Zack Hara is dead inside, devoid of passion, hate, one, any sustained emotion. The twenty-something technical writer trudges through each day in LA like a zombie until he leaves to travel to Japan. There, searching for an emotional life, Zack becomes entwined with a sensual but disillusioned woman, young people who form suicide clubs, and a tragic scientist-poet who introduces him to the ancient Japanese concept of "mono no aware" (the beautiful sadness of things)—all propelling him down a dangerous path.With several original art pieces and illustrations by LJC Shimoda.