What I really love about Hako no Naka is how realistic the story is. When I read the summary and saw the word "prison," I was immediately reminded of Deadlock Series, Under Grand Hotel and Lucky Dog 1 and thought "Oh this could be very interesting" plus it was written by one of my fave authors, Konohara Narise-sensei. It was far different from those titles though. But I didn't care. The story was really good and I cried alot. It feels like this could really happen in real life and that's what I love about it. The only thing I could complain is probably... lack of art. Yeahno illustration or whatsoever. But it didn't matter to me. I was imagining them and the scenes in my head so it's good. But of course I would like to see an illustration.

I read the parts in this order:

Main Volumes: In the Box > The Fragile Swindler > Out of the Cage

then followed by the short stories: And then... > Rainy Day > Field of Silver Grass > Summer Vacation

Personally I really like "Summer Vacation" in the short stories! I guess you'll understand me once you read them all.

This novel is full of drama (there are some funny moments too I guess) so I suggest to mentally prepare your heart. But maybe it's just me since I'm such a crybaby.

Edit as of 9/30/13

"But maybe it's just me since I'm such a crybaby. "

No scratch that. It will make you really cry. I just finished the entire "Summer Vacation" and please.. really prepare your heart. Nevertheless this is definitely worth reading! This is such a great bittersweet story! And I can finally say this is the best story of Konohara Narise-sensei so far (well for me).