Ch 1 & 2 rating: 4. The character development and plot were weak, and the overall story was rushed and predictable.

Ch 3 rating: 8. I like the dark nature of this story. It was sort of predictable but it was good anyway.

Ch 4 & 5 rating: 4.5. There were some inconsistencies in the characters and it was very two-dimensional.

Chapter 4 (the second story) is kinda messed up, but I looove it. Something about a mildly psychotic manipulative lover really gets me going.

The first story isn't that bad either though. I wish it was more drawn out though. The reason behind why the seme of the main couple likes the uke is never explained clearly.

The third story is rather uneventful. Very meh and forgettable. Totally not on the same level as the first two stories.

... Last updated on October 23rd, 2013, 8:04pm

You see, The first story had an interesting premise, but since it was too short the pace was way too fast and the characters acted in a very unrealistic manner. Yeah I know, Yaoi can have no plot at all and manage to be entertaining, but the manga took itself too seriously for me to just shut my brain off and enjoy. I just couldn't do that! The second story had an interesting (yet not all that surprising for me) plot twist. Funny enough I was more shocked (and disturbed) about but that gave the story some sort of flavor.
The final story has a more comedic tone, and it was just ok.
I should mention that I absolutely love how this mangaka draws her Bishies! the Ukes are just my type and are absolutely gorgeous(although everyone's expressions of disbelief are so exaggerated XD).
This manga gets 8/10 for artwork, 4/10 for the first story, 7/10 for the 2nd and the same for the final. sooo 6.5/10. Sounds about right...Yep

The first story is *yawn*. It would had been better if the brothers ended up together and in a twisted love after all that's happened but it's *meh* the way it ended. The second story, "The Loose Shackle", I like. People find creepy but I like manipulative lovers that do whatever to cage their loved one in their arms. The last story, I found... cute for such a barely there plot.

This manga started with a good idea. The disability made it different. However, the story is boring and goes nowhere. You don't get to know anything about the characters, and you never care what happens to them. After a week, you will forget you even read this, and what it's about. I gave it a 4 because it's not the worst I've read. i've read a lot of manga, and there is far worse out there.

"She loved him now with a new love because he had made her suffer." - William Somerset Maugham
Tamotsu Takamure! Hip hip hooray! Yes and yes and yes! The title story is superb, but it is 'The Loose Shackle' that knocked me over. I always love her stories, her plot twists and her characters, but every once in blue moon I stumble across a story of hers that challenges my perceptions of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' and why I even need those labels in the first place. It is a story that makes me ask myself why I lay any sort of judgment on other's choices.
The characters in 'The Loose Shackle' shook me to the core. The very last sentence had me gasping and rereading the story from start to finish multiple times in one-sitting.
Her art style is unique and, like a dry martini, grew on me until I craved her incessantly. Although I lust after the pretty art of mangakas like Masara Minase, Ms.Takamure art reflects smoothly with her stories. Life needs variety and so does my art tastes in BL!
Her stories remain with me - for years. Jazz was one of the first BL I ever read. Spiral of Sand was another fascinating one. She is a master of plot. I love the angst and Stockholm syndrome story lines. (Oh yah, and the violence and forceful sex turns me right the heck on!) But if your squicked by all these things and you only like one type of pretty 'perfect' art, than stay the heck away.
To me, she's a like walking through a beautiful and slightly eerie forest that gives me shivers of delight and fear. . .
She's got the inside edge in her brain on what W.Maugham was talkin' about! (Only replaces the pronoun 'she' with 'he.' Wahahaha.)

... Last updated on March 11th, 2008, 9:39pm

C 1-3, I agree with the previous post. Chapter 4, which is unrelated (oneshot), is an intense, twisted tale. Chapter 5 is a generic yaoi story.

Of them, 4 is the only one that stands out.

the premise of the main story isn't all bad, though it's a tad on the high-drama side, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired; it's completely overwrought. there's no character development, so i didn't actually care what happened to any of the three -- maybe not surprising since there are only 3 chapters, but hey, naono bohra can do character development in a oneshot, so i don't think i am asking for too much. and what makes it worse is that the art is messy. if you want something with this sort of story done well (guilt that binds), read koide mieko's junjou karen instead.