The novel follows the protagonist, , as he navigates his development from childhood to early adulthood.
: Kochan feels fundamentally different from his peers, particularly due to his weak physical constitution and his lack of interest in the athletic activities favored by his classmates. Confessions of a Mask
: To conform, Kochan attempts to court a woman named Sonoko. However, he finds he can only appreciate her aesthetically; his true visceral attraction remains fixed on the masculine form . Literary Significance The novel follows the protagonist, , as he
