dreameragain's manga / #heart warming(133)

Sometimes an unexpected convergence of events can add new meaning to a dull life, especially when it results in new interests or a relationship.

It could have been a disturbing story due to the ages of the characters, but it develops so respectfully and openly that I had to love it. I especially love the moment of honesty with the family and the loving support between her father and his adopted sibling.

The first time I read this story I cried for hours, then cried again while describing it to a friend. After so much emotional turmoil, I avoided it for a year before reading it again to see whether I would still react the same way. I became a soggy mess once again. Now I've got it on my re-read list for those times when I need to cry and can't. I wonder if I'll ever be able to read it without tears ...

[Page 9 - I love how the romance develops within the friendship in this story. The miscommunication between them is natural, and not overdone. 3*] [Page 45 - The younger of two childhood friends refuses to hide his feelings, and the elder is relieved to go with the flow. Cute and simple. 2*] [Page 64 - Night and day students become friends due to candy left behind in the desk. Romance ensues. 3*] [Page 98 - Bromance develops into romance just as these friends are inevitably parted. Sweet. 3*] [Page 116 - Four leaf clovers and kindness form a connection between a chronically ill student and his energetic classmate. Love it. 3*] [Page 154- I love the family in this story. They're so welcoming to a stranger, yet hands-off his decisions. It's lovely. I also enjoy how gradually the relationship develops, too, and the ways they interact with each other. (Add in a gorgeous musician, and I'm guaranteed to read this again and again.) 4*] I always enjoy the art, pacing, and emotional flow of this artist's stories, even the most basic plots.

The mirrored/inverted relationships between the siblings in this story amuse me. It's very convenient, but also sweet. Having lived with my head in the clouds my whole life, I'm partial to stories where absent-minded mistakes are considered an appealing aspect of the main character. I also love stories where the characters take care of each other, whether friends or lovers. All in all, worth re-reading both for the amusing moments and characters.

I absolutely love the friendship between the fathers and how the author showed their different thoughts. It really shows how they must learn to communicate and be honest to get closer to each other. And, let's face it, those guys are both wonderful fathers. The boys are adorable! The whole story frames what it means to be "family" in a beautiful way.

This made me happy on many levels, in part because I have a friend who could easily live as someone's pet like this, with similar compassion and motivation. They compliment each other beautifully as friends, even before she starts thinking of him as more than a companion. I love the character growth through the story, and the realizations about how what we think we want doesn't always give us what we actually want deep down. When she finally realizes he is an independent adult and how much she values him, I want to cheer.

So beautiful, both in art and in story. The relationship between the two and the development of their friendship over shared interests leaves me deeply happy and satisfied. I love how they interact with their community, too. A rare 5* from me.

Multiple stars because I fix my paint-smeared clothes the same way he does!... Oh, and the relationships are beautiful and clearly communicated throughout. I especially enjoy the fact that they value their friendships enough not to sabotage each other over envy. Also, the way they communicate in the end is very creative. I love this!

Another almost-creepy story premise that plays out beautifully and respectfully over time. Bonus: Also full of amusing characters aside from the primary couple.