Something like this

I think this has maybe been the longest it’s ever taken me to read a single issue of Shousetsu Bang*Bang. But I’ve been busy. And better late than never, right?

Issue 55:

A beginner’s guide to stealing home, by Hyakunichisou: This one was about a knitter! Balls of yarn! Which I appreciated, as a knitter myself. It was a sweet piece about the sort of fling that’s just a fling, but hits at the right moment to change your whole outlook on life.

The Ultimate Competition (or the art of beating your rival), by Okamoto Shin: In two parts. Two track rivals (with a Mysterious Past) from high school end up at the same college, where they have to learn to get along for the good of the team. Some nice, tasty UST, here.

True North, by SeishinNoUwagi: This was a fascinating tale about the ball game that the pre-Colombian cultures played, from the point of view of the sacrificial players. It was intermixed with (altered) folk-lore and myth, and it was a really fantastic piece, IMHO.

The Hail Mary, by Takiguchi Aiko: A famous football player’s agent calls his ex about a non-disclosure agreement, and the fallout thereof.

The Hidden Play, by Domashita Romero: A guy, at a ball, of the dancing sort, which is in honor of his ex’s betrothal (to someone else, obvs). The guy complains to a guard, and they …attempt to be a scandal. It was alright, but mostly smut, so I mostly skimmed it.

You Wanted Love But I Wanted You, by Lola Mente: In two parts. The god of overdosing and shadows tries to escape his fate, which means he’s avoiding the god of light and poetry. Beautifully executed, if a bit lacking in clear explanations. Not in a bad way, more like in a world-building sort of cock-tease way.

The Breathing Lessons, by shukyou: Two parts. I’m glad the main character made sense of his world and story because I never did. Although, granted, I was really tired when I read it.  But the MC is trying to learn to breathe some sort of liquid so he can play a ball game like his father did, but not because his father did, while slowly falling in love with …uh…his…coach?

Open Top Bus Parade, by M. hoppipolla: A guy identifies his childhood football (soccer?) idol working at a cafe. They go on a date, and things progress, but not without a wrench or two. It was a sweet premise, but all the details were over-explained and I never quite got drawn in.

Make It Work, by loveonthefarm: Two parts again. A nice dessert tale of two guys on a volleyball team, who might be assholes, and who might hate each other, or who might really like each other, if only they bothered to talk to each other.