10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40

40までにしたい10のこと #1

by Mamita

A man's birthday bucket list could lead him to a brand-new love in this sweet Boys' Love story. From the creator of Wanna Be My Dress-Up Lover?--also available from Seven Seas!

Suzume Tōjō is just three months away from turning forty and realizes there's so much he hasn't done with his life! So, he makes a create a private list of things he's always wanted to do and check them off before turning the big four-oh. It's a rather simple list, filled with goals that should be easy to accomplish, like a takoyaki party, enjoying a parfait out in a cafe, and spending his birthday with a lover. Except, that last one comes with a major problem--Tōjō hasn't had a lover in ten years! But when Keishi Tanaka, Tōjō's handsome junior at the company, discovers the secret list, he's determined to help Tōjō check off every single item--starting with the "lover" part!

A fun, sexy BL romp between an assertive junior colleague and a senior past his prime!

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Yaoi, Comics, Contemporary, Adult

Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2023

About the author

Mamita (マミタ) is a Japanese manga author of BL genre.

Reviews

[Phu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Toujou Suzume là nhân viên công sở sắp bước qua tuổi 40. Trong suốt 10 năm đã qua, Suzume vẫn cô đơn, khi nghĩ lại những điều bản thân đã bỏ lỡ và Suzume quyết tâm lên danh sách "10 điều muốn làm trước 40 tuổi" - trong đó trước tiên là "có người yêu". Trong một thoáng bất ngờ, cậu cấp dưới Keishi kém đã nhìn thấy danh sách của Suzume, và đã đề nghị trở thành người yêu của Suzume.



Quyển này khiến mình cảm thấy yêu đời, vì cách chuyện diễn ra rất là nhẹ nhàng và rất tích cực. Suzume là một người kém giao tiếp, lúc nào cũng luôn có công việc và quên đi bản thân, cũng không bắt kịp theo những xu hướng đang thịnh hành. Khi Keishi bước vào cuộc đời của Suzume thì mọi thứ đã thay đổi rất là nhiều - thậm chí là khiến Suzume cảm thấy sự ấm áp mà bản thân đã quên đi trong 10 năm.



Khi đọc quyển này ngoài sự đáng yêu của "ông chú" Suzume, thì mình rất ấn tượng với Keishi, ngoài tạo hình đẹp trai (bị cái mắt kính phong ấn)

thì tính cách của anh chàng cấp dưới này khiến mình rất thích - có mắt quan sát, biết quan tâm, sẵn sàng tìm hiểu về những mong muốn và đứng ra bảo vệ Suzume khi bị quấy rối về đời tư.

Mình chắc chắn quyển này rất là dễ thương, yêu đời. Thể hiện câu chuyện về nỗi niềm của người đàn ông sắp 40 tuổi trong cộng đồng LGBT trông rất thú vị, cùng với những thay đổi tích cực và tin tưởng vào bản thân nhiều hơn. Nét vẽ của tác giả rất đẹp. Nhưng thật sự là trong hai chap cuối nó khiến mình khá thất vọng. Về sau truyện là nỗi niềm và suy nghĩ của Suzume và Keishi, mình thấy chi tiết đó nó dài dòng và lan man, thậm chí là lý do vì sao Keishi lại chọn trở thành người yêu của Suzume khá mơ hồ. Mình thích cái chi tiết Suzume đã thoát khỏi những xiềng xích của bản thân và chủ động thực hiện mơ ước của anh, nhưng chỉ vì tác giả giải quyết vấn đè của cặp đôi này lan man và chỉ kết thúc bằng việc làm tình.


Có ai nghĩ đây là ông chú sắp 40 không???!

Vẫn thích góc nghiêng của Keishi hơn là nhìn trực diện :(((

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story and the art is lovely as usual by this author, but I could have done without the censorship. I know is usual in this kind of manga but, in my opinion, those blank lines made things worse (^_^) Û

[Marc D. ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars.

I found nothing to put a lower qualification because it was purely 5 stars. Lovely, beautiful, even with its drama. I loved all of it.

Suzume is about to turn 40, so he decides to make a list of 10 things he wants to complete before then, including "celebrate my birthday with my boyfriend." However, he didn't count on his subordinate, Keishi, 29 years old, finding the list and deciding to help him complete all the things!

I loved Suzume, that man is my kind of man. But Keishi is not far behind, I like the sweetness with which he treats Suzume from the beginning. We must protect these two, please aaahhh 🥹

I will also highlight that Mamita's drawing is unique. The dedication detail by detail with which her characters are made is gratifying, very well done. I love you, sensei 🛐

I would like everyone to read this story, please, it deserves the most beautiful things of the world 💖

[Riki (˶˃⤙˂˶) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4💫

This was absolutely adorable! While the story itself was fairly simple, it never felt dull. There was enough warmth, charm, and just the right amount of fluff—not to forget the text book use of a heart break/cold words directed to another person, heard by the main character.

The blushing. Oh, the blushing! All the times Suzume-san was flustered or just otherwise blushed! I felt alive! There’s just something so ridiculously satisfying about watching a character go full red-faced from affection or embarrassment, and this manga absolutely delivered.

The art style was perfect for this kind of manga. Every reaction, every little moment of hesitation or awkwardness, was drawn with care. It didn’t need any grand plot twists or deep conflicts to be engaging; it simply thrived on being ridiculously cute. An absolute serotonin boost.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute with very pretty art, and the leads have great chemistry. Their first kiss in the rain was everything. Also I adore Suzume and his love of cute things. I'm not usually the type of person who thinks every one-shot needs a sequel, but I'm glad this recently got one, as I really want to see more of these two as an established couple post bucket list.

[ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

aahhh so cute! i loved it

[⋆ ࣪˖ ִֶָsel་༘࿐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read this before, but that particular scene still made my stomach turn. I felt so bad for Tojo.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Pretty cute BL manga about an older guy that wants to accomplish 10 life goals before his 40th birthday. His 10 year junior employee offers to help him - including the romance aspects. I'm kind of a sucker for more dominant younger characters x softer older characters. I think it helps steer away from the weird power imbalance and infantilism tropes you see when its the opposite. That being said, there was still a somewhat iffy aspect with the younger character being a subordinate here, but I found the story overall to be pretty cute. Though, it's a bit odd the ML worries about the power imbalance briefly and then just commits anyway

Pretty cute and a recommend if the boss/employee thing doesn't weird you out. Pleased to finally see an age gap story where the younger character isn't barely legal and is instead nearly 30. Its a bummer how rare it is to find romances with characters over 25 these days.

[rory (jess' version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE READING OLD MAN YAOI (plus the fact that the ml is exactly my type YUM)

[marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I saw Seven Seas announced they have licensed this, I immediately thought of Old-Fashioned Cupcake. Sagan Sagan doesn't have a monopoly on age gap salaryman BL, but the similarities are there: the premise, the relationship dynamics, even the cover. Still, I was willing to give it a shot.

It's not bad, just forgettable. While I admit the kiss scene got to me, beyond that, the couple lacks chemistry. I understand why Keishi would be drawn to Suzume, but the other way around? It seems as though Suzume is so lonely that he's down to get together with anyone who shows initiative. To make matters worse, Keishi is a total blank slate. As a result, I don't feel invested in the romance.

The conflict towards the end is such a nothingburger. I know BL mangakas love throwing in some manufactured falling-out to make it all the sweeter when they do get back together, but this one is silly.

My last gripe: Suzume doesn't look 39. He's drawn to look as if he's in his late 20s at most. Make him more haggard! Give that man eyebags and some light wrinkles. What's the point of an age gap salaryman BL if the old one looks like he's the same age as the young one? Absolutely none. I rest my case.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindo, lindo, lindo 💖

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo amé, nonono, el arte es bastante lindo y los dos protagonistas son tan preciosos que me encantó. Es un tomo único por lo que es algo rápido, pero igual me encanta.

Hay romance, citas, age gap, coito de todo y está lindo, me lo volvería a leer 😭💜

[Juan Carlos malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquí les dejo mi opinión más amplia de esta obra:

https://youtu.be/3Mw7RV2Z_Lo?si=FU0af...

Una comedia romántica bastate bonita. Con elementos de diversión y escenas muy candentes.
Lo disfruté bastante y además el tema del amor se puede dar en cualquier edad y que las diferencias no son importantes lo que nos debemos enfocar es en crear momentos y vínculos y trascender en el mundo.

[⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚Tiara (Yoongi’s ver.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️this was so so sweet 😭

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzume Tōjō & Keishi Tanaka
Rating: 3.9 ⭐

- Coworkers
- Age Gap (10yrs)
- Fake to More
- Birthday Checklist

This was very cute and I really enjoyed the art for the story. There is censorship in this one, just fyi, although common. Suzume is about to turn 40 and gets the idea to create a list of 10 things he wants to do before then. He didn't count on Keishi, or anyone, seeing his checklist. Keishi wants to help Suzume complete his list on time for his birthday. These two are really sweet with each other, even when Suzume is being utterly oblivious to Keishi's real interest in him.

This is a single story but I could easily read more about them if the creator ever decides to extend their story.

Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Homophobia

Verse: No
HEA: HFN
POV: Dual
Breakup: Yes
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 39 & 29

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

 it's about single office worker whose personal life went on to become lonelier with each passing years ..With his 40th birthday approaching soon he started making a wish list which included getting a lover too but somehow his subordinate ,Keiji(29) ended up getting hold of that list & decided to become Juujou's lover.

This was super cute. I really enjoyed this nice to age gap with both adults . It's nice to see I highly recommend 👌

older superior uke x younger handsome seme + office love + fake to real love relationship + megane seme + both are gay + men in suits

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was genuinely nervous about this one, after how much I disliked Wanna Be My Dress-Up Lover? .

The two have a similar prompt: an older salaryman who's getting kind of tired of his boring life and normal routines, with a handsome, charismatic younger coworker who takes a strong romantic interest in him and helps to transform his life. Yeah, that's the storyline of a few other series, too (and a good trope), but since these were both by Mamita, I worried they might follow the same very dubconny, kind of unpleasant path.

But no. This was wonderful. This is what I'd wanted from that other story!!

Suzume's been single for about a decade, which perhaps makes a little more sense once it's revealed that he's gay, and closeted at work. (Something I appreciate about this story: neither of the romantic leads is A Straight Guy Finding Out Being Gay Is Sort Of Okay Too - they're both just gay men with different approaches to their sexuality.) I wish there'd been a bit more information about his past relationships, especially the one that'd ended a decade earlier and left him unwilling or unable to try to find a new partner.

Three months before his 40th birthday, he starts feeling depressed about how he's been alone for the last several, and takes inspiration from a Bucket List advertisement to make a less ambitious, more down-to-earth version of 10 things he wants to do before he hits that next milestone.

The list is...honestly kind of rough, as someone who knows what it's like to reach some of these ages and to have your social life trickle away over time. I may not have ever done a takoyaki party, but I used to make fondue all the time with friends. I'd actually looked at my fondue set in the cabinet a few days ago, wondering how sad it would be if I made it just for myself sometime. Otherwise, I haven't touched it in probably a decade, either.

The problem is, while Suzume is putting together this list, his ten-years-younger subordinate, Keishi, unexpectedly returns to the office and sees what he was writing down. Which included "get a lover" "be kissed" and "spend my birthday with a lover."

So Keishi, who's been crushing on Suzume for an undisclosed amount of time that may well be years, volunteers as tribute.

My favorite thing is how slowly it progresses from there. Yes, this is a single volume, but...a lot of stories would've had him aggressively kissing or groping him at that point, etc etc. Instead, Keishi starts to go step by step through the list, starting with the takoyaki, then with shopping, and generally just getting to know Suzume on a different, outside of work level. Even when they do kiss, and when Suzume invites him over, Keishi puts the brakes on before they go too far.

He wants it to last, is the thing. He's only been actively interested in unavailable men in the past, and this is the first time he's been in love with someone he could actually see a future with. So he's not going to blow that future by trying to jump way too quickly into something that Suzume might not be entirely ready for.

Their dynamic is great. Their relationship progression is great. Even the mini breakup was handled decently, with some genuine heartache but then a frank discussion of why Suzume had tried to cut things off. I just really like this story a lot.

I do find it a little confusing that Seven Seas didn't put a "1" on this volume, since I've just checked around and confirmed that there's a Volume 2 that came out in Japan a few months ago. Hopefully they license and release the second volume as well, because the only thing I was a little sad about was that we didn't actually get to see Suzume do all 10 tasks from his list. It got interrupted by the time they'd been split apart, so they weren't able to check off the last few items before his birthday.

I very much want to see the rest of the list, and more of their life together. Maybe even a bit more of Suzume's backstory? But this does stand really well on its own for now.

[Nerys Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. The character development is well done, and as a reader I felt connected to some of the situations presented in the story.

Of course, the Keishi being so cheeky and confident, but at the same time having a side that hopes for Suzume to be the one for him after not having luck in the romance department, is one of the points that I like of this title.

Of course, Suzume's list is very endearing, and you find yourself cheering him on, both to fulfill it and to encourage him to have more confidence in himself.

There's a volume 2 in Japanese, I hope that it gets an English release soon. If not, I'll have to put my meager Japanese knowledge to the test.

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzume Tôjô es un solterón de 39 años que está más solo que la una y que comparte piso con sus peluches adorables y cuquis de pajaritos. A falta de tres meses para cumplir 40 tacos, después de haber visto un programa sobre hacer una lista de cosas que hacer antes de morir, Suzume decide hacer una lista de 10 cosas que quiere hacer antes de cumplir los 40. Estas cosas, que las deberá hacer en tan solo tres meses - ya que su cumpleaños es el 24 de diciembre- consisten en cosas mundanas y cotidianas que no ha hecho antes por diversas razones, una de las cuales es su edad y también su falta de pareja. Mientras está haciendo la lista en la oficina, aparece de la nada su subordinado Keishi Tanaka, diez años menor que él. Cunado lee toda la lista, Keishi le confiesa a Suzume que él también es gay y que hace tiempo que se ha dado cuenta que ambos son de la misma acera. También le confiesa sin ambages que se siente atraído sexualmente por él y que está más que dispuesto a acostarse con él. Tachando ese día un deseo de la lista de Suzume, Keishi comenzará a acompañar a su jefe para que cumpla todas las cosas que quiere hacer antes del día de su cumpleaños. ¿Será Suzume capaz de cumplirla antes de cumplir los 40?

Leer toda la reseña: https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...

[Aleja Uribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mamita, te amo! La historia es muy bonita! Amé a Tōjō y a Keishi. La relación si bien empieza muy de la nada, los sentimientos no surgen de la nada. Es un tomo sencillo, pero la verdad es que Mamita logra que conectes fácil con sus personajes y con lo que sienten, en un punto me partió el corazón un poco, pero bueno, todo valió la pena.

[Allan Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un manga muy interesante. Tenía muchas ganas de leerlo por el título. La idea de hacer ciertos sueños antes de llegar a los 40 me pareció genial.

Me agradó que los protagonistas fueran adultos y no adolescentes y que pudieran encontrar el amor.

Solo hubo un par de detalles que me desagradaron pero en general lo recomiendo, es entretenido y tierno.

[Marianaa Dz Mtz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhhhh está pisioso. Un poquito confuso en algunas partes de diálogo donde no sé si habla uno o el otro pero en general muy lindo

[Adele Lostinaclassicworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzume sta per compiere quarant'anni e così decide di stilare una lista di dieci cose da fare, cose semplici e facili da realizzare nei tre mesi che lo separano dal suo compleanno.
La lista però viene vista da Keishi, un collega di Suzume, che decide di aiutarlo a portare a termine tutti i punti.

Suzume è un uomo che si dedica solo al lavoro, ma grazie alla frequentazione con Keishi inizia quasi a riaprirsi al mondo, a fare tante piccole cose che per un motivo o un altro ha sempre rimandato. Keishi è più giovane di Suzume di dieci anni ed è lui a trascinarlo in nuove piccole avventure fuori dall'orario di lavoro, quando non esistono più né regole né ruoli.

Mi è piaciuto molto vederli interagire, e anche il modo in cui si sono avvicinati sempre di più. La lista delle cose da fare li aiuta a mostrarsi per come sono in realtà, fuori da un ufficio e nella vita di tutti i giorni.

È una storia tranquilla, perfetta per dei momenti di relax, ma non banale o scontata, anzi riesce anche a toccare anche il tema importante del coming-out, quando e se una persona vuole parlare della propria sfera privata.

[Jellyjeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

「40までにしたい10のこと」

3.5 ดาวปัดขึ้น ⭐️
เรื่องราวของ ‘โทโจ สึซึเมะ’ ขณะฟังรายการโทรทัศน์ที่กำลังพูดเรื่องเช็คลิตส์ที่อยากทำก่อนตาย ตัวเองก็เลยมานั่งคิดว่าไหนๆ ตอนนี้อายุ 39 และอีก 3 เดือนข้างหน้าก็จะอายุเข้าเลขสี่แล้ว เราลองทำบ้างดีกว่า… แต่ลิสต์ตอนแรกมันดูไกลตัวไปหน่อย เลยลดลงมาเหลืออะไรที่พอจะทำได้ เช่น ทำปาร์ตี้ทาโกะยากิ ไปฮาราจูกุ รวมไปถึงการหาแฟน แต่ก็ดันมิวาย เจ้าลูกน้องในแผนก ‘ทานากะ เคชิ’ ที่อายุห่างกันเป็น 10 ปีดันมาเห็นลิสต์ซะได้! แถมเสนอตัวเป็นแฟนครับให้กับหัวหน้าซะด้วย

แบบว่าเขาแอบคบกันลับๆอ่า น่ารักกรุบกริบดี พาร์ทออกไปเดท (เรียกเดทได้ล่ะมั้ง) ก็น่ารักกันจังงง ไอ่ลูกน้องนี่มันฮอทสุดๆ แล้วชอบที่เล่าย้อนความตอนที่เคชิไปหนีบตู้ให้สึซึเมะมากๆๆๆ น่ารักมาก! ตอนดราม่าก็มีมานิดๆหน่อยๆให้พอกรุบกริบอีกนั่นแหล่ะ แต่เล่มนี้ไม่ค่อยเล่ารายละเอียดเกี่ยวกับเคชิเท่าไหร่ กับรายละเอียดเรื่องเช็คลิสต์เหมือนบางอันมันไม่มีมั้ยนะ หรือนี่อ่านข้ามหรอ ;-;)a

ปล. ชุดอยู่บ้านของสึซึเมะน่ารักเกิ๊น

ใดๆ รอแปลไทยเล่ม 2 น้า~

[Neusitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

8,5 / 10 ⭐️
Manga / MM / Romance Oficina

Suzume está a punto de cumplir los 40 y lleva más de 10 años solo. Después de ver por la tele alguien que habla de hacer una lista sobre 10 cosas antes de morir, a él se le ocurre hacer una lista de 10 cosas que hacer antes de los 40. Y entre algunas de las cosas hay 'tener novio' y 'besar'. Un compañero de trabajo lo ve y decide ayudarle a cumplirla.

Romántico, bonito, dulce y sexy.
Es un solo tomo, así que es corto.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!! Sweet age-gap romance stories are always up my alley, and this was no exception. Keishi is so considerate of Suzume and Suzume finally finding someone to love and be loved by melted my heart ♡

[Sara ➽ Ink Is My Sword · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

super cute, amazing art style. i am a sucker for queer stories about older office men finding love and happiness. i just wish it was a bit more fleshed and paced out, but then again, it may be my common critic to all one shots. highly recommend as a palette cleanser. ❣️

[Yume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leído en japonés!

Buenísimo. Una pareja adorable, un ambiente super tierno (y también sexy!). Me ha gustado mucho la dinámica y el dibujo también! Me alegro de haberme fiado de los rankings. Recomendado 👌🏻

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the art and omg him dressed up in his lounge clothes adorable. When he is being carried in them, adorable!!! I love it! Really a cute story about friends to lovers with a little heart break but their make up was so cute… and sexy. Loving this author

[Assa · Rating 5 out of 5]

el primer 5 estrellas del año, es un manga pero weno