This couple is more interesting than the main couple (clearly sensei and her readers know this) and with much better chemistry; granted, the plot is pretty generic but the characters are decently fleshed out and of course, the art is gorgeous, which, of course, is of paramount import in any BL manga. Sensei's talent is evident not only in her pretty bishounen but her panelling and composition are also top notch. 9/10 just for Minato's lithe body

... Last updated on February 21st, 2022, 3:58pm

Wow. I cannot think of a single thing I didn't like in this manga - even the ones I was gonna "make excuses for because it's BL" were explained and properly dealt with.
I loved Minato from the get go. I read Secret XXX just so I could read Therapy Game, and I fell in love with Minato there, but ended up liking the prequel much more than I thought I would. But I'm an angst > fluff kind of person, so this here is much more my style.
The scanlator I read from kept making playful comments that I enjoyed, like "prepare your tissues", and boy, were they right! This got me crying from the first chapter - and that's how I like it!
Now, I knew I'd like Minato much more than Shizuma because I'm a sucker for the ukes that aren't weak, especially if that makes them all the more weaker. Minato is not only drop-dead gorgeous, but sassy, sure of himself sexually, a tsundere and, the most important, completely emotionally damaged.
But the thing is that I didn't expect to like Shizuma as much as I did. I'm not usually into gentle semes, but he's such a perfect match for Minato that I couldn't help but see the "prince" everyone was talking about. Oh, and also hot!

The plot surprised me at every turn. Yes, it's your usual "drunk men sleep together, one of them forgets it, they fall in love but there's a misunderstanding which leads to a huge fight", but it was done skillfully, even masterfully, I'd say. I was not expecting said fight to be so prolonged. It wasn't solved quickly in one simple dialogue (much like in Secret XXX, by the way) but rather spread over many different chapters, and that's what I live for!
I'm also not usually okay with characters falling in love within a matter of days, but here it felt realistic to me because each of their interactions were meaningful (I've been in love for much less than that) and the fact they didn't know each other so well was even addressed within the manga.
I enjoyed reading their cute and funny moments and seeing them fall in love with each other, and, in fact, I couldn't put this manga down!

Then came the chapters after they were together, and I was scared. I have to admit I find it profoundly boring when couples are already together and there are chapters and chapters about fights and drama (the bad kind) - once they both said they love each other, it should end there for me. But this is one of the very few cases where I loved it. That's because not only were both of their concerns valid, but the last two chapters tied together everything that I didn't expect was going to be resolved (the things I was going to justify not being resolved in BL): Yuka, Shizuma's relationship with Minato's friends and Minato's relationship with Shizuma's friends (especially the part where they discussed their previous conflicts), the family background on both accounts, and... this is where I'm especially surprised, in a wonderful way: the "being gay" aspect.I t's a sign Japan is changing, even if slowly. The part of me that's an ally has always hoped for that, but the part that's a fujoshi was always scared of how this was going to be portrayed in manga, if it was going to lose its magic - and look at that, it didn't! I never expected some elements were going to be dealt with, like the fact that Shizuma slept with a man and was now coming to terms with his bisexuality, Minato being insecure about that and being broken from his past experiences, and the fact that Shizuma's friend not only apologized to Minato, but also agreed that homosexuality was normal!

I also really like all of the background characters, I found that Hinohara-sensei was very capable of making each and every one of them interesting, even though there were so many of them!
It was also helpful to read the prequel. While it's not exactly necessary for this volume, it made it much easier to understand Minato's predicament, as well as the relationship with their respective brothers (which was delightful!) and their interferences (and advice!). I especially liked how Mito put Minato on the spot and sort of forced him to confront his feelings, while not really hurting Shizuma in the process.

I loved each sex scene, they didn't feel like too much, and I especially liked how Minato was neither the sulky virgin nor terrified of sex. Rather, he was prepared for it and had plenty of experience; they both did! Refreshing to read about that for a change, especially after they have officially gotten together and there's nothing to be hesitant about.
The art was lovely and even the extra chapters were not just a bunch of made up scenarios like many mangaka add or funny bits that are ultimately unnecessary, but actual parts of the development of the relationship that were just as important to the romance, but hadn't made an appearance before.

After having read only two of Hinohara Meguru's work, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her in the future and I strongly recommend this manga 🙂

... Last updated on January 16th, 2022, 1:07am

I read the official English of this and... I don't know, I really didn't care for it and I definitely don't get why this is popular enough to license. Minato is annoying to me. He's childish, brash, aggressive and whiny. Sure this may be due to his past and blah blah, but he wasn't likeable to me at all. It's off putting that he is so feminine looking (in the face and hair, his body is of a slender man's, though) and yet he "hates" women...which I guess is supposed to be valid because Shizuma's ex, who's the only woman in the whole story (rolls eyes), was a cheater. Yes, the "evil woman that makes a totally hetero guy turn gay" BL trope! He's just comes off as a bitchy gay guy, which is not endearing. I guess it's because he's insecure because he's with a straight guy but...no. Not sure why the author would create such a hypocritical character. Shizuma is way too good for such a person. And why is there no struggle for a straight guy to be in a gay relationship? No conflict is shown except for Shizuma researching what it must feel like for Minato to be gay. As if it's that easy for a heterosexual man to suddenly decide that he can be aroused/romantically interested in another man! Perhaps there's no resistance because Minato looks like a woman? That's another reason I can't stand girly looking ukes -- the audience is supposed to just take at face value that the relationship will work out because the uke is barely male, and in my opinion, the author gets to be lazy because she's essentially just doing a hetero manga switheroo and simply adding a "man" for spice. It's much more compelling if it's actually two guys in a BL manga instead of a guy and a female facsimile. I'm reading BL for the men! I'm gonna have to massively suspend disbelief if I ever try to read this again. I didn't care for the sex scenes because I don't like Minato.

I much prefer Secret XXX to this. Minato's big brother was just a better person, and he was the top even though he was "pretty". Much more unexpected and less cliche in that regard.

... Last updated on July 31st, 2022, 10:24pm

First off, the ART. The characters are drawn so well, I wasn't surprised when I found out that the mangaka is the same as that of Kamisama no Uroko (another fave). It is top notch (usually manga with good art have characters that end up looking extremely similar but that wasn't the case here.)

While I came for the art, I stayed for the story. The spin-off, Secret XXX has very different vibes (I mean, in one they meet in a bunny pet store and in the other the couple meet and have a one night stand-) The spin-off is cute and fluffy and undeniably smutty but Therapy Game is a ticket to the feels train. I felt the romance was a tad fast-paced, but that's to be expected in single volume mangas I guess? Anyway it was a good read!


(Also I want to punch Yuka, that obsessive little shit the comment about her here is 100% relatable. She should thank her stars Minato is such a saint)

Minato. That's all I gotta say. Read it for Minato. Anyway, I didn't read the main story (Secret XXX) but I get the feeling that I'd prefer this one anyway. There's a sequel out now called Therapy Game Restart. YAY!

They’re kind of weird people and have their issues but they’re so cute! I like the brothers as side characters as well. Also love that there was drama without diving into non-consensual sex territory like so many manga do.

While Secret XXX is more fluffy and romantic, which I dont hate and totally love it too, but this is wayyyyyyy better! My heart clenched so many times for every chapter! Totally love the part where Mito just decided to video call and let all realise the truth, plus his witty smirk. Totally love this author's work.

... Last updated on November 27th, 2019, 8:43am

I like this one better than the other one cuz damn, Minato is so gorgeous. The art just melts my heart. I really love sensei's artwork😍 Anw storywise, its deep and realistic in some ways. I like that it talked about the real life hardships of poeple who are part of the community especially those who are in a relationship with bisexuals. Minato's insecurities are so freaking valid you would want to cheer him on. The only downside I found in this manga is that they fell inlove so fast, so deep, and easily with each other but let's just say that they're soul mates meant to be together so they felt instant connection. I'd like to think that way to make the story even better in my mind 🤣 Other than that all's good and perfect. You should definitely read it.

Compared to the spin-off, this story is heavier and more emotional. Some might find their love progressed so fast as there were barely any moments for them to fall in love this deeply that they did so many things for each other. But I think it’s totally possible, even in real life, when you meet someone that makes you fall so hard immediately because of your crazy chemistry and your hunch that you’re just meant to be.
I like how this story is connected to the other, gives us more details about the other couple, and the bromance is incredible. I was surprised at how different compelling opinions are conveyed at different times, which made me nod sometimes lol. The author also did a great job in breaking tensions with humor and avoiding too cliche lines.