Kau's Topics (267)

To be honest. I've read this manga countless times and I weirdly like it. I think it's because it's one of the earliest yaoi I read so there's a nostalgia factor in play. I read the story with his brother first but I found this version more compelling so I like it more. But even so, the more I read it, the more I just find it so sad and annoying what happens. Jinnai is too forceful. He forces Reiichirou into a relationship without waiting for a response even though he SAID HE WOULD. Kijima comes on to him and he hides it from Reiichirou and acts like it's fine that HE'S alone with Kijima when he kept throwing a fit when Kijima was alone with Reiichirou. Even though it's for work and unavoidable. Then he hypocritically keeps hanging out with Kijima when Reiichirou is forced to hang out with the girl from the omiai. Like I do understand Reiichirou tends to take things as they come, but he can't help it. That's how he is and his family is pressuring him. Like at this point I read it for Reiichirou.
His whole story is just sad.
Like I said, he takes things as they come. He can't fight back, nor does he want to. His entire life was basically planned for him and he accepts it. He doesn't dislike the family business, so that aspect is fine. But since he's very sheltered, he's not very social and doesn't understand social cues that well. Yet he managed to have a best friend in Haru, which is great. But Haru leaves him due to his own feelings for Reiichirou. That's understandable, Haru's not at fault for that. It hurt too much to just be friends, and in that case it's fine for him to step away. But it also really hurt Reiichirou because the man DOESN'T HAVE FRIENDS. As far as the reader knows, he has no one else in his life he's particularly close to. It's hard to even say if he's close to his family. He WANTS to be close to his younger brother, but his younger brother finds him hard to deal with as well. Since Reiichirou is hella blunt without meaning to be. And plus, Tsukasa is in love with Haru sooo jealousy's involved. Jinnai even acknowledged he's lonely and sensitive.
And so Reiichirou just wants Haru back as a friend because he misses him, since again. He was literally his best (and possibly only) friend. But Tsukasa doesn't want that to happen. And who knows if Haru ever did become his friend again after saying they could be.
After basically being told he loves Jinnai by Jinnai, Reiichirou starts dating him. His love for him does grow and become more obvious, especially when we see his viewpoint. But he's got his family on his back, and he's not one to rebel. And his family situation really doesn't call for it. I can't even say he's too soft or a doormat for that because it's not easy going against family. Especially since before he never really had a reason too. So he's not sure how to handle the situation of his omia and how to say no or convince his family that the answer is no. It really isn't his fault. And then to top it all, he has to suffer from Jinnai's insecurities and abuse (yes that was abusive) when Jinnai literally yanks his arm away from him and caused him to fall. Then slams his hand next to his head when interrogating him. And then again yanks him by his tie and shoves him when he's upset about Reiichirou having to still meet that girl, then rapes him again (since he did that the first time around when beginning the relationship too like yeesh man.)
And then yeah again he has to watch Jinnai choosing to hang out with Kijima even though he knows Kijima has feelings for him. All out of spite? Jinnai doesn't think it's the same but it is.
Then Jinna starts running away and trying to leave him. Like this page basically sums up Reiichirou's experience and breaks my heart:

https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/kimi_ga_koi_ni_oboreru/mf/v03/c005/21/

This basically forces Reiichirou's hand and causes him to come out to his family just to be able to be with Jinnai. It's a good thing his father didn't go trying to figure out Jinnai's identity.
Like. Reiichirou deserves better. It's ironic as hell that Jinnai is even aware that he doesn't treat Reiichirou that well, what with him being worried Reiichirou will go along with Kijima's advances since he ended up going out with Jinnai. And then sure he did apologize when Reiichirous does give him a blowjob later since he was forced to the first time around. And he realized he was the running but seriously most of the problems really did come from his own insecurity. Being hurt from the omia is natural, but he didn't have to react that cruelly. Like do better sir. I really, really feel sad for Reiichirou. I really do.

Oh I thought Caleb would come back as a human but that's okay too loll
Seriously, though, knew from the get-go he'd be hot as hell.

Oh my goodddd right off the bat I thought I was gonna be facing some major second-hand embarrassment from Sousuke but MITSUHIKO IS SO NICE! WHY IS HE SO NICE! OH MY GOD, he just takes it all in stride! Honestly, I love his character, he's so sweet tho he can be easygoing to a fault. But damn Sousuke lucked out, good for him. And good for Mitsuhiko too lol they are so cute together.

I like how in the second couple Tarou's just like "oh wait... I confessed to a high school boy...isn't that a crime???" Like bro, I had a feeling as soon as I saw him take off the women's clothing. He mentioned classmates and looked young and I'm like either this kid is a uni student or a high school student. And then he was like "I'm getting bigger so I'm not gonna wear the women clothing" and I'm like okaaaay def a younger guy. And then BAM confirmed with the high school festival. Tarou's hella easy going for just accepting it all

Okay I don't know if it's the original writing or if it's the translator's fault, but the writing of this manga just seemed super clunky to me. It's like how they say "show, don't tell" except it was ALL TELL.
Like I dunno. It's the type of writing you'd see if the author wants to establish a setting.

For example: It's like a guy goin "Hey there Matt! I haven't seen you since the apocalypse started 5 years ago, wiping out most of the human population and leaving its survivors to rebuild. Are you still with your beautiful wife Claire who was your childhood love?

Seriously. This is how it felt reading this manga for me. Too much telling, not enough showing. The character's WHOOSH through all their motivations and feelings in one page of dialogue and it feels unnatural. It made it even weirder in the sex scenes cuz it just feels like people sitting there discussing their preferences over tea.
"I see you like it when I touch you over here."
"Yes, it turns me on."
"Yes, I can tell from your voice. Hearing you turned on, turns me on. Very nice"
"Quite."

I like how the mangaka drew baby Hidaka here
https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/bending_the_spoon/uu/to_chapter-4/pg-11/

Like sometimes when I see mangas that have a baby the baby just looks like a chibi person, but Hidaka looks like a legit baby here.

Is it just me or did Hazuki's personality do a complete 180? Like I'm very glad he was able to stand up for himself against Watanabe. But he was realllllyyyy annoying in the beginning. And constantly overreacting to every little thing. I found myself constantly being like "Hazuki can you like CHILL for one second?" Then he also sucks at talking to people like how he brought up the cultivated eels and the co-worker was like ??? But then after he breaks up with Watanabe and goes back to his contacts he's like a different character? Hella chill and relaxed. I liked him a lot more too. Like I get he's not gonna be all "damn happy couples should just die" anymore since he experienced a relationship and heartbreak. But I don't know... That change just didn't feel natural. He stopped overreacting to every little thing and was a lot more overall relaxed and confident. And he can talk to people better??? Like lending that other co-worker a book and she's all "wow he's so reliable." Like fine, if a break up ends up making a him a bit more relaxed. That makes sense. If he became more confident, I guess that might make a little sense too since he'll be focusing on himself. But bro even the "bad at talking to people" character trait was gone? I dunnoooooo. It was too far-fetched for me. lolllll Tho I liked relaxed Hazuki as a character more, at the same time I'm like WHO ARE YOU???
Also Watanabe should have suffered more cuz screw him lol. I'm glad Hazuki spurned him and I'm also glad the bar owner dropped a glass of alcohol on him and told him to get the hell out for what he did. But for real, when he confesses to Hazuki again and Hazuki just responds with "Thank you" he can tell Hazuki doesn't really believe him. So I would have liked a few more chapters of him genuinely trying to win back Hazuki's favor.

Ngl I wished the jealousy bit lasted longer but since these two are so well-established of a couple now, it makes sense they'd move past that. I'm just glad I get to see more of them~

https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/hina_wa_mitsuiro_no_koi_ni_torawareru/mi/c7aca4306f7f2cae3a633ad15ee52011_chapter-9/14/

Shinobu's face here was just *chef's kiss*

But honestly I also don't think he should have gone back to Kouichirou. Like, it was such a basic trope. Shinobu pulls away, and suddenly Kouichirou realizes his true feelings and what he lost. I dunno tho, I didn't really feel it. It felt almost forced? Like Kouichirou does show hints of possibly liking Shinobu while playing around with him. He was watching him from outside the window when he had that other date, and he did get upset when he first saw Shinobu change and heard that he was leaving. And he does admit to Shinobu at the end that he was basically denying those feelings. But when we see him on his own, he's acting like simply not having him around anymore was hurting him and the prior feelings didn't exist. I dunno, I think I'd have liked a bit more of an organic easing into those kinds of feelings. Like it felt like a sharp change instead of more gradual. Instead of only jumping into his point of view as soon as Shinobu left, maybe it would have been nice to see his thoughts WHILE Shinobu was still there and see him struggle more to deny that Shinobu isn't just a toy, AND THEN Shinobu leaves, and he struggles in confusion more. Cuz honestly, I don't trust him either.
I don't know if I'm explaining this right or my thoughts are coming out right. I just feel like that whole part was kind of lacking. I think seeing Kouichirou's side of things while "dating" Shinobu could have made it more believable.
And I definitely think Shinobu should either not have gone back to him, or had him struggle more with a "okay, I don't want you to die over this, so we can start as friends again I guess" sort of dealie if he REALLY wanted to throw him a bone lol cuz I was DEFINITELY enjoying Shinobu's sass.
And also? He clearly was constantly saying Shinobu's name in his sleep, maybe a scene with one of his one-night stands commenting on it would have been nice. I actually thought one of them was gonna when he mistook him for Shinobu after waking up, but noooo. lolll Yeah I think a third party going like "you messed up big time" to Kouichirou would have been fun too.
Anyway, I'm glad Shinobu had the courage to leave for a bit. This manga didn't quite reach it's full potential, but it was almost there.

Wait, was the police who found Souta when he was in middle school Kazuma? I thought he said he was a normal salaryman lol then again he seemed unsure so I guess... he forgot... his occupation as a ghost?