Liked it even more on the second read. Maybe I'm just depressed enough now to understand Shima's not so enthusiastic take on the world.

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, FINALLY a manga where no one is grooming highschoolers for inappropriate relationships. And the characters - can you believe it - are actually in the same age range (scandalous!). No creepy 40-year-olds lusting after barely legal kids, thank god. ( )

Why I read it: Good reviews from people who's taste in yaoi I trust a bit more. Word was it pulled the "I'm not gay just gay for you" trope but other than that was gentle, mature, and well-developed.

Pros: What the reviews said. Also one of the better portrayals of an introverted/shy person I've seen in manga (rather than simply being silent or misunderstood as rudeness or hostility...just the awkwardness of it, and the slight mental cringe away from anyone who tries to converse with you). As well as a portrayal of how that kind of personality can make a relationship difficult. Character designs nicely varied. Bodies lean but still masculine. (My favorite. ^^)

Cons: Plot on the unoriginal side, even if executed much better than most. Translation extremely problematic at times. Too frequently there were sections I had to reread to understand, and even some I read and reread and still couldn't figure out who was saying what, or what exactly they meant. Main character (the shy one) sometimes wore a little on my nerves with what sometimes seemed like a complete inability to enjoy himself in the relationship, even if his reservations were understandable.

Conclusion: With very nice art, sweet and mature characters, and issues that keep them apart that are grounded in the realities of adult life, this manga is well above the average yaoi, even with the translation issues. The very standard plot make it a tinge on the forgettable side as well, though, and unlikely to be of interest outside yaoi lovers. Still a very pleasant and sometimes engaging experience, and I'd love to have an opportunity to try out more works by this author. ( )