I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #gratitude(18)

Hero or sponge? Akira spots Oodoi being a hero and, afterward, collapsing from exhaustion. Impressed, he brings him home to nurse him back, and discovers a less fragrant and freshly pressed side to him. In spite of witnessing and, even, being on the receiving end of Oodoi's heroism, Akira remains skeptical. Oodoi isn't exactly forthcoming either. So much drama and comedy that could've easily been avoided with a little communication and less plot.

Stories about dealing with cheating lovers. (1) Shiraishi is forthright about being gay and this causes problems, but his faithless lover causes him even bigger ones. So when co-worker, Kanzaki, offers him sanctuary, he jumps at the chance, even though he feels obliged to hide his attraction for his new roommate. Kanzaki doesn't seem to share these inhibitions. (2) Prequel to Sorenari ni Shinken Nandesu. (3) The first 2 stories are much better.

Alone, betrayed by friends and family, Itaru collapses, drunk, in a heap of trash. Mistaken for a stalker, he accidentally breaks cable TV videographer, Kouki's, camera. Kouki takes him home to sleep it off and get his money, and the story begins of how kindness to strangers may, possibly, lead to love and mutual success. This is my favourite story by Takanaga Hinako. The main characters are all squishy and loveable, even grumpy Kouki, and some moments are very moving and thought-provoking.

Two short stories: the first about a man who has been dumped so many times, he feels like an abandoned cat and is afraid to love again. The second is about a man who was cruelly used by someone he loved. Both stories are very heartwarming, sweet and full of kindness.

Sequel to Takaramono wa Hako no Naka, this doujinshi explores the complications of a painful past on Tokura and Gin's sex life, and how they overcome it. Gin's ongoing consideration for his partner is lovely indeed, but I can't say that I found it hot and I'm not exactly sure what brought the temperature down from boiling to light simmer. I think that there was so much carefulness and tiptoeing around, it interfered a bit with the sheer animalistic, irrational self-surrender of romance. It's crucial for loving relationships in real life, but not so great for escapist fiction as it feels a bit sex-averse.

A mysterious laboratory where stars are made; a scientist whose dead lover haunts him; a child whose encouragement pulls him through despair. Aoi Aki's stories are intense and, as always, so beautifully drawn and depicted. In this one, the birth of stars is linked to the rekindling of love.

Two stories about being on the opposite sides of unrequited love: (1) Two stories about being on the opposite sides of unrequited love: (1) Monji realizes that his two-timing lover, Chiba, will never reciprocate his feelings, but while his heart has been preoccupied, he never noticed the steady and nurturing quality of his long-time friendship with Hagiwara, nor understood what that meant. (2) Takaaki doesn't know what love is until he is loved by someone with so much intensity that, in an O Henry twist, his lover cannot bear the passion and needs to break up. Jaryuu's illustrations and characterizations are simple, clean and precise, and the observations are detailed and interesting. There was one strange passage that made no sense in translation, but the story was otherwise clear.

Ryouichi, abandoned by his male lover, runs from debt collectors to a tea shop where he is permitted to sit and rest. Unbeknownst to him, he has wandered right into the spider's web.