At seven a.m., he watered the plants on the balcony. Two pots of Ming Aralia, mini trees with fern-like foliage. He had bought the first one three years ago and, last year, added a second, which was an odd thing for him to do, since the only items at home he had in multiples were utensils, dining stools, and long-sleeved shirts.

  At eight a.m., he walked into Suigetsu. As always, the first to arrive. Computer on his desk, keyboard and mouse tucked under the monitor stand. To the right, two ring folders were placed; to the left, a gray mug with a glass lid.

  Everything in its right place. In the right order. Just as he had left it the evening before switching off the office lights. A reminder that nothing had changed, nothing could possibly change overnight.

  Until he pulled out his chair to find a Kraft paper bag on it.

  It wasn’t his, nor was it there when he left the office last night.

  This could only mean one thing: someone had been to his seat and placed it there moments ago, before Ran had entered the office. Someone with access to Suigetsu. They probably knew Ran’s schedule too, seeing that the office building’s main shutters only opened at seven-thirty.

  In the paper bag was an 8.4-oz titanium liquor flask, a lightweight, sturdy option for preserving the taste of alcohol on the go. On the front of the flask, his name was etched in silver. In kanji. They spelled ‘Ran’ correctly. People usually messed up writing his given name. Not only was the mysterious giver meticulous with expensive tastes, but they must also have had left a note somewhere. Probably written in either the ugliest scrawl known to mankind or the neatest print meant to seek praise before the entire class.

  Sure enough, a folded note was tucked inside a leather sleeve, wrapped separately from the flask. Written in a truly abhorrent font, which took several attempts to decipher, were three lines of words:

  Happy Birthday, Grumpy Mr. Miyamoto!

  * * *

  From,

  Your Wonderful Neighbor

  * * *

  A simple birthday greeting it was, slightly annoying even, and yet, just like that, a slow warmth began to crawl across his chest. He set the paper bag on the desk and reread the note. Since the office was empty, no one would know just how long Ran had sat there holding onto the note, so engrossed that he didn’t stand up to make his daily morning tea until it was almost nine. Later, when the first wave of Suigetsu staff trooped to their desks, Ran would fold the note into a smaller square and slip it into his wallet, making sure it stayed snug in an empty slot behind his ID so it wouldn’t accidentally drop out when he drew cash from the billfold. Placed the flask in the leather sleeve and kept it in his briefcase. As for the paper bag, he stored it in his pedestal.

  He could use it someday.

  Read more when Or So We Say comes out in Winter 2026.

  * * *

  Please note that this snippet is excerpted from an early draft of Or So We Say and may be subject to further revisions in the final manuscript.

  Preorders are now open at Byrd’s Bookshop for the digital deluxe edition (eBook, character guidebook, and companion guide to decode the semiotics). Visit https://payhip.com/ByrdKoto for more information.

  * * *

  Also in the works is an upcoming print-exclusive that will include a digitally signed paperback bundle with book swag. More information will be released on byrdkoto.com in Fall 2026.

  * * *

  Or So We Say is also available to preorder on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, and select retailers. All links at https://byrdkoto.com/books/or-so-we-say.

  * * *

  Sign up for Byrd Koto’s mailing list at the same website to be the first to know when the latest on Or So We Say drops.

  Bonus Oneshot

  Missing the two nerds already? Fret not, I have something special prepared for you: an oneshot taking place during Eizo’s five undisturbed weeks at Oakwood. It makes for a sweet companion piece to the main story.

  * * *

  Get your copy at https://bookhip.com/NJPJDJK or scan the QR code below.

  * * *

  Acknowledgments

  One chance encounter with a song in the back of a cab made this book happen.

  That was a year ago, when I was thinking, Ah, let’s give this writing thing a spin again.

  At that time, I already had in mind the idea for a fun romcom to restart my rusty gears, based on an outline I’d sketched on boring work commutes. Something snappy, snarky, yet kind of sweet. The song, a famous tune by the Taiwanese alt-rock group Accusefive, made me realize that I needed to write this story set against the blue hour.

  I was tempted to repeat the same lone-wolf routine I had ten years ago, since it is always easier to move on your own. But when you only have yourself to account for, you can also leave behind what you have started just as quickly. I decided to do it differently this time, and I’m incredibly glad I did.

  Since restarting this journey, I have met some truly awesome folks around the world, a community of writers and artists (some of you are both!) who make you realize: writing can be a lonely endeavor, but we don’t have to go at it alone, whichever path—trad or indie—we decide to pursue. I’m so honored to call you my friends (you know who you are!). Thank you for welcoming me into the fold, despite my faceless self and huge timezone difference. Must be somewhat annoying to cackle over random stuff with a logo avatar.

  A few acknowledgments are in order:

  Harumi, Lia, and Minyue, thank you for being such gracious first readers. Your feedback has helped shape the story into what it is now, and I will always be grateful for that.

  My editor, Ana: We will forever mourn Ran’s now-removed kicks. It is indeed for the better, thanks to your insightful feedback generously peppered throughout the book, but I believe the man still holds a grudge. I will always remember your 90-page editorial letter and the depth of love and care you have shown my story and the two rambunctious nerds.

  My cover artist and illustrator, xiehuajun: You gave my first book such a beautiful cover that I now shamelessly plaster it everywhere! It has been a blast working with you to create some seriously amazing book art and equally astounding byproducts. An entire secondary lore of towers, bald heads, shoes, sparkles, and boxes with plump trash bags awaits.

  Wonderful artists whom I have worked with: Lily, Zai, Shou. You have brought Ran and Eizo to life in ways I never thought possible. On your canvas, they have been cute and cool and handsome and plain silly that makes me want to reach into the screen and pinch them. Without your talent, my art bait strategy to lure readers would never have succeeded.

  My family and friends: I will never forget the huge smiles that broke out on your faces when I said I’d finally written a book. For Asians, this means a lot. I remain tight-lipped about what I write, brandishing vague circles around nothing whenever you ask.

  My dear J: After fourteen years, a book is at last born. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing (nagging?) me to pick up the pen again, and for accommodating me on the many evenings where I floated off to another universe to write. We won’t be rich, but I may have just uncovered a treasure trove of words to amuse you with.

  Lastly, to my readers. You may find Our Funny Love Story oddly sombre and perhaps frustrating, given its screwball rom-com appearance and narrative structure that may not sit well with everyone. There is a lot I wish to convey through this story and there is still a lot more to come in the sequel before I wrap things up.

  I assure you, beneath the layers of reality Ran and Eizo face, their story is, at its heart, a modern fairy tale. I wish for my words to be a source of comfort to you, even if it doesn’t seem so at times. We will round back home safely in the final leg, worry not.

  Until then,

  Byrd Koto

  25.01.2026

  * * *

  P.S. Glimpse the box heads lore courtesy of xiehuajun on the right.

  About the Author

  Byrd Koto is an ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) author of genre-blending mysteries with queer yearning and humor.

  Her stories center on psychological realism in Asian-based societies, where her characters explore relationships, identity, desire, and loss across the worlds they inhabit. Born and raised in Singapore, she has an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from the City University of Hong Kong. Due to the long hiatus since graduation, her MFA-isms have left her, or so she thinks.

  Our Funny Love Story is her debut novel.

  * * *

  Sign up for Byrd’s mailing list at byrdkoto.com and be the first to receive exclusive news, book previews, and invites to future ARC campaigns (and the occasional freebie).

  Content Guidance

  Our Funny Love Story contains descriptions of the following:

  Descriptions of anxiety

  Drinking and depiction of drunkenness

  Emotionally unavailable parents

  Mentions of child neglect and abandonment

  Mentions of suicidal intent (in meta-fiction)

  Mild sexual harassment

  Mild workplace harassment

  Swearing and foul language

  Violence in general

  * * *

  For the full list, please visit byrdkoto.com.

  Also By Byrd Koto

  Or So We Say

  (sequel to Our Funny Love Story, forthcoming Winter 2026)

  Save Queer Joy Anthology

  Contribution: Sunday Morning Popsicles (YA sapphic short story)

 

 

  Byrd Koto, Our Funny Love Story: An Achillean Literary Mystery

 

 

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