Bike's manga / #b-thoughts(6)

I *really* liked this one. It's a crossdressing scenario between two dudes, Matsuoka (MC) and Hirosue (ML), that ends up invoking the worst out of two people. The MC is a fool for leading the ML on for so long, too "kind" to shut him down. He is also a fool for expecting the man to overlook appearances, to overlook the lie that was told. But then the ML is similarly foolish. Beyond the point of cut-off, he prolongs the wounds they've inflicted onto each other, wielding the MC's feelings like a bullet, to shoot at any moment's notice. Towards the MC, he is callous, trampling onto his feelings. And yet, he acts contradictory---distant to his girlfriend, an underlying unhappiness. He remains harboring feelings for his "lady." You take a look at these two and see how deeply their love has been imprinted onto each other. They fell for each other because of the other's display of kindness, but because it was construed over a lie, they end up questioning the other's feelings, they want to run away from their own, both of theirs stubbornly remaining despite the pain it's caused for them. It's a love story where they fall in love quickly, but that's only one half of the equation. Beyond that, it's the navigation of ruminated feelings, wanting to move on but finding that they can't. It's a good case study that highlights how irrational love can be. I think it's realistically rendered, with of course still being dramatic and frustrating. But I love that in a series. I loved that they both groveled for the other person. Also the first time I've really seen an MC significantly change appearance between novels. Perhaps one of the few times in BL where I see a female character with a compelling relationship with both male characters, and yet is still treated as a likeable character (the two male characters come out as worse, in fact). Wished the ending was more conclusive, though? Side note: I appreciate how kindly they treated the ladies in this equation, because none of that hot mess was their fault. The treatment of the female character reminds me of Faded First Love. The way these two (unfortunately?) hold onto each other reminds me a little of the bit I've read of Usagi no Mori.

Edit: tried getting back into it, but I couldn’t get through the chapter. I’m assuming it gets better. Don’t know. As of CH 64. tl;dr I liked their initial in-game interactions--quippy, quick, and funny. Once they met IRL, they became frustrating as a pair. I'm annoyed with them now. But maybe it's because I'm not fit for these catfishing MMORPG manhwas. --- Liked it at first, but as soon as they met in real life, I slowly began to hate them. Not a fan of the tropes that they slot into. The MC is "straight," a frustrating tsundere character who either runs away or physically attacks the ML every time he advances on him. He denies any semblance of reciprocating feelings because of the fact that he's "straight," but he never rejects the man outright. He gets jealous and the like, but refuses to admit that he likes him. If the ML were anyone else but Heejae, I'm sure that they would quit by now. The back-and-forth" that the two have with each other is frustrating to me, rather than endearing. - I'm sure it was all for comedic effect, but I really couldn't vibe with it. In-game is one thing. Having it also IRL is another. The ML "turned gay/bi" for the MC, and now he has to "take responsibility." He is irrationally persistent and possessive over the MC, who doesn't even give him the light of day. He is insane for insistently pushing into the MC's boundaries, using the netkama incident to get what he wants. Getting his house passcode, forcibly living in his room -- he does what no rational man would do and acts like a leech onto this man's life. I hate how they're so possessive/jealous over each other -- but I guess that's why they deserve each other. I can't stand them. --- Edit: CH64. Things are changing now, I think? I'm just here for the ride.

Finished. Rushed ending. Pick up Volume 4, past midway of part 4 to see how the manhwa starts deviating from the novel. —- On Chapter 30. tl;dr Fun series with a potentially interesting overarching plot. But for now: It's cute! Fun game mechanics! Fun character dynamics! --- It's lighthearted and fun! Jerry is frankly an adorable character, and I'm always a sucker for isekai series with a relationship favorability meter. The ML's Ilya, which is not a surprise at this point, but I can't help but prefer Karyan as a character lmao. But I suppose there's already series like Villains are Destined to Die that can fill that void...anyway, I've enjoyed the character dynamics. Jerry's interactions with both Ilya and Karyan are rather sweet, and his dynamic with his mentor's pretty fun, as well. Therems the sense of an overarching plot given his affinity with magic, as well as the intheritance fued that's oriented around the two brothers, but nothing's been set as of now. Overall, I'm having a fun time with this series right now.

Read up to volume 2. The concept isn't certainly for me---long-term hunter and werewolves fued---but I had to read it because it was zariya ranmaru's work, and I loved Shangri la no Tori. I'm not in love with the story (again, not my personal preferences), nor the pairing, but it's still pretty good. Delivers on the sex scenes, as always---erotic but also intimate. --- Summary for self-perusal: Estranged grandson reluctantly works undercover at a bar for his grandfather, who seeks the eradication of werewolves. Ends up falling in love with a half-werewolf. He falls *hard*. What proceeds is an affair as the werewolf character (our MC) goes under heat for the first time, which proceeds into some unknown territory as their relationship gets...complicated. ML is the heir of a hunter organization that seeks to eradicate werewolves. His feelings aren't as strong as his grandfather's, to say the least. MC is a member of a werewolf group that's planning on eliminating the same organization ML's associated with. It's all part of a decades-long fued that's been getting worse recently. --- Slightly unrelated: I've only read up to volume two, so there may be more info about it in volume three. Also, I'll just say. Whatever is going on between the grandfather and his servant is. Something. === If I had to summarize it in one line, it's like Romeo and Juliet but with werewolves and hunters.

I read this one a while back. Comes off as smut from a kinky/depraved person---expressions can get into ahegao-adjacent territory at times. The ML and his stepfather are freaky. Basically MC gets roped into having sex with this dude. They fall in love. MC is real thicc. Oh, yeah, there were elements of pet play in this (barking, pissing like a dog, etc.). Also, their dick and balls are shiny.

It's a "who your daddy?" situation -- they both hooked up with this girl in the past, she passes away, and they're left to figure out who's the father. No DNA identification (the mom left a note iirc), so they end up living together with the kid. Hijinks ensue. --- Current favorite ongoing series. Lovely art, with good character dynamics throughout. Author knows how to create distinct characters in addition to compelling relationships. There's a lot I want to talk about with this series, but I'll stop there for now.