This book was one that my partner was trying to recommend to me several times, but I refused to read it because it was Yaoi manga and I feel that often sometimes these stories are too hypersexualized to be enjoyable, so I avoided it. I finally read it today after he tried to get me to read it again last night. I actually found this one to be highly enjoyable because it was more about the romance that one can form with someone instead of being about sex itself. The moments feel like truly someone that is realizing that they are in love with another individual. This is a great book to showcase that someone can fall in love with the same-sex for all the right reasons. I would recommend this book to individuals that are wanting to read a true romance manga. This one will make you believe that anyone and everyone is capable of love. ( )

Cute and sweet. The perfect love story for friends. ( )

Speaking of quiet, understated romances, try this manga out for size. When it comes to yaoi, there is an especial emphasis on the drama, on the here-and-now boom crash bang. Yaoi really is a hit or miss for me, but this manga hit and kept on hitting. It’s the story of Mizuho, who used to be best friends with his cousin Enji. But when Enji grew up to see how flawed Mizuho really was, Mizuho was so ashamed that he stopped talking to Enji. Fast forward years later when Enji is staying with Mizuho’s family for university, their relationship remains tense and unresolved.

This is a slow-building romance, but one whose stirrings fly at you from the very start. You know that Mizuho wants Enji but that he isn’t brave enough to stand up for it. You know that Enji wants Mizuho too, but is barred by Mizuho’s own self-loathing. The issues that separate these two are believable and sympathetic. It’s not the usual silliness that yaoi couples are divided over (like omg you smiled at that girl, you’re cheating on me, wa).

That said, it’s not a perfect story. I felt like at certain parts it did indulge in yaoi cliches, such as Enji’s feelings becoming so strong that he tries to force Mizuho sexually. Then again, Enji was also horrified by what he tried to do, so maybe the mangakas are aware of the trope and trying to subvert it. Also, the art is not entirely to my liking; I tend to prefer a bit more bulk and weight on my art, instead of the thin, scratchy lines you find here. However, these are fairly minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent manga. ( )