Hanami's manga / #Art of Seduction(10)

This manga includes the stories of four couples. The first chapter follows roommates Tachibana and Sakura. Tachibana struggles with the feeling of not wanting to leave Sakura, but not wanting to be a hindrance in his life. Chapters 2 &3 follow Takao and Wakamiya. Since high school Wakamiya has been attracted by Takao's face. When the adorable Nishioka-sensei becomes friendly with them, Wakamiya realizes just how much he likes Takao. Chapter 5 is about a businessman who falls in love with his coworker, who is overly helpful. And finally the last story is another coworker love story, Miyoshi is overly spoiled by Matsunaga and fears that he will end up being an annoyance. Overall this manga was cute and funny, especially the first 4 chapters. I really enjoyed all of the stories.

Igarashi Masami had a crush on his friend Tatsuki Shirou for a long time. Constantly hovering over Shirou, Masami felt he had to protect him from Kobayashi Ryuji, Masami and Shirou's friend. Story-wise it was kind of predictable. From the beginning I knew where it was going, and there wasn't a moment that surprised me. I don't really mind predictability as long as the characters are interesting. For the most part I liked Ryuji and Shirou, their persistence was oddly endearing. Masami on the other hand was so painfully dense, I didn't connect with his character until the very last chapter. I would've loved a sequel, just to see how Masami and Ryuji’s relationship develops.

This manga includes two stories. In the first one, Endou is caught by Okumura for sleeping with his wife. As a way to make amends, Endou suggests that Okumura beat him up, instead Okumura slept with him. The quiet and refined Okumura isn’t exactly how he appears. Afterwards they start a company together. A lying, sneaky, manipulative, dominant and sexy uke, I approve. This story had its serious moments and downright hilarious moments. Once the butterfly of the night has you, you’re doomed. Side note: Why aren’t most “dead” past lovers in yaoi actually dead? The other story follows Ritsu, who’s in love with his straight friend that’s in a relationship. He sleeps around and eventually stumbles upon Ikeuchi Hideo and OB GYN doctor who fell in love with him. I didn’t really like Ritsu, he was bratty and not very likeable. STDs are actually a concern in this story. I died at the hospital scene though.

Collection of steamy oneshots. (1) Student Uehara Yuuji falls in love with his math professor, Tatsukawa You, the only problem is that the professor hates people. After being rejected by the professor 31 times, Yuuji finally wins him over by becoming his dog. (2) Kurosawa is in love with his senpai Eizawa Shun but hasn’t confessed. One morning Shun wakes up as a guinea pig. It turns out senpai was also in love with him and Kurosawa’s guinea pig, Merumo, turned him into a guinea pig so that they could finally get together. That guinea pig was so cute! And this chapter was pretty funny. (3) Tsuruka Asato is the tutor to Misumi Ren and they both fell in love at first sight. The only problem is that they both want to be the seme. I loved how Ren was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he was going for the kill. (4) Miyamoto Yuzuru is an actor with stage fright so his new manager, Atou Souichirou, has the perfect solution, sexually harassing him and tapping it. (5) Umina Makoto is a perverted loverboy who watches his beloved Mitsurugi Aoi senpai from the window of the chemistry room. To win over his senpai, Umina uses a prototype love potion given to him by the president of the chemistry club. This was my favorite chapter because Umina is so freaking hilarious, the things he said had me dying. (6) Kazuma is in love with his cousin and swim teacher Nogaki Kyousuke. (7) Houyama Riku fell in love with his friend Hoshino Seita. His other friend Shinosaki Eiru helps Riku get some action, and it ends up in a threesome. (8) Isayama Kyouya is in love with his older and married boss. Coworker Nakatsu Ginji caught Isayama in a delicate position and now he forces Isayama to be his toy. He’s actually in love with Isayama.

Stories that involve the owner and patrons of the bakery. (1) High school student Mitani Kento loves Watari’s pastries to he visits the bakery every day with his best friend Sakurai Hiro. When Hiro gets a job at the bakery to pay for his crush’s birthday present, Kento begins to feel lonely because Hiro doesn’t have time for him, and jealous of his crush. Kento is so cute and funny, I love all his expressions, especially when he’s eating. Hiro seems like the cool, quiet type at the beginning but he’s really a dork. Their relationship is so healthy and just plain adorable, they were hilarious as a couple. It was really nice how they asked an adult about how to not hurt each other. And the mood during sex was really good, it was awkwardly hilarious, and I liked how they helped and encouraged each other through the experience. (2) Shy and insecure Sasayama gets assigned to sales and marketing under Hanasaki. He fell in love with him but he’s too afraid of confessing. They visit Watari’s bakery every day and Watari becomes Sasayama’s confidant. Sasayama is adorable, I want to pinch his cheeks. Hanasaki is caring and attentive to his subordinates but surprisingly jealous and super dense. I loved how lovey-dovey they were. Also, I liked how Watari messed with Hanasaki’s sandwich. (3) Finally it’s fairy gaymother’s turn for romance. After getting all the ships together Watari needs a man too. After waiting for 6 years Watari Natsuo’s lover and childhood friend Kyougo returned. Kyougo lives with Watari and works at the bakery. Their story is more about getting their relationship back on track. Watari is the perfect man (excluding that part where he forced himself on Kyougo when they were teenagers). He genuinely feels bad for forcing him so afterwards even though he wants Kyougo to stay he doesn’t want to force him. He’s sensitive, caring, and he can bake. Kyougo was childish and hurt himself and others unnecessarily. Though I kind of feel bad for him, he’s lost without a goal or a dream to achieve and he feels inferior to Watari, who knows what he wants and works hard every day. I’m happy all of them were able to find happiness.