muse ✨'s manga / #top 50(48)

This was a pleasant surprise, a long story about multiple people, most of whom work in graphic design. The author clearly has experience in the field (or knows someone who does), because there were too many real-life situations for it to be a coincidence. I loved it. I am struggling to say which couple was my favorite, but I think it's the long-haired designer and the American. But Akira and Kai were also so, so cute. Everyone was cute. Everything was so cute and nothing hurts.

Two boys fall in love through nail art.

One afternoon, a boy finds a chocolate tin in his bag and begins to correspond through it with a boy he's never met. Childhood friends finally start dating. (The one where the older one is oblivious and thinks they're "practicing" and the love of his life is tall and blond with piercings, and everyone is scared of him. This is the story with the end comic where their parents have been in support of their relationship since they were small and had already looked into moving the families together and planning a wedding.) Ten years after his five-year-old friend proposes, a man has to decide if he wants to honor the promise that they'd one day marry. I skip this one on reread.

Teo, the lightweight owner of a liquor store, "trains" with his childhood friend Camilo in order to take part in the city's wine tasting festival. He uses their drunken evenings to explore his confused feelings for Camilo. Though Teo loves him, he's frightened by the idea of having sex while simultaneously afraid to give him up. The art in this is gorgeous, the relationship mature, the friends supportive and friendly. Marking this dubcon since Teo is asleep when they start at many points, though it was vaguely agreed on each time in advance.

Three years after their impending graduation leads them to sleep together, Ikkun is still hung up on Hana, who disappeared from his life without a word. When Hana comes back to town, Ikkun cautiously navigates his feelings, worried that Hana will leave a second time.

On their graduation day ten years ago, Takashi confessed to Hayate, a fellow club member, who was kind but firm with his rejection. But when Takashi started to cry, Hayate promised to celebrate his birthday with him every year until Takashi found someone to love. Ten years later and still in love, Takashi lies to Hayate about having a lover in order to end what has become a masochistic ritual, which forces Hayate to make a decision about how he really feels for Takashi. The bulk of this story happens after Hayate decides that, in spite of his preference for women, he loves and wants to be intimate with Takashi. Although other comments mention having an issue with how long this took for Hayate to accept, to the point of it being cruel to Takashi, I found it relatable. Hayate never met with him to be cruel, and I don't think he had any idea he'd caused Takashi to suffer. He was trying to be a supportive friend. After they get together, he is devoted to Takashi and their relationship, and prepared to live it openly. I found this surprisingly happy and sweet. Also: They have REALLY NICE AND SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS FROM HS! <3

Minato swears revenge against Shizuma, the guy he took home drunk and slept with, only to be forgotten. He decides he'll make Shizuma fall for him as punishment. More serious than its sister story, XXX Allergy. These characters are the brothers of that couple.

A frustrating man with zero social skills is taught them by a friendly waiter who falls for him. The one where the guy hates carrots and the last page is the two of them with Shinobu's mom, and Shinobu is bragging that his boyfriend can open any jar.

When the sensei he likes ignores him, Yajima - who only likes older guys - picks up Kasumi, who is three years younger and not his type. But neither of them can ignore their physical compatibility, so they continue the relationship and eventually fall into the most sincere, endearing love! Never would I have thought a story with this much sex would be so romantic. The poses, the facial expressions, their words - it was such a nice change to find a story where both people were invested in their intimacy and the relationship. Ten stars.

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!