hanasan's manga / #sweet(130)

Wholesome, short.

A good example of the idea that you don't need unnecessary misunderstandings to stretch for 50 chapters to have good drama in a story. The main crux of the drama in the story is mostly from Gyu-yeong, the MC, and his relationship with his parents and others. He faces a lot of relatable issues with a broken home and struggling lifestyle, which makes you really feel for him and want him to succeed. He never really wallows in sadness, despite being a crybaby, and constantly fights to make his situation better which I love about him. Meanwhile the ML, Yeonu, is admittedly kinda sus in the beginning just cause of his unknown intentions, he's actually really (spoiler) just a pretty normal, nice guy with a good face and, while snarky sometimes, has a really positive and kind attitude that I adore. He really starts to shine once the story allows for us to peek into his POV. I find his thoughts amusing, and the way he tries hard to be sweet and kind just for Gyu-yeong to praise him is cute. He's the exact kinda guy you wanna adore, and is sometimes pitiful, that makes sense for his character. Actual spoiler: I love that he never really takes any complaint or rant Gyu-yeong says as a personal attack, he really tries to empathize, and really, he finds him cute for it and yknow what? Good for you, Yeonu. What a good guy. The ensemble cast is good too, providing most of the comedy. They're all surprisingly accepting (at least, the ones who know are), which is nice too. All in all, wholesome, cute, with just a smidge of realistic and relatable drama that makes it a really good read overall. I enjoyed it.

Lots of people rating it low, and I can definitely understand why, but if you're open to a major age gap fiction story that is actually rather wholesome, this is a good book to give a try. As the author's editor says in the author's note at the end, "I can't imagine anything racy happening between these two," that's how wholesome their relationship turns out to be. If you're alright with giving it a try for the "wholesome family" fluff, I do recommend giving this a read. Seijiro Mihara, a 40 year old office worker who just quit his job and landed a new job as a housekeeper for Taishi Arisawa... who is apparently a 12(!) year old head of the Arisawa household. Yes, that's right, at the beginning of the story, Taishi is 12. That's why there are a lot of concerned comments. Don't worry, they don't get together romantically until the last two chapters where he's 18-- That being said, there is a lot of Taishi forcing kisses onto Seijiro without him reciprocating, obviously being bothered by it even. Seijiro ends up being forced to stay as Taishi's housekeeper due to the latter's lowkey threats, but ends up actually being concerned for the kid who acts way to mature for his age. Taishi has been raised as the head of his family since he was literally born, and has never known how to act like a proper child, and when his entire family passes away, he's been left with his entire family name and legacy to run. He's actually pressured by the idea that he needs to be a proper "adult" to run his family's businesses and household, but as a kid, he kinda just wants a family and someone to stay by his side that DOESN'T treat him like he's just the head of the family. At the end of the day, the story is actually very sweet and the two form a very tight familial bond (despite Taishi's insistence for that bond to be more akin to him being the husband and Seijiro being the wife lol), Seijiro even telling Taishi that his ["love"] for Taishi isn't the same as Taishi's romantic love, until Taishi properly grows older. The two of them only kiss and acknowledge each other romantically once Taishi's 18, and they only do more intimate things once Taishi's gone to college (which makes me hope he's 20??? but I'm not too sure, not specified. They just say that Taishi got into his college of choice).

The title and concept doesn't do enough justice for how actually wholesome, comedic, and positive this story is. Yes, it's a little bit "love and friendship conquers all"-y but in a world where those type of stories that are actually pretty well-written and not just something that leaves you wanting more, this is a fantastic example of a well-written happy ending for everyone that doesn't leave me unsatisfied. Do I want more extras to flesh out some of the children in the future (especially with how many there are)? Yes, but that's just because I'm a sucker for learning how children characters grow into their own and have their own stories. But we can't always just pump out sequel after sequel about the same characters' children. Sometimes, we have to be like the ending here in this manga, and carve the happy end into stone and leave it at that.

Had to reread this to remember how it went, but it was more amazing and wholesome than I expected. It really gives off the feeling of youth, and somehow gave me nostalgia for the days of youth that I personally never experienced. The two leads are wonderfully communicative, and I really love how they seek to understand each other deeper after first becoming curious about each other. It's a very human experience.

One of the biggest reasons I got into danmei in the first place. I love it so much. Full of fluff and lovely art.

One of my ABSOLUTE favourites. Finished the raws and will 100% say I want more of this, I really wished there were extras or I wouldn't even mind if they did an entirely new season too. I love the leads so much, they're both silly... fucked up little goofballs. I love 'em. They're both traumatized as hell, and they show that in very contrasting ways that end up making them perfect for each other. Seyeong and Heejae are the perfect example of Avoidant vs Anxious attachment styles. It definitely starts unhealthy with Heejae only pushing Seyeong to date him for revenge, but Heejae ends up falling for Seyeong for real. Seyeong takes a long time to properly fall for Heejae, mainly due to not thinking that he's even worth Heejae's time, but thankfully once they properly get together, they'll definitely be the type of couple that will never let the other leave. And I just hope they're happy.

Where's the wedding dress smut scene, cmon now............ was it so intimate we literally cant pry like it's a real honeymoon night? ;w; Still, overall, super cute story with very cute characters and an actually somewhat fleshed out online to real life romance!