muse ✨'s manga / #Ogeretsu Tanaka(6)

Well-crafted, well-paced writing and interesting characters, and the art is beautiful. Both works I've read of Ogeretsu Tanaka's have been excellent. This contains two stories which are set in the same universe: 1) A man who had been unattractive growing up has reinvented himself as a stylist and is asked out by the guy who had tormented him in high school. Still hung up on past anger, he grasps his chance for revenge. 2) The second story I almost bypassed. It focuses on a man several years out from an abusive relationship where he had been the abuser. Rather than forgive his past or excuse it, the story shows that he lives with his guilt and shame. However, he has taken steps to change, and he's honest with his new lover about his past. ETA: Having now read the story where he abused his former partner Yumi, it's no wonder he continues to feel guilty. No amount of abuse is okay, but this was constant and violent - even sadistic. He needs long-term therapy.

A refreshing, sweet love story between a man who works the floor at a nightclub and a man who comes to the club nightly. Beautifully drawn, realistic, touching, happy.

TRIGGER WARNING: This depicts on-page physical assault on a partner. I become deeply upset every time and don't want anyone to go in un-warned. Yumi is in a long-term relationship with a vitriolic and abusive partner when he reconnects with someone he'd loved in high school. I hesitated to read this because it deals with domestic abuse, but it doesn't romanticize it. His partner is aware that his behavior is unforgivable and eventually begs Yumi to leave him. Yumi is the one who walks out the door. The partner's story continues in "Renai-rubi no Tadashii Furikata" and he experiences constant guilt over his past behavior. I read that story before this one. I'm glad, because I wouldn't have been able to enjoy it after reading this. In fact, I'm annoyed he was given a redemption arc, but I am biased; I was on the receiving end of long-term psychological abuse. Yumi's reactions to being abused were genuine to me, as far as my personal experience goes. I had to stop reading a few times to catch my breath - especially when his injuries are shown - but I'm ultimately glad I read this.

1) A 32-year-old man is dating someone 12 years younger. His lover assumes he's experienced, but even kissing is new. A multi-chapter look at the joys and frustrations of a large age gap. 2) A toxic and abusive friendship spanning an entire childhood. It's never redeemed. The constant mental abuse is excused as one man liking another, but this is abuse. This is not how you treat someone you love. Skip it. 3) Boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy at first sight, boy tries to be his love interest's ideal - and suppresses his personality as a result. A story about the importance of being honest in a relationship. This final couple was almost team switch but bailed at the last moment; weak.

After being released from the hospital, a man returns home and discovers a ghost in his apartment.