Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #gangster(3)

University student Kanata is more than he seems. The wide eyed ingenue was actually a merciless hitman known as the Black Swan, with a reputation for efficiency and a penchant for blades. His newest target is Alex, a mafiaso with an angels face who has just inherited the role of boss of his syndicate. He should be another simple target, especially as he appears to have fallen in love with Kanata at first sight. But it soon becomes clear that Alex isn’t as predictable as he appears, and Kanata may be the one in danger of falling for a target. This story had beautiful art to go with an exciting and often surprising plot. Both characters were originals and strong; they may choose to bend but neither will be broken and I loved their balanced power dynamic.

Trigger Warning: Rape The title gives a bit of a hint for this story. There really isn’t anything soft about it, other than Shiratori Tomoe man boobs. When the naïve and soft hearted Tomoe meets a roughed up man named Zen and takes him home he ends up being sexually assaulted. No use sugar coating it, although Tomoe enjoyed it, and he chased after Zen when he woke to a pile of cash left behind. So started an uneasy relationship with the two men. Tomoe made his home and himself a warm, welcoming haven that Zen returned to with unpredictability. The story had lovely art, and I always like a tough guy loves gentle or kind guy style stories. But I prefer those partners to treasure their significant other. It was perhaps a little too one sided, and a little weird to fall for someone who raped you twice. Restraint and consent can be hot. Valuing and treasuring your partner is heartwarming. It’s not like Zen hadn’t experienced that kind of love ever, he was a damaged guy for sure, but he knew he raped Tomoe and wondered at his mental function for chasing him. I suppose I just have to imagine him turning decent after time spent with Tomoe.

This was such an interesting delinquent story. Taichi attended an all boys high school that was full of rough and tumble delinquents. Oddly enough, they viewed this gentle crybaby (and pervert magnet) as their leader. Something that Taichi thought must be teasing, because there was no way he would fight. But how to explain his busted knuckles and bruised body? Turns out Taichi has an alter who takes over and destroys anyone who threatens him. When Taichi runs into the head delinquent of a rival high school, he finds not an enemy but someone who is fascinated by both sides of Taichi. Mitsuru Gunji, takes interest in Taichi and quickly chases after both alters. But what are his true motives? And can Taichi trust himself to someone who has more sides than he does? I liked the story very much. The author used D.I.D with a reasonable amount of respect without it being intrusive. We saw the terrible trauma that happened to the young Taichi that lead to the split, and the violent side retained aspects of a younger child while still always taking that protective role. I thought the dark Mitsuru was a good match for Taichi. All in all, very entertaining.