That, my friends, is what I call pure, unadulterated story-telling talent! Draw me in and make me love your boat drink when I usually turn up my nose and beg for a sour margarita!
I am really liking this mangaka. I like her humour, her pathos, her quirky illustrations and her likeable, fallible characters.
At only 1 volume, the story is tightly woven and captivating without being disappointing by the time the end rolls up. The conflict is basic: It's simply the student and the teacher who really doubt themselves. Sensei doubts that Homura would love and want him, an 'old man.' He has issues of self-esteem when it comes to relationship, and is quite naive and virginal due to his unexplored homosexuality and social fears. Homura doubts himself, his frightening anger and his ability to be valued and loved in Sensei's eyes as an adult.
The illustrations are worthy of a long stare. Their faces (especially their mouths and eyes) are intriguing. I could look at them for a long time: The lips are elongated and full of emotion with a simple upturn or downturn. And the eyes are magnificent. I could 'see' the shock or lust or fear or happiness expressed through them.
They really seemed focused and caring about one another by the end.
She has made me adore her gentle characters. Isn't that a fabulous ability? To create a story, even a basic plot one, that a reader who normally wouldn't 'do' 'sweet', would discover a happy love for her absolutely memorable and even arousing short stories!
Woot!