This story and art is soft and poetic, like the still, quiet winter night setting. Beautiful and moving in a very gentle, sad and yet hopeful way.
Amidst this stillness, there is still such amazing suspense created in the pacing and tidbits of mystery revealed along the way.
How does this mangaka do it? I mean, there is barely a relationship established between these two men, and I immediately became engaged and cared for them! Other one-shots have me just going, 'm'eh, whatever' with the two characters, even when they are more invested in one another. This one grabs hold right away!
The first two scenes at night are haunting: the 'sound' of silence and 'feel' of such a blanketing stillness in the wee hours of the morning are illustrated so vividly. The young protagonists with the air of ghostly mystery about him was so pretty. I love the very first time he's introduced - holding his lily with his over-big clothing. He looked so eerie and sad yet strangely content or patiently waiting for hope.
By the by, this one-shot will be forever more known as the story with the hypnotic power of the emotive hat!