Honey Bee & Lemon Balm 2

ミツバチとレモンバーム [Mitsubachi to Lemon Balm] #2

by Jil Hashikura

Kaoru has found new meaning to his life after being offered a live-in job at Yuichiro's nighttime flower shop. Not only does he feel he can finally put the past behind him, but he thinks he may have also found the love of his life. Only, Yuichiro appears to be determined not to notice his feelings, and suddenly, Kaoru's past as a yakuza seems to be coming back to haunt him. Will Kaoru be able to move on...and get the man of his dreams?

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Romance, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Asian Literature

176 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2026

About the author

Japanese name: 端倉ジル

Reviews

[Elynn]

Why are they treating a 29 year old like a grandpa ( -_・)?

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I liked this volume just a little more than the first one mainly because the romance somewhat happened and there was more plot which made it more exciting.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars although I'm not sure it's quite 4. I did think it was a bit better than the first volume, though.

It's just a very sweet, comforting sort of story, and I enjoy those. Kaoru's feelings are given more room to develop, without it seeming quite so much like an insta-love. I appreciated that Yuichiro's hesitations were centered around that a little bit. He doesn't want someone to come in and fall head over heels for him at first glance, because his outward appearance doesn't match how he sees himself.

Others are drawn to his ethereal, almost fragile beauty, but he's just a normal guy who likes to drink beer and eat fried food and isn't as dignified and perfectly put together as he seems. So if someone falls for that idealized version of him, he'll just get hurt by their misplaced expectations once they start dating.

There were some good conversations in here, and some much better bonding between Kaoru and Yuichiro's brother. Less stalking and more actual hanging out as a growing family. That's fun and I wouldn't mind seeing more of the brother in some sort of spinoff - him shredding a pile of host club invitations was funny.

I was also amused by the author's note, where a friend of hers had guessed the entire plotline of the second volume. It's...well, yeah, it's kind of predictable, with Kaoru's boss coming back into the picture and Yuichiro standing up for him. But it was handled pretty well, and sometimes it's nice to read a story where you know the narrative beats are coming and just enjoy the process and the art.

[Ada Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Kondasha fora copy in exchange for a review!

Will finish writing later 🫡

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume and the romance continues + some MAJOR decisions are made!

This was the perfect way to end the series. Love it! Review to come at the end of November!

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really???! It ended like that?! Just get us all excited and not even let them kiss?! But I do see a 3rd volume being published soon..So maybe the mangaka saw everyone’s disappointment lol


Also, 29 is not an “old fogey”… I would love to be 29 again LOL.

[Ryofire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know this was out in English yet, and was delighted to see it at the book store. I appreciated exploring more of Kaoru's backstory (a little), and seeing how Kaoru and Yuichiro handled that, and that the characters have people on their side. Both the leads are more endearing this volume.

Although the story feels relatively light and slow, a lot happens very quickly at times (like Kaoru being swept along by his boss). And I know there are people who beg for stories like this, with no sex and more "fluff". It's not my particular cup of tea most of the time, but of course people will complain about everything.

I still don't think the, "People think Yuichiro is a woman" thing makes sense or is funny. There are plenty of androgynous characters out there and femme men, but Yuichiro is not one of them by a long shot. It's also frustrating that Kodansha removed all the honorifics. It sucks because this volume includes translation notes. If the translators thought it'd be confusing to have honorifics, an explanation could have been included there. But they didn't do that for no apparent reason.

Overall, it's a good volume, and I look forward to volume 3.

[jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 || emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It seems like you can't help but do stupid things when you fall in love.

Such a cute sequel to the first volume that really emphasizes how much of a lemon balm this is for the heart. I love the gap-moe of both Yuichiro and Kaoru, despite sometimes of it being used as a gag, this volume opened up for a lot of good conversation between the two of them. Truly a story that reminds us that to be loved truly is to be seen, to be known.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a good way, this was more of the same, the cuteness of what volume 1 had set up fulfilled. Some mild angst with Yuichiro at first struggling to take a confession of love (he cuts it off before it can be finished, trying to preserve what they have now). Meanwhile Kaoru is tested by running into his old boss (that he took a fall for and ended up in prison) who tries to win him back with a mix of condescension and abuse, playing on Kapru's self worth issues.

It's a mildly bumpy road to coupledom but they seem to have gotten there in the end!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honey Bee, Lemon Balm Vol. 2 is somehow a slow burn while also being short enough to devour in one sitting.

We get a little more of Mitsuya’s yakuza backstory in this volume, which I really enjoyed, and there’s definitely progress between him and Yuuichirou. The ending HEAVILY suggests where these two are headed, even if we aren’t quite there yet. Still incredibly quick and easy to binge, and I’m invested enough that I want to see these two actually get together. 🍯🐝🍋🌿

[Dana | Rainbow Romance Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this had some cute scenes, overall it lacked the charm and humour of volume 1, and I felt like it didn’t progress Kaoru and Yuichiro’s relationship enough. I don’t know if the third volume is a continuation of this or more of a bonus story, but the mangaka stated “the end” after this, and if that’s the case I’m disappointed.

They didn’t even kiss 😩

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is such a fun concept and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m really looking forward to volume three which I think just comes out in October. I’m not sure but yes such a fun story. Nothing like crazy life-changing or extravagant but it’s just fun and I really enjoy it and really that’s all I ask for in a series.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn if I've ever seen one. I love the two main characters to bits, though, so I will stick with it.

When this volume ended, a wave of panic came over me (things were getting good!) so I am happy to know that there is another volume on the horizon.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good themes in this, but there was not enough "meat" to make it as interesting as the first. This should have been longer and explored these characters' feelings in more depth to make their final conversation have the most emotional impact. I hope the third volume is better.

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaoru and Yuichiro are both so great and I died over Kaoru trying to confess and Yuichiro stopping him because he didn’t know how to be with someone. I loved how Yuichiro defended Kaoru from his previous boss and how Kaoru has a support system for the first time. I loved Yuichiro confessing and how they got together. Cuties <3

[Lily Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yo en serio necesito leer ya el tercer volumen...

[Ashley Fang]

哇咧，太會寫了⋯很溫柔的故事。侑一郎的心情很可以relate。喜歡一起看電影那段，兩人在看刺激1995呢。
好想看涼和妹妹的故事啊！！！！！

[iz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s sad that the end felt so rushed and so suddenly.

[October · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the art and the story, but I felt this volume didn't move the story much. I remember liking the first one better. I do like how respectful the two main characters are to each other.

[Hayeley Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuuuute

[⋆˚₊dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

[Lelith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as sweet as the first one. If you liked that, you'll definitely love this too! :D

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the update. The siblings are so interesting to me that I hope we see their romances in side stories or something!

[MyMeowmoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love them so much. So cute

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little trouble in paradise in this volume, but our couple manage to keep things together.

[angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Still a very sweet story.

[Cassiereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[E (manga_runner) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would say it's 3.5 stars
It's still a good one, but I did like volume 1 more and still plan to read the next volume.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My problem with this series is while it’s cute, I just don’t really see the chemistry between the two MCs. I’m not sure if I’ll read the 3rd volume or not when it comes out.

[Akansha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are in mood of something sweet, with little drama, something that just feels light this is what you are looking for.