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Only the Ring Finger Knows - Novel #2
Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Left Hand Dreams of Him
Yuichi, who has just been accepted into an extremely prestigious national university, has planned a vacation for his exam-ridden boyfriend, Wataru. Looking to raise money for the trip, Yuichi agrees to a short-term job with his college senior Asaka, whose cool attitude and mature personality makes for an uncanny resemblance to Yuichi himself. Taking a liking to Wataru, Asaka makes no effort to hide his interest and advances. How long will Yuichi be able to contain his frustration and jealousy?
242 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2002
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337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 26, 2008
GENERIC HOSTILE REVIEW.
I’d love to leave it at Generic, but I got fooled by Amazon reviews into actually buying this piece of crap. I disliked the first one, because I felt the writing wasn’t meant for my age group, so I didn’t review it...but upon reading this one...I’ve determined that I wouldn’t even wipe my ass with it, yet I’ve no qualms about sodomizing a few of those Amazon reviewers with it.
Fool me once, b*tches. I stand by my original parody name for this series...Only The Ring Finger, Blows. Oh, and don’t get me started on how badly this book is put together–if I were June, I’d be embarrassed to put my logo on it.
I’d love to leave it at Generic, but I got fooled by Amazon reviews into actually buying this piece of crap. I disliked the first one, because I felt the writing wasn’t meant for my age group, so I didn’t review it...but upon reading this one...I’ve determined that I wouldn’t even wipe my ass with it, yet I’ve no qualms about sodomizing a few of those Amazon reviewers with it.
Fool me once, b*tches. I stand by my original parody name for this series...Only The Ring Finger, Blows. Oh, and don’t get me started on how badly this book is put together–if I were June, I’d be embarrassed to put my logo on it.
July 18, 2017
Ah, I love this second book, too. Yuichi's such a sweet boyfriend [kilig, lol]! Shohei, however, has declared his opposition. I really liked what Shohei has told Yuichi and Wataru: “You have to face serious people seriously. That's my policy.”
With this book, one can see clearly how Asaka is slowly falling for Wataru, or, had he, already? [So much for him being just a hero of justice for Wataru]. Lol! ^_^
Off to the third book [for the nth time, lol!]! ;)
With this book, one can see clearly how Asaka is slowly falling for Wataru, or, had he, already? [So much for him being just a hero of justice for Wataru]. Lol! ^_^
Off to the third book [for the nth time, lol!]! ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2012
Wow what a crappy translation but at least the pictures were pretty.
July 6, 2022
Considering how much I hated the first book, I'm surprised that I actually enjoyed this one - for the most part.
I think it's because of the new characters - Masanobu, who would be a considerably better boyfriend and should date Wataru instead, and Yuichi's older brother, Shohei. I continue to dislike Yuichi, who's immature and selfish and controlling and irritating throughout, but Wataru is pretty likable, and I'm also...just kind of a sucker for travel stories. The second half, with a trip to Okinawa, had a lot of fun settings and things that made me super nostalgic for the days when I felt comfortable traveling and trying out new things. (Food. Places. Experiences. Sigh. At least I can still visit them through books.)
Anyway, Wataru's relationship with Yuichi isn't quite as horrible as in the first book, but that's partly because Wataru spends a lot of the book hanging out with Masanobu instead...whom he consistently refers to as genuinely kind, selfless, concerned about other people, etc...similar to Yuichi in some ways (mostly being Too Hot To Exist Alongside Normal People), but with some distinctive differences in personality. Which makes me wonder...why are you staying with Yuichi, Wataru? Heck I'm with Shohei at this point. He should succeed at breaking them up so Yuichi can mature for a while and Wataru can find someone who will treat him like an equal.
Right out of the gate, on page 2, Wataru's lying in bed next to his boyfriend, observing him peacefully because this is the only time Yuichi ever looks nice. (I continue to be weirded out by the idea that Yuichi being mean to Wataru is a mark of their love - because Wataru is the only person he's not nice to so that means he's Special. That's actually not even true in this book since Yuichi is a jerk to Masanobu and to pretty much everyone else at his workplace.)
Anyway, this paragraph at the beginning nearly made me quit reading, since I figured it'd all be the same:
So romantic. And there's more.
Wataru, every time Yuichi physically hurts or verbally/emotionally abuses him: oh it must be because he loves me so much! This is literally textbook abuse.
I liked the parts where Wataru actually started to stand up to him a bit more; despite Yuichi hating and being jealous of Masanobu from the start, Wataru stubbornly refuses to think badly of the guy and consistently defends him. Their relationship feels a tiny bit more balanced when Wataru's refusing to be a pushover, but...I just still don't see any actual chemistry or friendship between the two of them. The buildup in the first book was so terrible that it's hard to recover any ground a year on.
Anyway, I still have one more book that I'd already bought, so I guess I'll try that one next and see how it goes. I'm curious about the rest of the story...and the family drama part is interesting. But I definitely don't want to spend the time and money to find copies of the last couple books, so I hope the third one ends on a relatively satisfying note so I can stop there.
I think it's because of the new characters - Masanobu, who would be a considerably better boyfriend and should date Wataru instead, and Yuichi's older brother, Shohei. I continue to dislike Yuichi, who's immature and selfish and controlling and irritating throughout, but Wataru is pretty likable, and I'm also...just kind of a sucker for travel stories. The second half, with a trip to Okinawa, had a lot of fun settings and things that made me super nostalgic for the days when I felt comfortable traveling and trying out new things. (Food. Places. Experiences. Sigh. At least I can still visit them through books.)
Anyway, Wataru's relationship with Yuichi isn't quite as horrible as in the first book, but that's partly because Wataru spends a lot of the book hanging out with Masanobu instead...whom he consistently refers to as genuinely kind, selfless, concerned about other people, etc...similar to Yuichi in some ways (mostly being Too Hot To Exist Alongside Normal People), but with some distinctive differences in personality. Which makes me wonder...why are you staying with Yuichi, Wataru? Heck I'm with Shohei at this point. He should succeed at breaking them up so Yuichi can mature for a while and Wataru can find someone who will treat him like an equal.
Right out of the gate, on page 2, Wataru's lying in bed next to his boyfriend, observing him peacefully because this is the only time Yuichi ever looks nice. (I continue to be weirded out by the idea that Yuichi being mean to Wataru is a mark of their love - because Wataru is the only person he's not nice to so that means he's Special. That's actually not even true in this book since Yuichi is a jerk to Masanobu and to pretty much everyone else at his workplace.)
Anyway, this paragraph at the beginning nearly made me quit reading, since I figured it'd all be the same:
Looking at the graceful curves of his profile, an unconscious sigh spilled out from Wataru. He could never tell Yuichi a line like that while he was awake, though -- he'd be made fun of for showing such weakness. He could easily hear him saying "Well that's stupid!" in a mocking voice, ten-odd centimeters away from him, peering at him with a slightly malicious look in his eyes.
So romantic. And there's more.
He seemingly spat that out as he held Wataru tightly. The suffocating strength behind it must have been the awkwardness of expressing his true feelings.
Next to his good-humored lover, the miserable Wataru felt like a little servant.
Well, maybe that's more proof that I've loved, and I might be pretty naive for thinking it.
Wataru, every time Yuichi physically hurts or verbally/emotionally abuses him: oh it must be because he loves me so much! This is literally textbook abuse.
I liked the parts where Wataru actually started to stand up to him a bit more; despite Yuichi hating and being jealous of Masanobu from the start, Wataru stubbornly refuses to think badly of the guy and consistently defends him. Their relationship feels a tiny bit more balanced when Wataru's refusing to be a pushover, but...I just still don't see any actual chemistry or friendship between the two of them. The buildup in the first book was so terrible that it's hard to recover any ground a year on.
Anyway, I still have one more book that I'd already bought, so I guess I'll try that one next and see how it goes. I'm curious about the rest of the story...and the family drama part is interesting. But I definitely don't want to spend the time and money to find copies of the last couple books, so I hope the third one ends on a relatively satisfying note so I can stop there.
January 24, 2018
Once again two novels in one, though these two are more immediately tied together and follow on than the two in Volume 1. Unfortunately they both suffer the exact same problem as the second novella in Vol1: any and all relationships problems can only arise from interfering villains who want the main couple to break up (often because they want to date one of them instead). Absolutely zero lessons have been learned since Vol1, or even between the two novels in this volume, as Wataru continues to trust someone in part 2 who it turned out was totally out to screw Wataru's relationship over in part 1. But sure when he shows up again, just be happy and treat him like a friend and trust everything he says.
(How is this kid still alive?)
Rating: 2 stars - it's much less endearing to see all the pitfalls from Vol1 maximised even further for this volume.
(How is this kid still alive?)
Rating: 2 stars - it's much less endearing to see all the pitfalls from Vol1 maximised even further for this volume.
January 16, 2022
2.5 stars, maybe. The plot is there, but fairly unengaging. The "drama" feels flat and childish, almost.
The language used in this book is simple (aside from the sudden appearances of less common words out of nowhere, like 'soliloquy' or 'coquettish'). However, for the most part, I felt like I had no idea what the characters were talking (moaning) about, what the problem is, etc. (Could be this is due to the translation from Japanese, which is notorious for being a vague language. Also, what constitutes as drama in the West vs. in Japan might have a very different meaning.)
So, it could be a cultural gap that keeps me from fully enjoying this book (and the series altogether). It's fun and entertaining in places, but when the core problems the characters have to face and overcome seem so trivial and unconnected, it leads to a bland experience for sure.
The language used in this book is simple (aside from the sudden appearances of less common words out of nowhere, like 'soliloquy' or 'coquettish'). However, for the most part, I felt like I had no idea what the characters were talking (moaning) about, what the problem is, etc. (Could be this is due to the translation from Japanese, which is notorious for being a vague language. Also, what constitutes as drama in the West vs. in Japan might have a very different meaning.)
So, it could be a cultural gap that keeps me from fully enjoying this book (and the series altogether). It's fun and entertaining in places, but when the core problems the characters have to face and overcome seem so trivial and unconnected, it leads to a bland experience for sure.
August 3, 2024
Die Geschichte geht weiter. So Slice of Life mäßig.
Yuichi spürt schon die Bedrohung durch den älteren Kommilutonen Masanobu und reagiert oft über.
Wataru kapiert einfach nichts und streitet immer wieder mit Yuichi deswegen.
Die Kabelein und Liebe zwischen Wataru und Yuichi kommt irgendwie nicht so gut rüber wie im ersten Band. Es war okay, aber nicht so, dass ich mit den beiden Protagonisten mitgefiebert hätte...
Das war eher so, ach ist Yuichi wieder beleidigte Leberwurst und Wataru weiß wieder nicht, was er tun soll oder falsch gemacht haben könnte...
Redet Klartext miteinander und rauft euch zusammen, verdammt nochmal!
Die beiden habe für eine gute Beziehung noch eine Menge zu lernen / zu ändern. Vorallem Yuichi, der zu viel mit sich selbst ausmacht ohne Wataru einzubeziehen.
Ich hoffe es wird wieder besser im nächsten Band.
Yuichi spürt schon die Bedrohung durch den älteren Kommilutonen Masanobu und reagiert oft über.
Wataru kapiert einfach nichts und streitet immer wieder mit Yuichi deswegen.
Die Kabelein und Liebe zwischen Wataru und Yuichi kommt irgendwie nicht so gut rüber wie im ersten Band. Es war okay, aber nicht so, dass ich mit den beiden Protagonisten mitgefiebert hätte...
Das war eher so, ach ist Yuichi wieder beleidigte Leberwurst und Wataru weiß wieder nicht, was er tun soll oder falsch gemacht haben könnte...
Redet Klartext miteinander und rauft euch zusammen, verdammt nochmal!
Die beiden habe für eine gute Beziehung noch eine Menge zu lernen / zu ändern. Vorallem Yuichi, der zu viel mit sich selbst ausmacht ohne Wataru einzubeziehen.
Ich hoffe es wird wieder besser im nächsten Band.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2017
Asuka seems suspicious.
Read via mangafox scans, they were cut short at the bottom of the page so only the top half of the letters were visible. The binding also cast a bit of dark shadows, otherwise the quality was fine.
Read via mangafox scans, they were cut short at the bottom of the page so only the top half of the letters were visible. The binding also cast a bit of dark shadows, otherwise the quality was fine.
November 17, 2017
Being one of my first shounen-ai manga(s?), this is held at a very special place in my heart. I may have to reread it tonight, stay tuned.
March 14, 2021
Pretty much more of the same from the first novel. As a warning, there are a few sentiments that come across as homophobic to western eyes 15 years later so proceed with caution.
May 25, 2021
This took me so long to read. It just wasn't interesting at all. I have all the books in this series but I won't be reading the rest of them....
September 27, 2022
My Review: When I started out reading this book, I expected more tension between Asaka and Yuichi. Throughout the story, I kept expecting Asaka to step up and try to win Wataru's affections. It seemed so obvious this is where the author was headed with this story.
Instead, she spends a great deal of the book endearing Asaka not only to Wataru, but to her readers as well. It's so hard not to like the older boy, you almost miss how he manipulates events to his advantage. There were a few plot points I had to question, as far as Yuichi's strange amount of trust in Asaka, though. I'm still trying to figure that part out. Maybe book three will give more insight. Asaka's character is so hard to figure out.
This book continues to show the fresh, bald use of English in a very straightforward and almost breezy way that seems to suit the story itself so well. It's not what I'm used to, but I find I liked the simplicity of it more and more as I read. Perhaps there was less of the awkwardness I noticed in the first book, or maybe I just got used to it.
Once again, those rings prove the stumbling point in the relationship. Both men want to emphasise the importance of their symbolism, yet every time they turn around, the rings are getting them into uncomfortable situations. Taking a stand for their relationship seems the next logical place to go, but as soon as they do, Yuichi's older brother takes exception. My favourite part of the entire book was Wataru standing up to the older man. Ordinary he might seem on the outside, but in fact, I get the impression he's really the stronger of the two.
Like the first book, too, the art is very sweet and I found myself lingering over the drawings. I just wish there were more of them. I would have liked to see more of those intense moments between Wataru and Yuichi depicted, but even still, I enjoyed what there was.
I'm definitely interested to read the third book and see where this new obslicle of Yuichi's older brother takes the pair. One thing is for certain, the author has done a good job of depicting a young, uncertain relationship and instilling some doubt as to whether these young men are capable of going the distance. It makes me far more interested in reading the next volume than I might otherwise be.
Instead, she spends a great deal of the book endearing Asaka not only to Wataru, but to her readers as well. It's so hard not to like the older boy, you almost miss how he manipulates events to his advantage. There were a few plot points I had to question, as far as Yuichi's strange amount of trust in Asaka, though. I'm still trying to figure that part out. Maybe book three will give more insight. Asaka's character is so hard to figure out.
This book continues to show the fresh, bald use of English in a very straightforward and almost breezy way that seems to suit the story itself so well. It's not what I'm used to, but I find I liked the simplicity of it more and more as I read. Perhaps there was less of the awkwardness I noticed in the first book, or maybe I just got used to it.
Once again, those rings prove the stumbling point in the relationship. Both men want to emphasise the importance of their symbolism, yet every time they turn around, the rings are getting them into uncomfortable situations. Taking a stand for their relationship seems the next logical place to go, but as soon as they do, Yuichi's older brother takes exception. My favourite part of the entire book was Wataru standing up to the older man. Ordinary he might seem on the outside, but in fact, I get the impression he's really the stronger of the two.
Like the first book, too, the art is very sweet and I found myself lingering over the drawings. I just wish there were more of them. I would have liked to see more of those intense moments between Wataru and Yuichi depicted, but even still, I enjoyed what there was.
I'm definitely interested to read the third book and see where this new obslicle of Yuichi's older brother takes the pair. One thing is for certain, the author has done a good job of depicting a young, uncertain relationship and instilling some doubt as to whether these young men are capable of going the distance. It makes me far more interested in reading the next volume than I might otherwise be.
September 5, 2010
I had doubts there for a while but I'm going to have to say, wow....so many times over. I always did wonder how family felt about this and now we know. And Asaka, I don't like him much, it may be just a feeling I get but something isn't right with him. He tries too hard at being like Yuichi's brother, a man that I knew would be as was described. Off to find the third book.
Read
April 1, 2010F KAN otrfk v.2
October 18, 2012
Getting way too repetitive.
March 20, 2013
Very disapointed as the first book was in manga format then they switch to book format, the first book was great though but the second I would'nt even call it a manga.
Read
March 27, 2013page 107
October 21, 2014
hmmm.... I think I preferred the first book of this series. To be fair I read the first part as a manga. I just kind of lost interest in this book. I've never been too keen on the manga novella thing
December 28, 2015
Definitely an improvement, with more drama and characterisation. Still had some weak points, and some editing slips but nevertheless I still want to keep reading :)
December 15, 2011
Once you start, I swear you will not be able to stop.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews