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A Nightingale Awaits the Blooming Love of Spring
Third-year brawler Haruka Shirakawa finally claims the title of Top Fighter, only to learn his new Classic Lit teacher, Mr. Narumi, once held it too. Haruka’s friends want him to challenge Narumi and surpass the legend, but Haruka just wants to understand him.
After seeing a video of Narumi fighting in his prime, the fire in Narumi's eyes ignites something in Haruka too: the blazing desire to grow stronger—and to grow up. And since Narumi won't fight him, the least he can do is teach him to fight... and Mr. Narumi's lessons strike deeper than any blow.
After seeing a video of Narumi fighting in his prime, the fire in Narumi's eyes ignites something in Haruka too: the blazing desire to grow stronger—and to grow up. And since Narumi won't fight him, the least he can do is teach him to fight... and Mr. Narumi's lessons strike deeper than any blow.
216 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 12, 2023
2.5
Đánh đấm trùm trường các kiểu, mình không thích cách truyện diễn ra, thực sự là mình không thích cái kiểu nhóm bạn của Haruka, tâm lý của mấy việc mà mấy nhân vật này làm đơn giản chỉ là bốc đồng tuổi trẻ.
Mình thích nhân vật Haruka vì dễ thương, và Haruka trông giống một nhân vật trong bộ manga khác mà mình thích.
Mình cũng không quá thích mối quan hệ giữa Haruka và Narumi, đó là tình thầy trò - thay đổi những điều xấu và mang tới những sự thay đổi tốt đẹp, nhưng mình vẫn thấy có gì đó không hợp với mình (mình cũng không mong đợi tình yêu gì giữa hai nhân vật). Tâm lý của thầy Narumi làm mình thấy mơ hồ thiệt á. Được cái là truyện dễ thương và hước.
Yêu mấy cái mặt mèo, baby này (*´∇｀*)
Đánh đấm trùm trường các kiểu, mình không thích cách truyện diễn ra, thực sự là mình không thích cái kiểu nhóm bạn của Haruka, tâm lý của mấy việc mà mấy nhân vật này làm đơn giản chỉ là bốc đồng tuổi trẻ.
Mình thích nhân vật Haruka vì dễ thương, và Haruka trông giống một nhân vật trong bộ manga khác mà mình thích.
Mình cũng không quá thích mối quan hệ giữa Haruka và Narumi, đó là tình thầy trò - thay đổi những điều xấu và mang tới những sự thay đổi tốt đẹp, nhưng mình vẫn thấy có gì đó không hợp với mình (mình cũng không mong đợi tình yêu gì giữa hai nhân vật). Tâm lý của thầy Narumi làm mình thấy mơ hồ thiệt á. Được cái là truyện dễ thương và hước.
Yêu mấy cái mặt mèo, baby này (*´∇｀*)
November 7, 2025
This standalone is very much what I would consider ok. There's nothing offensively wrong about it and I think it makes use of it's short length well enough. I found the premise a little odd to the point that I don't even quite know how to summarise it; the school in this setting has some strange tradition that the strongest student from a year needs to fight the strongest of the high up class once they are about to move up a grade. I didn't really grasp the point of this and thus found it hard to relate to the main character Haruka and his passion [?] for getting into fist fights. Coincidentally, their new teacher was a student at the same school a couple of years ago and was famous for being a good fighter. So naturally, the basic premise is about Haruka challenging his new teacher to a fist fight which somehow turns romantic.
I found the plot a little far fetched and ridiculous and I didn't feel any chemistry between Haruka and his teacher. I think it's a reasonably well handled story in terms of the student-teacher dynamics, considering this is always a tricky trope to get right. The art is nice and it has a fairly good pacing - hence why I consider this ok. I didn't care for the romance or rather silly plot, but it also didn't have many of the common bad tropes and pitfalls BL standalones tend to have. I read this ahead of the English print release to see if it's worth picking up but I shan't be getting a copy for myself.
May 13, 2026
This was super adorable and funny. It was very lighthearted and the art style… oh my god! So cute!! Ok so thE ONLY THING that i wished happened.. this is just personal preference…i wish they were vers.
NOW. HEAR ME OUT. I loved that they got together after graduation ok (irl still wrong i think…but this is fiction and i can separate the fact—also i know this also happens irl too so who tf am i to judge) but they were both in het relationships beforehand and i suppose that because it’s such a short story that it couldnt be fleshed out. Anyways. Shoulda been vers haha
NOW. HEAR ME OUT. I loved that they got together after graduation ok (irl still wrong i think…but this is fiction and i can separate the fact—also i know this also happens irl too so who tf am i to judge) but they were both in het relationships beforehand and i suppose that because it’s such a short story that it couldnt be fleshed out. Anyways. Shoulda been vers haha
April 7, 2024
[review written for the french website Manga Sanctuary]
How to write a healthy relationship from the « teacher-student » trope ? Don't flee so soon, if the challenge looks impossible, it's not for Nayuta Nago.
First, during all the story, Narumi acts the only reasonable way towards a student's flirting with him : keeping his distances, even if Shirakawa ruses to get closer. Second, both are legal and if it isn't enough, there's no relationship at all until Shirakawa is done with school. Finally... it's fiction, and if the idea makes you that incomfortable, there are plenty other BL more suited for you. You'd miss a great story, but not everyone has the same tastes after all.
You probably got it, it's a veeeeryyyy SLOW slow-burn romance. Narumi takes ages to realise his feelings. Shirakawa is a bit faster, but it's still funny to see him gradually understand if he likes spending time with his teacher, it's not for admiring his fighting skills. Indeeed, there are a few fights, greatly drawn and dynamic. It's not what we're here for, but it's well-done. As are some nonsensical situations. Maybe you won't laugh, but I guarantee you'll smile. Wildely. Shirakawa's bright mood and carefree attitude are contagious. It's not a feel-good book, but almost. Light, sweet, with just enough uncertainties to fear a little for them.
I spoker earlier about how good the fights visually are, but emotions, too, are well-rendered. Shirakawa is super-expressive, while Narumi... a lot less. It's obviously on purpose and matches the character's traits. The artstyle is gorgeous and precise. Though, there could have been more backgrounds, but their absence in not that noticeable.
If you're looking for stories with sex and darker themes, this in not the book you want. But if, on the opposite, you want a contemporary sometimes a bit silly with and endearing and determined protagonist, go for it, you won't regret it !
7/10, rounded up to four stars.
How to write a healthy relationship from the « teacher-student » trope ? Don't flee so soon, if the challenge looks impossible, it's not for Nayuta Nago.
First, during all the story, Narumi acts the only reasonable way towards a student's flirting with him : keeping his distances, even if Shirakawa ruses to get closer. Second, both are legal and if it isn't enough, there's no relationship at all until Shirakawa is done with school. Finally... it's fiction, and if the idea makes you that incomfortable, there are plenty other BL more suited for you. You'd miss a great story, but not everyone has the same tastes after all.
You probably got it, it's a veeeeryyyy SLOW slow-burn romance. Narumi takes ages to realise his feelings. Shirakawa is a bit faster, but it's still funny to see him gradually understand if he likes spending time with his teacher, it's not for admiring his fighting skills. Indeeed, there are a few fights, greatly drawn and dynamic. It's not what we're here for, but it's well-done. As are some nonsensical situations. Maybe you won't laugh, but I guarantee you'll smile. Wildely. Shirakawa's bright mood and carefree attitude are contagious. It's not a feel-good book, but almost. Light, sweet, with just enough uncertainties to fear a little for them.
I spoker earlier about how good the fights visually are, but emotions, too, are well-rendered. Shirakawa is super-expressive, while Narumi... a lot less. It's obviously on purpose and matches the character's traits. The artstyle is gorgeous and precise. Though, there could have been more backgrounds, but their absence in not that noticeable.
If you're looking for stories with sex and darker themes, this in not the book you want. But if, on the opposite, you want a contemporary sometimes a bit silly with and endearing and determined protagonist, go for it, you won't regret it !
7/10, rounded up to four stars.
January 4, 2024
2⭐️ per lo stile dei disegni, la trama… troppo forzata
April 17, 2026
Ohhh I loved this! I’m not into student-teacher romances but I think this was done well! Nothing happened between the two until a year after graduation.
Haruka was hilarious. I found him so funny and charming! I loved the dynamic between Narumi and Haruko. Their banter made me laugh.
Haruka was hilarious. I found him so funny and charming! I loved the dynamic between Narumi and Haruko. Their banter made me laugh.
March 11, 2025
J’ai adoré 😭, enfin une histoire prof/étudiant où je ne trouve rien à redire ! L’histoire était si cute et les dessins étaient sublimes.
Premièrement, parlons de Shirakawa qui était pour moi un protagoniste avec une personnalité tellement unique ! Au premier abord (quand j'ai vu la couverture), je pensais que ce serait un délinquant lambda au sang chaud. Mais en faîte c'était quelqu'un de super cute, qui agit selon ce qu'il ressent sur le moment et qui est tombé in love de Narumi.
Ensuite, pour parler de Narumi, déjà il était magnifique ! (Je pense que sa beauté était d'autant plus accentuée qu'on le voyait sous le prisme de Shirakawa). Ce que j'ai beaucoup aimé par rapport à lui c'est qu'il a quand même mis des barrières et qu'il a repoussé Shirakawa autant qu'il pouvait. (Et ça ne devait certainement pas être facile parce qu'il était beaucoup trop cute !)
Concernant leur relation, j'étais très contente de découvrir un Shirakawa dans la retenue dès l'instant où Narumi lui dit que le consentement a son importance et qu'il ne doit rien entreprendre vis-à-vis de lui qui ne soit pas consentis. De plus, l'évolution de leur relation se fait naturellement et reste plus ou moins platonique jusqu'à ce qu'il ne soit plus son élève et même un an de plus. Et à la fin j'étais juste beaucoup trop heureuse pour eux. Et c'est certainement une histoire que je relirai !
D'un point de vu général, par rapport aux histoires prof/élèves, c'est un genre que j'apprécie beaucoup. La plupart des gens voient ça d'un mauvais œil à cause de la différence d'âge et de la supériorité d'une des deux personnes. Mais pour moi, si ce n'est pas malsain et qu'il y a de vraies sentiments (et qu'ils attendent la majorité de la personne mineure) alors je ne vois pas le problème. Et cette histoire ci était un très bel exemple du genre extrêmement bien exécutée
Premièrement, parlons de Shirakawa qui était pour moi un protagoniste avec une personnalité tellement unique ! Au premier abord (quand j'ai vu la couverture), je pensais que ce serait un délinquant lambda au sang chaud. Mais en faîte c'était quelqu'un de super cute, qui agit selon ce qu'il ressent sur le moment et qui est tombé in love de Narumi.
Ensuite, pour parler de Narumi, déjà il était magnifique ! (Je pense que sa beauté était d'autant plus accentuée qu'on le voyait sous le prisme de Shirakawa). Ce que j'ai beaucoup aimé par rapport à lui c'est qu'il a quand même mis des barrières et qu'il a repoussé Shirakawa autant qu'il pouvait. (Et ça ne devait certainement pas être facile parce qu'il était beaucoup trop cute !)
Concernant leur relation, j'étais très contente de découvrir un Shirakawa dans la retenue dès l'instant où Narumi lui dit que le consentement a son importance et qu'il ne doit rien entreprendre vis-à-vis de lui qui ne soit pas consentis. De plus, l'évolution de leur relation se fait naturellement et reste plus ou moins platonique jusqu'à ce qu'il ne soit plus son élève et même un an de plus. Et à la fin j'étais juste beaucoup trop heureuse pour eux. Et c'est certainement une histoire que je relirai !
D'un point de vu général, par rapport aux histoires prof/élèves, c'est un genre que j'apprécie beaucoup. La plupart des gens voient ça d'un mauvais œil à cause de la différence d'âge et de la supériorité d'une des deux personnes. Mais pour moi, si ce n'est pas malsain et qu'il y a de vraies sentiments (et qu'ils attendent la majorité de la personne mineure) alors je ne vois pas le problème. Et cette histoire ci était un très bel exemple du genre extrêmement bien exécutée
December 27, 2022
Bref, « Le rossignol rêve aussi de printemps » est un Boy’s Love dynamique et entraînant. Le coup de crayon de la mangaka est parfaitement maîtrisé, notamment dans les scènes de bagarre et de sexe où le faciès de nos héros est expressif. J’ai adoré Narumi et Shirakawa, le premier pour sa classe constante et la discipline qu’il essaye d’instaurer autant chez lui que chez son élève. Le deuxième, pour son dévouement et les multiples émotions par lequel il passe tout au long du mangas. Il rigole peut-être à tout bout de champs mais il a les pieds sur terre et a conscience de ses capacités. A eux deux, ils forment un très bon duo où l’ascendance passe de l’un à l’autre en fonction des circonstances. J’ai passé un bon moment et je lirai probablement les œuvres futures de la mangaka.
January 11, 2024
3.5
Tbh, I love the art. I love mean looking character design. But the story itself is kinda weak. And student teacher relationships give me the ick. It's the power dynamic. Nothing sexual happens until the student graduates....but it still crosses lines for me. But I love the art so much. This is when I know I have problems...when something is visually my style, I tend to overlook problems with the story.
Tbh, I love the art. I love mean looking character design. But the story itself is kinda weak. And student teacher relationships give me the ick. It's the power dynamic. Nothing sexual happens until the student graduates....but it still crosses lines for me. But I love the art so much. This is when I know I have problems...when something is visually my style, I tend to overlook problems with the story.
October 21, 2024
Ok this was just really cute, I kinda just wanted to see what else this author has made and this cover really caught my attention. I really liked how it was the student pursuing, and that he does back off when a boundary is set. Best of all the fact that the real romance only starts serious after he graduates, and eve than they wait a year!
March 1, 2023
Al fin lo termino!! No sabía que estaba en futekiya. Me hubiese gustado más capítulos de su vida en pareja🤭
June 20, 2024
haruka my love.
September 15, 2024
2 ⭐️ because the art style is beautiful
March 8, 2025
Art màu rõ gu, nội dung thì bình thường, thêm đám bạn dở hơi. Điểm cộng là uke vẫn tỉnh táo, biết rõ thân phận của mình khó xử ntn. Nhưng nói chung đọc vẫn hơi hụt hẫng so vs cái art bìa, hic 🙄
January 7, 2026
Incredible, thank for at least making the effort of the letting the character having the legal age to have a relationship.
March 21, 2023
蠻可愛的，但打架不好啦，不要逼人家啊喂～～
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a digital galley from the publisher courtesy of Media Lab Public Relations. This is my honest opinion.
----
Content Warnings: explicit sexual content, age gap, student-teacher relationship
----
To be honest, when I read the description of this manga, plus the content warnings, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one. The potential for things to go downhill or to very dark places seemed quite possible based on what I’d read.
However, I’m pleasantly surprised and happy to share that this manga was nothing like I expected it to be. It’s funny and heartfelt, too, and I think I’m going to add it to my keeper shelf.
Shirakawa is crowned the top fighter at his high school, and while this attracts good attention, bad attention comes his way, too, from people in and out of school who want to fight him to win glory and defeat his title. Thus, he’s almost always fighting somewhere with someone.
At the welcoming ceremony, Narumi-sensei, the new classic lit teacher, gives a self-introduction and the students recognize him as the former top fighter in the very same school. Shirakawa’s friends eventually show him a video of Narumi fighting in action, and Shirakawa is completely in awe.
Shirakawa’s friends dare him and egg him on to fight Narumi-sensei to see how strong Shirakawa actually is. It doesn’t go very well.
Shirakawa asks Narumi-sensei several times to fight him, and each time, Narumi-sensei turns him down. He finds out that Narumi-sensei does not fight for the sake of fighting–he only fought in school in self-defense, because people attacked him.
This makes a light bulb go of in Shirakawa’s head, and one day, he decides to go ahead and attack Narumi-sensei to get him to fight with him. The fight ends quickly, with Shirakawa’s nose bloodied. This excites Shirakawa, however, because it’s been ages since he’s had an injury like this from someone. Shirakawa gets even more curious about Narumi-sensei, and comes up with a new proposition for him: he wants his teacher to show him how to fight!
Narumi-sensei turns him down repeatedly, but all the while, Shirakawa gets more curious and interested in his teacher, until he makes a move on him by forcing a kiss, which pisses Narumi-sensei off. Shirakawa is rejected multiple times, but doesn’t quite get it until Narumi-sensei gives him a short, harsh, personal rejection.
That sends Shirakawa into a sort of depressive spiral where he is self-reflecting and trying to figure out where he went wrong.
Of course, Narumi-sensei points out, he can’t carry on a relationship with a student.
More stuff happens in between and after all of this, where Shirakawa tries to get right with himself and his studies and with his teachers and mature into an adult so he can try again with Narumi-sensei. Narumi-sensei is firm in his rejections but is still a caring teacher. As these two grow and change separately, graduation hits, and it’s time for Shirakawa to say goodbye to Narumi-sensei for one last time…
And, that’s all I’m going to tell you. Just know that it ended up being surprisingly sweet, and, even more importantly, nothing sexual happens until characters are out of high school and out in the real world and are legal adults. So, despite the age gap of this romance, there was nothing that was there that grossed me out at all.
What I thought was going to be weird and dark turned out to be lighthearted, sweet, funny at times, and a work that tugged at my heartstrings. I love it when a manga surprises me in a good way.
There is some silliness to the plot here and there, but overall I enjoyed this story and wanted these two to get together after some patience, growth, and maturity.
As a sidenote, I really liked the art in this manga. I thought the character designs were original and distinctive, and I loved that Shirakawa had so many different facial expressions for his emotions, even flipping into a chibi face here and there. It made the art fun to look at. Of course, when things get spicy, things look great there, too (beware–it’s uncensored). The main story doesn’t have spice, but the after-stories where characters are older and out of school has it. Be sure to read all of it to see how Shirakawa and Narumi’s relationship has grown!
I don’t like high school/teacher relationships in 99% of the stories I read. It just creeps me out. But there’s something about this one that seems like an exception to the rule. I did not feel uncomfortable reading about this relationship, and was so relieved when, after some time, these two finally got together. I enjoyed this story immensely.
----
Content Warnings: explicit sexual content, age gap, student-teacher relationship
----
To be honest, when I read the description of this manga, plus the content warnings, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one. The potential for things to go downhill or to very dark places seemed quite possible based on what I’d read.
However, I’m pleasantly surprised and happy to share that this manga was nothing like I expected it to be. It’s funny and heartfelt, too, and I think I’m going to add it to my keeper shelf.
Shirakawa is crowned the top fighter at his high school, and while this attracts good attention, bad attention comes his way, too, from people in and out of school who want to fight him to win glory and defeat his title. Thus, he’s almost always fighting somewhere with someone.
At the welcoming ceremony, Narumi-sensei, the new classic lit teacher, gives a self-introduction and the students recognize him as the former top fighter in the very same school. Shirakawa’s friends eventually show him a video of Narumi fighting in action, and Shirakawa is completely in awe.
Shirakawa’s friends dare him and egg him on to fight Narumi-sensei to see how strong Shirakawa actually is. It doesn’t go very well.
Shirakawa asks Narumi-sensei several times to fight him, and each time, Narumi-sensei turns him down. He finds out that Narumi-sensei does not fight for the sake of fighting–he only fought in school in self-defense, because people attacked him.
This makes a light bulb go of in Shirakawa’s head, and one day, he decides to go ahead and attack Narumi-sensei to get him to fight with him. The fight ends quickly, with Shirakawa’s nose bloodied. This excites Shirakawa, however, because it’s been ages since he’s had an injury like this from someone. Shirakawa gets even more curious about Narumi-sensei, and comes up with a new proposition for him: he wants his teacher to show him how to fight!
Narumi-sensei turns him down repeatedly, but all the while, Shirakawa gets more curious and interested in his teacher, until he makes a move on him by forcing a kiss, which pisses Narumi-sensei off. Shirakawa is rejected multiple times, but doesn’t quite get it until Narumi-sensei gives him a short, harsh, personal rejection.
That sends Shirakawa into a sort of depressive spiral where he is self-reflecting and trying to figure out where he went wrong.
Of course, Narumi-sensei points out, he can’t carry on a relationship with a student.
More stuff happens in between and after all of this, where Shirakawa tries to get right with himself and his studies and with his teachers and mature into an adult so he can try again with Narumi-sensei. Narumi-sensei is firm in his rejections but is still a caring teacher. As these two grow and change separately, graduation hits, and it’s time for Shirakawa to say goodbye to Narumi-sensei for one last time…
And, that’s all I’m going to tell you. Just know that it ended up being surprisingly sweet, and, even more importantly, nothing sexual happens until characters are out of high school and out in the real world and are legal adults. So, despite the age gap of this romance, there was nothing that was there that grossed me out at all.
What I thought was going to be weird and dark turned out to be lighthearted, sweet, funny at times, and a work that tugged at my heartstrings. I love it when a manga surprises me in a good way.
There is some silliness to the plot here and there, but overall I enjoyed this story and wanted these two to get together after some patience, growth, and maturity.
As a sidenote, I really liked the art in this manga. I thought the character designs were original and distinctive, and I loved that Shirakawa had so many different facial expressions for his emotions, even flipping into a chibi face here and there. It made the art fun to look at. Of course, when things get spicy, things look great there, too (beware–it’s uncensored). The main story doesn’t have spice, but the after-stories where characters are older and out of school has it. Be sure to read all of it to see how Shirakawa and Narumi’s relationship has grown!
I don’t like high school/teacher relationships in 99% of the stories I read. It just creeps me out. But there’s something about this one that seems like an exception to the rule. I did not feel uncomfortable reading about this relationship, and was so relieved when, after some time, these two finally got together. I enjoyed this story immensely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
Nayuta Nago's signature style remains: an extremely promising beginning that flags a bit by the end. So far, though, this one was my favorite. It actually made me think I should go back and try a sequel I'd been skipping...but we'll see.
Haruka is a third year student who's in one of those schools that show up in lots of ridiculous anime: overrun by delinquents who spend their free time beating each other to a pulp and forgetting classes exist. Except it's just part of some weird tradition that the adults must be aware of but never mention or try to stop; at the close of each school year, the strongest second year fights the strongest third year for bragging rights.
It's not that Haruka particularly cares about fighting, but he's good at it, and he's not passionate about anything, really, so he might as well. He does like his friends a surprising amount: he gets very sad about the fact that they threaten to abandon him (and not eat lunch with him) until he successfully battles their new teacher, a guy named Narumi who'd been a legendary top fighter only five years earlier.
The timeline seems kind of off to me - was it just an attempt to make the age gap as small as possible? I don't really get how Narumi could already be in his second year of teaching, unless teaching universities are shorter runs than regular four year institutions.
Anyway, he takes his job as a teacher very seriously, and is annoyed and bewildered by a student's sudden obsession with (fighting) him. Fighting in parentheses because it starts at his Haruka's friends' urging but rapidly turns into Haruka being incredibly fascinated by his smart, strong, beautiful teacher who won't give him the time of day.
The story won't be a lot of people's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it; there's the right combination of silliness mixed with serious character moments.
Narumi had a fellow teacher ex-girlfriend he didn't seem particularly into, so while he's not portrayed as gay, he doesn't show a lot of surprise at gradually falling into the "he sure likes me a lot and it's flattering and I do actually enjoy spending time with him" trap. There could've been more actual relationship development - Haruka is kind of so brainless I'm not sure what kinds of conversations these two could have in the long run, so I wish there'd been more of that friendship build along the way. But they have surprisingly intense chemistry, and for these two, that goes a long way.
I liked how pushy but also how gentle Haruka was with Narumi. Again, a good mix: he's headstrong and selfish (which he eventually realizes and tries to fix to some extent) and pretty oblivious to other people's feelings. But he also really does care about Narumi and listens to him when he says no. Or, at least listens to the parts he finds important, and figures out how to get around the others. Like waiting until he's no longer a student to make a real romantic move. Or trying to get his life together and lock down a decent job so he's not just a sponge. And figuring out what Narumi means by "consent" so he can kiss him again, but in a way Narumi won't object to and punch him for.
It's a weirdly sweet story that would have bigger real-world consequences for Narumi's life and career if it continued past a second volume, which I kinda would have liked to see. But I don't think Nago is that kind of writer. It's mostly about intriguing setups and (sometimes abruptly) happy endings. Which can be good in its own way.
Haruka is a third year student who's in one of those schools that show up in lots of ridiculous anime: overrun by delinquents who spend their free time beating each other to a pulp and forgetting classes exist. Except it's just part of some weird tradition that the adults must be aware of but never mention or try to stop; at the close of each school year, the strongest second year fights the strongest third year for bragging rights.
It's not that Haruka particularly cares about fighting, but he's good at it, and he's not passionate about anything, really, so he might as well. He does like his friends a surprising amount: he gets very sad about the fact that they threaten to abandon him (and not eat lunch with him) until he successfully battles their new teacher, a guy named Narumi who'd been a legendary top fighter only five years earlier.
The timeline seems kind of off to me - was it just an attempt to make the age gap as small as possible? I don't really get how Narumi could already be in his second year of teaching, unless teaching universities are shorter runs than regular four year institutions.
Anyway, he takes his job as a teacher very seriously, and is annoyed and bewildered by a student's sudden obsession with (fighting) him. Fighting in parentheses because it starts at his Haruka's friends' urging but rapidly turns into Haruka being incredibly fascinated by his smart, strong, beautiful teacher who won't give him the time of day.
The story won't be a lot of people's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it; there's the right combination of silliness mixed with serious character moments.
Narumi had a fellow teacher ex-girlfriend he didn't seem particularly into, so while he's not portrayed as gay, he doesn't show a lot of surprise at gradually falling into the "he sure likes me a lot and it's flattering and I do actually enjoy spending time with him" trap. There could've been more actual relationship development - Haruka is kind of so brainless I'm not sure what kinds of conversations these two could have in the long run, so I wish there'd been more of that friendship build along the way. But they have surprisingly intense chemistry, and for these two, that goes a long way.
I liked how pushy but also how gentle Haruka was with Narumi. Again, a good mix: he's headstrong and selfish (which he eventually realizes and tries to fix to some extent) and pretty oblivious to other people's feelings. But he also really does care about Narumi and listens to him when he says no. Or, at least listens to the parts he finds important, and figures out how to get around the others. Like waiting until he's no longer a student to make a real romantic move. Or trying to get his life together and lock down a decent job so he's not just a sponge. And figuring out what Narumi means by "consent" so he can kiss him again, but in a way Narumi won't object to and punch him for.
It's a weirdly sweet story that would have bigger real-world consequences for Narumi's life and career if it continued past a second volume, which I kinda would have liked to see. But I don't think Nago is that kind of writer. It's mostly about intriguing setups and (sometimes abruptly) happy endings. Which can be good in its own way.
May 16, 2026
This author is hit or miss for me. I wasn’t sure if I would like this teacher/age gap cause it’s not my favorite but I did. The thing I typically hate most is when the teacher seems like a chikan, that they would date multiple students. I also don’t like when the older one is constantly seen as such an adult. If we are acknowledging that the younger one is too immature for such a relationship it eerks me. Neither of those things happen here. And when it does get spicy, the kid has been out of high school for a year. The story is basically about a high school fighter that loves fighting a famous past student who was deemed the best fighter returns as a teacher. He challenges the teacher and the teacher basically tries to avoid all the situations the student is creating. Along the way they start liking each other and eventually they are together. I liked them a lot. The art was okay.
July 21, 2023
Haruka couldn't care less about being the top fighter of his school, but his friends sure do. When he reaches the top, his friends push him to fight the legendary undefeated top fighter, Narumi, who just so happens to be Haruka's new classic literature teacher. Haruka reluctantly challenges Narumi to a fight after his friends threaten to make him eat alone, but Narumi refuses, of course, because a teacher can't fight his student. However after seeing a video of Narumi fighting, something sparks in Haruka and he becomes way more persistent in his pursuits to fight Narumi, but maybe his feelings are more than just wanting to fight?
READ ON FUTEKIYA
This was so cute! I thoroughly enjoyed it . Nago Nayuta's works tend to be very hit or miss for me, but this one was definitely a hit. I want more tbh. This is a student/teacher romance, so if you're not into that probably skip. However, I think the way it was handled was pretty good. They don't actually get together until after Haruka graduates. The relationship itself made me kind of overlook a lot. Also Haruka is just so cute?? All the cute chibi faces!! I love. I loved Narumi's more serious personality as well and there were a few moments that made me laugh. This was overall a fun and cute read and I enjoyed it.
READ ON FUTEKIYA
This was so cute! I thoroughly enjoyed it . Nago Nayuta's works tend to be very hit or miss for me, but this one was definitely a hit. I want more tbh. This is a student/teacher romance, so if you're not into that probably skip. However, I think the way it was handled was pretty good. They don't actually get together until after Haruka graduates. The relationship itself made me kind of overlook a lot. Also Haruka is just so cute?? All the cute chibi faces!! I love. I loved Narumi's more serious personality as well and there were a few moments that made me laugh. This was overall a fun and cute read and I enjoyed it.
May 20, 2026
Cute
This is a fun BL with a unique premise and pretty art. I really appreciated the discussion of consent and the fact that our student and teacher couple didn't get together until AFTER the student graduated.
This is a fun BL with a unique premise and pretty art. I really appreciated the discussion of consent and the fact that our student and teacher couple didn't get together until AFTER the student graduated.
April 21, 2025
5/5⭐️ star read for me I usually hate student and teacher love but this one was so cute I loved them so much there are so cute together and the story was amazing honestly it’s sad that they pushed the whole story in to six chapters I hope there were more chapters but the manga is still great so underrated more people need to read this😘
April 19, 2026
Good chemistry but at the same time they started as teacher and student. I know they waited until after the student graduated but it still is a little creepy. Saying that it's well written and I love the fight scenes.
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