These were good, so good I couldn't put them down and finished the day I started. I picked them up because I love both yakuza and Takatsuki's art. Though volume 1 is short on illustrations (not as many as say, S or Sleeping with Money), they're good. Volume 2 is a lot more visual, which is ironic since the writing paints a much clearer picture than the first one. I had the entire conflict scene in my head before the first illustration.

I'm rather disappointed, though that the next volume wasn't translated. I can read Japanese enough to handle manga on my own, but novels are a whole other matter and I don't have the confidence to take them on. A shame since I really, really, REALLY want more of this couple's story.

I have to give this novel a 10. I could not find anything wrong with it because I LOVED it so much. The characters are endearing and I love the fact that we see them both in their adult and teenage years. This gives us readers the chance to understand their relationship more. We get to see that their love is truly special. This whole yaoi novel is special.

SPOILER: Volume 1 explores how they met when they were teenagers and their reunion eight years later. We see that life was not so great for both of them in those eight because they were not with each other. As teenagers, they were like Romeo and Juliet....so much in love but the adults in their life did not want to see them together. As adults, they are still very much in love with each other and had never fallen out of love.

I suggest getting volume 2 because it explores their adult relationship more. They are so compatible and it's very cute

Another detail that I REALLY like was the tobacco and spicy cologne scent that is always around Uzuki, which Junya senses every time when he is around Uzuki. He loves that smell because he associates that smell with Uzuki. I liked that part.

... Last updated on December 27th, 2011, 1:46pm

(review of first volume)
I really didn't expect much from reading the summary, but I was somewhat mistaken.

As xx number of other yaoi novels/mangas, this contains the manly/teasing/badass seme and feminine/weak uke stereotypes, mixed up in a yakuza theme. But what made me pleasantly surprised was... That the characters didn't act completely irrational. There is always a somewhat plausible reason as to why they react as they do (though they might be a bit extreme), which makes it a pleasant read, compared to some bl novels where you want to rip your hair out, because they act stupid. It also adds depth to the characters that we experience a flashback.

I didn't especially like the illustrations, actually tried not to look at them, since they kinda ruined the visuals for me. The book contains a lot of smex, so you won't be disappointed, if you're looking for some intense loving. And... The uke actually wants to have sex. He isn't in denial! *Amazing*

Not anything groundbreaking, but an easy and pleasant bl ride.

... Last updated on July 22nd, 2012, 9:50am

for a BL novel this isn't all bad -- and i find most BL novels insipid and not really worthwhile without the art present in manga. this one has a complete story that mostly works, and while one major thing doesn't make any sense to me, at least i could connect with the characters. well, i could connect with sawa. this novel would gain by having more of kobayakawa's thoughts; we only get one little bit at the end -- and i really like to hear things from the seme's point of view. sawa is a great uke; he doesn't have any grating stereotypical mannerisms; he's his own man; he likes sex with kobayakawa, and he's not shy about that (yay!). in general there isn't a whole lot of standard seme/uke stuff here, which also pleases me.

i like the characters better as adults than as high schoolers, and i hope the next 2+ volumes go more into sawa adjusting to the underground world of kobayakawa's yakuza group, because this book with its lengthy flashbacks is really much more about two high schoolers than about yakuza.

the sex is copious, explicit, and hot; only mildly marred by a few translation choices that simply do not work well in english (ripening bodies, and flower petals opening, uh hn). the art is nothing special; nice enough, but doesn't really add anything to the book for me. the high rating is only because i am rating within the context of mostly abysmal BL novels; if this were a manga, it wouldn't rate as high. but it's good enough to make me buy the 2nd volume which is already published.

... Last updated on April 27th, 2011, 1:30am

Haha, so here's yaoi novel this time. I have to admit - it's a good story in it's genre. It contains only consensual smut - thankfully! Characters likeable. Jinko Fuyuno even decided to make a cultural references to 'The Stranger' by Camus (rare in yaoi). Pictures are ugly so I just pretent that they don't exist. Noboru Takatsuki even apologised for destroing the story with her ugly art :> I'm quite curious how the author will handle the second volume.

... Last updated on May 15th, 2014, 2:02pm

I actually, never heard of this novel until I saw my sister had vol 1. After skimming through it I decided to read it. I was actually very intersting and one of my favorites to read.

About a childhood friend realtionship that returns for a second chance at love kind of thing. The artwork in the first vol were ok, but not passionated enough for me, but I seen worse. The next vol was a lot better and just great to have. just sad to say this is very rare to get for vol 1 and newcomers to this series.