I was thinking of Hideki's other series' more than 1-nen monster when I read the description. Thematically very different.
That series kinda got... stale? MC's problem referenced every chapter with a flashback meant there were 2 plots, the plot didn't progress fast enough in the 10 volumes I read while I was in japan to make me wanna wait for translations or buy volumes outright.
Maybe it got better idk.
edit: a little surprised that the publisher didn't push for a more happy series this time, considering his more wholesome series' were way more popular based on the amount of copies they had at the netcafe (Jiyū Kūkan) I stayed the night before my flight back. (great deal btw, 12 hours overnight was less than $20, and had a free shower promo)