fadelikeclouds

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Japan's favorite vibes are 'this person is basically perfect and flawless and I am flawed beyond measure how could they like me' and they do it so well. Some of my favorite vibes.

There might not a millimeter but there's a whole lot more.

I love them so much. I adore them. But especially this man so convinced of his own flaws and faults that he cannot see the man smiling at him and fulfilling this list with him... he's so precious. And so confused by any show of care

I love him so much. But also the tiniest most adorable apartment in the world filled with plushies awaits them!

The youth of today indeed.

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"I want to kiss you ..."

AMEAGARI NO BOKURA NI TSUITE (2025). EPISODE TWO.

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"I don't think that's true. There are so many things you just can't force yourself to endure."

AMEAGARI NO BOKURA NI TSUITE (2025). EPISODE THREE.

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honestly sad that they didnt keep this part in bc it fucked me up the first time i read it

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"So, little by little, you're drifting further and further away from your mum, aren't you? You don't really care about your mum at all, do you?"

AMEAGARI NO BOKURA NO TSUITE (2025). EPISODE THREE.

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Is that 'aging as a metaphor for queerness' again that I'm sensing? The idea that age (or being gay) makes these ordinary things impossible because of society's expectations? I love it here. Absolutely beautiful.

Oh, that hits hard in all the right ways. H's the same age I am. Being queer, aging, the world changing, what does the world accept and want from you? Perfect.

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My tiny overthinking king. And for nothing because work instantly took over and drove every thought and action of out their heads.

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I love the young men who find these older men and teach them that getting older doesn't mean growing up, it just means more life and more chances to try new things like drinks and crepes and stuffed toys and dating very loving coworkers.

Not a whim, my dude. He is staring at you like you're something precious... because you are, to him.

I love when shows are about learning to love and value yourself, especially doing so when you're awkward and a bit older and queer and you're the only one who doesn't know how worthy of love you are. @absolutebl The Old Fashioned Cupcake energy is REAL here.

Plus, adorable plushies. ADORABLE TINY SYMBOLIC PLUSHIES.

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Trying to go out to lunch with a possibly homophobic coworker only to run into your boyfriend in the ramen shop he picked.

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This poor man and his self-hatred and this very confused former best friend who is not entirely sure why he's witnessing someone he cares about have a breakdown in front of him. @absolutebl I really love this because it's just coming out scene and we don't get this scene from Japan too often!

BUT ALSO THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS. DAMN MY ENTIRE HEART.

Teeny tiny sad gay so determined to be rejected that he won't take any other answer.

These boys have an uphill battle in the rain and I love that for them. They're so precious. They are fighting in the rain for love and trust and a future and he is not giving in because love is not about giving in. They are both so precious and special to me already.

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Some thoughts midway through reading Happy Doomsday by Nian Zhong

(Spoilers ahead)

Two different AIs with two different creators.

Ruan Xian programmed NUL-00 to learn about humans. This makes curiosity the main feature of Tang Yibu, and he accepts everything he sees because it’s more information for him to add to his growing understanding of people.

Whereas Fan Linsong wanted MUL-01 to guide humans on a better path. So it made changes that it deemed appropriate in order to further this goal. This created “doomsday”. There’s an inherent hubris in wanting to make something “better”, because you assume you know better and can make it better. But when the creator is flawed, the creation is flawed as well, and to ignore that can invite disaster.

There’s something so beautiful and chilling about this story. Maybe the way to reverse doomsday and save the world is just to genuinely strive to understand others and yourself. It’s not that we need to frantically fix everything we see that’s “wrong”. We are flawed humans who may not truly understand what is right or wrong for everyone. Understanding must come before action.

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A Way to Protect the Lovable You

(Manhwa - complete)

Alternate title: Saving my Sweetheart (this is actually the title official English translation, but it sounds so corny)

A fantasy historical romance where our main protagonist goes back in time and has a chance to redo part of her life.

Honestly the romance was just so sweet that I would have read and loved this one even if the plot wasn't that good. But I actually enjoyed the plot quite a bit as well.

There's nothing revolutionary about this manhwa. It's the typical good vs. evil plot. It just hit all the right buttons for me. There is slight angst in the beginning, since Leticia (our MC) is cursed to die in 6 months unless she kills her soon-to-be husband, which she won't do because she fell in love with him in her first life. Of course she doesn't tell this to him in this second life. She just tells him that she wants a divorce by 6 months, and he misunderstands that she doesn't want this marriage / doesn't really like him. But the angst and this misunderstanding doesn't ever get in the way of their relationship. It doesn't ever get painfully annoying (like others I've read). It's just the right amount of angst, and honestly just makes me root for this couple more.

But honestly, I think what I loved the most about this story is seeing how people decide to stop self-sacrificing. It seems like the most straightforward option at times in the plot -- to sacrifice oneself. If they sacrifice themselves, many problems seem to resolve themselves. But it breaks the hearts of those that love them. This story depicts how it's not noble to sacrifice oneself. Rather the more courageous option is striving to find a way where everyone ends up safe and happy, including yourself.

And also, there's the theme that love gives people the power to overcome any obstacles and fears, and believing in the power of love is what saves one last character that I loved. It's cheesy, I know. But the hopeless romantic in me squeals in joy.

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The Man Who Can't Taste

(Manhwa - ongoing)

Alternate title: The Insatiable Man (This is the title of the official English translation, I just like the other translation of the title better.)

It's a story about two people who want to be loved, but who are afraid to be abandoned.

Kim Jiho is a closeted gay man who is afraid of how his relationship with his family will change if he comes out to them. He is fairly close with his mother and sisters, and plus, there are no guarantees that a lover will always stay with him, whereas his family will always be his family, which is why he's so adamant of keeping his sexuality a secret.

Lee Inwoo is a divorced man who cannot taste anything. Inwoo comes across as a blunt and insensitive man, but if that's all he was then us readers would dislike him and refuse to keep reading. He's a popular writer, and his current work in progress is a story where he seems to be exploring himself, his wife, and what went wrong with his relationship.

Through a series of events, Jiho ends up as a consultant for Inwoo's newest story. At first only offering insight into descriptions of taste, but then also giving advice on how characters might feel as well.

The way these characters influence each other is really well done imo. The core of who they are doesn't change, but they gain more understanding and courage as they spend more time together. At the same time, I felt it was very realistic how this story depicts the fears the people have before they start dating, and while they are dating. Overall it's been a really satisfying read so far, and I'm looking forward to more chapters.

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This is a theme that I ADORE this story for — people helping others feel more comfortable being themselves.

But that’s not the easiest thing to do. Yeo Joon felt safer keeping people at a distance, being liked superficially for his money, his looks, and “bright”, easygoing personality. But safety is not happiness. Wearing a mask takes a toll on the spirit because what these people are “valuing” him for is not him, but rather what he gives them. And ultimately he just wants to be loved and valued (I mean, don’t we all?).

The crux of the matter is, though, that he doesn’t feel that being himself is good enough to be loved, which is a product of his experiences with his very dysfunctional family. Hence, the mask.

And it’s not until he meets a blunt (or rather, rude) sunbae who cuts through the bullshit and speaks his mind on what he sees (“campus wallet” comment for starters), and another sunbae who he relates a little too much to (being a doormat for others while desiring love from people that can’t love them back), that Yeo Joon starts to change — that he rekindles his hope for genuine connection with others.

It’s a really satisfying journey that these three go on. You can really see how positively people can influence each other, how they can inspire courage and provide support, making previously impossible things a possibility.

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HE RANG THE DOORBELL!!

To his own house!!!

Just so he could be greeted by his sunbae. Because he doesn’t have to endure everything silently alone.

God I love these guys’ relationship.

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this show was insane actually

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“I accepted help from my friend.” 💚