Play Me Softly

by Kakeru Tsukino

A Boys' Love manga where romance is fueled by an unforgettable first love--and a shared passion for music.Aihara, a straitlaced office worker who plays in a concert band on the side, is having a hard time moving on from his first love. But one day, Hayama, the very classmate who'd first stolen Aihara's heart in high school, joins the band. Reunited with an old flame, Aihara's feelings are sure to be rekindled, especially when they share a passionate kiss. After Hayama pins him to the ground, Aihara won't be able to resist the aches of his heart--and his body! Two men share a sweet refrain from their youth in this dramatic reunion romance!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Boys Love, LGBT, Yaoi, Adult, Graphic Novels

186 pages, Paperback

Published December 10, 2024

Reviews

[alex :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this manga alone is reason #54827 as to why the second chance romance trope is far superior to any others. i will forever eat, sleep, and breathe this trope. aihara and hayama deserve the world 🙂‍↕️

[Peppa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well idk 😕

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their relationship was cute but the plott was boring.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a soft, sweet BL about childhood friends who reunite while playing music for a local orchestra. It's tender and filled with so much longing. Perhaps it's a bit slower paced than most, but I loved how much yearning was conveyed because of it. The art was also gorgeous, especially the highly expressive eyes.

[.•°•MonaLisa•°•. · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ 4 stars ☆

Cute and easy palate cleanser with incredible uncensored art. Definitely one where you can just enjoy the ride and not think too much. The included one shot was cute as well.💗

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the art. I think I was hoping for a little more an angst after the start but it was a nice spicy and fluffy romance. I would read more by this author if my library gets it.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another that had a really sweet setup but no real emotional development to speak of...with a similarly underdeveloped bonus story thrown in to fill out the pages. Just focus on the main couple you're telling the story about!

I liked the backstory between Aihara and Hayama, and I think more time should've been spent on that. Like how did the star pitcher and an introverted music nerd become such close friends to begin with? They talk about how they spent tons of time together for three years during high school, with Aihara cheering Hayama on through all his games. And then, after Hayama lost his final game, he went to go find Aihara, who was crying over Hayama's disappointment - so Hayama kissed him.

Then Aihara, believing a rumor he'd heard about Hayama having a girlfriend, ran away from him and basically never spoke to him again.

Until they meet up 8 years later when Hayama unexpectedly joins a concert band Aihara's been doing outside of his office job.

Turns out neither of them has ever forgotten the other, so they slide back into kissing and doing more, and eventually talk about the high school kiss and how there was just a misunderstanding and they'd be in love all this time.

Which feels like an awful giant waste of 8 years!! Especially when it doesn't seem like a whole lot changed in their lives during that time period, to make the separation worth it.

The art is very dreamy - a little too much so, with everyone long-limbed and wistful all the time - and while it's a sweet story, it just didn't feel like it had a whole lot of substance.

The random extra story also starts out really interesting, with a lawyer who always overworks and winds up with colds, and has developed a crush on the handsome pharmacist. When they run into each other at a gay bar, he finally has the opportunity to make a move! Which would be nice if it wasn't a whole "oh noes I've never considered being gay before but I thought I might drunkenly try it with you" deal on the pharmacist's side.

Just would've liked more actual emotional development for both. Ah well. I wish these "one-shots" would list when they contain more than one story, because usually it's a pretty bad sign when they have filler material...neither story gets the chance to shine like it should.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hayama and Aihara were in separate fields in high school; band for Aihara and baseball for Hayama. Still, the two of them became good friends, to the point both developed feelings for each other. Aihara was convinced he couldn't have a chance due to Hayama's popularity and rumors regarding his dating life, resulting in him running away and conveniently breaking his phone after graduation so they lost contact. The last thing either of them expected was to be reunited when Hayama joins a local band Aihara is playing in. Sparks fly quickly for these two as they pick up where things left off. There's a bit of an odd interlude with a side story that doesn't make much sense as it focuses on two entirely different characters that don't seem to be related to the main story. Regardless, it's a cute bit of fluff with some rather explicit scenes mixed in quickly as Hayama clearly has control issues, at least when it comes to Aihara.

[Henli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aihara is an office worker who plays in a concert band on the side. One day Hayama, a former high school classmate and crush, joins the band. This story explores their relationship after reuniting, as well as their relationship in the past.

Overall this is a really short, sweet, simple story. There's really not a whole lot to it, but I never felt like it was lacking anything major. The relationship is sweet and quite spicy and the art is really lovely. There's also an additional spicy short story at the end.

[Thesincouch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, this was more what I was expecting but I did like it less because of it. The miscommunication, if you can call it that, was not even set up well - I do feel because the author didn't want you to hate for one second the love interest, she doesn't even make you doubt for a second he is not head over heels with the main character. They are very sweet but I almost liked how to the point the bonus story more.

[J-Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it is not entirely copying it, this felt very similar to Breathless Momentum by Zeniko Sumiya. Honestly, it’s just the big band setting that makes it similar, but I immediately thought of that series when I started reading this oneshot.

I still liked the story and characters! The angles of the art really stuck with me. Seriously, very sharp and pointy angles rather than the typical soft curves I’m used to in romance manga.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to love this a lot more than I did. It was cute, but honestly a little boring. Not much happens and a lot of the angst is really fluffed up for no reason. They tried to force misunderstandings into the relationship that really had no ground. It was fine, but not really what I was expecting.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Trumpet x Trombone.
A cute and simple story. I really loved the music aspect to it. We like tales of music bringing folks together, especially regarding romance.

If someone were looking to get into 18+ BL, I'd consider recommending it. But for long time fans, this one might not be for you.

[Ash Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I truly don't know what to write for this review. While the story was sweet and the art was fine, the plot seemed to lack... something. I also wish there was more background on the 2 main characters' past.

[Ryofire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very fluffy realistic fiction BL manga - too fluffy for me, to the point it was boring. The art isn't the best, but it's serviceable. If you want some very fluffy stuff, this might be for you.

[Swathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story and it has a bonus little unrelated story. It has a great missed connection or misunderstanding. Luckily music linked them together. It's very sweet. Both character are very realistic. I loved it.

[Jitka · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Zian B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute manga to read, but not a memorable one. At least everything was consensual and the relationship itself was very sweet.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! So sweet! And spicy! I love second chance romance!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute couple, and lots of steamy sex scenes. The plot is lacking a lot, there is room for improvement and it would make the manga so much better

[Nausicaa's Requiem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classic smutty yaoi. Not that bad, not that good

[Betsy :D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! I wanted more of Aihara and Hayama! Also like the short little story at the end. Also liked the short extra parts at the end of Aihara and Hayama wish there was more!!!

[Brenna Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super super cute. Loved it

[Spacecowboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and short BL. I liked these characters and honestly wanted to see more of them.

[Yailene_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art was gorgeous, plot was basic but sweet. The spice was overflowing not many pages of it, still a solid read

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little story about high school almost-sweethearts meeting again years later as adults and rekindling what could have been when they were younger. I enjoyed Hayama and Aihara and how they reconnected through a concert band and how they revisited what had happened in high school the last time they were together when they shared a kiss.

[Leeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yllättävän suloinen jälleennäkemiseen perustuva yhden pokkarin BL-manga. Tämä on tosin todella K-18, suositus siis sillä varauksella. Tän kansi ei ole ihan oma lempparini, mutta sen perusteella ei näköjään voi lopullisesti arvioida edes mangaa, sillä tykkäsin kovasti :D