So...

I fucking love this. I actually really enjoyed it. Even though we have seen these types of characters before, the mangaka does an excellent in making the characters feel unique and different. Spoilers Ahead for anyone reading.












For example, in Chapter five, after Ruri runs off, his internal monologue suggests that he is aware of the fact that Takashina just wants to help. I love that the mangaka makes his way of thinking so humanistic. Ruri was rationalizing with himself, considering every possible solution. He wasn't just jumping to some conclusion and then a big misunderstanding comes up. He is very much aware of the situation. He isn't the oblivious Uke that I thought he would end up being. I was pleasantly surprised with how observant he was with people, even though he goes out of his way to avoid people because of his stutter. He's not unaware or an idiot, he's just very closed off because like the theme of manga goes "he isn't unable to speak because he is nervous, he is nervous because he is unable to speak." It was such a powerful message.

I also enjoyed how the mangaka incorporates this type of ignorance, which makes it even more realistic. In the same chapter, Takashina makes a comment about working toward trying to fix Ruri's speech impediment. I thought this gave it a realistic touch. I think as "normal" people, we try to fix the things wrong with people that aren't like the typical human being. We want them to be more like us, so they don't have to deal with it. I am not saying Takashina was the same. I think that he wanted Ruri to be able to have everything without his speech impediment impeding him. He did it out of care, but his comments was, none the less, an ignorant one. The mangaka even goes a step further to explain why what he said was wrong and gave an analogy so the reader, like Takashina, understands why his comment was ignorant. I think it makes us stronger people when we can admit that we're being ignorant and work to learn and correct our ignorance, exactly as Takashina did. It's very mature in the writing as well as the execution.

I thought the pacing was pretty good, too. There's a lot of back and forth because, of course, Ruri's going to be hesitant. Look at it from his perspective, he's been bullied for his speech impediment, isolated, has low self esteem, always blaming himself for why people don't stick around. He eventually got too self conscious to try and form relationships with people, which is completely empathetic. That doesn't mean he doesn't want relationships with others, he's just scared to form them. He doesn't want to be ridiculed for something he can't even control.

Now, onto the relationship between the two. I actually thought their relationship was very sweet, very accepting, and realistic too. Takashina accepts everything about Ruri, even if he admits that his speech impediment isn't always easy to deal with. You understand why they like each other. You feel that. Ruri appreciates, for the first time, being accepted for everything he is. Ruri brings out this kinder, sweeter nature in Takashina. He respects everything that Ruri's had to deal with, and finds it endearing. The build up was actually pretty good. The relationship is healthy, without being too sweet. I hate cutesy couples, but I like couples that are cute, with a slight bit of angst, it makes the relationship more relatable and makes the reader want to to root for them.

Overall, I thought this was very well written, and I haven't even talked about the art. I swooned so much over it. Lovely facial expressions. So on point. This is my aesthetic. The story beautifully executed, characters identifiable. I am very impressed with this this mangaka's capability, and apparently, this is her first work. I will be looking out to see what else she can do. Please impress me more!