just_m3h's manga / #unrequited love(305)

Yuu goes to Tokyo, where the his beloved step cousin Hatahiko lives, for university. After an incident at his place, Yuu is rescued and allowed to stay over until he can find a new place. Living together, Yuu's feelings continue to grow, yet Hatahiko is detached and insistent that Yuu has mistaken his feelings of dependency and admiration for love. I really enjoyed this one. I loved the depth Hatahiko's feelings of alienation and how much Yuu's smile saved him, gave to their relationship. I love that their parents and grandparents were such lovely, warm people. That Hatahiko wasn't unnecessarily stubborn, prolonging their separation. That Yuu was so brave, made friends, and improved on his weak points (I hate stories where the clumsy or useless person is always just useless and clumsy no matter how hard they try and their loved in spite of it). What I didn't like, though, was the age gap. I just don't get why they had to be that far apart in age. Other than that, really good. 4.6

Souhei is unable to enjoy sex unless he's tied down. As his sex friend, Lucas is happy to indulge him, yet as a man in love with Souhei, he yearns to set him free. I liked it more than I thought I would. Neither were especially lovable characters but the circumstances and plot endears them to the reader. I loved that Lucas was able to free Souhei from the confines of his trauma, and I liked his mom for being so supportive too. And I'm glad Souhei wasn't dense enough to let such a good thing go. As for his friemd, serves him right. Taking him for granted like that and trying to play God. Hmph. 4.5

When a girl starts expressing her interest in Ryuusuke, Haruki just can't keep a lid on the feelings that have been brewing for years and confesses to him! Suprisingly enough, Ryuusuke seems quite happy with the idea of them dating and agrees almost immediately! I can't understand why anyone would rate this lower than 5. Genuinely can't. It's unbearably tender and sweet, fills me with such longing. Haru is sweet and brave and all, but Ryuusuke is the fucking best. Hoenstly, top ten semes. Just, the best. My gosh. I want one, please! 5!

Toki has to take care of his 4 year old nephew, who was orphaned an year ago, for 2 months. Becoming overwhelmed with juggling childcare with work, he accepts help from Chihiro, a friend's younger brother who is in love with him. I think Toki's resolve is a force to be reckoned with. From taking on so much to keep Api happy and his work at bay, to deciding to wait until things were in order before he gave Chihiro an answer, he's so honest and sincere. It's quite endearing. Chihiro is clearly patient as fuck, definitely knows the big picture is where it's at. I also really liked that Toki wasn't incompetent and incapable of learning to cook and take care of Appi, yet smart enough to know when to accept help. The way Chihiro came to their defense and helped them out throughout was also great; that principal was way out of line. Appi is so adorable and precious. I'm so glad he is surrounded by such loving people. 4.8

Yuki always takes care of his childhood friend Natsuki, who is unable to do much without him. Or so it would seem... At first, I thought Natsuki to be a really boring and obvious character. But he turned out to be shrewder and smarter by far. And more tragic too, but he used Yuki's misconceptions well to his advantage. About Yuki, though. I think he's just really conceited and kinda a bit selfish too. I don't hate him, but he's certainly not very likable. He cheated on the girl too. Glad she broke up for other reasons without knowing about that. And Naruse's wakeup call? Yuki totally had that coming. They were a bit hard to read with the lemons, because they're too young for me. But overall story-wise, it wasn't too bad. I just didn't like Yuki very much. 4.4

1: Miharu, a high school teacher, almost fainted from exhaustion on his way back from school, but is saved by Arashi, a handsome tattoo artist. They click almost instantly and begin hanging out, but it seems Arashi may be hiding something about his past. Quite lovely, so healthy and just, good vibes, all around. Both are such sweet people, both surrounded by good people. Just a happy, fluffy, feel good story, with an unexpected past that's a little lonely, but sweet, just the same. I love that his high school love came to fruition, even if 10 years later. It's so bittersweet and lonely that they didn't meet for so, so long. But I'm glad Arashi wasn't alone in the meantime. Having met again, though, just as he was thinking of him... All I can say is, they are surely fated to be together. ~Ahhh 5!! 6: Hajime, an actor gets the opportunity to star in the movie adaptation of a book by one of his favourite authors, Satou. When they meet, a pure, wholesome love blossoms. Pretty sweet and simple. 4.5

Hwane and Jinha had an odd sort of twisted relationship in high school where they made out with each other, but were too scared to confess their feelings. When graduation came and went without the air being cleared, the memories of their time together festered and became old wounds over the years. Neither thought they would see the other again, and yet... It was fine. Angsty as fuck and bittersweet; heavy on the bitter and not nearly sweet enough. I honestly didn't really like Hwane, tbh? He hadn't confessed to Jinha, either? During high school. But he had the gall to act like he was the only one being hurt. He lied about how they met, created problems in their relationship where little existed, never responded to Jinha's declarations of love and even broke up with him! But the way he dealt with that café owner was really good. The way he dealt with everything else, no. Jinha had his faults, but, wow. He does not deserve and ounce of the hate he's getting. 4.44

Ayumu and Kousuke are old high school classmates who, despite having a complicated relationship, didn't really interact in school but become friends after they joined the same airline company as flight controller and pilot. Kousuke becomes enamoured (or was that emboldened to act on long buried urges?) when he sees Ayumu in a rare state of vulnerability because of his shitty cheating boyfriend. Could they be something more? It really crept up on me. It's tender and a kind of wish fulfillment, really. I wish we could see more into their personalities, though. 4.6

Minato really doesn't like Akira, his junior at uni and the modeling agency, who quickly became popular with fans after joining. But how does Akira feel about Minato? Did not enjoy. From the lackluster characters, to the non-con, to the predictability. Not for me. 4.2

Made me uncomfortable?