After reading the reviews, I began this one tentatively.
At first it seemed like a kinda typical sweet/naive uke and destructive seme pairing but there is something underlying.
I really liked the art...even though it wasn't technically brilliant, there was a lot of emotion in the way they were drawn. I also liked the addition of a somewhat kind and likeable female character.
Sex scenes were pretty standard fare for yaoi, nothing special going on there.

To me, it has all the earmarks of a "rescue" story (which I love), and both of these guys badly need to be rescued. Although there is some heavy-handed persuasion in the beginning, there is nothing forced. Both of them are getting something important from the other. They're smart enough that there's hope that they can figure out how to overcome their lousy childhoods. Would be very disappointed if it doesn't turn out that way.

I actually really like this manga- it isn't like the usual lovey-dovey everything's fine yaoi manga. It is a bit curious, but certainly not disturbing in the least. (Trust me, I've read some pretty fucked up manga) So yeah, I recommend this and I already love these characters to death.

A story about a pair of troubled teens finding solace in each other within a questionable relationship and becoming better adjusted adults in a healthier relationship with each other. Like at the end of the main story, there is a really strong sense of hope for a better and happier future, and the extra just totally solidifies it with a snippet of their adult lives and it's just pretty dang gratifying. The extra is just so gratifying I think it might be my favorite part, ha ha.

I think this is definitely a story where you have to pay attention and pick up on the cues. The story had a very muted tone and everything is there, but it may not be readily apparent.

One of the things that bothers me is the mother. She has a mental illness and she Like in the context of the story it works, but I don't like how it perpetuates the myth that people with mental illnesses are usually the perpetrators of violence. It's usually people with mental illnesses and disabilities that are targeted and not the other way around.

PS. Listening to mood music while you read it might make it more enjoyable, ha ha.

... Last updated on July 1st, 2014, 7:48pm

Erm, for those who found this disturbing - the characters are in a Domination/Submission (D/s) relationship with elements of light sadism. It seems to be very much consensual, regardless of all the bullying which might take place. The Dom character actually pays a lot of attention to, and takes very good care of his sub.
This manga is unusual in that there are no Bondage elements at all, which is probably better recognized by BL + sado-mazo (SM) fans. Regardless, it it THAT kind of manga - so be warned.

... Last updated on February 7th, 2012, 2:39am

Tsukasa is innocent and in love, Matsubara is arrogant at times but he loves Tsukasa just as much as he loves him, I Recommend this because of the nice pace and plot. It's not that warm and fuzzy, in fact its fairly sad but it's good. The art isn't "too good"but it shows the depth of the feelings' of the characters.

... Last updated on July 29th, 2013, 7:56pm

There's just this warmth and, I know this doesn't make sense but, sincerity to the characters especially Ichinose that just took me in. It's also pretty smutty, but not over the top. There is no excess. And the narration and pacing is also actually quite well done.
Truthfully, I didn't like Matsubara (cruel lovers just put me and make me REALLY ANGRY). I still don't really like his character since Ichinose is so pure and earnest, but given Matsubara's background it's really unfair of me to expected a emotionally well balanced human being.
Normally, I would give it a nine because again I just can't bear to see Ichinose hurt in any way and . However, the extra did it for me.

I wasn't expecting very much from the summary and ratings, but I was pleasantly surprised. This story has a bit of a muted tone - something I relate a lot with Slice of Life stories, but the relationship between Ichinose and Matsubara is exceedingly deep considering their ages. There are some very dark parts of this story and both characters have their own challenging home lives. But for those like me who can't stand tragedy - fear not. The story comes to a loving ending and the extra is truly the icing on the cake.

I also personally love their sexual relationship. They're a budding dom/sub but it's never really extreme and ultimately their love for each other is felt even through this dynamic. It's something much sweeter than the usual dom/sub relationships in any manga/story that I've read in the past.

The only thing I'm surprised about is that Ichinose failing to get into a private high school was never brought up again after the other students mentioned it to bully him. It's not important at all, but it still feels a little forgotten by the author.

One might say "same old, same old" when talking about this manga and I don't disagree with them at all. Yet it also baffles me how I actually came to like it a lot. I guess you could say I was somewhat dragged along with it and by the end I couldn't escape anymore. I just can't help but like how it was portrayed and developed. It's definitely not perfect, but somehow the authenticity and honest feel remain in the end and that's actually what matters here. I must say those qualities suit the whole thing quite well.

This was hurt/comfort but it applied equally to both characters. The way they supported each other had a realistic touch to to it. It was smutty as well. Although, the art was a bit messy, I immensely enjoyed the volume overall.