I had no specific expectations for this story, but while the premises is basic the story delivers some pretty deep insights about coming out, about outing and being careful towards others, about gender role between two males and so one. I was impressed by what it managed to cover in a one volume story, and I have a special fondness for stories which go the extra mile being relatable and realistically covering societal issues.

... Last updated on February 13th, 2024, 4:56pm

A story that is both cute and sad at the same time. I'll just say that oneshots will probably never get a 10 from me since I prefer longer stories, but as they go, this is a pretty good one. The storyline was predictable, and I wish we got to see more of the yearly meetings, but it was satisfactory and like a little candy bar to munch on for some sugar.

The story, though predictable, is fine for the most part, but its execution far from wowed me and I can't say I'm not disappointed by the whole thing. For a manga artist, this one doesn’t seem to have a firm grasp on how to use panels and transitions most effectively, rendering the decent art style into very rigid and static blocks of images that neither flow with each other very well, nor convey a lot of dynamics or emotions despite the vast efforts to make them seem touching, like with all the tears and blushing and whatnot. The delivery just feels choppy and clunky to me, and the characters aren't that much likeable either. I didn't come to care for any of them even by the end of the manga, and you can bet I rolled my eyes hard at all the cheesiness. It's safe to say this mangaka's debut BL work wasn't a hit for me.

the plotline is pretty basic and predictable, nothing new or out of the ordinary here.

it is, however, endearingly sweet and mildly heart-wrenching. I'm biased, though, since I love highschool friends becoming lovers and all the unrequited love angst.

Okay, so honestly, there were a few awkward cuts and Hayate just comes off as annoying in the starting. However, once the epistemic violence that is wrought by compulsory heterosexuality is considered, Hayate’s actions are understandable, though not excusable, and some of them even commendable; he not only properly turns down Takashi, but also goes out of his way to care for him rather than shaming him for being gay and loving him. Hayate, is love. Moreover, Takashi’s insistence that he is not one of Hayate’s women was supremely moving for me. On this point alone I would argue that the manga deconstructs stereotypes of gender and sexuality in a positive tone and framework, rather than a negative or ambiguous one, which may reinforce the social and political discrimination faced by people who do not conform to social expectations and rules of gender, and sexuality.
The art work too is astounding, and just as beautiful as on the cover. Looking forward to other works by Tatsumoto-sensei.