her wife to a Key Party at a friend’s place, she expects to spend some time with a lovely young lady - what she doesn’t know is that it’s her ex-coworker!
“FURIN.”
(Short Story)
Aiko appreciates a good Key Party, especially when she’s paired up with the one young woman she’s been lusting after for months. Takes place alongside “YARIKON.”
JIAI JOUWA, a spinoff, follows the relationship of Jun and Saya. From the time they meet until they ultimately make the choices that seal their fates forever, this series is not to be missed!
AVAILABLE NOW
“DAITE.”
(Novel)
Jun has spent most of her life balancing her unfulfilled love life with her endless quest to be named heir to the Nippon Royal business empire, as is her birthright. But when she’s suddenly transferred to manage a hotel in Nagoya, she must restart life all over again: beginning with a mysterious young wanderer with a habit of disappearing after every encounter!
“AITAI.”
(Novel)
Used to living on her own schedule, professional wanderer Saya finds herself with a girlfriend who would like to see her more than three times a year. While Saya wants to be dedicated to Jun, she first has to take care of some business: namely the divorce she’s been seeking for ten years.
REN’AI RENSAI: GAIDEN takes an alternate look to some of your favorite stories and couples.
AVAILABLE NOW
“USOTSUKI.”
(Novel)
Lies come between two Japanese women as they navigate first love and the bitter feelings of life not going as planned.
“NIGOU.”
(Novel)
Two women deal with polyamory and a dom/sub relationship while navigating their true feelings for each other.
For new release information, please join the mailing list!
Coming This Winter
Book 3 of the JIAI JOUWA Romance Series:
“ZUTTO.”
When Jun’s career dreams finally come to fruition, she uproots girlfriend Saya from their Nagoya home and relocates to Sapporo. Now together for the longest time ever, Saya and Jun must learn to cohabitate while cold hearts wither and old flames blaze.
“ZUTTO.” takes place from Christmas, 2014 - Autumn, 2015
For new releases, please visit Hildred’s website and join the mailing list.
Be sure to check out the new interactive REN’AI RENSAI website at:
http://www.renai-rensai.com
Extensive book, character, and setting info, along with opportunities to submit your own fan works, ideas, and questions! Check out the new MATCH MAKER quiz that will match you to your Ren’Ai Rensai soul mate!
Ikigai Page 32