manganiME's manga / #friendship(74)

An emotional story with a tragic aspect. There are two kinds of "triangles"--a love one and a friendship one. Three childhood friends (two guys and a girl) have been comforting/hugging and close since nursery school. But in high school, tension arises when the first boy, the crybaby of the group, clearly loves another and the girl loves the crybaby boy who loves the second more serious boy. Of course, this sets up for angst and pain....and the ending is what you'd call bittersweet. Happy, but with a sadness, too. A good read. (Seems like it's a one-shot divided into two for this upload, so it's a quick read.) This had enough emotional conflict that it could have been a longer, one-volume/multi-chapter manga. Wish it had. I like the art.

The first chapter was strong, setting up the loneliness, some backstory, and some of the conflict. Office Lady who seems to have a parental neglect and crappy ex-boyfriend (who is now her superior at work) background meets a boy who plays soccer alone in the park. The boy is clearly neglected--no mom, old clothes, unkempt hair, goes without eating--and she feels drawn to helping him with soccer...and more. I hope this doesn't turn shota, because I love the idea of her being a true maternal figure and helping the boy and the boy helping her find meaning in life, a new direction.

One of my faves. The art is a little wonky here and there, but the characters are so lovable and the story so sweet of deep friends who realize there's deep romantic love, too. A reread for me.