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どうしても触れたくない / Doushite mo furetakunai series
Even So, I Will Love You Tenderly
Ryo Onoda is a straight guy and he is three years younger than Harumi Deguchi. They have nothing in common and at first, they were just friends. But that’s not enough for Harumi- he wants more from Ryo and he realizes that he has fallen in love with him. Feeling anxious and emotional, he wants to tell him how he feels… but he can’t. Fearing rejection, he’d rather be just friends and not ruin what he has with him. Here- we have a story of pain, sorrow and happiness of being in love. Even So, I Will Love You Tenderly is the side story featuring the couple Onoda x Deguchi from "No Touching At All."
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
32 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Kou Yoneda
36 books496 followersYoneda Kou (ヨネダコウ) made her manga debut in 2009 with Doushitemo Furetakunai (No Touching at All), which became an instant critical and commercial success. She followed up with Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai (Twittering Birds Never Fly) and has also published doujinshi (independent comics) under the circle names "Raw" and "NITRO Koutetsu". A Capricorn with an A blood type, she likes sushi, inexpensive chocolate, and foreign drama series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
February 7, 2017
I somehow ended up liking this more than No Touching At All, mostly meaning that I was hooked on it right away.
But I just can't get over the fact that in this series one of the guys always has to repeatedly be called "straight" even while he's in a relationship with another man. I don't think it's the author's intention to "straight-wash" these characters but I find it slightly problematic. It just seems like they're not even trying to hide the fact that this manga is targeted towards girls (something I don't think is bad per se) by calling him straight? That's the impression I got anyway.
If I had to put a label on Onoda's sexuality, I'd say he gave me asexual/demisexual vibes, and I just think it'd be nice if that was clear from the blurb in case someone is looking for that kind of representation.
But I just can't get over the fact that in this series one of the guys always has to repeatedly be called "straight" even while he's in a relationship with another man. I don't think it's the author's intention to "straight-wash" these characters but I find it slightly problematic. It just seems like they're not even trying to hide the fact that this manga is targeted towards girls (something I don't think is bad per se) by calling him straight? That's the impression I got anyway.
If I had to put a label on Onoda's sexuality, I'd say he gave me asexual/demisexual vibes, and I just think it'd be nice if that was clear from the blurb in case someone is looking for that kind of representation.
May 21, 2023
The art keeps being gorgeous and this volume is about two of the secondary characters I liked from the first one. This was a cute and fast read.
June 1, 2017
Una historia muy bonita!!! Pero no le pongo las cinco por el chasco final (Señora, esto no se hace!! #Indignación )
June 17, 2025
Yeah… this one just didn’t do it for me.
I went in hoping for a slow-burn friends-to-lovers payoff, but I finished it feeling kind of disconnected from everyone. Deguchi is a closeted gay guy pining after his straight friend Onoda and while I get where he’s coming from emotionally, I didn’t really feel the chemistry. His crush made sense, but Onoda’s shift from straight to maybe into Deguchi? It felt like it came out of nowhere and more like he just didn’t want to lose him as a friend than any actual romantic pull.
There’s also this whole weird avoidance of the word bisexual, even though Onoda’s clearly catching feelings for two different men. Like… just say it? It makes the whole thing feel more confused than it needed to be.
Definitely not awful, but it didn’t do much for me.
⭐️2,5
I went in hoping for a slow-burn friends-to-lovers payoff, but I finished it feeling kind of disconnected from everyone. Deguchi is a closeted gay guy pining after his straight friend Onoda and while I get where he’s coming from emotionally, I didn’t really feel the chemistry. His crush made sense, but Onoda’s shift from straight to maybe into Deguchi? It felt like it came out of nowhere and more like he just didn’t want to lose him as a friend than any actual romantic pull.
There’s also this whole weird avoidance of the word bisexual, even though Onoda’s clearly catching feelings for two different men. Like… just say it? It makes the whole thing feel more confused than it needed to be.
Definitely not awful, but it didn’t do much for me.
⭐️2,5
May 21, 2016
What I like about this book: everything. From the cover, to the chapter illustrations to the smallest panel. Seriously.
I've been waiting for this book ever since reading the "after 9 hours" etc. doujinshi online directly after reading "Doushitemo furetakunai" for the first time, and even more so since it was announced it was actually going to be a thing. And since my stay in Japan coincided with its release, I was able to buy a copy (actually two because of the extras...) on the first day, and I read it (even though I was SO tired, I still remember that) in my hostel in Osaka the same evening.
The volume contains the five previously published stories - the four doujinshi as well as the short story "Yasashii uso wa minoranai" that appeared in CRAFT recently - as well as the new title story.
"Soredemo, yasashii koi wo suru" is set before all the other stories and is told from Deguchi's POV. It's basically the story of how he and Onoda met and how Deguchi ends up falling in love with Onoda (Onoda is my FAVOURITE, by the way). I love the way Yoneda Kou includes Shima here, too - or rather, Deguchi's thoughts on Shima and his behaviour and situation. Especially when he thinks how stupid it is of Shima to fall for a straight guy (and by that time, Deguchi has long since fallen for Onoda). Actually, I've been there - as someone who's gay (or bi), falling for someone who's not pretty much just sucks, especially if it is a close friend. This is probably why I love "Soredemo" even more than "Doushitemo" - not only does it focus on Onoda, but it combines a "friends-to-lovers" story with a "I'm in love with my straight best friend" story and it does so in Yoneda Kou's perfectly realistic way. Ah, I love everything about this ~
The four doujinshi are set after "Doushitemo furetakunai" and are their "getting together story". After Onoda tells Deguchi about his crush on Shima, Deguchi thinks he might have a chance with Onoda after all, and kinda confesses to him. Since he isn't very good at it (seriously - also Onoda is way too clueless for that kind of roundabout way), Onoda doesn't get he's serious right away. And honestly, I love how this develops - there's Deguchi, who's been pretending he feels nothing but friendship for Onoda, and who cannot bear being friends with him any more after his confession. There's Onoda, who doesn't want to lose Deguchi, and who's surprised by the side he hasn't known of Deguchi. And then they have to figure out their new relationship and it takes a while to get it right, but in the end it's all good.
The last story is set a couple of months after "After 9 hours", and the two of them are still trying to find a balance. The fact that Onoda was straight before Deguchi is actually difficult for both of them to handle, and I loved that you can see both sides of the problem.
Like Yoneda Kou says in her afterword - it's not a particular dramatic story. But the normalness of it feels refreshing, and the characters are wonderful, and the pacing is perfect, as is of course the art. Seriously, how is she so amazing... there is this one panel, where Deguchi is suggesting to Onoda they should go out together, and he is holding the calender Onoga gave him and you just see his thumb clutching that calendar. That's just one of many tiny moments I loved. (And all the kisses. They are so lovely.)
So yeah, definitely one of this year's highlights for me (and immediately among my all time favourite manga).
I've been waiting for this book ever since reading the "after 9 hours" etc. doujinshi online directly after reading "Doushitemo furetakunai" for the first time, and even more so since it was announced it was actually going to be a thing. And since my stay in Japan coincided with its release, I was able to buy a copy (actually two because of the extras...) on the first day, and I read it (even though I was SO tired, I still remember that) in my hostel in Osaka the same evening.
The volume contains the five previously published stories - the four doujinshi as well as the short story "Yasashii uso wa minoranai" that appeared in CRAFT recently - as well as the new title story.
"Soredemo, yasashii koi wo suru" is set before all the other stories and is told from Deguchi's POV. It's basically the story of how he and Onoda met and how Deguchi ends up falling in love with Onoda (Onoda is my FAVOURITE, by the way). I love the way Yoneda Kou includes Shima here, too - or rather, Deguchi's thoughts on Shima and his behaviour and situation. Especially when he thinks how stupid it is of Shima to fall for a straight guy (and by that time, Deguchi has long since fallen for Onoda). Actually, I've been there - as someone who's gay (or bi), falling for someone who's not pretty much just sucks, especially if it is a close friend. This is probably why I love "Soredemo" even more than "Doushitemo" - not only does it focus on Onoda, but it combines a "friends-to-lovers" story with a "I'm in love with my straight best friend" story and it does so in Yoneda Kou's perfectly realistic way. Ah, I love everything about this ~
The four doujinshi are set after "Doushitemo furetakunai" and are their "getting together story". After Onoda tells Deguchi about his crush on Shima, Deguchi thinks he might have a chance with Onoda after all, and kinda confesses to him. Since he isn't very good at it (seriously - also Onoda is way too clueless for that kind of roundabout way), Onoda doesn't get he's serious right away. And honestly, I love how this develops - there's Deguchi, who's been pretending he feels nothing but friendship for Onoda, and who cannot bear being friends with him any more after his confession. There's Onoda, who doesn't want to lose Deguchi, and who's surprised by the side he hasn't known of Deguchi. And then they have to figure out their new relationship and it takes a while to get it right, but in the end it's all good.
The last story is set a couple of months after "After 9 hours", and the two of them are still trying to find a balance. The fact that Onoda was straight before Deguchi is actually difficult for both of them to handle, and I loved that you can see both sides of the problem.
Like Yoneda Kou says in her afterword - it's not a particular dramatic story. But the normalness of it feels refreshing, and the characters are wonderful, and the pacing is perfect, as is of course the art. Seriously, how is she so amazing... there is this one panel, where Deguchi is suggesting to Onoda they should go out together, and he is holding the calender Onoga gave him and you just see his thumb clutching that calendar. That's just one of many tiny moments I loved. (And all the kisses. They are so lovely.)
So yeah, definitely one of this year's highlights for me (and immediately among my all time favourite manga).
April 27, 2025
Creo que la historia me ha gustado más que la primera incluso, aunque los saltos temporales quedan un poco distorsionados hasta el final del tomo.
Como nos gustan los intensitos 🫰
Como nos gustan los intensitos 🫰
February 3, 2018
Kou Yoneda's Even So, I Will Love You Tenderly focuses on the slowly growing relationship between Ryo Onoda (one of the side characters in No Touching At All) and Harumi Deguchi, a slightly older guy who's introduced to him through mutual friends.
Deguchi is gay and apparently outgoing, used to move from one insignificant hookup to another, Onoda is charming and slightly insecure and thinks of himself as straight until he starts developing confusing feelings first for his colleague Shima and then for Deguchi. Deguchi has also been in love with Onoda pretty much since the onset of their friendship but things left unsaid and mutual insecurities complicate their communication.
This is the simple background of a story originally thought of as a dōjinshi but then further developed by Yoneda into a slow-burning romance with compelling characters and a moving storyline.
I really enjoyed the way the author brings together her characters who have to negotiate certain attitudes and prejudices in order to find each other and finally get together in a meaningful and honest manner.
The anxiety and emotional weight that often accompanies being in love with someone without the certainty of mutual feelings is portrayed on the page in a very effective way and I quickly grew fond of Deguchi and Onoda who keep orbiting around each other but seem scared to face their inevitable collision.
The more I read her work, the more I'm growing fond of Yoneda's characters, storylines and drawing style.
I definitely recommend this quiet and tender BL but I'd suggest reading No Touching At All first for a deeper understanding of story and characters.
Deguchi is gay and apparently outgoing, used to move from one insignificant hookup to another, Onoda is charming and slightly insecure and thinks of himself as straight until he starts developing confusing feelings first for his colleague Shima and then for Deguchi. Deguchi has also been in love with Onoda pretty much since the onset of their friendship but things left unsaid and mutual insecurities complicate their communication.
This is the simple background of a story originally thought of as a dōjinshi but then further developed by Yoneda into a slow-burning romance with compelling characters and a moving storyline.
I really enjoyed the way the author brings together her characters who have to negotiate certain attitudes and prejudices in order to find each other and finally get together in a meaningful and honest manner.
The anxiety and emotional weight that often accompanies being in love with someone without the certainty of mutual feelings is portrayed on the page in a very effective way and I quickly grew fond of Deguchi and Onoda who keep orbiting around each other but seem scared to face their inevitable collision.
The more I read her work, the more I'm growing fond of Yoneda's characters, storylines and drawing style.
I definitely recommend this quiet and tender BL but I'd suggest reading No Touching At All first for a deeper understanding of story and characters.
December 1, 2022
SOOOOO CUTEEE, I've re read this about 5 times. One of my favourite BL stories
October 4, 2021
A couple of short stories that are focused on Onoda an Deguchi, both salary men who happen to work together in the same company. Deguchi is 3 years older than Onoda but he seems like a younger man for his attitude towards Onoda. He’s the kind of ‘tsundere’ characters I find annoying ‘cause they pretty much misunderstood everything and don’t even dare to talk first.
Anyway, I did like the art style and the complexity of feelings but I do not appreciate when the romance is ambiguous as this one. I’m really tired of the straight/gay trope and I know this was the shit back then but, IMO it didn’t age well.
I think this could be read as a sequel to Doushitemo Furetakunai, since one of the MC here is a secondary character in here.
Read if for the #JPLitReadathon.
Anyway, I did like the art style and the complexity of feelings but I do not appreciate when the romance is ambiguous as this one. I’m really tired of the straight/gay trope and I know this was the shit back then but, IMO it didn’t age well.
I think this could be read as a sequel to Doushitemo Furetakunai, since one of the MC here is a secondary character in here.
Read if for the #JPLitReadathon.
June 16, 2016
4/10
(...)
En El laberinto de los sentimientos conocí a Onoda, y la verdad es que este personaje me llamó la atención, tampoco es que sintiera un flechazo hacia él o algo, pero si que me cayó realmente bien. Me encantaba la sonrisa de Onoda, su buen rollo, y su siempre persistente paciencia con Togawa y Shima.
Pero debo admitir que el personaje se me vino un poco abajo al final de la historia de amor de Togawa y Shima, porque de repente, Onoda se enamora de Shima, y yo me quedé a cuadros. NO, NO, Y NO. Eso no podía ser. Shima es solo de Togawa así que fue como un gran golpe que Kou Yoneda hiciera que uno de sus personajes, en este caso el gentil Onoda se enamorara de Shima. Venga ya, ¿Qué quería lograr con eso, hacer sufrir al lector? Menos mal que había una cosa clara, lo de Shima y Togawa no se iba a romper.
Pero ya por eso, por ese drama gratuito e innecesario, empecé con ganas la novela de Onoda, y a la vez, con un fuerte nudo en el pecho, y con un persistente sentimiento agridulce, de decepción. Así que era una cosa un poco extraña, quería leer este tomo y a la vez no quería leerlo.
Al final me aventuré en la historia de Onoda, y así pude conocer a Deguchi, pero este segundo tomo, que representa la historia de Onoda y de Degu, no me ha gustado realmente.
(...)
Para empezar, este tomo respira dolor por todas partes, también pena, soledad, fue tan jodidamente injusto que Onoda se enamorara de Shima, en vez de, de Deguchi; fue tan doloroso ver como Onoda sufría por Shima y como Degu sufría por Onoda; fue tan doloroso lidiar con las emociones de los dos protagonistas, sentir como ambos tenían el corazón roto, casi sin esperanzas.
Lo peor, al principio, era que Onoda no tomaba en serio a Degu, no sabía de su amor, ni del anhelo de este. Y eso me hace preguntarme algo... ¿cómo se puede estar al lado de alguien y en el fondo desconocer tanto sobre él? Creo que este tomo nos muestra que a veces, cuando creemos saberlo todo, la vida nos da una fuerte bofetada, además de que nadie es perfecto, y siempre habrá cosas que no nos gusten de las personas que queremos.
Pero también me ha gustado Onoda y sus ideas sobre el amor, y en el fondo, todo empezó a cambiar en el tercer capítulo, cuando Onoda vio que el amor estaba ahí, que podía aferrarlo en sus manos o dejarlo marchar para siempre.
(...)
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN:
http://mayuamoraprimeravista.blogspot...
(...)
En El laberinto de los sentimientos conocí a Onoda, y la verdad es que este personaje me llamó la atención, tampoco es que sintiera un flechazo hacia él o algo, pero si que me cayó realmente bien. Me encantaba la sonrisa de Onoda, su buen rollo, y su siempre persistente paciencia con Togawa y Shima.
Pero debo admitir que el personaje se me vino un poco abajo al final de la historia de amor de Togawa y Shima, porque de repente, Onoda se enamora de Shima, y yo me quedé a cuadros. NO, NO, Y NO. Eso no podía ser. Shima es solo de Togawa así que fue como un gran golpe que Kou Yoneda hiciera que uno de sus personajes, en este caso el gentil Onoda se enamorara de Shima. Venga ya, ¿Qué quería lograr con eso, hacer sufrir al lector? Menos mal que había una cosa clara, lo de Shima y Togawa no se iba a romper.
Pero ya por eso, por ese drama gratuito e innecesario, empecé con ganas la novela de Onoda, y a la vez, con un fuerte nudo en el pecho, y con un persistente sentimiento agridulce, de decepción. Así que era una cosa un poco extraña, quería leer este tomo y a la vez no quería leerlo.
Al final me aventuré en la historia de Onoda, y así pude conocer a Deguchi, pero este segundo tomo, que representa la historia de Onoda y de Degu, no me ha gustado realmente.
(...)
Para empezar, este tomo respira dolor por todas partes, también pena, soledad, fue tan jodidamente injusto que Onoda se enamorara de Shima, en vez de, de Deguchi; fue tan doloroso ver como Onoda sufría por Shima y como Degu sufría por Onoda; fue tan doloroso lidiar con las emociones de los dos protagonistas, sentir como ambos tenían el corazón roto, casi sin esperanzas.
Lo peor, al principio, era que Onoda no tomaba en serio a Degu, no sabía de su amor, ni del anhelo de este. Y eso me hace preguntarme algo... ¿cómo se puede estar al lado de alguien y en el fondo desconocer tanto sobre él? Creo que este tomo nos muestra que a veces, cuando creemos saberlo todo, la vida nos da una fuerte bofetada, además de que nadie es perfecto, y siempre habrá cosas que no nos gusten de las personas que queremos.
Pero también me ha gustado Onoda y sus ideas sobre el amor, y en el fondo, todo empezó a cambiar en el tercer capítulo, cuando Onoda vio que el amor estaba ahí, que podía aferrarlo en sus manos o dejarlo marchar para siempre.
(...)
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN:
http://mayuamoraprimeravista.blogspot...
October 7, 2017
La historia tiene cierto trasfondo y me ha gustado pero me esperaba algo más. Y bueno, estoy un poco cansado (harto) de que en muchos mangas haya un tío """"""hetero""""" que se enamore de otro tío pero que siga siendo """""hetero""""". Qué pavor le tienen a la palabra bisexualidad, leches.
April 13, 2024
What I love about friends becoming lovers is that when they become vulnerable and finally declare their feelings, not only does the transition to romantic partners appear like a natural progression, but their love and affection being reciprocated feels like an inevitability.
October 31, 2016
Onoda meets Deguchi through a mutual drinking buddy and three years later they're still hanging out. In the interim, Deguchi suffers from unrequited love and Onoda suffers from obliviousness. After hearing about Onoda's feelings for Shima, Deuguchi stumbles on the path of possibilities and makes his own feelings known to Onoda, but things go about as smooth as roller skates over cobblestones.
I've been waiting a long time for this. Even longer than I thought. I read this back when the bulk of the story was just spinoff doujinshis of No Touching At All. I know it's not unheard of for a mangaka's doujinshi to be collected or included in a work released by a publisher, but it's not something that happens all that often, so I never even considered that the Onoda and Deguchi stories would. But here we are.
No Touching At All is what made me fall in love with Yoneda and while I loved the relationship between Togawa and Shima, I was seriously taken by the role that Onoda played in the story. He's one of the most interesting secondary characters I've ever read in BL. Good stories usually make you want more of the main couple and great stories usually make you want more of everything. Onoda definitely made up the greater percentage of that everything for me.
In this release, the four original doujinshi are bookended by before and after chapters and an extra. There's also an extended scene in one of the original chapters! This is a book I can pick up and read from any point, but can also read from cover to cover in back to back sessions. The story is really good and, both individually and as a couple, Onoda and Deguchi such a pleasure to read. I enjoy the assumed natural ease of their friendship, but the parts of the story when they were at odds with each other were the best for me.
Deguchi. Even after a botched confession, he didn't flaunt his attraction to men, in general, or to Onoda, in particular, but he had no intention of acting like he was ashamed of it or that his feelings were a burden on Onoda. You get that a lot in BL. Probably second only to "I don't want to ruin our friendship" is "I don't want to be a bother/burden." Especially when it comes to the gay uke/straight seme dynamic. But that is nowhere to be found here. Moreover, its absence sets the story in stark contrast to No Touching At All, where that was one of Shima's biggest concerns, so it really stands out. And I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Deguchi wasn't interested in showing his best side to his crush...unless he thought being the stereotypical 3rd grader bullying their crush was his best selling point. But his impositions were rather endearing. And as for his crush...
"Damn Onoda," Deguchi says as he stomps on the business card with a woman's number on it that he found in Onoda's pocket. He's only Onoda; what's he doing getting hit on? I'd say it's because he is Onoda. Onoda who doesn't mind being pushed around but will stand up to serious bullying. Onoda who will buy a drink for a poor student. Onoda who is quick to recognize his flaws, but pretty slow to identify his strengths. Onoda who is so earnest in everything he does and is truly a nice guy. That's why he gets hit on, that's why Deguchi loves him, that's why I love him.
Seeing Onoda realize his own feelings when faced with the thought of never seeing Deguchi again was rather stirring. He says he doesn't mind being pushed around, but he's not a pushover and he wasn't going to let Deguchi bulldoze him with his arsenal of assumptions. The second time, even Deguchi, who had quickly resolved to steel himself against any BS he believed Onoda was about to dish out, was shocked when Onoda yelled. Onoda didn't want to be the frustrated, insensitive, and petty guy--he wanted to be the compassionate, obliging, and considerate guy that he thought Deguchi saw him as. Hurt feelings and misunderstandings aside, I think it's because Deguchi still saw him that way that it seemed to be much more crushing than things simply not working out with a straight guy. So, no worries Onoda, you were still awesome in his eyes.
Depending on the story, it can be a case of instant boredom when by the time the leads become a couple, nothing about them has changed. That's one of the reasons tsunderes annoy me; I see their behavior as a form of emotional manipulation and abuse. How exhausting is it that you can't relax around the person you're supposed to be in love with (and who returns your feelings)? How much time do you waste saying no when you don't mean it? And for their partner, how draining is it to always have to convince someone to respond to you? Relationships are already enough work without people playing mind games.
There's no way I can buy into that couple riding off into the sunset hand in hand. But for Onoda--generous and sincere--and Deguchi--charming and guarded--the fact that neither one of them changed is actually one of the best things about their relationship. What's more is that the points at which they clashed didn't change either, they were simply bypassed with the help of clear communication and the doing away with assumptions. Getting beyond Onoda's lack of awareness and Deguchi's disinclination for dating straight guys was the sum of the conflict, but those things still remain. Both Onoda and Deguchi still consider Onoda straight, so that wall will always be there and although Onoda can be pretty perceptive, he's a tad naive and not entirely initiated in the ways of gay men, so there will definitely be things he won't see and Deguchi will have to point out to him. So they will be tripped up by these things on occasion, but that fact alone doesn't dissuade me from believing in their happily ever after. And it's totally HEA for the win!
Now, about the book itself...
This how I read print. Flags on the side are questionable word choices and typos, flags on the top are particularly interesting scenes (ignore the top one it misplaced itself somehow; also, there'd be no point, every scene is a particularly interesting one). I have to say, this is quite an improvement over past Juné titles.
I'm not going to go into all of them--most of them being typos--but there's one that really bugged me. When Deguchi is describing Onoda at the end of their first meeting, he says he's "soft and kind" and I cringed a bit. Soft sounds really odd to me. Personality-wise, describing someone as soft, makes me think they don't have a backbone. However, as a general observation, it sounds like someone is disrespectfully suggesting that someone else is gay. It doesn't really give me a good feeling. I think gentle would have worked so much better. But I also think if that is the most I really have to complain about, I have to say that Juné did a pretty decent job.
Not that she can do no wrong, but I've yet to encounter a story by Yoneda that I walked away from unsatisfied (save for her dropped titles), so I expected to love this and I do. The story was great, the characters were great, and Juné's work did its part in rounding out a very enjoyable reading experience.
I've been waiting a long time for this. Even longer than I thought. I read this back when the bulk of the story was just spinoff doujinshis of No Touching At All. I know it's not unheard of for a mangaka's doujinshi to be collected or included in a work released by a publisher, but it's not something that happens all that often, so I never even considered that the Onoda and Deguchi stories would. But here we are.
No Touching At All is what made me fall in love with Yoneda and while I loved the relationship between Togawa and Shima, I was seriously taken by the role that Onoda played in the story. He's one of the most interesting secondary characters I've ever read in BL. Good stories usually make you want more of the main couple and great stories usually make you want more of everything. Onoda definitely made up the greater percentage of that everything for me.
In this release, the four original doujinshi are bookended by before and after chapters and an extra. There's also an extended scene in one of the original chapters! This is a book I can pick up and read from any point, but can also read from cover to cover in back to back sessions. The story is really good and, both individually and as a couple, Onoda and Deguchi such a pleasure to read. I enjoy the assumed natural ease of their friendship, but the parts of the story when they were at odds with each other were the best for me.
Deguchi. Even after a botched confession, he didn't flaunt his attraction to men, in general, or to Onoda, in particular, but he had no intention of acting like he was ashamed of it or that his feelings were a burden on Onoda. You get that a lot in BL. Probably second only to "I don't want to ruin our friendship" is "I don't want to be a bother/burden." Especially when it comes to the gay uke/straight seme dynamic. But that is nowhere to be found here. Moreover, its absence sets the story in stark contrast to No Touching At All, where that was one of Shima's biggest concerns, so it really stands out. And I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Deguchi wasn't interested in showing his best side to his crush...unless he thought being the stereotypical 3rd grader bullying their crush was his best selling point. But his impositions were rather endearing. And as for his crush...
"Damn Onoda," Deguchi says as he stomps on the business card with a woman's number on it that he found in Onoda's pocket. He's only Onoda; what's he doing getting hit on? I'd say it's because he is Onoda. Onoda who doesn't mind being pushed around but will stand up to serious bullying. Onoda who will buy a drink for a poor student. Onoda who is quick to recognize his flaws, but pretty slow to identify his strengths. Onoda who is so earnest in everything he does and is truly a nice guy. That's why he gets hit on, that's why Deguchi loves him, that's why I love him.
Seeing Onoda realize his own feelings when faced with the thought of never seeing Deguchi again was rather stirring. He says he doesn't mind being pushed around, but he's not a pushover and he wasn't going to let Deguchi bulldoze him with his arsenal of assumptions. The second time, even Deguchi, who had quickly resolved to steel himself against any BS he believed Onoda was about to dish out, was shocked when Onoda yelled. Onoda didn't want to be the frustrated, insensitive, and petty guy--he wanted to be the compassionate, obliging, and considerate guy that he thought Deguchi saw him as. Hurt feelings and misunderstandings aside, I think it's because Deguchi still saw him that way that it seemed to be much more crushing than things simply not working out with a straight guy. So, no worries Onoda, you were still awesome in his eyes.
Depending on the story, it can be a case of instant boredom when by the time the leads become a couple, nothing about them has changed. That's one of the reasons tsunderes annoy me; I see their behavior as a form of emotional manipulation and abuse. How exhausting is it that you can't relax around the person you're supposed to be in love with (and who returns your feelings)? How much time do you waste saying no when you don't mean it? And for their partner, how draining is it to always have to convince someone to respond to you? Relationships are already enough work without people playing mind games.
There's no way I can buy into that couple riding off into the sunset hand in hand. But for Onoda--generous and sincere--and Deguchi--charming and guarded--the fact that neither one of them changed is actually one of the best things about their relationship. What's more is that the points at which they clashed didn't change either, they were simply bypassed with the help of clear communication and the doing away with assumptions. Getting beyond Onoda's lack of awareness and Deguchi's disinclination for dating straight guys was the sum of the conflict, but those things still remain. Both Onoda and Deguchi still consider Onoda straight, so that wall will always be there and although Onoda can be pretty perceptive, he's a tad naive and not entirely initiated in the ways of gay men, so there will definitely be things he won't see and Deguchi will have to point out to him. So they will be tripped up by these things on occasion, but that fact alone doesn't dissuade me from believing in their happily ever after. And it's totally HEA for the win!
Now, about the book itself...
This how I read print. Flags on the side are questionable word choices and typos, flags on the top are particularly interesting scenes (ignore the top one it misplaced itself somehow; also, there'd be no point, every scene is a particularly interesting one). I have to say, this is quite an improvement over past Juné titles.
I'm not going to go into all of them--most of them being typos--but there's one that really bugged me. When Deguchi is describing Onoda at the end of their first meeting, he says he's "soft and kind" and I cringed a bit. Soft sounds really odd to me. Personality-wise, describing someone as soft, makes me think they don't have a backbone. However, as a general observation, it sounds like someone is disrespectfully suggesting that someone else is gay. It doesn't really give me a good feeling. I think gentle would have worked so much better. But I also think if that is the most I really have to complain about, I have to say that Juné did a pretty decent job.
Not that she can do no wrong, but I've yet to encounter a story by Yoneda that I walked away from unsatisfied (save for her dropped titles), so I expected to love this and I do. The story was great, the characters were great, and Juné's work did its part in rounding out a very enjoyable reading experience.
December 30, 2019
Se sintió extraño.
Este manga es la secuela de la historia de Shina y Togawa (una que me gustó solo porque aparecía Onoda, quien me tuvo desde el inicio)
En este manga conocemos a Deguchi, un amigo de Onoda que hace 3 MALDITOS AÑOS esta enganchado con él, pero como Onoda daba las vibes de straight guy nunca le dijo nada hasta que el otro le dice que se siente atraído por Shima (que en ese momento salía con Togawa, si alto dramón) es así como Deguchi empieza a tener esperanzas de que pase algo con el chico que ama y entre tristeza, dolor, desesperación y malentendidos ambos encaran una relación muy adulta y sana.
Siento que fue extraña la relación entre ellos pero al mismo tiempo me entretuvo.
Este manga es la secuela de la historia de Shina y Togawa (una que me gustó solo porque aparecía Onoda, quien me tuvo desde el inicio)
En este manga conocemos a Deguchi, un amigo de Onoda que hace 3 MALDITOS AÑOS esta enganchado con él, pero como Onoda daba las vibes de straight guy nunca le dijo nada hasta que el otro le dice que se siente atraído por Shima (que en ese momento salía con Togawa, si alto dramón) es así como Deguchi empieza a tener esperanzas de que pase algo con el chico que ama y entre tristeza, dolor, desesperación y malentendidos ambos encaran una relación muy adulta y sana.
Siento que fue extraña la relación entre ellos pero al mismo tiempo me entretuvo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2024
where to read: renta!
Kou Yoneda just does angst so good!!
This is the companion to No Touching at All and it follows a romance with Togawa's friend Onoda and his friend who has an unrequited crush on him. These are the kind of books and romances that give me a little twinge in my chest. They hurt a little and I love it. I liked the build up of Deguchi's feelings for Onoda and how messy things got when he tried to let them out. Idk there's just something about this that felt so raw. I just really enjoy Kou Yoneda's writing.
Kou Yoneda just does angst so good!!
This is the companion to No Touching at All and it follows a romance with Togawa's friend Onoda and his friend who has an unrequited crush on him. These are the kind of books and romances that give me a little twinge in my chest. They hurt a little and I love it. I liked the build up of Deguchi's feelings for Onoda and how messy things got when he tried to let them out. Idk there's just something about this that felt so raw. I just really enjoy Kou Yoneda's writing.
January 10, 2021
Molto dolce! Mi è piaciuto
June 19, 2021
This one could have been so much better if the straight guy yaoi fetish wasn’t in this. The guy is not straight! Period.
September 22, 2024
That was the strangest way to end the book. Talk about feeling unfinished
June 3, 2022
hermosa historia, hermoso arte, hermosa continuación. Kou Yoneda Nunca defrauda
July 19, 2025
fucking beautiful
January 24, 2016
Review originally posted on The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange :)
The Story
Deguchi is an average salary man that is very skeptical when it comes to love. Used to pick up lovers for one-night stands (sometimes, for even less time, if you get my drift), the last thing he expected was to meet someone he can build a relationship with at a bar. And yet, it’s exactly what it happens.
Onoda is a nerdy guy working at the same company that Degushi used to, but in different areas. They meet at a bar through a common work colleague and a friendship is born. Onoda has a crush on a guy that works at his company, named Shima. He has no idea of Degushi’s feelings or even his sexual orientation. Onoda himself thought he was heterosexual until meeting Shima, but now he is not so sure…
To everyone’s delight, Deguchi is a very patient man when it comes to things that really matter and does his best to discreetly make Onoda see that Shima is not really meant for him.
But will Deguchi have the courage to spoil their friendship in case Onoda doesn’t love him back?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
I stumbled on this title quite by accident before Christmas and almost had an attack to see it was from the same series as No Touching At All, one of the most beautiful yaoi (a.k.a. gay) mangas ever. But life happened and I ended up forgetting about it until browsing my virtual collections of tbr mangas, some weeks ago. It was love since page one, as I love Yoneda-sensei’s draws. And, of course, it was awesome to have glimpses of Shima and Togawa’s relationship from another point of view. Deguchi and Onoda warmed up my heart and almost had me crying at some scenes, as Yoneda-sensei’s plots are very realistic for good and bad. This is a big full five stars title!
The narrative pace is fast and mostly from Deguchi’s point of view. We have some Onoda moments, but they come just before the end. I think it worked like this because Deguchi is a highly interesting character: he has a façade of badass sales man to the world, but actually is very romantic and hopeful. Maybe the reader wouldn’t catch his true essence if both characters shared the narrative more than they do.
The plot is simple and yet oh-so-complicated. Yoneda-sensei draws a very human and common story life, without any great actions, adventures or surprises, but it never ceases to be complicated. Deguchi is in love with a man he thinks he can’t have; Onoda is in love with a man that has no eyes for him; both can’t openly admit being gay because of the high prejudice of Japanese society surrounding them. This is too real! It’s a boys-next-door kind of title and that’s why it captures your heart. Yoneda-sensei shows us that we live several happily-ever-after moments, but they are never forever. There will be always a problem, a barrier to overcome. This is being human and in a relationship. It’s just beautiful.
In matter of characters, we are introduced to really few ones besides the couple, Shima and Togawa and none of them is really that important. The spotlight goes to Deguchi and Onoda and I’m fine with it. I mean, the story is about them, right? LOL I loved Deguchi. Usually, I like the dominant better, but Deguchi had so much personality and independence even after falling for Onoda that I couldn’t stay unaffected. Onoda was the insecure and indecisive of them and he only tops because Deguchi likes to be bottom. However, what really touched me concerning all characters in this title is their reality, their humanity. The boy-next-door thing.
Bonus point: the sex scenes. There aren’t many, but they were well put and executed, making it all about their desire to be together *–* For good or bad, this is not a title that you look for if you want hot moments, haha!
Overall, a beautifully written and drawn title that you can’t miss if you like drama and contemporary gay romance <3
That’s it! Thanks for reading <3
The Story
Deguchi is an average salary man that is very skeptical when it comes to love. Used to pick up lovers for one-night stands (sometimes, for even less time, if you get my drift), the last thing he expected was to meet someone he can build a relationship with at a bar. And yet, it’s exactly what it happens.
Onoda is a nerdy guy working at the same company that Degushi used to, but in different areas. They meet at a bar through a common work colleague and a friendship is born. Onoda has a crush on a guy that works at his company, named Shima. He has no idea of Degushi’s feelings or even his sexual orientation. Onoda himself thought he was heterosexual until meeting Shima, but now he is not so sure…
To everyone’s delight, Deguchi is a very patient man when it comes to things that really matter and does his best to discreetly make Onoda see that Shima is not really meant for him.
But will Deguchi have the courage to spoil their friendship in case Onoda doesn’t love him back?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
I stumbled on this title quite by accident before Christmas and almost had an attack to see it was from the same series as No Touching At All, one of the most beautiful yaoi (a.k.a. gay) mangas ever. But life happened and I ended up forgetting about it until browsing my virtual collections of tbr mangas, some weeks ago. It was love since page one, as I love Yoneda-sensei’s draws. And, of course, it was awesome to have glimpses of Shima and Togawa’s relationship from another point of view. Deguchi and Onoda warmed up my heart and almost had me crying at some scenes, as Yoneda-sensei’s plots are very realistic for good and bad. This is a big full five stars title!
The narrative pace is fast and mostly from Deguchi’s point of view. We have some Onoda moments, but they come just before the end. I think it worked like this because Deguchi is a highly interesting character: he has a façade of badass sales man to the world, but actually is very romantic and hopeful. Maybe the reader wouldn’t catch his true essence if both characters shared the narrative more than they do.
The plot is simple and yet oh-so-complicated. Yoneda-sensei draws a very human and common story life, without any great actions, adventures or surprises, but it never ceases to be complicated. Deguchi is in love with a man he thinks he can’t have; Onoda is in love with a man that has no eyes for him; both can’t openly admit being gay because of the high prejudice of Japanese society surrounding them. This is too real! It’s a boys-next-door kind of title and that’s why it captures your heart. Yoneda-sensei shows us that we live several happily-ever-after moments, but they are never forever. There will be always a problem, a barrier to overcome. This is being human and in a relationship. It’s just beautiful.
In matter of characters, we are introduced to really few ones besides the couple, Shima and Togawa and none of them is really that important. The spotlight goes to Deguchi and Onoda and I’m fine with it. I mean, the story is about them, right? LOL I loved Deguchi. Usually, I like the dominant better, but Deguchi had so much personality and independence even after falling for Onoda that I couldn’t stay unaffected. Onoda was the insecure and indecisive of them and he only tops because Deguchi likes to be bottom. However, what really touched me concerning all characters in this title is their reality, their humanity. The boy-next-door thing.
Bonus point: the sex scenes. There aren’t many, but they were well put and executed, making it all about their desire to be together *–* For good or bad, this is not a title that you look for if you want hot moments, haha!
Overall, a beautifully written and drawn title that you can’t miss if you like drama and contemporary gay romance <3
That’s it! Thanks for reading <3
May 24, 2017
ชอบความสัมพันธ์ก่อนคบกัน เพื่อนดื่ม แลกเปลี่ยนปัญหาชีวิต การงาน บลาๆ ที่จริงไม่ต้องเป็นแฟนกันก็ฟินได้ ก็อย่างโอโนดะว่าแหละ อยู่ด้วยกันแล้วมีความสุขก็ชอบที่จะเจอกัน คุยกัน เป็นมิตรภาพที่ต่างฝ่ายต่างพึงพอใจ ถ้าฝ่ายตรงข้ามเป็นเพศเดียวกันก็คงคงสถานะความเป็นเพื่อนไว้ แต่พอต่างเพศ ก็เลยลากยาวมิตรภาพนั้นจนกลายเป็นความรักไป ความสัมพันธ์หลักๆ มันก็แค่นี้
อ่านเพราะเป็นสปินออฟ และชอบโมเมนต์สนทนาในบาร์เหล้า รู้สึกว่ามันให้อะไรมากกว่าวายเรื่องอื่นๆ ที่ไม่ค่อยเน้นบทสนทนา เน้นลุยกันอย่างเดียว ต้องยกความดีความชอบให้คนเขียน โยเนดะ โคเซ็นเซย์ ผู้ซึ่งเป็นเจ้าแม่ดราม่าเลยล่ะ
อ่านเพราะเป็นสปินออฟ และชอบโมเมนต์สนทนาในบาร์เหล้า รู้สึกว่ามันให้อะไรมากกว่าวายเรื่องอื่นๆ ที่ไม่ค่อยเน้นบทสนทนา เน้นลุยกันอย่างเดียว ต้องยกความดีความชอบให้คนเขียน โยเนดะ โคเซ็นเซย์ ผู้ซึ่งเป็นเจ้าแม่ดราม่าเลยล่ะ
May 26, 2023
Desde que empezó en el mundo del manga, Yoneda Kou a demostrado una y mil veces lo buena que es entretejiendo historias con hombres adultos como protagonistas. A través de su trazo inconfundible, los varoniles diseños de sus personajes, así como el desarrollo de su psique y personalidad, atrapa a los lectores; los cuales somos incapaces de apartarnos de las páginas hasta que no llegamos al final del volumen. Sin querer enamorarnos, spinoff de Sin querer rozarnos, no iba a ser menos y, en este tomo único, Yoneda vuelve a explorar la complejidad de los sentimientos humanos y el amor en todas sus formas.
Harumi Deguchi es un oficinista de 28 años que tiene más que clara su sexualidad. Él es gay, no es que lo esconda, tampoco lo pregona, pero se quiere a sí mismo, se acepta tal y como es y tiene relaciones sexuales cuando le apetece con los hombres que le apetece. Las cosas cambian cuando conoce a Onoda a través de un amigo en un bar. No es que éste sea su tipo, no es que se sienta atraído por él a primera vista, pero algo cambia en Deguchi y, en vez de irse de picos pardos por ahí como solía hacer, comienza a juntarse más con Onoda, aunque descubre que tiene novia. Pero bueno, eso tampoco debería ser de su incumbencia. En realidad, Onoda es un amigo y es hetero, pero cuando Deguchi se entera de que lo ha dejado con la novia, y comienza a analizar introspectivamente lo que siente, sabe que Onoda no es solo un amigo, que sus sentimientos por él van más allá, pero también sabe que esos sentimientos jamás van a alcanzarlo.
Tres años pasan, enamorado de su amigo en silencio, cuando Onoda le confiesa que está enamorado de Shima, un extrabajador de la empresa de Deguchi y que ahora trabaja con él, que es vox populi que es gay y que se marchó de la empresa por los problemas de acoso que le causaba su expareja. Onoda es consciente de que sus sentimientos por Shima son estériles, porque este está con Togawa, su exjefe, pero para Deguchi esta es su oportunidad. Si Onoda ha sido capaz de enamorarse de otro hombre, ¿no podría ser que pudiera llegar a amarlo a él?
Reseña completa: https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...
Harumi Deguchi es un oficinista de 28 años que tiene más que clara su sexualidad. Él es gay, no es que lo esconda, tampoco lo pregona, pero se quiere a sí mismo, se acepta tal y como es y tiene relaciones sexuales cuando le apetece con los hombres que le apetece. Las cosas cambian cuando conoce a Onoda a través de un amigo en un bar. No es que éste sea su tipo, no es que se sienta atraído por él a primera vista, pero algo cambia en Deguchi y, en vez de irse de picos pardos por ahí como solía hacer, comienza a juntarse más con Onoda, aunque descubre que tiene novia. Pero bueno, eso tampoco debería ser de su incumbencia. En realidad, Onoda es un amigo y es hetero, pero cuando Deguchi se entera de que lo ha dejado con la novia, y comienza a analizar introspectivamente lo que siente, sabe que Onoda no es solo un amigo, que sus sentimientos por él van más allá, pero también sabe que esos sentimientos jamás van a alcanzarlo.
Tres años pasan, enamorado de su amigo en silencio, cuando Onoda le confiesa que está enamorado de Shima, un extrabajador de la empresa de Deguchi y que ahora trabaja con él, que es vox populi que es gay y que se marchó de la empresa por los problemas de acoso que le causaba su expareja. Onoda es consciente de que sus sentimientos por Shima son estériles, porque este está con Togawa, su exjefe, pero para Deguchi esta es su oportunidad. Si Onoda ha sido capaz de enamorarse de otro hombre, ¿no podría ser que pudiera llegar a amarlo a él?
Reseña completa: https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...
September 30, 2019
[This is a joint review of No Touching At All and its spin off, Even So, I Will Love You Tenderly]
Of the 'older' manga I've read that focus on the relationships between two men- I've certainly read older, but these came out in a decade that features more problematic content, which is why I'm referring to it as older- these two are definitely in the 'recommend' pile.
Other than the beautiful names for the volumes and the artwork being a lot prettier than expected, with distinctive character designs, I really enjoyed the developing relationships and the conversations had about workplace homophobia and ostracization in Japan, although that wasn't the main focus. I found the main characters were well developed and the feelings in the relationships had a lot of depth and made the story feel grounded in reality.
They do include some questionable attitudes towards identification of sexuality-- two characters in both volumes are probably bisexual or on that spectrum, but are referred to as straight more than once for liking women and only the man they enter the relationship with. It's complicated, but nothing in either volumes ever feels targeted or hateful, just lacking education on the nuances of sexuality, and I can only hope the mangaka has grown and has more of an understanding on sexuality now. I also found that placement of speech bubbles made it difficult to decipher who was talking at points.
[An extra disclaimer I'm putting on here, but not on the first volume: I definitely preferred No Touching At All, but that's just because I like the relationship dynamic starting off sleeping together, no strings attached, and progressing into actually dating more compelling than friends to lovers. It's not a reflection on characters or their development, just a preference for the dynamic!]
Of the 'older' manga I've read that focus on the relationships between two men- I've certainly read older, but these came out in a decade that features more problematic content, which is why I'm referring to it as older- these two are definitely in the 'recommend' pile.
Other than the beautiful names for the volumes and the artwork being a lot prettier than expected, with distinctive character designs, I really enjoyed the developing relationships and the conversations had about workplace homophobia and ostracization in Japan, although that wasn't the main focus. I found the main characters were well developed and the feelings in the relationships had a lot of depth and made the story feel grounded in reality.
They do include some questionable attitudes towards identification of sexuality-- two characters in both volumes are probably bisexual or on that spectrum, but are referred to as straight more than once for liking women and only the man they enter the relationship with. It's complicated, but nothing in either volumes ever feels targeted or hateful, just lacking education on the nuances of sexuality, and I can only hope the mangaka has grown and has more of an understanding on sexuality now. I also found that placement of speech bubbles made it difficult to decipher who was talking at points.
[An extra disclaimer I'm putting on here, but not on the first volume: I definitely preferred No Touching At All, but that's just because I like the relationship dynamic starting off sleeping together, no strings attached, and progressing into actually dating more compelling than friends to lovers. It's not a reflection on characters or their development, just a preference for the dynamic!]
May 8, 2022
Ah, this has everything from pining, drama, gay love, falling for someone straight, office romance, kisses, sexual awakening, and many more. Oh, and glasses (if that's your thing, like it is mine....).
What I do love about this BL manga is that one of the characters is a proud, gay guy. While not out and proud, he doesn't hold any shame in his sexual attraction or his habit of sleeping with different men in hookups (as a single guy). So rarely is there at least one love interest that is fully accepting of his sexuality.
Deguchi is 100% into guys and one day he meets a friend of a friend named Onoda, a straight tech guy. As Deguchi falls harder for Onoda, they end up chatting about a shared coworker that is outed as gay. And Onoda breaks Deguchi's heart by falling for this coworker. And listen, this PINING that DEGUCHI is SUFFERING from goes on for THREE YEARS. I cannot believe it!!!
The chase scene when Onoda knows something is wrong with Deguchi, they knock over the bikes, and then Onoda asks Deguchi for some time to think. My heart hurts so much for Deguchi. He even gave Onoda a surprised kiss. Just...its too much angst.
BUT THEN ONODA HAD TO FUCK IT UP THINKING DEGUCHI WANTED A BOOTY CALL. That whole chapter had me on the edge. Like, Onoda, STOP. Deguchi can sleep with anyone BECAUSE YOU WON'T MAN UP. Ugh, that chapter had my blood boiling and me hating Onoda. At least he redeemed himself by saying he was a jealous bastard and he truly does love Deguchi. bUT DEGUCHI SUFFERED.
The last few chapters were nice ones. I like that Deguchi brought Onoda to the gay bar to show that he's spoken for (even if everyone hates that Onoda is such a plain guy, lol). Finally, Onoda wants to go all the way, which was hilarious when Deguchi said "Don't get weird if I get all sorts of kinky". Honestly, those chapters really brought the couple together. I love it.
What I do love about this BL manga is that one of the characters is a proud, gay guy. While not out and proud, he doesn't hold any shame in his sexual attraction or his habit of sleeping with different men in hookups (as a single guy). So rarely is there at least one love interest that is fully accepting of his sexuality.
Deguchi is 100% into guys and one day he meets a friend of a friend named Onoda, a straight tech guy. As Deguchi falls harder for Onoda, they end up chatting about a shared coworker that is outed as gay. And Onoda breaks Deguchi's heart by falling for this coworker. And listen, this PINING that DEGUCHI is SUFFERING from goes on for THREE YEARS. I cannot believe it!!!
The chase scene when Onoda knows something is wrong with Deguchi, they knock over the bikes, and then Onoda asks Deguchi for some time to think. My heart hurts so much for Deguchi. He even gave Onoda a surprised kiss. Just...its too much angst.
BUT THEN ONODA HAD TO FUCK IT UP THINKING DEGUCHI WANTED A BOOTY CALL. That whole chapter had me on the edge. Like, Onoda, STOP. Deguchi can sleep with anyone BECAUSE YOU WON'T MAN UP. Ugh, that chapter had my blood boiling and me hating Onoda. At least he redeemed himself by saying he was a jealous bastard and he truly does love Deguchi. bUT DEGUCHI SUFFERED.
The last few chapters were nice ones. I like that Deguchi brought Onoda to the gay bar to show that he's spoken for (even if everyone hates that Onoda is such a plain guy, lol). Finally, Onoda wants to go all the way, which was hilarious when Deguchi said "Don't get weird if I get all sorts of kinky". Honestly, those chapters really brought the couple together. I love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
I've had such a bad reading slump recently. While this wasn't my favorite, I was glad to have finished a book.
This is a spin off of "No Touching At All", a story that didn't grab me initially before it ripped my heart out. That one took time to grow on me and pull me in, but I enjoyed it by the end. This one didn't grab me at all and I finished it not really connecting to anyone.
You have Deguchi, a closeted gay man who falls for a straight guy, Onoda. He keeps it a secret, fearing rejection but, when Onoda has a crush on a gay coworker, Shima, Deguchi starts to think he might have a shot. This conclusion manifests in jealousy over Shima, despite him not doing anything to try to earn Onoda's affections. Shima is in a relationship. It also results in a confusing situation where Onoda has crushes on 2 men but is still straight... I'm not sure why the word bisexual is avoided like the plague here.
Anyway, I didn't really see the chemistry here. I understood Deguchi's feelings, but I never saw the turn where Onoda started to have feelings for him in return. It felt more like he didn't want to lose Deguchi as a friend more than he was actually attracted to him. Also, the story felt sort of aimless at the start and I think that's because this story seemed to exist because readers attached to these 2 characters from the other story.
So, while I really enjoyed No Touching At All, this one isn't a recommend from me, personally.
This is a spin off of "No Touching At All", a story that didn't grab me initially before it ripped my heart out. That one took time to grow on me and pull me in, but I enjoyed it by the end. This one didn't grab me at all and I finished it not really connecting to anyone.
You have Deguchi, a closeted gay man who falls for a straight guy, Onoda. He keeps it a secret, fearing rejection but, when Onoda has a crush on a gay coworker, Shima, Deguchi starts to think he might have a shot. This conclusion manifests in jealousy over Shima, despite him not doing anything to try to earn Onoda's affections. Shima is in a relationship. It also results in a confusing situation where Onoda has crushes on 2 men but is still straight... I'm not sure why the word bisexual is avoided like the plague here.
Anyway, I didn't really see the chemistry here. I understood Deguchi's feelings, but I never saw the turn where Onoda started to have feelings for him in return. It felt more like he didn't want to lose Deguchi as a friend more than he was actually attracted to him. Also, the story felt sort of aimless at the start and I think that's because this story seemed to exist because readers attached to these 2 characters from the other story.
So, while I really enjoyed No Touching At All, this one isn't a recommend from me, personally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
"There is nothing traumatic, nothing all that painful, and no particularly surprising incidents." Kou Yoneda, the author, wrote this at the end of the volume, and I think it is a good summary of the feelings this story gives off.
Deguchi and Onoda meet thanks to some friends in common. They become friends and start going out for drinks and food. Onoda is straight, while Deguchi is gay (although he is not out with Onoda), and during the next three years their friendship develops and Deguchi falls in love with Onoda. Things ensue.
There is another recurring character, Shima, who's gay and in a relationship with one of Onoda's ex colleagues.
I liked the fact there was no rapey undertone, and enjoyed the flaws both characters have, their patience, but also their judgements and jealousy. They felt quite human.
I guess I should say, as a bi person, it is always a bit frustrating when you are reading a story and a "straight" person develops feelings for someone of their same sex but keeps being referred to as still straight instead of bisexual. But it could be just a translation issue, or just a different culture. I don't know enough about Japanese queer culture and don't want to judge using my European set of standards, if it makes sense.
There were a couple of typos in the edition I read, but I hope if they reprint it they will fix them.
Hot scale: there are a couple of sex scenes. Nothing to explicit (no pillars of light), but quite funny/sweet
Deguchi and Onoda meet thanks to some friends in common. They become friends and start going out for drinks and food. Onoda is straight, while Deguchi is gay (although he is not out with Onoda), and during the next three years their friendship develops and Deguchi falls in love with Onoda. Things ensue.
There is another recurring character, Shima, who's gay and in a relationship with one of Onoda's ex colleagues.
I liked the fact there was no rapey undertone, and enjoyed the flaws both characters have, their patience, but also their judgements and jealousy. They felt quite human.
I guess I should say, as a bi person, it is always a bit frustrating when you are reading a story and a "straight" person develops feelings for someone of their same sex but keeps being referred to as still straight instead of bisexual. But it could be just a translation issue, or just a different culture. I don't know enough about Japanese queer culture and don't want to judge using my European set of standards, if it makes sense.
There were a couple of typos in the edition I read, but I hope if they reprint it they will fix them.
Hot scale: there are a couple of sex scenes. Nothing to explicit (no pillars of light), but quite funny/sweet
July 7, 2024
Dieser Band hat mir wirklich sehr gut gefallen, viel besser als der andere. Die Erwartungen, die ich hatte, hat er sehr gut erreicht, da die Chemie und die Beziehung der beiden Charktere wirklich süß, realistisch und schön war. Beide haben ihr eigenes Leben, aber ihre gemeinsame Zeit ist auch super schön. Ich mag, wie Onoda erkannt hat, dass er Deguchi wirklich liebt und fand auch, dass Deguchi ihm seine Gefühle nicht aufgedrückt hat, jedoch gleichzeitig realistisch war und ihm seine Grenzen mitgeteilt hat. Generell fand ich die Kommunikation der beiden die meiste Zeit über sehr gut. Mein einziges Problem ist - und ich hatte schon dasselbe mit dem anderen Band - ist dieses binäre Denken, dass es nur „Heteros“ und „Schwule“ gibt. Der Band ist von 2014, okay, vielleicht waren da so Begriffe wie bisexual oder pansexual noch nicht allzu bekannt (obwohl ich das iwie bezweifle, zumindest in queeren Kreisen), aber das Deguchi Onoda die ganze Zeit als „Hetero“ bezeichnet, obwohl Onoda mit ihm zusammen ist, finde ich nicht nur weird sondern auch einfach falsch. Generell, dass aus dem ganzen ein Problem gemacht wird, weil „Heteros Schwule ja nicht ganz verstehen können“, fand ich komisch. Naja, abgesehen davon war der Band aber einfach richtig gut, und im Gegensatz zu No touching at all würde ich ihn auch wirklich jedem empfehlen!
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