Ai Ni Dekinai Koi Wa Iya
Memento Scarlet
The dynamics between a former cop and his new, criminal partner as they try to solve the mystery of a drug being peddled are fantastic. ~Chapter 6.5
The Two Lions
Eyes speak more love than the mouth
I wish it had been a little longer and fleshed out their relationship more, rather than just putting an epilogue at the end. About the manga: it was so good! Both characters grew because of their interactions with each other. I especially loved how philosophical and self-aware the main character (the one hiding under a mask of happiness) was. He understood the flaws in his own personality and was receptive to the growth that he experienced due to his interaction with the love interest. Also, the love interest was a very kind person, and his bluntness was pretty great. Fujino and Mad-dog Tsukada seem like total opposites. One is a clean-cut smol bean, and the other is a large, scary fighter whose rumors are second to none with regards to his looks. One day, Fujino, who is fake towards other people because he is scared of being hurt again (by people in general), goes up to the rooftop only to find Tsukada, who says his smile is "shady." And it is shady -- he is fake because he doesn't want to offend people, but is shocked at getting called out by Tsukada. He ends up revealing more of himself to this person, who is unexpectedly kind, gentle, and polite despite all the rumors surrounding him. Then he started to blush after Tsukada said something to him, but freaks out after he guesses what it means. This is the story about a smol bean who wants love and kindness, but is too scared to get it through vulnerability, and a misunderstood and gentle 'delinquent.'
Ahiru no Oujisama (Kazao)
Truly a compilation of stories concerning characters who are generous and kind and nonjudgmental, traits society rarely spotlights but are worth more than their weight in gold.
Ai to Hanaji