Google the term sanpaku, and you’ll quickly discover why the word resists easy translation. In its most basic sense, sanpaku means “three whites,” a condition in which the iris sits a little higher or lower in the eye than normal, exposing more of the schlera. The significance of having sanpaku eyes, however, seems hotly contested, with some websites proclaiming it a curse and others declaring it evidence of great inner turmoil. The heroine of Denpa Books’ newest series is neither doomed nor crazy, just deeply frustrated that her chronic Resting Bitch Face makes it difficult to show her crush just how cool and awesome she thinks he is; the world sees Amane’s sanpaku eyes and assumes she’s a fierce, assertive person, not a shy, anxious teen who overthinks her encounters with Katou. Perhaps the most...

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