#yuzu and makoto my little guys

[wizardyuri]

Rereading chapter 27 of skip and loafer just to feel something, I love yuri

[tsukiusagi180]

mikey x reader

Pov (Y/n)

Mikey: I don't know what to tell you...

(Y/n): mikey I'm so sorry...

Mikey: your excuses can't fix anything

(Y/n): I really love you-

Mikey: You've lied enough, please leave.

I looked at him before lowering my head and leaving. It was all my fault, those days I should have refused...

Two months

I was at high school with my friends and we were talking.

Yuzu: So Alice is dating Atsushi?

Alice: yes since I told you so! And you then Yuzu with Makoto?

Yuzu: I don't know if he loves me

(Y/n): What did you ask him?

Yuzu: Easy to say, you can seduce any guy!

Alice: It’s true!

(Y/n): No, not everyone, I'm sure for example that I won't be able to go out with a gang leader

Alice: like Mikey?

Yuzu: We bet, if you manage to go out with the great Manjiro sano I'll give you 7880 yen (50 euros), otherwise you owe me 7880 yen

(Y/n): deal, how much time do I have?

Alice: 1 month no more

(Y/n): I will get there in 1 week

At the end of class I observed where Mikey's locker was, once spotted I went to put a letter. He probably won't read it until the next day but that doesn't matter, I just have to seduce him to win. The next morning I saw him, he was there reading the letter.

Dear Manjiro Sano, Your hair is as blond as wheat, Your scent reminds me of coconut, Your dark look hides so much sadness, I want to change your look from sadness to joy. -Y/nMy

letter was simple but effective, with that he would surely be interested in me. But he just looked at me before throwing the letter in the trash! No, but what nerve then, I don’t believe it! It doesn't matter, come on (Y/n) breathe, you'll get there. I know ! In class he sleeps when I take the lesson for him, he won't be able to ignore me!!

I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't heard the school bell ring, I rushed to class to try to get a seat next to the window, finally I got it but the room where I was the windows were too high (inspired by a real event...) Looking behind me I saw Mikey, he was sleeping well, it's going to be my turn to play!! At the end of the lesson when the bell rang (logical)

I handed him the sheet, he looked at me before tearing it up, then throughout the week and the following week I tried to talk to him offer gifts, seduce him but in vain...

Then one day, when I wrote down his lessons for him, he took the sheet without saying thank you, maybe I should have kept quiet but I slipped in a little “Thank you, is that for your mother?” And yet in a whisper he said “thank you��. It was the beginning, the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and the beginning of my bet. Then over time we got closer, and then I really started to develop feelings for him...

Our dates were like a fairy tale, every kiss was fireworks, every hug was filled with butterflies, every moment spent together was just magical.

Until this day :

Yuzu: did you succeed (Y/n)?

(Y/n): yes I succeeded it's good, I'm going out with him.... but yuzu I think I'm starting to like him

Yuzu: don't say anything stupid, the great (Y/n) in love?

(Y/n): it's true, you're right... where's my money?...

Mikey: So for you I was just money?...

No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no, no, no, no,No, no, no no no no no

wasn't supposed to happen like that!!! I fucking love him

Yuzu: I'll let you... uh hold your money

Mikey: yes that's it, leave

(Y/n): mi- Mikey: the saddest thing is that I would have done everything for you, but would you have done everything for me?

(Y/n): Yes obviously I love you!!

Mikey: I don't know what to tell you...

(Y/n): mikey I'm so sorry...

Mikey: your excuses can't fix anything

(Y/n): I really love you-

Mikey: you've lied enough, please leave

After that I left, then everything was back to the way it was before... No more looks, no more signs of affection, no more signs of attention, as if I didn't exist. I know I screwed up but I didn't expect this huge consequence and especially the impact it would have on my life, it took up a big place and now that place is empty. There is not a day when I do not regret my behavior, and this has been the case for 8 years now.

Actions follow us all our lives

[marblesphere]

Summer Time (Gojo Satoru x Reader)

!!Warning!! Couple flirting with each other, established relationships, flirty gojo, a little spicy in the end

“It's the sea!!!!” Yoru yelled excitedly as we arrived at our destination, a 2 hours bus ride from Tokyo. “The smell of the sea is amazing!!!” She took a deep and large breath.

So, Yoru invited Yae, Tori and me when her friends in the same department were saying wanted to go to the beach to pick up some hotties. Yae and I are going to be the baits. We were told about this right after we arrived at the beach. They even went as far as preparing our swimsuits and everything we might need during our time on the beach. Truly terrifying.

So, now the seven of us, which is the usual four plus three of Tori’s friends, named Kaitani Makoto, Sato Yuzu, and Niwa Sera, are now in the restroom, changing into swimsuits.

“What do you think when choosing this?” I gave Yoru noogies. The swimsuit they had chosen for me is a one-piece swimsuit that is somewhat normal looking from the front. It does cover up for most of the part, but the back is absolutely bare, it doesn't even completely cover the rear, it’s all strings. There's no way I will wear this outside.

“Eh? But this suit you well.” Yoru pouted.

“Indeed. Enough sexiness and coolness.” Yae snapped some pictures. “Show some boldness.”

“Delete that.” I deadpanned at Yae. “And if you want to show some boldness, you try this.” I glared.

“My swimsuit is just fine as it is. And Suguru-san will get angry if I wear too daring of a swimsuit.” She replied easily. Yae is wearing a two pieces white bandeau bikini with skirted bottom in the same colour.

“I am going home.” I re-entered the restroom.

“No no no. There is a spare swimsuit. I will get it for you.” Yoru quickly said.

“It's better a normal one or I am leaving.”

“Roger!” Yoru saluted and then quickly searched for the said swimsuit. In the end, she came with a normal two pieces bikini in black colour. The top is tied in a thick knot on the front, while the bottom is also tied in a thick knot only on the left side. Again, Yae is taking pictures the moment I came out.

“Yae, stop taking the pic.” I groaned.

“How is this?” Yoru smiled.

“At least better than what I wore just now.” I sighed. After the whole thing had been sorted, we went back to our claimed spot. A nice big parasol and beach carpet have been laid up.

“Sea!!!! Here I come!!!” Yoru literally ran to the sea, giggling when the sea wave came crashing into her.

“Sorry.” Tori apologized.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Because we sort of forcing you to come with us?” She smiled sheepishly.

“If I really don’t want to, I won’t come no matter how Yoru begged.” My lips curled into a smile. “Besides, it’s not that bad.” I lay on the beach carpet. “Aside from the fact that I can see the double amount of the people here.”

“So, there are ghosts here too.” Tori sweatdropped. “How many?”

“As many as the living people here,” I answered.

“So, ghosts like sea too?”

“They are selling the appeal of how much fun it is drowning in the sea. And there are also some people that came with dead ex-lovers, trying to scare their new dates or sabotaging their plan to pick one up.”

“The ghosts are hard workers too.” She sweatdropped.

“[Name], come here!!!” Yoru ran to us. “Tori, you too! Mako and Yuzu said they found some hot guys over there. Now it's your and Yae's turn.” She exclaimed excitedly.

“Our turn to do what?” I sweatdropped at her excitement.

“Of course luring hotties.”

“...You asked the wrong person. I don't know how to lure hottie.”

“But you lured Gojo-san.” She stated as if that was a fact. Well, it was a fact but…

“I didn't lure him. You ask Yae, she lured Geto-san.” I passed the hard ball to Yae.

“What are you talking about me luring Suguru-san?” Yae blinked as she came back with drinks.

“They found hotties and wanted us to lure them.” I summed it up.

“Oh? Different people work with different methods. As for Suguru-san, I have to literally plop myself comfily to his lap to gain his attention.” Yae nonchalantly said all of this as she passed me a drink.

“What kind of play you two are playing?” I sighed.

“Why are you guys taking so long?” New friends trio came to get us.

“Hisaki-san and Kurogane-san just need to stand and they will definitely notice you. And leave the rest to us.” Yuzu encouraged. So here we are trying to get into the crowd, all for the sake of catching hotties. ~”~

“...” I wore a deadpan look. “So, you were saying those trash caught your attention?” I raised my brow.

“Of course, they are hotties after all. Look at those muscles and faces. Even though they were covered by sunglasses, I bet they are really handsome.” Yuzu whispered.

'Yeah, they are handsome alright. Even though they are trash.'

“Let Yae show you how to lure this hottie then.” I gestured to Yae who has been eyeing the Dumb from the duo of Dumb and the Dumber. Dumb and Dumber are laying on their back on expensive-looking reclining chairs. Two parasols are situated to block sunlight and in the middle of the chairs is a small round table with exquisite drinks and some books, probably for Dumb to read, because Dumber will get bored within one page.

“He's looking at you!!!!” Niwa whisper-yelled frantically to me. “Oh my gosh, he is gorgeous!!!”

I glance at the Dumber. Dumber, who's wearing black swim trunks and a black high-neck jumper which was not zipped at all, is pulling his sunglasses down to the bridge of his nose, revealing his vibrant weirdly sparkling cerulean eyes. A smirk is also hanging on his lips, he is just shamelessly checking me out. I can feel his stare is burning a hole.

Yae smiles brilliantly and walks to Dumb who is reading a book, but secretly watching Yae anyway. So, Yae took her own advice and made herself comfy in his lap. This makes all the audience's jaws drop at her boldness. Yae literally chucks the book away and settles down on his lap, hands wrapping themselves around his neck, bringing her mouth to his ear. “Hottie, are you free now?”

“...” I looked at them speechless at their charade.

“What will a cutie like you offer to me so I can free up my schedule.” He flirted back.

“Ku-Kurogane-san, how bold!” Sera gasped, her, no all of their eyes widened in disbelief.

“Eh? But I heard Kurogane-san has a boyfriend!!! Is she cheating?!” Makoto blinked rapidly.

“Ah, that…” I exhaled a tired sigh. “It’s fine. Yae’s boyfriend will be super happy-“ Yuzu, Makoto and Sera suddenly gasped and blushed as I feel a shadow towering over me.

“Cutie, give me your number.” He grinned.

“...I have a boyfriend.”

“But you came here without your boyfriend. He must be suck.”

“Yeah, he is.” I agreed.

“Why don't you come with me then, I promise I will treat you better.”

“How exactly?”

“Well, for starters, I won't let you feel alone right now. I will worship the ground you walked on.”

“Very tempting, but there's no food. So, hard pass.”

“Food?” He cocked his brow up. “Of course there will be food. Whatever you want, I will have it up in a minute.”

“I need to ask permission from my boyfriend first.”

“Come on, sweet. Your boyfriend won't know about our secret rendezvous. This will be our secret.” I pulled out my phone from my small purse. (Remember not to leave your valuables in public spaces)

As my phone is connected, Dumber's phone rings. “Your girlfriend might be searching for you.” I pointed out.

“How do you know I have a girlfriend, sweetness? You must be a physics and I love mysteries.” He grinned and ran to pick up his phone. “Hello, love.”

“Where are you right now?”

“Me? I am on a beach.”

“What are you doing there?”

“Just relaxing with Suguru.”

“Oh? The thing is, there is an annoying person hitting on me. What should I do?”

“That's easy, love. Just agree to go with him.”

“You are not going to be jealous?”

“Why should I be jealous, hm? I trust you and him.”

“Well, I might not come home tonight.”

“What a coincidence, I am also not planning to go home tonight.”

“Okay, see you later.”

“Yep, see you later, love.” We hung up at the same time.

“…Their conversation oddly matched, didn’t it?” Yuzu commented.

“…un…un…” The other two nodded their heads.

“More importantly, your boyfriend agreed?!” Makoto’s jaw dropped.

“Yes. He trusts me, he said.” I replied.

“Wow… just wow…” They are speechless now. “Are you two having an open relationship?”

“No. I am only one partner type.” I replied. This got them even more confused.

“Then, be a good girl and step aside for this sister. Unlike you, I am all for it for a fling.” A woman wearing a skimpy swimsuit that barely covers important parts walked past me to Dumber. Dumb and his girlfriend are watching intently for the show now.

'Everyone is really…' I sighed softly.

“What do you think, boy? Rather than picking up a virgin inexperienced girl. You'd rather pick this experienced big sister. Big sister will teach you everything.” The skimpy, sexy dynamite body Obaa-san tried to put her hand on his shoulder. Keyword, tried.

“Does that mean it's 100% guaranteed that he will be infected with some disease after he is done with you then? How scary.” I gasped. “Young man, it's not like I am against your option. But your healthiness and safety always come first.” I shook my head pityingly as if an elder speaking with a child.

“Pfft!” Yae and Dumb are clearly enjoying this, but they tried their hardest to conceal their laughter.

“Don't be jealous of me, little girl. It's just that I am that hard to resist.” She sneered.

“Oh? Well yeah, you are not young anymore, that's why you need to resort to your nakedness. But unlike you, I am still young, my skin is still tight, so I don't need to do anything except stand and someone will hit on me.” I shrugged. I can see Dumber is beaming giddily and didn't pay attention to this Obaa-san.

“You!” She raised her hand.

“What? Are you using violence now? So scary, I guess I need to call on my boyfriend as a backup. You see, I am just a weak girl.” I patted my chest.

“I dare you to call him.” She snarled. “Let him know his slutty girl-” A beach sandal landed perfectly on her face.

“Sorry, my hand slipped.” I blinked innocently as if I was not the one who threw it straight to her face. “I don't like being called names. Please refrain from doing that in the future.”

“You little bitch!!!” She shrieked as she lunged at me. I just dodge to the side and she falls down on her own. Now her pretty swimsuit and face are covered in sand.

“My condolence,” I said flatly. “This one is off-limit because he is with me now. Please go seduce other people.” I smiled refreshingly at her.

“What an interesting woman.” Suddenly there this man came out of nowhere. “Be my woman.” He grabbed my hand.

“???Are you sick in the head?” I frowned. “Please let me go.” I sighed.

“My woman must be feisty.” He smirked which soon turned to a pained expression.

“Don't you dare touch her with your filthy hand.” Satoru hissed as he twisted this sick in the head man's hand and pushed him to the floor.

“You are showing too much skin, love. Are you trying to make me jealous?” He murmured, lips grazing my ear. “Especially what you wore before this one.”

“Are we done with the play now? You are also showing too much skin.” I argued, reminding him why I got into this mess in the first place.

“Jealous [Name] is the cutest.” He grinned and gave me his jumper, carefully helping me slip into it. “This is better.” He zipped it all the way up. It has become a mini dress.

“Who are you?” The sick man glared.

“Her boyfriend.” Satoru rolled his eyes. “If you have a problem. I will be glad to help you out.” He flexed his toned muscle, earning dreamy sighs from people there.

“Show off.” I slapped his back.

“Love, I am showing off for you.” He grinned.

“Geto-san.”

“Here.” Geto threw me another black jumper.

“Wear this.” I shoved it to him.

“Yes, wifey.” He obediently put it on and began to torment that Man A.

“So, how come you are here?” I eyed Geto.

“Well, my cute adorable girlfriend here,” He referred to Yae. “, sent me such a stimulating pic of her in a swimsuit. So, I thought what if some pests decided to covet her? So here I am.”

“...Yae…” I ground my teeth. If Geto got a pic of her. Then Satoru undoubtedly got that embarrassing one of mine.

“Just asking for your boyfriend's opinion of your swimsuit.” She smiled innocently.

“Yae-chan also need to cover up.” Geto gave her his jumper and whisper something to her.

“Get a room.” I groaned.

“You are one to talk.” Yae retorted.

“Wife. I have made sure he won't be doing any bad things again.” Satoru wrapped his hands around my waist and his head on my shoulder, asking to be praised. The man was left groaning on the sand. His face was perfectly rearranged.

“Good boy.” I patted his head and he purred.

“Next time, let me go shopping swimsuits with you. There are a lot of things I need to make sure while you are wearing a swimsuit.” He whispered. His voice is undoubtedly one reserved in private.

“Get a room.” Yae snickered.

“Eh…? Wai… Eeeeehhhhhh????!!!!”

“What kind of situation is this?” New friends trio are having trouble processing.

“Gojo-san and Geto-san are [Name] and Yae's boyfriend respectively.” Tori giggled.

“Eh? Then why did they do that?” Makoto blinked, referring to the charade.

“Because it was fun seducing [Name],” Satoru answered for them, earning an elbow jab at his stomach, courtesy of me.

“The bottom line is, there's no way we will act like this aside to them. If it wasn't Gojo-san who hit on her, [Name] would have undoubtedly ignored them or resorted to violence.” Yae grinned.

“No wonder… no wonder Yoru and Tori didn't want to get involved after seeing them. They even said they were taken already.” Sera said.

“Speaking of them…” Yuzu looked at her friends.

“I got it all recorded. How much are you willing to pay, Gojo-san?” Yoru grinned.

“I will give you Nanamin's exclusive confidential folder.” Satoru grinned.

“Deal.” Yoru and he shook hands.

With the whole fiasco over. We are now joined by Dumb and Dumber who couldn't keep their hands on themselves. ~”~

“[Name], let's go swimsuit shopping tomorrow.” Satoru suddenly whined.

“I already have a swimsuit.” I rolled my eyes as I was being placed on his lap.

“That's for a public beach. Tomorrow, I want a new swimsuit for our private beach.” He hummed.

“Then you go buy yourself.”

“I want to see you in a swimsuit, especially like that one you wore yesterday.” He unlocked his phone and navigated it to a secret folder. “Am planning to have this a lock screen, but you will hit me for sure.” He showed me the picture he got from Yae yesterday. The photo of me in that racy swimsuit. “I almost lost my shit back then.” He groaned half feral.

“Just thinking of you in that kind of racy swimsuit is making my blood boil.” He peppered kisses to my neck.

“Pervert.”

“Yeah, I am your pervert.” He grinned with his half-lidded eyes. “So, will you do it?”

“You will definitely do something to me in the changing room. So, no. I am not fan of voyeurism.”

“I will have those swimsuits sent here. So, there you have it.”

“...As long as I am not wearing it outside.” I conceded because I knew he would pester me for weeks.

“Of course not, love. There's no way I would let you show how delicious you are to other people. It's for my eyes only and will be worn on our private beach.” He grinned. ~”~

The next day row and a row of swimsuits were placed in a spare room, there's only a makeshift changing room and sofa. Satoru is sitting there as if waiting for the show to start. I guess I will indulge him on this occasion. So, I picked up some swimsuits and went to the changing room. Those swimsuits are truly not normal. They are all those racy swimsuits that should not be seen in the public. But here I am trying these. And since I am doing this, I am going to make sure to tease the hell out of him.

The moment I step out of the changing room, I hear a hitch from a certain someone and then a pained groan. “This is not to your taste? Then I will change it.” I grinned as I closed the curtain again.

I did this a few more times, and ultimately, I am trapped inside the changing room with Satoru's hot body pressed against mine. His mouth is doing a workout with mine, my hands being pinned by his large one right above my head, his knee perfectly slotted in between my legs, rubbing against the crotch, and his other hand is busy groping, mapping my whole body. As expected, this is not going to be choosing a swimsuit. ~”~

We did get our vacation on his private beach, wearing a swimsuit of his choosing, he even makes sure to put boundaries around his private property to avoid prying eyes. It's literally a world just for the two of us.

Satoru, being the pervert he is, had chosen the perfect racy swimsuit of all. A cross-wrap halter top with string bottom in the colour of his hair, easier to apply sunscreen, he said. The man actually wanted me to wear a v-string bikini which earned a whack on his head so he settled down with this. And yeah, the applying sunscreen session became a session having me basically naked on the beach carpet with him burying his face in between my legs, the swimsuit is left forgotten to the side. Safe to say, we did no swimming that day.

[cardrisen]

YOUR FANDOM: Yu-Gi-Oh! (and technically Concrete Genie) YOUR MUSE(S):  Kiku Kamishirakawa and Makoto Takuma (canon and OC for Vrains, @sworntolight); a little bit of everyone from like, three of the series here, along with a crossover in Ash from Concrete Genie ( @cardrisen) OTHER MUSES YOU HAVE PLAYED FROM THE FANDOM:  None; all my active muses are between here and Sworntolight, though f you include OC’s I have three on just as many other blogs still technically active, too.

MUSE(S) YOU’D WANT TO PLAY FROM THE FANDOM: Possibly Aki from 5D’s, Akari from Zexal, and Miyu from Vrains. Personally, I find I do a lot better with characters with little to their name (Kiku, Rin, Ruri, Ray, Windy’s origin-) than a fully fleshed out main thanks to my OC roots, but after falling in love with the muses I have here, this could be anyone at any time XD

FAVORITE CHARACTER(S):   Takeru, Judai, Jou, Edo, Flame, Kiku~ FAVORITE EPISODES/BOOKS: Takeru’s Flashback episodes with Kiku,, Soulburner/Revolver and Soulburner/Windy duels, and just about the entirety of the GX manga. Honestly there’s so much between DM, Vrains, ARC-V, and GX I love that we’d be here all day, so this is just a tiny sample off the top of my head. XD FAVORITE PLOTLINE(S): All of Vrains, the GX manga, and a tosup between the anime and manga of ARC-V. I’m also really partial to the Duelist Kingdom season from DM just because that’s what had just started in the dub when I got into the series all those years ago. <3 LEAST FAVORITE CHARACTER(S):  Pegasus, Spectre, Weevil/Haga, Yubel, Mai... I don’t have too many characters I super really dislike or hate? Majority of the time I dislike but respect their characters? SOMEONE YOU FEEL IS UNDERRATED: KIKU, KIKU, KIKU! <3 She didn’t get much development on her own, no, but she’s looked over a lot for the impact she had/has on Takeru and her role in his life, largely because she’s just not there. She just kindda gets glanced over a lot. Also, Ruri and Rin, against because they didn’t get much development.

FAVORITE THEORY: That the bracelet girls are still alive in Yuzu the way the boys are in Yuya. LEAST FAVORITE THEORY: That the bracelet girls and the boys can spit somewhere post-canon. Also that Takeru was some kind of secret agent for the bad guys all along, which while I’m not sure is even still a thing, THAT. Does ‘Kiku is a bossy brat’ apply here too? A STORYLINE YOU’D CREATE: A continuation to Vrains to wrap up loose ends, like Ai’s fate and solidly seal in what everyone’s up to some time post-canon, not just ‘three months later’. I’d also love a storyline from a female viewpoint? Like a girl on the level of Akari, who can hold her own but still be willing to let a guy in to help. A STORYLINE YOU’D CHANGE:  I’m gonna side with Kasa here and second the ‘rewrite the end of ARC-V’s manga’ XD That pairing used for it was a hardcore NOPE from me, too! Though I think I’d also change Vrains’ third season to slow down a little bit, Aoi’s story mid-season 2 and on, and a smidge of ARC-V’s to at least give the other girls a chance to shine without being possessed. Also give me more canon Entrust I crave it

WHAT CROSSOVER DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR FANDOM: I’ve technically got one here myself with Concrete Genie being a small bit of this blog, but again seconding Kasa with saying something that has a similar feel to ygo already. Dropping something with a really different air to it in the middle of a card game series doesn’t always make for a good crossover. XD WHAT CHARACTER FROM ANOTHER FANDOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE APPEAR IN YOUR FANDOM?: Honestly? Gimmie a little bit of Noragami with Yato, or like, Chain of Memories era Kingdom Hearts? I’m not sure past that? IN THE WORLD OF MY FANDOM, I’D BE: A nobody background character standing in a card shop. XD Tagged by: Hijacked from @duelrisen​ and regret nothing <3 Tagging: Grab it~! <3

[recentanimenews]

Bookshelf Briefs 12/5/19

Anonymous Noise, Vol. 17 | By Ryoko Fukuyama | Viz Media – I had thought this would be a race to the finish, but honestly it’s feeling more like a leisurely victory lap. The single is doing well, Nino is singing duets, Yuzu is finally getting through to his mother after literally taking her on a world tour, and the last of the beta couples finally get together. Oh yes, and Momo has written a new song, one that he really, really wants Nino to sing. The main pairing is still, I suspect, going to be Yuzu and Nino, but this is a nice final threat—after all, this is how the two of them bonded in childhood, as we see in a flashback. The next book is the final one, so however it goes, we’re near the end of the journey. I enjoyed this, though it was never as lights-out as some other shoujo titles. – Sean Gaffney

Blue Morning, Vol. 8 | By Shoko Hidaka | SuBLime – Blue Morning manages to be unique and complicated until the end. Hidaka-sensei does a good job of giving happy endings to side characters, like Akihito’s friend Soichiro, that feel earned rather than sappy, and which initially suggest that Katsuragi really will take Akihito’s offer to accompany him to England for two years of study. In the end, though, Katsuragi has too much that he wants to accomplish in Japan and stays behind. I love that, as much as these guys love each other, they each have aspirations (both personal and on a societal scale) that they cannot abandon. All of this independet effort leads up to an absolutely marvelous final page wherein, without any bits of clunky narration signposting the moment, Akihito and Katsuragi are finally walking side by side as equals. I have really enjoyed this series and see myself rereading it some day. – Michelle Smith

Farewell, My Dear Cramer, Vol. 4 | By Naoshi Arakawa | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – Warabi Seinan’s girls’ soccer team has been working hard and has successfully made it to the finals of the Inter-High preliminaries for their prefecture. They’re up against the reigning champs, who had insufficient intel on just how good Warabi is these days. It’s an intense match, full of girls who passionately love soccer and their appreciation for “friends who really get each other.” This series really has improved a lot since its initial volume. It’s still a little strange that we were introduced to Suo and Soshizaki first, yet the majority of the story continues to focus on their teammate Onda, and it the action is still sometimes a bit hard to follow (it would probably be good if I could conclusively tell which team scored the cliffhanger goal), but it’s hooked me sufficiently enough now that I can heartily recommend it. – Michelle Smith

Hatsu*Haru, Vol. 9 | By Shizuki Fujisawa | Yen Press – Kagura and Tarou finally get their arc. Sadly, it’s easily the dullest part of this volume, and you sense that the author has written four pairs but really only cares about two and a half of them. (Sorry, Miki and Kiyo, you’re the half.) That said, the pairings that do get attention are well-crafted. Ayumi, desperate for a story now that the love lives have cooled down, runs a “hottest guy” poll. The prize is a hot springs trip. Kai, who has been struggling to be more affectionate (read: hugs) with an aloof Riko, decides that he’s going to go all out. But of course Takaya is hot too. And there’s upperclassmen as well, right? Who’s the winner? I won’t spoil, but it’s a very amusing choice, and works well for the plot. Good despite Kagura being boring. – Sean Gaffney

Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World, Vol. 4 | By Iruka Shiomiya, based on the novels by Keiishi Sigsawa | Vertical Comics – Even when telling a story that has a happy, uplifting climax, the writers of Kino’s Journey just can’t help but do a last-minute twist of the knife. The story of a young women who is resolved to show her airplane can fly is such a story, making you punch the air in happiness until we get the crowd’s reaction to the whole thing, which is… not bad. Sort of the opposite, but unsettling. Also unsettling is a short story about a couple grooming their child for a war he doesn’t want to fight in, and a city that revels in the anti-war paintings of a man who lives outside the city… till they hear why he really paints them, and their reaction destroys him. Kino’s Journey wants you to hate war. It succeeds. – Sean Gaffney

Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn, Vol. 12 | By Shirow Masamune and Rikudou Koushi | Seven Seas – So we still don’t have Vlind’s full name—it seems to be VlindXX XXXX, but we do get a little more about her camera crew, who, like Vlind, are also very reminiscent of another series the artist used to draw back in the day. If they’re meant to be Hyatt and Elgala, then Elgala has shrunk quite a bit, though she still has her snark. Meanwhile, Hyatt has not only gained a lot of height but is also now married to Watanabe, if her last name is any indication. It also talks about her health having been bad and throwing up blood, so it’s not exactly being subtle. As for the rest of the manga, well, when I spend the entire review talking about the cameos on the first page, I think you can guess. – Sean Gaffney

Seven Little Sons of the Dragon: A Collection of Seven Stories | By Ryoko Kui | Yen Press – I enjoy Kui’s manga series Delicious in Dungeon immensely, so I was looking forward to reading more of the creator’s work a great deal. After finishing Seven Little Sons of the Dragon, I am convinced that I will sincerely love just about anything created by Kui. Collected in this volume are seven stories that, while unrelated, are all fantastic in nature. A couple explicitly feature dragons (as one would perhaps expect from the title) while the remaining feature mermaids, werewolves, local gods, living paintings, and a family with supernatural abilities. The stories range in tone as well, from the comedic to the dramatic (or some combination of the two), but I would describe them all as touching in their own way. Seven Little Sons of the Dragon is a delightful and highly satisfying collection of short manga showcasing some of Kui’s versatility as both an artist and a storyteller. – Ash Brown

Skip Beat!, Vol. 43 | By Yoshiki Nakamura | Viz Media – As suspected, Momo does NOT get the role opposite Kyoko. Fortunately, it’s because the director wants to use her in a different project. Kyoko is devastated, but has other things to worry about, like an attempt on her life. It happens so fast that I had to go back and reread to see how to got to the roof, but the whole scene is terrific. Meanwhile, the main issue with Kyoko and Ren is they’re simply not communicating well—they think that the other person knows what they mean, but it’s always at cross purposes. As a result, Ren’s in the doghouse again. But given that Skip Beat! looks like it might be trying to rival the length of Glass Mask, that’s not really a surprise. If you haven’t read the previous 42 volumes… well, don’t jump on now. But otherwise, absolutely get this. – Sean Gaffney

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow, Vol. 1 | By Makoto Hagino | VIZ Media – Konatsu Amano has just moved from Tokyo to a small seaside town and is on her way to her aunt’s house when she’s drawn to an open house at the high school she’ll be attending. The aquarium club has opened to the public, and while looking around, Konatsu meets kind Koyuki Honami, who happens to be the club’s only member. Pretty and with a reputation for being perfect, Koyuki is actually lonely, and Konatsu is able to relate to her (drawing parallels to a story from literature class along the way) and encourage her not to always pretend things are fine when they aren’t. This is a really low-key story so far, but I do really appreciate that each girl has her strengths and weaknesses and that they seem well suited to support each other. I look forward to seeing how things develop! – Michelle Smith

By: Ash Brown