muse ✨'s manga / #top 50(48)

This might be the most realistic story I've read, which means it's far from being the happiest even though it ends on a happy note. Prepare for your heart to be beaten over and over as you go through this. It's a story about how people hurt each other. Although they're in a relationship, when Kyou meets a young woman at work, he once again questions his decision to be with Imagase. The thing is, they're NOT bad for each other. They're a good fit. They live together easily. They're sexually compatible. The problem is that Kyou can't accept he's fallen in love with a man. He won't acknowledge his love at ALL, even though he's miserable for months after they break up a second time. Part of the issue is that Kyou has zero confidence and is a pushover - that's established in the prequel - so when Imagase would lament that they weren't good for each other, Kyou listened. When Imagase said he was just "playing" lovers, Kyou listened. Can they last? Yes, but they both have some maturing to do. This needs a sequel where we check in with them in a year or two. The real sign that Kyou has honestly embraced Imagase as his partner for life will be if they meet each other's families, since that was brought up several times. I loved this, but it was incredibly upsetting and I cried a lot, especially when Imagase was in the bed Kyou shared with his girlfriend and said, "You were mine. You were mine."

A one-time quickie in a bathroom stall turns into a weekly meetup between two men who grow from sex friends to lovers. They have the first couple and the final chapter. Five stars for their story. The second fic is about two high school students. One is dealing with internalized homophobia and spends two chapters pissed off, then comes around. I didn't feel much for them. This alone I'd give maybe a three.

I work in publishing and relate to this series on many levels. Kisa & Yukina are my favorites to read about because they're at a stage where their relationship is steady and evolving, so they're dealing with fun roadbumps like not enough time to meet up, being super fucking tired from work, realizing you don't know odd specific details about your SO, family members, impending life changes, and more! Yokozawa and Kirishima have quickly become my second-favorite couple in this, although I mainly know them from their OVA and light novels. I'll probably die before Onodera falls in love. April 2020: Yokozawa and Kirishima had a proper chapter??? They got engaged??? I??????? Cried. March 2022: 16 days until Onodera falls in love, but we got a FAKEOUT DREAM SEQUENCE that made me scream a little.

A gay man falls in love with his company president's son, but when the president learns of their relationship, he undermines it, coaxing his son into an arranged marriage. A realistic, mature love story that ends well and happily, with incredibly touching moments - both happy and sad. I cried quite a bit, but the conclusion has me smiling. This is JUST as lovely and touching on re-read and they buy a car! ETA: I bought the manga since I've re-read it so many times.

The heads of the sports and culture departments clash daily in a known rivalry, but when one kisses the other on a whim, their relationship quickly becomes something else.

A working man in his late 30s meets an unfriendly artist, just twenty, who runs a boarding house. This story did nothing for me the first time I read it, but I'm so glad I sat down with it again a year later. I must've rushed the first time and not paid attention to the emotional development. This is a beautiful story about letting go of the past's hold on you and moving forward with life. This is a true slow burn. I don't think they are together until the fifth volume, but they really care for each other by the time anything happens, which makes it really sweet when it does.

When he realizes his strange attraction to his best friend's throat, Kashiwaya worries he might be a vampire. Funny, charming, sweet, and romantic. This is a delight.

A delinquent sophomore, Nagato, falls in love with Ai, a beautiful boy who, rumor has it, has been used as a sex object by the seniors. Ai has a low opinion of himself and is confused when Nagato continues to approach him, and is bowled over when Nagato confesses his love. This story focuses on consent, healing, mutual pleasure, honesty, and open communication. What a delight. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

After he wakes up from a wet dream about his childhood friend Ryoumei, a Shinto priest, ditzy high school student Ao aggressively pursues him. The love story of a young man and the priest from the temple near his home, who has been a friend to him since he was very young and his grandmother was sick. He is a hyper, persistent little thing but pretty sweet, and their love is sweet, and the priest is delightfully grouchy. He reminded me of a dark-haired Frau from 07-Ghost. Himegoto Asobi is the spin-off (highly recommended!!) to this. Shuu and his daughter make appearances, but sensei does not. :-(

The sequel to "Young Bad Education." The relationship survives graduation, medical school, and they eventually live together. A series of short stories about their life together. Nothing sad, just fluff, although I cried at one point I was so moved.