Before I got into the BL genre (which was around the 6th grade), I didn't know, or really understand it. I cannot for the love of me remember what link I clicked on, but fortunately, it took me to mochi mochi's scanlation site. I browsed the website, thinking, "What the heck is this? Where's the pretty heroine and her hot love interest?" I remember clicking on the projects link and browsing through the titles. Hybrid Child caught my attention since I recalled learning something in class about hybrids and whatnot. I clicked the link and checked the information.
And then I was like, "What the heck is shounen-ai/yaoi?" So, upon using google, I found it exactly what it was and was like o___0 😕 ? I hadn't even known such a thing existed! I only thought stories about heterosexual couples were written, being the naive girl I was.
I then thought to myself, "This is weird, but I'm really bored. Should I just try it? No harm in trying it, and if I don't like it, I don't even have to finish it."
So, after downloading the link, I opened up the files and patiently began to read, thinking I'd be bored within the first three pages or so.
Oh dear lord, to think how wrong I'd been.
The first story was lovely and touching. It drew me in right away. And while reading, at some point, the characters genders suddenly became irrelevant to me. Rather than thinking about the fact that both were male, it was their bond, love, and importance to one another that really had me drawn in. It suddenly didn't matter whether or not one or the other was a girl.
It ended on a touching note, which left me crying with tears of joy.
The second story was sweet as well, though not quite on the same level as the first one. It was here where the homosexual content became more noticeable to my new eyes, considering the fact that one of them was a much younger HC. This was one sad, but definitely ends happily as well.
And now for the third one.
By this point, I was already hyperventilating, and thinking to myself, "Will this one be just as good as the first two? Or not as good?
I read it for a good thirty minutes, trying to absorb every word, facial expression, and movements. And once I finished it, I could not stop bawling like a baby. That afterstory bit made it even worse! T____T
I am proud to say that this fine piece of work was my first taste of the BL Genre, and never have I forgotten it. I even purchased a copy from June the second I found out they had decided to pick it up!
I would love to thank Nakamura-sensei personally for writing such a beautiful BL story, but that's impossible since we're on different sides of the world. 😀
This manga is probably the best way to introduce a friend to BL. No joke, seriously.