muse ✨'s manga / #romance(83)

This was refreshing. People genuinely liked each other and developed real emotions. The first story is about a makeup artist and hair stylist. A man with an awful personality is befriended by a co-worker and eventually warms into someone tolerable. Also they fall in love. The second story is about his brother, who grew up in his shadow, and as a result has pushed everyone away from him. He also falls in love.

I must've been in a mood the first time I read this, because on re-read, this is just LOVELY. It's a quiet established relationship that endures long work hours and eventually a long-distance relationship, but their bond is strong and unwavering. I also love that the MC's parents adore his boyfriend (though I am not sure they realize they're dating). ETA: On third read, I've decided the parents must know. The boys live together in Japan and the US, they have Kazushi's parents over for dinner in their apartment where they share a room (and the boyfriend cooks), Harutomo calls Kazushi's dad "dad" which seems awfully familiar? (we only do that here with in-laws; maybe I am projecting), and they joke about adopting Harutomo into the family. Also, Harutomo texts photos to Kazushi's parents. It all seems quite intimate, so I like to imagine they're very aware of the relationship!

This follows the story of two couples: long-time coworkers and close friends with unresolved sexual tension, and childhood friends reunited when they find themselves competing for the same roles. Everyone looks like Katou from "Haru Wo Diete Ita." It's glorious.

Multiple love stories. Quick paced and not a lot of dialogue, but they moved me. The childhood friends who are inseparable and sleep (literally sleep) together a lot before getting together are my favorite.

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.

An actor finds himself attracted to a male crew member and asks him out.

A photographer who has just been dumped by his girlfriend finds a high school student sitting on his car in the cold.

Aizawa has loved Tsuji since they were in school. Tsuji, who is dependent on Aizawa, is uncertain about his feelings until he fears Aizawa might reconcile with an ex-girlfriend, so they begin dating. A few months later, as things are turning into real love for Tsuji, Aizawa breaks off their relationship without explanation and moves, leaving Tsuji heartbroken. But for the first time in his life, Tsuji isn't willing to let someone go. I was frustrated by the breakup, because communication would have cleared up the issue. You don't just leave someone. But Aizawa never believed that Tsuji loved him until that point, so I believe he thought only his heart was truly on the line, and that he was doing Tsuji a favor by making a clean break. I love how much Tsuji grows across these stories. This author is wonderful about continuity.

An uncultured young man is forced by his sister to join the tea club, where he meets his opposite: the poised and serious club president. I didn't care for this story much until the two got together and faced challenges as an established couple. Then I really enjoyed their relationship and the hurdles they got past!