薔薇色じゃない

by Yuu Nagira, 凪良 ゆう, 奈良千春 (イラスト)

磁石の両極が引き合うように、怖いくらいスムーズに恋に落ちた水野と阿久津。大学卒業後、同棲を始めるが、会社員となった阿久津とフードスタイリスト修行中の水野は少しずつすれ違い、水野がふと漏らした一言が決定打となり別れる。一年後、再会したふたりは友人としての関係を築く。迷いと過ちを繰り返しながら辿りついた先は…?

Genres: Japanese Literature

284 pages, Soft Cover [単行本]

First published June 29, 2016

About the author

Associated Names:
* 凪良 ゆう (Japanese)
* Yuu Nagira (English)
* นางิระ ยู (Thai)

Reviews

[Jenn Odd · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Pleasantly Surprised *

When I picked up this book I was not expecting a slow burn romance with discussions of healthy communication, work-life-balance, sacrifices for the sake of others, and issues that honestly every relationship goes through, but I'm really glad that's what we got!

I know Nagira Yuu has written a LOT of BL and hetro romance and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Commie Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some many moons ago, when I first read this book, I thought this was the boringest BL I’d ever read. I thought the characters were pathetic, I disliked Akutsu and his old-fashioned mindset, I disliked Mizuno and his overly apologetic attitude as if he has no self-respect, I disliked their new relationship with someone else, both of which felt disrespectful to the new person. I thought, wow these adults suck, look at the mess they created just because they couldn’t be brave enough to be honest to themselves and communicate properly.

But now? I’m now about the same age group as the two when they started become “hella pathetic” according to the 19-20-yo me’s standards. I find myself feeling sympathetic to Mizuno and Akutsu. I’m not confident that I could act differently if I were in their shoes.

“Should I turn left? Should I turn right? Should I go straight or stand still here?”

It’s not simply a matter of “should I get what I desire”, or “how to get what I desire”, it’s about considering all the possible outcomes of one’s decision. What will I lose if I do this? Can I afford to trade this for that? Is this the best thing at this moment?

There’s no “the best”, it’s all about timing in life, about negotiating with oneself, about navigating the entangling mesh of social positions, relationships, and responsibilities.

Mizuno and Akutsu did what they thought was best at the time, no, what would bring peace to every party involved, even if in hindsight we can agree that some of the decisions were short-sighted, inconsiderate, 自分勝手 and whatnot. But that is what maturing is all about: of making bad decisions, regretting, trying one’s best not to repeat the same mistake, to become a better person, to have more consideration for others, and to make better decisions next time. In reality tho, we may not be so lucky as to have the chance to amend the mistakes we made and gain back the happiness we once thought was lost forever, like these two here. And we may make the same mistakes over and over again. We may end up regretting things our entire lives without ever achieving a closure, let alone a happy ending like Akutsu and Mizuno.

Overall a really nice book. I’m pleased with how I can appreciate this book way more than before. I still don’t like the characters’ personalities, but can definitely say that I do have respect for them, which is always a sign of solid writings.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew from the second I saw the cover and read the description that I was going to love this, but this surpassed my expectations.

A story about two men who meet in their early twenties, are together for five years and then break up, are reunited as friends and finally end up back together again, this book hit quite a few of my buttons and definitely has a lot of what Nagira Yuu is damn good at writing. There were break ups in some of her other novels before - they're not that rare in BL, although the main couple actually breaking up (as opposed to let's break up because it's the best for you) is relatively rare. And she is really good at writing them in a way that doesn't let you hate either of them. I love the realism in her writing, and I also always love how she treats homosexuality. If you've read as much BL as I have, you know that is a precious thing.

It wasn't as heartbreaking as some of her other stuff, but it still really moved me. On her blog she wrote it was a very "adult" story, but adult as in grown up, not as in erotic. And I loved that. Being 34, I really like reading about thirty somethings >_<

This was published as part of Rutile's anniversary celebration, so it's tankoubon size and it's very pretty. And Nara Chiharu's illustrations are gorgeous - the best of her I have seen in quite a while. A wonderful book from start to finish, there seriously was nothing I didn't like in it. It was just what I needed. <3

[coflo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8~3.9 stars. Somehow I've got a mixed feeling towards this book. On one hand, it might be invaluable to truly understand the one you love after breaking up, and then get back together with him years later; on the other hand, I can't help but feel slightly irritated by the circuitous development of their love.