This has been made from a novel because some of the dialogue has better depth than most manga. That said, character development was lacking, there didn't seem to be a climax to the story whatsoever and the ending was very sudden. The art by yoshi was excellent but this felt more like a single introductory chapter of a much longer story over all...

I mean sometimes the script was a bit odd, but tbh that happens a lot with kinda awkward English translation.

Overall it was cute, no drama etc.
Love the art, and it matches the cover.

... Last updated on October 11th, 2019, 10:51pm

This is one of those collaborations between a writer and a manga artist that didn't quite mesh at all even until its very end. In theory it should've worked with flying colours: the story is on the heavier and broodier side, main characters both have supposed hardships they're trying to overcome, sounds like a perfect recipe to go with Yoshi's renowned mature and realistic art style. In reality though, the result feels like two mismatched gears that are in totally different sizes trying to run in sync with one another and failing resoundingly.

The art never managed to build the right tone to match the story's vibe, in effect turning it a lot moodier and more depressing than necessary but in a disingenuous and superficial way. Characters' facial expressions although detailed don't fit with the flow and atmosphere of the scene most of the time, and the fact that they're always frowning in response to every single situation (especially the seme) made it a very unpleasant reading experience. The pacing also felt choppy and inappropriately dragged on at certain spots due to poorly composed panels or redundant ones altogether. So in the end you have a plot that's already nothing too special and then an execution that didn't help to elevate it in any way, if anything the story actually got dragged down by the ill-suited delivery that failed to understand its spirits and to bring out the best of it.

Honestly I did not find reading this manga enjoyable at all nor did I come to care for any of the characters and their struggles despite how much it whined about them. There's just no subtlety or substance beneath that shiny outer packaging, and it surely isn't likeable or relatable by any means.