#700: Really like this one. It's a coming out story that's very sweet-- consent is a big thing, which I like (and now that I've read some bara I can totally tell it was written by a woman. Hah.). Didn't like the art at first but it grew on me.
The centerpiece of this story is the inner struggles of a 15 year old coming to terms with the fact that he is gay and in love with his best friend. Exquisitely written and paced, it takes its time to explore the complex nature of childhood friendship and burgeoning sexual and romantic feelings. While this does connect with the author's earlier work, Emotion Circuit, it definitely makes sense on its own. I do recommend reading Emotion Circuit first - not because you need to in order to follow the plot, but because its themes and atmosphere are definitely its spiritual successor and complement (although I thought this one was slightly better than Emotion Circuit). As with Emotion Circuit, recommended if you're in the mood for something a bit more serious that explores complex relationships and dwells on the emotional growing pains of a struggling gay teen.
No rape/dubcon, although the character does wind up having a sexual relationship with an older man while he is underage.
oh my goodness, such a mature theme. i like that it's been explored under the guise of young love. I'm glad it turned out this way. now on to the sequel!