
Once again sensei got me right in the feels!! I don't usually read Shounen Ai (don't get into kawaii love and bunny cuddles) but sensei's stories are so compelling and well written that I just can't help myself!
There was not a couple that I didn't fall in love with. Sensei even managed to work in females (I HATE chicks in yaoi) that I didn't want to see dead.
I would recommend this manga series to anyone... not just fujoshi...since there is no sexual context between "partners". The story simply highlights the importance of certain people in the lives of others... gender not withstanding. 6 out of 5 stars!

This was one of the few Shounen Ai mangas that I would re-read. I'm not a big fan of the genre (not into kawaii love and bunny cuddles) but this was just a dang good read. The pace is a slow burn...there is never a point where you don't want to turn the page. The story is well written, the art is wonderful and the conclusion is perfect. 6 of 5 stars

Inoue (uke in 1st story) wasn't a bad guy at heart - IMHO. He didn't intend to do anything with the salary-man until Yano first insulted him, then planned to go to a mixer to pick up girls. The fact that Yano didn't go to the party was unknown to Inoue until after the fact. Then, Yano ignored him. What was Inoue to think? People don't cheat unless they are looking for something their current partner isn't providing. Sorry if that hits too close to home for some, but it's true. It takes 2 to make a relationship...and 2 to break one.

Yup yup. Totally agree. I get really sick of the slut shaming comments. If my lover cheated, I personally wouldn't be ok with it at all, but not all people and relationships are the same. Sexual promiscuity is often a reaction to insecurity and low self esteem. It's too black and white to just call somebody a whore and write them off as a bad person.

Yano wasn't ignoring him. Hi states several times that Inoue isn't answering his phone and is avoiding him.
I'm not saying Inoue is a slut or anything. (He's a cheater people! A slut involves more quantity of men). But Inoue did manipulate to some extent the events to suit him.
He could have answered Yano's calls before cheating in him and found out the true. Even he was thinking whether he wasn't using Yano as a substitute for women before Yano blurted that out. Then he runs away "hurt". Finally realizes his " feelings". And CHEATS! Using as an excuse that Yano isn't serious about him.

The fact that you have placed the words HURT and FEELINGS in quotations gives the impression that you don't believe this character was capable of, or experienced, these emotions or situations. Did you come to this conclusion before or after the character cheats? In other words, is your conclusion based on the fact that the character cheats, or was he incapable of these things before he cheated - in your opinion? You also state that Inoue uses the "excuse" that "Yano isn't serious about him" to justify cheating. Why do you feel that this is an "excuse" and not a reason that is based on the character's (Inoue) own personal feelings?
Your comment seems biased against those who "cheat" on others. I can respect and understand your opinion, though I don't agree with it. My life experience has taught me that, people have reasons for the things they do. Those reasons don't excuse bad behavior, but if those reasons are ignored - to stroke one's own ego or indignation - a solution to the underlying cause of the problem will never be found. Not taking into consideration the feelings of others, even those who have hurt us, is selfishness exemplified. Which makes the "cheated" as equally in the wrong as the "cheater". IMHO
Thank you very much for replying to my comment and providing the "spark" to an interesting debate. My previous questions were sincere and I truly look forward to hearing your answers.

I used quotations because it seemed hypocritical to me that Inoue was feeling hurt for something he himself had thought as well. And the he still acted hurt ignoring Yano after he cheated. And during the cheating part I didn't see any feelings. That's why I put them in quotations. He even thought what am I gonna do now he's better than Yano. He didn't thought oh Yano is going to get hurt because of this. He didn't thought that that was a mistake. He wasn't regretful of his actions. Yeah, he may have his reasons and took some poor decisions. But reasons are more like feeling insecure and stuff. That was Inoue's reason most certainly. But cheating because of something Yano said or do is an excuse and that's what he did. He started to look for excuses.

Like I said, I re-read this after reading your opinions. I wanted to know if I could see things from your point of view. I was pleased to find that, although I still "favored" Inoue, I could see where your opinions stemmed from. He did act without thought to Yano's feelings - they were both guilty of that, though. IMO I do think that Inoue regretted his actions, based on his behavior in the shower with the "salary-man" (still can't remember his name). He could have, however, shown more remorse to Yano. If he had done that, I don't think he would have been as disliked by readers. The first time I read this, it didn't "feel" like Inoue was "looking for excuses". The second time, it did. Perhaps, we read our own ideas; feelings and issues that we have at the time, into the characters in the story. At least, that is what it seemed like I had done.
You said,"cheating because of something Yano said or do is an excuse - But reasons are more like feeling insecure". I think you are correct...to an extent. If the actions of another are the trigger for, or exacerbate, feelings of insecurity, are they still considered an excuse? Or do they become part of the reason? For example:
My boyfriend ignores me, so I cheat. = Excuse
My boyfriend ignores me, making me feel unloved; unwanted and unattractive. To feel loved;wanted and attractive, I cheat. = Reason or Excuse?

Yeah he regretted for 1 panel and then he was "stab it in". In another situation the reason and excuse thing you are saying it's completely understandable and most like ly to happen. But here Inoue had an option. Answer Yano's calls and find out. If they weren't serious then go ahead a nd fuck whoever you want. But if they were then don't. I think Inoue took the easy way out and the one option that suited him best. It didn't seem to me that in that case it was out of his insecurity towards Yano. Besides all the reasons you state for cheating I get them. It's a problem of both of them. But insecurity towards the status of the couple (specially when your SO is trying so hard to contact you) to me doesn't seem like a reason to cheat. Maybe some jealousy to snap him out of it, cheating in this situation is just shooting yourself in the foot. Not only he gets more confused he also gets his parner insecure. But he didn't even stop to give to try and call or something.

Yeah he regretted for 1 panel and then he was "stab it in". In another situation the reason and excuse thing you are saying it's completely understandable and most like ly to happen. But here Inoue had an option. Answer Yano's calls and find out. If they weren't serious then go ahead a nd fuck whoever you want. But if they were then don't. I think Inoue took the easy way out and the one option that suited him best. It didn't seem to me that in that case it was out of his insecurity towards Yano. Besides all the reasons you state for cheating I get them. It's a problem of both of them. But insecurity towards the status of the couple (specially when your SO is trying so hard to contact you) to me doesn't seem like a reason to cheat. Maybe some jealousy to snap him out of it, cheating in this situation is just shooting yourself in the foot. Not only he gets more confused he also gets his parner insecure. But he didn't even stop to give to try and call or something.

Wow, I'm impressed. I think you may have swayed me. You are right, he could have avoided all the heartache and insecurity with a simple phone call. It was easier for him to be a coward and not call, or talk face to face.
You've impressed me. You stated your opinion of Inoue, clearly and convinced me of it. I'm a tough debater, but you swayed my opinion. Good job. (⌒▽⌒)
Now, what about Yano? Do you think he held any responsibility in this situation? For example, could he have turned down the "mixer" party offer immediately? Since he found Inoue frequently for sex, could he not have tried harder to see him face to face? Could he have not said; "If only you were a girl."?

Quite honestly I felt that Yano's character was more secondary of the sorts. We never get what he's really thinking so I get why everyone talks about Inoue.
Having said that. Yeah. I think he could have avoided both with just a little thinking (like everything in this manga apparently). But when he says why aren't cute like a girl it's not that he wants him to be a girl but that he missed some characteristics usually associated to girls. And that,Inou understands it when he says he misses big boobs. Still I think that he should have been more careful but at the same time I get that sometimes people say things they don't mean in the spur of the moment. So in that aspect i'm not so sure.
Now regarding the mixer he was really idiotic. Someone just says something nice and suddenly he forgets he has a partner? That was an idiotic move my friend. No excuses there! Yeah later he refuses it. And I've seen mangas where they don't wanna explain that they have a partner because of all the questions it may arise but you can think of a zillion excuses before doing something like that specially when you already are in a tight spot because of a previous incident with your partner. Make an effort to behave! There won't be any other chance to behave nice with your SO if you blow it!
Maybe in the beginning Inoue didn't mean much to him and he didn't know how to handle the situation? But Inoue had already stated that they were officially lovers (he even does so in the very first page of the manga) so he should have buck up and payed more attention and be more caring. Maybe he thought that with reading that book everything will be fine and dady but there's more to a relationship than just sex.
I'd like to rescue though, of all the idiotic things Yano did, he did not gave up on Inoue even when he saw the salary man waiting for him at school. He got angry but he still tried to get in touch with him. So I have to give him that.

Well said. I totally agree. Very good debate and explanation.
We've managed to debate deep subjects from a manga whose sole purpose was to place the protagonist in different sexual situations. Even though each chapter is wrought with sex and is simply a "deus ex machina" for some characters to fornicate, we were still able to discuss and debate our opinions on relationships and fidelity. Not an easy task, given the manga is pretty shallow. You did an awesome job of making your points well, without getting angry or frustrated. I would love to hear your opinions on other subjects and manga in the future.

Well said. I totally agree. Very good debate and explanation.
We've managed to debate deep subjects from a manga whose sole purpose was to place the protagonist in different sexual situations. Even though each chapter is wrought with sex and is simply a "deus ex machina" for some characters to fornicate, we were still able to discuss and debate our opinions on relationships and fidelity. Not an easy task, given the manga is pretty shallow. You did an awesome job of making your points well, without getting angry or frustrated. I would love to hear your opinions on other subjects and manga in the future.

Thanks! I'd like to hear your opinions too and I liked the challenge you posed! I was really nervous that maybe my words wouldn't come across or maybe I would get misunderstood and think I'm getting angry or something (I get that a lot, i'm not very good at communicating).
This discussion made this manga worth reading! And I like that you weren't biased towards Inoue or anyone but were open to dialogue.

Thanks for all those lovely compliments. I think you did a great job communicating. Don't sell yourself short. Dialogue and debate are important. Too often people make rash comments about their opinion, with nothing to back it up. Not you, you could explain, clearly, why you felt the way you did and gave good examples to back up your opinion. I can't help but appreciate a person who can change my opinion of something! (⌒▽⌒)
Mail me here, if you ever want to chat. I practically live here. LOL

Thanks for all those lovely compliments. I think you did a great job communicating. Don't sell yourself short. Dialogue and debate are important. Too often people make rash comments about their opinion, with nothing to back it up. Not you, you could explain, clearly, why you felt the way you did and gave good examples to back up your opinion. I can't help but appreciate a person who can change my opinion of something! (⌒▽⌒)
Mail me here, if you ever want to chat. I practically live here. LOL

The story is a well written, dark drama and the art is beautiful. However, the ending left me with more questions than answers. *SPOILERS AHEAD*
1. Are Ryou and Natsu together as lovers? 2. Why in goddess' name would they get into politics - it's not like either of them ever aspired to it before? 3. Although I wished the father would die - why did they kill him? He deserved a harsher punishment than death and they had 5 years of evidence to provide said punishment. 4. How would a bastard like the father get into heaven? And why would the "sons" care what face he made once there?
See, so many questions unanswered.

I was thinking same about question no. 4
Why would Natsu think that his father will go to heaven? That's just stupid!
No about no.3 I think they don't want anyone to know abt Ryou rape. Moreover they were just children who was driven by their emotion at the time so guess they decided to finish him off ::))

I know in my adolescence, I wanted to kill my abusive step-father and uncle. So, yeah, I can definitely see your point there.
I remember when my step-father and uncle did finally die (of natural causes btw) I only hoped they were getting their "just desserts" in Hell. Heaven, for them, never crossed my mind! Now, 29 years later, I can't say I've "forgiven" them, but I've moved past what they did to become happy and blessed with a loving family. Maybe the face the mangaka spoke of, was one of repentance or regret. Personally, I think it SHOULD be one of envy. But that is just my opinion.

You're right. Natsu did adore his father. Maybe it was that adoration that fueled his delusions. The hope that the father he adored would avoid Hell. Delusion is defined as: an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument. Therefore, Natsu's hope would have also been a delusion. Hell, the poor kid was delusional any way you slice it. LOL

DOCKED!! LMAO

Outside of sex - nautical term referring to tying a boat up at a wharf or pier; Tech. term used to describe connecting two pieces of hardware.
Example: "My phone was docked in its charger overnight."; "The cruise ship will be docked in the Miami Harbor Marina for two days."
In sex - the act of the penis being fully inserted into the anus (or vagina).
"Docked" is used as a metaphor here due to the penis "slipping" into the anus as a ship would, into a wharf or marina; or the way a spacecraft would slip into a landing bay (if you are into sci-fi). From a tech. standpoint, "connecting two pieces of hardware" speaks for itself. This is considered a "Double Entandre"; when the meaning of a phrase can be interpreted as either its intended meaning or as sexual innuendo.

Specifically, in this manga, "docked" refers to the seme's penis remaining in the uke's anus after they both fell asleep. No easy feat, by the way, if the seme is a "grower" and not a "show-er"! (If you are a "grower" the length of the penis increases dramatically when erect. If you are a "show-er" the length of the penis remains, mostly, the same whether flaccid or erect; the girth will increase when erect.

Outside of sex - nautical term referring to tying a boat up at a wharf or pier; Tech. term used to describe connecting two pieces of hardware.
Example: "My phone was docked in its charger overnight."; "The cruise ship will be docked in the Miami Harbor Marina for two days."
In sex - the act of the penis being fully inserted into the anus (or vagina).
"Docked" is used as a metaphor here due to the penis "slipping" into the anus as a ship would, into a wharf or marina; or the way a spacecraft would slip into a landing bay (if you are into sci-fi). From a tech. standpoint, "connecting two pieces of hardware" speaks for itself. This is considered a "Double Entandre"; when the meaning of a phrase can be interpreted as either its intended meaning or as sexual innuendo.
To see that poor little uke trying to stick that HUGE cock in his itty-bitty little mouth!! Holy Anatomically Disproportionate Batman! And his *ss -- when he farts it must sound like "HAAAA" instead of "PLBTTT"!! ROFLMAO
Ahahah!!
WTF is wrong with you man?
You can't tell just by reading my comment? LMAO And for the record, I'm a chick.
This just made my day! Lmfao