THIIIIIIS the dynamic between them is so well-handled like ??? to the point the age gap itself becomes secondary due to all the implications the age gap and their strange relationship (I mean right now he's a fucking yakuza hanging out with a college student) entails on Satomi's character development and self discovery about his feelings. I'm on my knees because the writing is absolutely flawless (I cried too)
RIGHT??? I've been recommending the anime + this manga to every BL fan I know
Thanks for reading
This is going to be long: This story is about feelings, and how you handle them. Im so fucking surprised this story actually IS is about age gap. I am so glad this is not the "omg this is so wrong" and pedo striking to porn at 1st chance. No, it's actually about what liking someone so much older entails. I don't think Kouji knew that Satomi liked him THAT way until the Karaoke moment. He had 3 years to think (or not think) about where to place this affections, because that was a 15yo, he was 39. I would gladly push the kid away if I was him
But then, 3 years with no contact, this kid turns into a young man, a VERY young man, still a problem, still 22y of age and social gap. Now it's nearly legal but is it right? See, yes that's a Yakuza, but he is always so gentle and concerned for Satomi,
That as we read Kouji simply accepting any form of that relationship
— staying as it is, letting go, anything —, it was all him being considerate of his age, their dynamic: Because that the boy choice, SATOMI have to be the one holding the power of choice in this dynamic because he already don't hold any power. I Don't know if them been togheter at the end would be a good ending at all. I don't see Kouji feelings as mutual, maybe I'm wrong but BACK TO THE NARRATIVE.... The fact that Satomi have these feelings and struggled with them, all the building and the story, the road, the doubt in himself, the acceptance of sexuality, asking around for others opinions, his friends acceptance and these deeply confusing, wrong, shameful, absurd FEELINGS it's all about a choice
That's beautiful and strong and bold af and SO WELL WRITTEN I cried some 6 pr 7 times during the anime + plus this one
Finally some age gap talking about what it is.