cover by cerine

Firefly Catching (蛍狩り), by Natsumachi (馬遅夏海)*

I am the one who has you now, by Hyakunichisou 13 (百日草 十三)

Smug the Magic Dragon, by Domashita Romero (地下ロメロ)

Bal Masqué, by Kaerutobi Ike (蛙跳び池)

The Red Scare, by shukyou (主教)

Serenade for a Soldier, by Yūdoku Fukuronezumi (有毒 袋鼠)*

The Master Cat Redux, by Kuruma Ebi (車エビ) *

*illustrated

—

Henshin Tension, by Iron Eater

~*~

Masquerade! Sexy fiction on parade!
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every tale a different shade!
Masquerade! Look around, there’s another piece behind you

Flash of tail, splash of boot
King and prince, punk and suit
Red and black, spade and club
Bit of bear, hint of cub
Faces!
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round
Of an erotic place
Tea and beer, bug and cat
Sword and gun, glove and hat
His and his, sir and ‘miss’
Breath and skin, tease and kiss
Faces!
Drink it in, drink it up
Till transposed
By the art
And the prose
But who can name the face?

Masquerade! Catching glances, sharing beds
Masquerade! Bring a friend, share with anyone who knows you
Masquerade! Burning kisses, turning heads
Masquerade! Come next time, wear a mask — we won’t expose you
Masquerade! Stealing moments, weaving spells
Masquerade! Leave a note for the ones whose works appease you
Masquerade! Telling stories ending well
Masquerade! Editors (yours) are ever glad to please you