I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #betrayal(7)

Abandoned and betrayed by his lover, Shinshu must also fulfil his contractual obligations whilst healing from a broken arm. Fushimi is assigned to assist and help him cope, but because of the recent betrayal, Shinshu feels too pitiful and vulnerable. His pride won't allow him to accept Fushimi's kindness, especially when it seems that Fushimi has other motives. It is more than Shinshu's broken arm which gets stitched together in this lovely romance about healing, forgiveness and moving on.

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.

When I first read this story (way back), it was one of my favourites, and, although other, better manga have come along, I still enjoy it. There's something very soothing about the relationship between the graceful Shirakawa and his warmhearted loveable "dog" of a kouhai, Yamato. The lovely way they are led to embrace each other through the tragic (and understated) backstory of Kisshoubou has any easy realism that smooths over what would be quite an awkward transition — a specialty of mangaka, Hiiro Reiichi. The subplot involving the stolen intellectual property from Shirakawa's company moves the story back into a vaudevillian zaniness and takes away from the pleasant pace, while not really serving the story except to maybe appease the mystery over what happened, but that is my only nit. Read this. It's a classic.

These two stories gave me pause. They are interesting, but tough, and more realistic, than romantic, with bittersweet resolutions. (1) Chizumi's postpones dealing with his unresolved feelings for a dead friend by raising the friend's son, Ibuki, and having grief-relief sex with his other friend, Yatabe. When Ibuki confesses, Chizumi indulges his infatuation far too much for my personal comfort, but he does realize his mistake and takes action to correct it. Unfortunately, it throws his entire motive for rearing Ibuki into the realm of exploitation, rather than a sincere concern for his well-being, and he wounds Ibuki with, both, the inevitable rejection and the wildly disparate balance of power (Ibuki being completely dependent and vulnerable in their situation.) Realistically, people do betray ones who love them this way, without atoning or making amends, but it leaves a bitter aftertaste. Not quite as bitter as (2) the relationship between Kazuhi and Ichiyama, where atonement is expressed through violence. Yamakami Ryou's stories have an unsettling sense of personal contradiction, with pain and betrayal at the heart, but they are insightful and highly readable dramas, well worth the time and effort.

Two boys, dumped by the same girl, end up drinking together and sharing a bed. The bitter one tests the other for emotional intimacy without realizing that they had made a true connection during that short time. Realistic and keenly observed slice-of-life oneshot by Yamagata Satomi.

A finicky eater attracts the attention of the kinky homosexual chef of a fine bistro who combines tabletop sex with feedings in order to stimulate the young man's gourmand tastes, never realizing that a history of betrayal and deception factors into the young man's food aversions. An interesting take on the relationship between appetite and desire, the emotional impact of treachery and betrayal on the gut, the way misery wipes out self-worth and personal boundaries and creates the willingness to be used, and the healing effects of love, even kinky love. Zaria's art is, as always, gorgeous, and this is a surprisingly sweet story, even without the stickier ingredients.

An IT company uses a complicated system of psychological tests, including dating, drinking and sex games, to screen employee applicants. Two somewhat innocent young men, whose applications were seemingly dismissed and who now work in the company canteen, are selected for one of these dating game tours. Will they make it through the experience with their hearts intact? Nishimura Shouko's stories are edgy and filled with orgiastic venality, but she always manages to scrape them back into sweetness and light through time-tested standards like courage, honesty and integrity.