Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #Cousins(16)

Very short andsweet, just hints of a deeper relationship in their future together

Abandoned by his mother, Souma comes to live with his aunt and uncle and is a companion for his sickly cousin Sakuya. 12 years later and Souma decides to leave when he graduates and get a job. His surprised cousin rebels against the idea. No longer sickly, he pushes Souma down, forcefully taking him and revealing the truth of his love for his older cousin. Things won’t be easy for this pair, but they are very much in love and willing to do what needs to be done in order to be together.

Taiki is a terrible tease to his cousin Yukito but when these two start going out he becomes a protective and possessive partner. It was nice to read a story where the guys don’t hide their relationship status.

Youngest of four brothers who are all the smart nerdy type, 18yo Michiharu only receives disdain for his failing grades. Determined to have him improve, his parents send him to be tutored by his cousin Natsuki in Hiroshima during summer break. Their story was surprisingly romantic, given Natsuki’s reputation (according to his little sister) and first impressions. Little moments of hand holding and fingers linking, sweet words of support and encouragement. I loved the confession scene and really thought that the story had a fluffy, feel good vibe overall.

Fukigen Itoko ga Kawaisugite Shikatanai Trigger Warning: Incest (cousin x cousin) This was my favourite of the two stories. 23yo Haruki Togami has a job, a home and a cousin that he adores who spends much of their time at his home. Moody 18yo Naoki Koga adores his older cousin too, only his feelings are not very cousinly. When Naoki catches Haruki enjoying some porn he does something unexpected that changes how Haruki looks at him. And when the prickly teen moves in Haruki is about to find his whole world changing. Gokigen Kareshi Ga Kichiku Sugite Shikatanai (spin off: Jin’s story) Trigger warning: Rape Hardcore top and infamous playboy, 28yo Jin Fujioka enjoys his life. Happily gay his whole life, Jin currently enjoys freely changing partners and not being tied down. When he bumps into 18yo Nachi Konno he ends up bringing the good looking guy back to his place. Only it turns out that Nachi has an agenda and knows who Jin is. It also turns out that the impatient younger guy won’t take no for an answer. My 2 cents on this story; I really didn’t like it. Jin was a kind hearted boss in the first book, he was a nice guy who was upfront with his partners. Being raped sucked. Idc if it was a way to make a hardcore top, bottom. Idc if he was forced to feel pleasure. I can’t see love blooming after such a selfish beginning.

A sultry summer setting for a taboo love. Cousins Chihiro and Shuto live next door to each other. For years now, Shuto has hidden that his love for Chihiro is deeper and more intense than acceptable. When his mother discovers his secret one summer night, Shuto is faced with traumatic feelings of shame and self loathing, especially as his mother cried. Yet even that isn’t enough to stem his love for Chihiro though he tries to become the son his mom could accept. The deep emotions and intensity of the changing relationship between MCs is lovely and the artwork is beautiful. I would have liked to see more resolution between mother and son, and a glimpse of the pairs future, but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable story.