Aiko's manga / #BL(103)

2.0, the art has potential but this plot is majorly r@pe. It’s deceiving since their first time is led by the uke but it’s still dubiously consenting for the seme but it gives you the illusion that all was well, except for the fact that the transpiring coitus are all questionable. One could point out the obvious which is that the seme is manipulative and the uke is naively blinded by “love” and the type to be swept away or make excuses with rose tinted shades, major downside to their dynamic. And in the end it’s undeniable that the Seme did not make an effort to reveal the truth and communicate his since gender nor his true intentions in a reliable mature way, thus making for a sloppy ending where he’s accepted despite not facing consequences for his actions (all b/c the Uke is so accepting after being gr@ped for some reason). Disappointing honestly.

4.8, honestly I could give this full marks because there was minimal dubious consent and NO grapes, but… middle chapters felt a bit repetitive to me. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s necessary to properly watch the development of each characters and their processing. I just found myself wondering how many more chapters there’d be before actual outward development would occur which indicates I felt there was some drag. In that sense, I wish there were more chapters that covered the aftermath of their union as thoroughly as the pre-union. In addition, I tend to be more resistant to Semes that tease and taunt their Uke, it makes their soft loving union feel undeserving for them but in this sense they showed a genuine side of the Seme that made this more bearable. Although this inspired me to make a plot/storyline version of this wherein the Uke (class president) truly rejects the Seme, but wants to remain genuine friends into adulthood, wherein the Seme continues to have feelings for him until he meets someone else and follows the Seme from there. (A familiar plot line to vets of the genre but from the Seme POV which is a bit unique). I could reread.

4.9, I liked that for the most part there was consent (except the kisses which mostly were non consensual) but ngl the dialogue or series of events were hard to grasp. The Seme always seems to be unable to express his words which (to be fair) is true to his character (based on the older brother), but I was hoping for a bit more at the very least for the confession scene. But an attempt was indeed made. Overall though it’s cute that he always simply wanted to protect the Uke. I have some annoyance with the Uke for simply saying sorry repetitively and for never explaining what explicitly his predisposition does until he’s consoled by the older brother, could’ve been explained previously rather than being simply mentioned repeatedly. The side couple was an interesting back story. I could reread.

4.5, I’m conflicted. Technically speaking, all kisses were consensual, all coitus was consensual. Additionally, the art is beautiful and very clean. I just feel some sorta way about the recovery, I feel like there could be more robust dialogue between the two where they have a heart to heart before confessing. That discussion felt a bit like unfired clay. It’s not terrible, I just think it’s missing something I can put my finger on, and ofc something that involves the stalker trait of the Seme being addressed as NOT okay rather than overlooked. I will say I could reread this though because he’s more of a stalker like friendly observer, he never mentioned hurting the Uke which is better than most BL Semes overall.

4.1, this is one of those unique plots where it’d be pretty unfair to rate based on plot depth but I rate it on a lower end because it feels that the Semes characteristics were indecisive. He’s off-the-bat portrayed as foolish, someone who gets himself into situations that cause trouble to himself unknowingly, yet at times with his Uke, he seems aware and able to be witty. I wish there were more consistency. And I think there was minimal dubious consent. It’s really cute that the son is so aware and sweet though, the art is pretty as well. But the end feels rushed, it would feel more full rounded if there were chapters that covered their overcoming of acceptance with the Semes mother and colleague/friend. May not read again though.

5.0, there’s room for improvement I.e. it would have been great to see the “seme-thinks/says-uke-is-ugly” get addressed by the Uke wherein the Seme somehow manages to apologize and express himself properly where he can clearly explain he no longer thinks that way and has changed. It was a bit glossed over and put under the umbrella development of the Seme no longer being the person he was before altogether (aka a player). And although the events aren’t my favorite, since their first time is under pressure of the Seme catching the Uke in the act, the storyline did cover that the Uke did consent/want it to happen even using internal monologue so it gets full ratings not only for consent but there was also as a bonus no miscommunication that extends into angst (exhibited in side story 3). And the art is nice, I think having a Uke that isn’t your typical pretty-coquette-pinky-bows type of design is a nice original spin. I could reread again.

5.9, I really like this one and have reread it multiple times. It’s a great era plot and engaging for its integration of Yokai and Oni which you don’t see often. The art is also really stunning and I enjoy the plotline, my only issue is that the misunderstanding between the two regarding the Semes relationship with the Nun (AKA it being a more parental relationship than romantic) was a little annoying as it was just continuously dismissed. Other than that I’d say everything’s very well written, all consent and agreement, very well.

2.0, as to why over 60% of readers who’ve rated have rated it at 5 is beyond me, 2 chapters in and the Seme is already unbearable. I have a tendency to be irritated at Ukes that are complete rugs, no fight back, nothing, but I’ll give some credit on the fact that he does try to voice his opinions and resist. With that said, the Seme is even more discerning because of this, he chooses to push himself onto the Uke like most red flag tops of this genre and continues to disregard the Ukes wishes yet I’m supposed to think it’s cute that the Uke begins developing feelings for the Seme because he’s using a technique of making the Uke think about him constantly? That’s not cute. The art has so much promise but this plot is not it. Not rereading.

0.8, there’s not even a plot and if there were to be a said plot it’s probably the dumbest plot ever. Dubious consent/r@pe written all over it because you cannot possibly definitively say that consent was granted ahead of time. And the Seme had feelings for the Uke for years, so his senseless “innocent” teary-eyed excuses listed to influence the Uke into allowing sexual favors to be done in his benefit are manipulative. Further, he turns around and plays victim at the end. What adult behaves this childlike/puppy like AND blames the Uke for not picking up on clues when nothing was explicit discussed (never explicitly confessed). If you’re just into kinks and smut scenes, this is for you, but the non consensual relationship they form is just unappealing. Won’t read again.

4.99, this is a really cute trope actually. Best friends to lovers but it’s from an age where they’re both trying to do some discovery separately then come together. It’s really so cute that it covers that individual growth, united growth, into adulthood, where they’re more confident and established in their relationship. My only irk is just that the Seme seems so obtuse about feelings of affection in their initial confession days yet the next chapter when the Uke assumes his feelings as obtuse (as it has been so far), the Seme gets all uppity. Now again I get it, it’s part of the development, but I wish they had some time where he outright displaying more feelings for the Uke (aka He feel first but Heee fell harder type of dynamic). But I could def reread.