Synopsis:
Izuhara Sou, the leader of the crime prevention group “VOICE” that protects east Karasugaoka, realizes he’s in love with the man he keeps butting heads with and leader of the rival group “Karasukai," Shinba Tetsuji.
Tags:
Manga, Yaoi, BL, Comedy, Romance, Rivals to Lovers, Crime, Fluff, Inexplicit Sexual Scene(s)
Review:
This is an adorable story. The characters have actual personalities! Izuhara (MC) is a shy sweetheart and Shinba (ML) is an aloof but kind guy. Both MC and ML care about their community, and it's refreshing to see characters that actually exist and interact with their surroundings in a short manga. The pacing in this story is very good, too. And there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to offset the fluffy romance. Overall a quick and sweet read!
Trigger Warnings:
Mild criminal violence throughout. Brief threats of sexual violence in Volume 2, Chapter 6.
Izuhara's feelings for Shinba started when Shinba defended Izuhara from bullies four years before the beginning of the story. Throughout Volume 1, Izuhara really struggles with his feelings for Shinba, and is openly hostile toward him. In reality, Izuhara is a sweetie--albeit a little naive:
As their relationship progresses, there are a lot of hilarious moments that I won't spoil. When the two go on their first date, Shinba has a hard time being romantic with Izuhara because he's doesn't have experience with "good memories" from dates. He apologizes for his nerves:
Of course, no crime story would be complete without a kidnapping arc. Izuhara is kidnapped along with Shinba's little sister, Tamami, while trying to save her from some thugs. While in captivity, Izuhara agrees to perform sexual acts for the thugs so Tamami isn't forced to do so, but thankfully, Shinba shows up to save them both.
Izuhara and Shinba's relationship is endearing. They're affectionate, and Shinba is patient with Izuhara as he becomes more comfortable with physical intimacy while their relationship progresses.
A short, sweet read guaranteed to make you giggle and blush!
A witch puts a spell on a girl, a sleeping spell that promises the girl shall wake through true love’s kiss. Men come and kiss her. She slumbers. Women come and press their lips to hers, but still she sleeps. Many years past, and the girl remains still. One bright morning, a lost little boy finds her resting spot and clears the dust and grime from her face. He offers her a kiss on her forehead, and her eyes flutter open. She never feels romantic love for a man nor a woman, and she cares for the boy until the day she dies.
A young woman is imprisoned in a castle by a monstrously formed prince. The servants of the castle hope for them to fall in love, and when the spell is broken they assume their prayers have been answered. They are all surprised, but nonetheless pleased, when it is revealed to them that the young woman and prince are the truest of friends, and nothing more.
They say the kingdom is ruled by an evil queen, a woman who is incapable of loving. She is unmarried, she has no consorts, and she wishes for no partner. She is the wretched queen, the heartless queen. She must hate her daughter, for her daughter is beautiful, and women are incapable of liking another woman who’s prettier than themselves. It must be for this reason that the princess was sent away, not for how she was attacked by a man in the woods. They say the kingdom is ruled by an evil queen because she cannot love. The queen loves her daughter, and that is enough for them both.
There lives a prince who is forced to choose a bride at the ball. He meets many beautiful women, but find none which he loves. He spies one in a gorgeous gown and wonder in her eyes, and he dances with her all night long. The kingdom is sure he has found his bride. When the clock strikes midnight he tells her how he will never love a woman, or a man, in the way he is expected to. The beautiful woman smiles and tells him she expects nothing from him. The next morning the prince and the beautiful woman are missing, having run off together to see the world. They leave their shoes behind in their haste.
Many kinds of love exist. It doesn’t all have to be romantic.
