Higehiro

Higehiro, short for Hige o Soru. Soshite Joshi Kōsei o Hiro. (ひげを剃る。そして女子高生を拾う。), is a Japanese light novel series written by Shimesaba, illustrated by booota, and later adapted into a manga and an anime television series.

The story centers around Yoshida, a salaryman who, after being rejected by his crush of five years, meets a runaway high school girl named Sayu Ogiwara. Feeling sorry for her, he allows her to stay in his apartment, leading to an unusual cohabitation and exploration of their respective pasts and emotional burdens.

The series explores themes of loneliness, trauma, social issues, and the complex relationship between adults and teenagers. While it initially presents a seemingly controversial premise due to the age gap, the narrative delves into the characters' personal struggles and seeks to address the reasons behind Sayu's runaway situation, rather than romanticizing a relationship between them. The story focuses on Yoshida's attempts to help Sayu rebuild her life and find a path forward while simultaneously confronting his own emotional stagnation.