KirbyKiki's manga / #student x student(1)

️SPOILERS ️ My review: Plot (4) ★★★★✰ The plot is very simple. Hoon, a kid who once wanted to become a basketball star, ends up injuring his ankle and his dreams end up being crushed. He starts seeing a timer in the sky and ends up on the conclusion that it shows the time he has left before he dies. After arriving at school and forgetting his nametag, he climbs over the school wall in fear of getting punished. As soon as he climbs over, he accidentally falls on a student who was sitting under it, Haedam. Haedam is seen being very sensitive to touch and after the two boys end up almost quarreling with each other they get caught and end up being put on cleaning duty together. Some may say that Haedam is too dramatic but later in the story we can figure out that it's a trauma response to him being bullied in the past for being gay. The story also has some common tropes like being trapped in a shed but from what I've read, it's well executed. Before they get trapped, we can see Hoon breaking his phone from being startled on the way to school hence explaining its inability to make a call when they are trapped. While Haedam always carries a bag throughout the story, and we can see him always putting it down when they are cleaning which is why he didn't have it on him when they were trapped. The inability to escape is well thought out compared to some other stories that used the same trope. The introduction of Haedams’ best friend from primary school was in my opinion a good thing. He allowed our main character to accept his sexuality, make conflict for us not to get bored, introduce us to Haedams’ backstory as well as being a part of the soon to be explored second couple. A lot of people said that he was annoying, but I think he was essential to the story. I also couldn't help but notice that the relationship between Hoon and the street cat directly reflects the one he has with Haedam. At first the cat scratches him and fears his touch, then it doesn't mind his company but still minds his touch and finally it fully warms up to him! I really liked this. Overall, a simple but well executed plot. Art (5) ★★★★★ A perfect example of good art not needing to be complex. The art style is simple yet so pleasant to look at. The shadows are minimal while the lighting succeeds at giving every scene the exact mood it was going for. Many panels also have wonderful composition, and they flow very smoothly. I also loved the author making the background between the panels colorful in some parts, so easy on the eyes and makes the reader even more immersed. I think it was ideal for this story. Characters (4) ★★★★✰ Hoon: Throughout the story we can see him learning to accept his sexuality as well as reignite his passion for basketball. He starts of as a troublemaker who in response to thinking that he has limited time left ends up giving up on everything, not trying to build new relationships or do good on things he’s assigned to. After Hoon learns to live his life again, he starts forming new relationships and even ends up going into physical education after graduation. His development is shown very well, and we can see the real him showing throughout the story, a caring person. Haeon: At the start of the story, we can see him being repulsed by touch which later can be explained as a trauma response to the bullying he had to experience in school for being gay. He can also see the timer but the way he deals with the same conclusion of not having much time left, is the complete opposite to Hoon. He decides to give it his all and do his best on everything that’s assigned to him. He even builds a relationship built on trust with the stray cat. He teaches Hoon to do the same by spending time with him. Hoon also helps him come over his trauma. Namu: He mostly served as a plot progresser. We learn about Haedams’ backstory through him, and he helps Hoon accept his sexuality. Throughout the 23 chapters not many things are made known about him. We know that he has had a crush on Haedam for a long time and that he wants to be by his side during the happiest and hardest times even if it means that they can’t be more than friends. In the last chapter he also starts seeing the timer in the sky after a guy bumps into him, indicating that these two will possibly end being a second couple that will get explored later on. Enjoyment (5) ★★★★★ I genuinely enjoyed this short yet sweet story. It’s simple but well made. I’m very critical with stories and I had low expectations going into this one, but it surprised me! I 100% recommend it to people who don’t mind common tropes and who have a sweet tooth for such stories. Overall (4,5) ★★★★✫