I've been leaving reading this manga over and over again because - despite good ratings - the art on the cover is at best average, not to say shitty. I don't like ugly art but somehow I broke myself down to read it and now I think the person who put this drawing on the cover should be sued. The truth is that the art is good. Characters are big men full of muscles, kind of "bara" but not exactly bara, rather they are fit, so in order to match the characters image and weight of the drama in the story the art has to be more heavy, scratchy and far from fairy. But it's not ugly. I think it's very pretty and rough at the same time. I like the fact that in certain, important parts, when it's about true love and real feelings the art changes, drawings are softer, gentler, prettier only to get rough in parts when characters struggle with pain or when they fight. I don't know if it was intentional but certainly it's a bonus to the story.
One of the main characters is an ex-boxer, who works in a regular bar (not gay bar) as a security. His co-worker, a bartender, who's also a big guy catches his interest and that's how the story begins. Well, I lied a bit, there are actually two stories, in reality manga starts with an old, amazing Arabian tale of One Thousand and One Nights (with a lil gay twist). Stories based on old legends tend to be good, thankfully this two are no different, each one is amazingly good, trough they are just roughly connected.
I like that both stories are tasteful, have depth, good pace and interesting, real-life-like characters who grow through the story. Their struggles, worries and how they handle them make them even more believable. Good thing that story was told from the viewpoint of three people (club owner also had his part). And it's not just that main characters are interesting, there are important supporting characters and the world that doesn't end outside of the bedroom. Also I appreciate a full-length after story, high quality as main part and with extra twist in plot. Since I hate mere scratches left by some authors in the afterword I gave extra point for such a rarity in yaoi world. There are more things I like about this manga, and barely any flaws (killer guy is a bit overdrawn, but I understand why) but it's time to finish. I never imagined Scheherazade as a man, but it works just fine. It's a great manga, it's memorable and kind of groundbreaking, so yeah, forget the cover and dig in, cause it's definitely worth to read.
Main characters are mature, they are down to earth and have big bodies. I'm repeating this in case you're looking for a slim, skinny or cute boys, with big eyes and flushed cheeks - it's not this type of story, you may not like it if you can't stand bara. You were warned. Ugh... I wrote way too much. Sorry.