This is such a bittersweet read and wonderfully weaved. Doesn't really focus on romance but more on friendship and finding out one's sexuality. I absolutely adore the way the author set the pace as if as readers, we are privy to someone's actual real life experiences (wc to some might actually be). It explored various outcomes to people who struggled with their sexuality and put it in a more realistic way, even the rape scene was indefinitely toned in a very unromantic way, it was scary and suffocating despite the fact that the rapist is someone who's regarded as good looking, his actions was nonetheless portrayed as it is -- horrifying, and what's more it was wasn't just shoved off, it was vital to the plot and was used for the main characters to reflect on, wc is kinda rare in BLs. I also absolutely adore the shift between artstyle and even the whiplash between the moods, it can be funny and then heartbreaking the next. It defi has drama elements but never pushed to the level of forceful angst, it was mellow and made sense, like some fond memory. Anyway this belongs in my top 5, even top 3, soo sooooo good 5/5.
Smells Like Green Spirit