OmNom brings up very good points, to which I want to add that it was a curious decision on the mangaka's part to jump around between different points in the past and present, often announcing it a few pages into the event. It made for a confusing read where I had to go back and reread some parts to make sure I'd understood them, which really shouldn't have been the case with such a simple plot.

Furthermore, the art hampered the storytelling more than aiding it, as it comes across more like an unfinished sketch rather than being purposefully messy. I also mistook Kiritani (Yukihiko's friend) for Tooru a few times, because he basically looks like Tooru with glasses.



In the end, I'm left with the impression that there's something missing. Alternating memories with the present didn't do the story many favors, and, despite sufficient time being allotted to everyone, they remain fairly shallow. I would've liked to see more interactions between Tooru and Yukihiko, told linearly, in a way that doesn't read like chasing obligatory plot twists.

I guess a 6 will suffice, since it does have potential but the execution doesn't live up to it. The clumsy writing and the art make it seem like a rough draft rather than a finished product.

... Last updated on November 19th, 2023, 3:25pm

I held such high expectation for this manga to deliver only to be rewarded with being overwhelmingly let down. Big time.

It's hard to imagine how such a promising premise could turn out so utterly butchered by an astoundingly horrendous pacing and extremely apathetic narrative. The mangaka tried too hard to create angst and set a melancholic undertone but in the process had neglected other elements that are potentially much more effective at evoking sympathy from the audience. I also did not care too much for the characters if I have to be honest. All the nilly willy, self-doubt and drama got boring fast when it became clear they were gimmicks designed to replace proper character development. Now the art and character designs are fine, but there's still plenty of room for improvement in regard to adequately structuring a story in the form of pictures and panels.

It almost feels reading like an amateur's attempt at writing if I didn't know the author had already had a few works under her belt at the time of publishing this one.