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As a child, Mao spent all her time at Hiro’s house across the street. Going to his house always made her feel cheerful. A few years later… Mao’s father gets remarried and Mao finds herself with nowhere to call home. Hiro ends up letting her stay with him in the house he is protecting all by himself since the death of his parents. However…! A love story unfolds between the two childhood friends of different ages!

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2011

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Taamo

54 books101 followers
Japanese name: タアモ

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5 stars
491 (40%)
4 stars
484 (39%)
3 stars
217 (17%)
2 stars
25 (2%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Phoenix2.
1,272 reviews116 followers
July 7, 2017
The love story gets more intense, but still the guy has mixed feelings for Mao. The addition of the brother gives the story some solid funny scenes, plus, pontential for a love triangle.
Profile Image for Radwa.
Author 1 book2,316 followers
February 21, 2017
This is an interesting volume, and the romance pace is interesting as well.

I mean it's not too fast, and it's not taking that much time (so far). Most of the crushes/love interests are already established when we get into the story, but we keep seeing how the "other side of the crush" is reacting and how it's taking them a long time to notice and the agony the person in love goes through. Also, besides the main relationship, the secondary relationships are taking the same approach.

Also besides the relationships drama, there is more family drama, so it's definitely interesting!
Profile Image for Fin.
107 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2017
Ich liebe diese Reihe 😍
Profile Image for Elaine.
434 reviews25 followers
June 23, 2018
Eeeeeekkk....So cute!! Loved this one, especially the ending!
Profile Image for Caity McPhe.
416 reviews
December 16, 2019
I can understand where her dad is coming from, but he's still being a jerk.
Profile Image for Mark.
2,855 reviews281 followers
July 19, 2020
This series is just the thing to read when you want a little drama mixed in with your romance. It’s got a great mix of
most everything I want in my shojo and it has yet to let me down whenever I come back to it.

Mao and Hiro keep orbiting one another in the strangest ways, though Hiro’s denser than the petrified forest to not realize who the author of the online novel is (I HAVE to have mentioned that previously...). Still, they’ve got tons of affection (both overt and subtle) and cute moments together throughout.

We get lots of Hiro’s brother Daiki in this instalment and he is far more nuanced than I was expecting from his introduction last volume. I did like how the part time job situation worked out especially, but his treatment of Mao is far different than I had figured on originally. It seems like this is going in a direction I think is a bit pointless, but that’s a problem for next volume.

Mao is the secret sauce that makes this series really work. She and Hiro are a fine couple, as noted, but she really is not defined solely by her romance like so many other heroines. She’s strong, independent (to a fault), and she might take time to come out with it, but she’s honest with her friends.

Toss in some backstory for Mao’s loser dad (no, seriously, he sucks no matter what his excuse is) and some great moments with Mao’s friend Chi, who is believably teenager-bad at being forthright herself, and you have a solid cast of characters in a particularly good story. Great read.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,206 followers
August 17, 2025
I really liked this volume, and a big part of that is because of the plot points that unfold. The return of Hiro's younger brother, Daiki, for the summer brings some much-needed comedy and new energy to the story, which helps the series a lot. The dynamic shifts from just Mao and Hiro to a more complete, albeit unconventional, family unit, which is a great step forward for the series.

Mao's decision to take a part-time job is another highlight. It's a great step for her to gain a sense of independence and become more self-sufficient, showing her growth as a character beyond her relationship with Hiro. This volume also introduces a new complication when Hiro and his coworker, Ai, discover Mao's secret. This creates a bit of a comedic-drama moment and adds to the romantic tension.

I'm still a little conflicted about the direction the romance seems to be heading. Hiro's feelings for Mao appear to be developing, and I'm not sure if I love that fact. The age gap still feels a bit weird to me, but I'm open to seeing how the mangaka handles it.

Ultimately, the core message of this volume is what I appreciate most. It continues to beautifully explore the feeling of filling up a void of loneliness and emptiness by finding love and a new family together. This is a great message that resonates deeply.

Overall, this was a strong installment, and I would give it a 4 out of 5.
Profile Image for -moonprismpower-.
3,003 reviews18 followers
February 12, 2025
Daiki seemed like such a shit but he definitely proved himself in this volume!

And props to Mao for telling Sugimoto everything. It just sucks that Sugimoto had to call her out in the restaurant and start crying like a baby… Grrrrr.

The backstory about Mao’s parents had me so sad. It makes total sense now. But to abandon your baby because your wife betrayed you???? Noooo!!! That’s your little girl! She should come before EVERYONE.

And finally, the end of this volume, we got to see Hina! She’s definitely not into being apart of the family anytime soon. But I’m sure she will come around! I also can’t forget the cliffhanger at the end with Mao asking Hiro how he feels about her. I want to be excited but I think he’s probably going to do the “adult” thing and play it off.
Profile Image for Glasdow Teacosy.
Author 2 books22 followers
December 16, 2018
Cute, charming, and lively.

This is a solid volume with excellent storytelling. I’m very impressed with Taamo’s ability to create an expressive story with a cast of diverse personalities with such minimal details. The overwrought, screentoned background art of larger mangaka studios would take away from the charm of this story. It’s perfect the way it is.

Highlights for me this volume: The Hokkaido sunflower splash page was fun.
Taamo’s comments are always a treat.
I love how Mao insists on doing chores even though she’s terrible at it.

This was an important volume, storywise. First, there was the introduction to Daiki, Hiro’s brother, a new roommate and personality to shake things up at the house. With his arrival, the part time work setting where the drama will happen was established.

The second chapter was about Radical-san and Mao’s relationship as Mao revealed their shared love interest was her roommate.

The third chapter gave us a peek inside both the heads of Hiro and Mao’s dad. Now we know how Hiro feels towards Mao, and why he won’t show it. As for the dad, although the mangaka wants the reader to sympathize with him, I find his behavior revolting. He’s a terrible father. I find myself unwilling to forgive him.

The final chapter resolved the tension from the previous two chapters and gave the reader a romantic cliffhanger for the next volume.

Overall, a vital volume for the series. It was cute, charming, and lively.
Profile Image for Vanessa Kay.
916 reviews23 followers
January 25, 2020
At first, I find the illustrations really weird and I thought I'm not going to like this story. But here I am, writing this review. So it must be really good ha.

Well, it is! I love that it wasn't just your cheesy romance story but it also has some depth into it. I love that it was also about family and you know me, I love family stories. So yep, I shed a tear or two while reading this whole series and laugh as well.

I'm not sure how to end this review with a bang you I can be able to convince you to try this out, but it was really good. Promise!
Profile Image for Romina Rudas (City of Word).
185 reviews22 followers
December 22, 2017
Yo siento que esta empezando una sensacion nueva en Hiro pero que lo esta ocultando hasta asi mismo. Me entristece los papas de Hina, y tambien como queda ella en medio porque tal vez no tenga la culpa que lo que tuvieron sus padres no funcionara, pero ella necesita de un poco de amor o mas bien saber lo que es sentirse querida.
Profile Image for Ady Weasley.
1,807 reviews42 followers
January 10, 2017
Me gusta el personaje de Daiki, algo cínico pero me agrada, creo que va a ha surgir un triángulo....o un cuadrado jijiji.

Creo que ahora entiendo un poco al papá de Mao, la verdad se pasa la mamá de Mao, sería bueno saber más de ella.
Profile Image for Cassandra.
2,775 reviews24 followers
January 17, 2025
I really understand why they like each other. What the other is looking for they found in each other. His younger sister, I feel bad for Hiro. Her parents story, so many feels.... I want all of these kids to find happiness.
Profile Image for Ny Kanto.
9 reviews
June 29, 2025
I love this mangaa,
The trope : childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite 🥹🥹
In addition the way that she fell first but he fell harder (I hope in any case, as it’s only the tome 4) makes the story really captivating and intense 🌟🌟🍜🍜
Profile Image for Vivien.
460 reviews56 followers
August 29, 2018
Mao's sad backstory and upbringing...
Profile Image for Jana.
169 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2020
I love it so much i cant stop reading
Profile Image for Shannyn.
398 reviews
October 19, 2021
The romance angle of this is well paced, which I appreciate as an adult and not a 13 year old girl 😅 Guess not everyone here agrees. Can I just say though, I love their dog so much 🥰🙈
Profile Image for Chloe.
128 reviews9 followers
February 12, 2024
I am still really enjoying this series! We got to see a little bit of the past involving Mao’s parents which was nice!
I hope we see Mao and Hiro finally become a couple in the next volume! 🤞🏻
Profile Image for Diana Ersek.
41 reviews
April 29, 2025
The characters have so much history and it’s so cute but the age gap is so unnecessary
Profile Image for Michael Schmid.
Author 8 books96 followers
March 21, 2017
Es war wieder so ein toller Teil :/ Schade, dass sie immer so kurz sind q_____q
Profile Image for Assayah.
732 reviews18 followers
April 10, 2023
3.5⭐
[Recenzja tomów 1-5] 🇵🇱/🇬🇧 [PL-ENG]

❗TW: śmierć rodziców, trudne relacje z rodzicami i rodzeństwem

🇵🇱 ★ Jest to jedna z wielu mang opowiadających o zwyczajnym życiu, więc wiadomo czego można się spodziewać. Mamy dwójkę głównych bohaterów, którzy znają się odkąd byli dziećmi. Hiro stracił rodziców i praktycznie nie ma kontaktu z rodzeństwem, Mao nie potrafi dogadać się ze swoimi rodzicami, więc zamieszkują razem.

★ Jak widać po moich ocenach, wszytskie tomy mają identyczny poziom, choć tom 1 podobał mi się chyba najbardziej ze względu na przedstawienie ,,backstage'u" życia bohaterów. Nie ma tu nieprzewidywalnych zwrotów akcji (za to są takie przewidywalne), a całość historii skupia się na próbie odzyskania kontaktu z rodzeństwem (Hiro) i pogodzeniem się z rodzicami (Mao). Jak to w romansie, musi być też wątek romantyczny, więc jest... a nawet kilka. Mimo, że nie jest to nic specjalnego, bardzo przyjemnie czytało mi się te tomy i pewnie sięgnę po kolejne.
-----
❗ TW: death of parents, difficult relationships with parents and siblings

🇬🇧 ★ This is one of many mangas about ordinary life, so you know what to expect. There are two main characters who have known each other since they were children. Hiro lost his parents and has practically no contact with his siblings, Mao can't get along with his parents, so they live together.

★ As you can see from my ratings, all the volumes are of the same level, although I liked volume 1 the most because of the "backstage" of the characters' lives. There are no unpredictable plot twists (but there are some predictable ones). The story focuses on trying to reconnect with siblings (Hiro) and reconcile with parents (Mao). As in every romance, there has to be a romance, so there is... and there are even a few. Although it's nothing special, I really enjoyed reading these volumes and will be reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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