DrunkInSunflowers's Topics (22)

Fck guess who's smiling? The two characters, of course...and me...and you, too (don't kid me)

For a very short story, it has a solid character and relationship development! It didn't have to use a complex plot or a dramatic set-up for the story to progress, and this is where this story shines. I cannot stress how much I appreciate the story being told (mostly) from takumi's perspective. It highlighted the transitioning of his feelings properly, in a way that portrayed how his affection had always been there--only evolving from that of friendship into something more. Another thing I really love was the thought of trying things out to make a feel for it. As takumi tries to accept his newly-discovered sexuality, his straightforwardness after the confusion was a great parallel (and match) to motoki's anxious wanting after stepping up and backing away afterwards. It was incredibly mature, at least imo, how the characters talk out the situation they were in, pointing out how their push and pull was affecting them and it was lovely how in the end they learn to reassure each other. And finally, I appreciate how the prejudice of being gay equates liking any guy was carefully tackled. Motoki's answer: "ive only been looking at you, i dont want you to think it's just because youre a guy", emphasized the genuineness of his feelings, rather than his sexuality. It made the story something to be really fond of.

This instantly put me in a good mood after only getting 2 hours of sleep and I see this more as a queer love story rather than boxing it in a genre of shounen ai. It was a lovely story.

Can't really blame Jaeyi for having resentment. Honestly, the parents should have done better. I could understand the older brother a bit when they were younger; he, too, was struggling. But him growing to be manipulative warrants a therapy. But also, to give the benefit of doubt, hoping that he's more complex of a character and not straight up sh.tty (since this ep was told from jaeyi's pov).

That punch def etched the fight into Suzuki's brain. Well, at least he touched the king a little longer. ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ


Heal your bones, King God General Emperor Majesty.

A wild ride! But I really appreciate the world building. The supernatural element was really integrated into the story and the author also did a good job dropping hints here and there throughout the earlier chapters. The side quests of the main characters were fun, comedic, and just fully enjoyable. It has its lovely and sad moments, but it did its best to stay cohesive to the characters' motivations and relationship development.

I loved Yoo-min's backstory the most. It's tragic and bittersweet and all the more reason you root for his character. The main characters' backstories are also fleshed out and the detailed flashbacks helped in pulling you in the angst, making you wish for their happiness. I actually also appreciate how the story didn't romanticize the things happening in the underworld (iykwim) because let's be real, the thing with yoo-min and yeom-ra was never gonna work out. Im glad that ended the way it did (that was the only logical route for them i think).

Something the story struggled with, however, was not being able to make the most out of the hinted consequences or sub-arcs of the chracters. One I can mention on the spot was the build up for Beom-jin's powers unleashing. I know it could had been because of his and yoon-jae's bond that it didn't go that route, but with the way it was framed prior to the resolution, it felt like the author threw this part of the plot out of the way and hoped no one would notice. This also goes the same for the cat/tiger's character (amidst everything, he didn't feel as important as the earlier chapters made him out to be). Another thing, I was wondering what the point of Yoo-min counting his strikes in the final battle. There were no previous mentions of it prior to the fight, so it feels random, not having any connection between his and yeom-ra's relationship. Some may think otherwise, but Sol-Byo's part of the story felt conveniently added. Based on the myth and what happened with the lady boss, it's unlikely he'd extend help (also how did lady boss know where to find him when she was turned away at the gate). I also cannot piece together the timeline of the three's past. Like, if the flowers were taken right after the two celestial kings' competition, why was yeom-ra already in the underworld being raised by dae-byol? If he got older before the flowers were taken underground, the timeline of the myth doesn't make any sense. Anyways, all of these inconsistencies combined resulted in an anti-climactic resolution.

Thinking back, although the side story was cute, it might have been better to show a bit more of the other characters. I was more curious of Dae-byol and wanted a resolution for Yoo-min's guilt for "taking" the role of Yoon-jae's brother, since it didn't seem like he the latter was the reincarnation of yoon.

In summary, it was a worthwhile read even with some of its plot holes. It promises a rollercoaster of emotions and it will give you just that.

I've been laughing my ass off reading this manga. Don't get me wrong, I got hooked right away. But so many times, with the way they phrase things...with or (especially) without context, it's so fruity; I have to remind myself to turn off the rainbow-colored lenses while reading. I MEAN WHAT DOES AOBA MEAN SAYING HE HOPES HE COULD TOUCH KEI JUST A BIT MORE (´⊙ω⊙`) MY CHILD, TOUCH WHERE

and honestly, suzuki and iwase's bromance is

My tears were about to fall and then it didn't.
The premise was interesting, very much promising at the start. And honestly, I was enjoying the heartbreak, but the development of their relationship in a romantic sense feels so rushed and underdeveloped that the previous heartaches were kinda thrown off aside. For one, Akira's awareness of his feelings was sudden imho. There was really no proper transition from him wanting to belong in a "family" and wanting to be Kaoru's lover. It seemed to me that he was angry and hurt because Kaoru doesn't see him as Akira, someone separate from Mamoru, instead of him being treated as the brother rather than a potential lover. It would have made the the angst more painful if the author was able to portray this transition.

This goes the same for Kaoru. After his "waking up", what do you mean he realized then and there he has feelings for Akira. This made the smut so unnecessary, because it would have been better for them to talked about stuffs first, really be in the moment of processing their griefs. Imagine them walking home silently, holding hands, after Kaoru learned Akira's name. Imagine them lying down beside each other still holding hands after crying so long opening up about their pasts, and then Akira falling asleep while being embraced by Kaoru who kept saying the other's name like some sort of lullaby. This would have made a great turning point in their relationship development instead of the out of place smut.

What's more, Kaoru randomly knowing stuffs about Akira's past during their intimate scene was funny in a way. I was making a confused face because no way in hell did they have a prior talk about it before they were going at it. That's also why him acknowledging Akira's struggles through words wasn't impactful.

I appreciate the portrayal of grief, though, both from the characters. It's conflicting, messy, bitter, and painful, as much as it reflected how much love they weren't able to give/receive. I just really wish it had better relationship development and the resolution of everything wasn't so sudden.

Encapsulating a youthful feeling, the story portrays the comings and goings in life. Contrary to dawn being a symbol of hope, this story focuses on symbolism of dusk--mainly the anxiety of what might change come morning, of what might not exist when you wake the next day. It reflects Hosu's feelings from moving a lot, of meeting new people then leaving soon afterwards. Weirdly enough, the dusk also signifies how the day ends and what to look forward to--coming home to someone. It is also nice to read what the door symbolizes. Upfront it could be having more opportunities, but I would like to relate it to Hosu and Seungwoo "opening" up to each other. Adding to that, it also highlights what's on the other side of the door, similar to how Hosu never thought it's possible to really make friends or how he could meet someone once more (please i was so soft for his relationship with his friends), similar to how Seungwoo went beyond it to run after Hosu.


I appreciate how straightforward and short this story is. You don't get hang up on the mystery of the door because this story's aim is to focus on the characters; I think it did really well going in that direction and more so keeping the ending the way it is. It doesn't tell the readers that the characters' worries aren't real (like the door mystery) but that it's not all there is to it (the characters), and so you learn to hope for dawn in a season of dusk :>


I realized after reading chapter one that I've read this before. Probably twice years ago on different occasions, too, but forgot about it. It doesn't necessarily mean it's forgettable, but I like to think it's an opportunity to be surprised again after so long, much like Hosu and Seungwoo opening a mysterious door in their bedroom!

It's cute! In comparison to the side couple though, I think Byeol and Woon's story was only okay. It may be because I've read stories with quite similar plot line and so their story didn't leave much impression on me save for it being cute. I also think the arc with the mom was not really fleshed out more so the resolution just felt subpar. It doesn't mean it's bad, but it makes it forgettable.

I was mostly waiting for the development of Hyesung and Taeyang's relationship because it has more susbtance. Unlike the kiddos, they're more interesting and their dynamics is fun to see. The bond they've developed is paced in a lovely way, and it makes me happy to see how far they've come. I also appreciate how Hyesung's trauma was portrayed, especially how it reflects the reality of healing. Pairing him with Taeyang, who himself has learned to navigate his own struggles, made my heart melt. Rather than dependent of each other, they learned to lean on one another, hence growing together.

Overall it was an enjoyable read.

It feels like an indie movie, in the way it almost feels like a biography of someone's youth. It feels slow, spacious, but weirdly connected in certain ways I can't fully put into words, like a moment of breath amidst a busy life. Sometimes the yearning echoes loud, sometimes the answer grasped before let go again, but the reminder of what's there, of what could be never leaves you. Maybe I am one to read into things, but Kyouji and Satomi's meals, to me, symbolize a commitment only known to them. It's brought up in one of the chapters, but unlike in the prequel, where they're connected via "karaoke", arranging meetings to have meals even when they didn't have to always feel like an attempt to connect; always a deliberate choice towards each other. Moreover, I think the meals could be read as their satisfaction in their relationship. Sure, you get to sate your hunger after one meal, feel satisfied at the moment. But the thing about hunger is it comes back, over and over, no matter how much you think you're far from being famished. Much like Satomi, there will always be a lingering yearning for more, even if not said loudly, a hunger that will never be sated.

Also I like how the story shows other characters' lives. They mostly surprise readers (and Satomi) when they show a side dissonant of their outward appearances. And in their quiet, weird ways, they are shown to also eat/visit restaurant, ergo shown to yearn connection, be it in career purposes, in familial reconnection, in wanting to be understood, or in finding a place of comfort. It's always in connection that people discover parts of themselves, even in acts as simple as eating with others. And this story pays homage to a culture of collectivism, of coincidences stemming from wanting relations.

It's befitting of the genre slice of life, but also goddang the pining is making want to commit atrocities (ノ｀Д´)ノ彡┻━┻