A Sign of Affection, Vol. 3

ゆびさきと恋々 [Yubisaki to Renren] #3

by Suu Morishita

Does he really see me as a girl? Yuki's a Deaf college student who is at first enchanted by and soon falls in love with an upperclassman in her school named Itsuomi who doesn't care about her lack of hearing but treats her like anyone else. Yuki resolves to face that love head-on and really pursue it proactively. Soon Itsuomi, who was once a riddle for Yuki, starts to really open up to her and express his truest feelings. This series is all the talk in social media and the news and so please enjoy volume 3 of "A Sign of Affection!"

Genres: Manga, Romance, Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Young Adult, Disability

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2020

About the author

MORISHITA Suu
Name (in native language): 森下ｓｕｕ

Blood type: A
Zodiac: Taurus

Mangaka duo: Story: Makiro (マキロ）, Illustration: Nachiyan (なちやん）

Favourite food: chicken nanban

Assistant: Aizawa Yuki-mei

Reviews

[a · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Literally me the entire time I'm reading this manga: 🥺🥺🥺

I cannot get over how cute this manga is. I still am not a huge fan of the insta-love vibes but I love the art style so much and honestly it's just so darn cute I can't wait for the next volume!

[vin .ᐟ (hiatus)]

just thought i'd let ya'll know that romance isn't dead bc of yuki and itsuomi 😌

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author explains the altered word play / homophones from translating Japanese / Signed Japanese to English. It helps explain missing or edited context.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Itsuomi is about to head off on another backpacking excursion, but not before he and Yuki have a heart-to-heart talk. It turns out that honesty and communication might just play a part in a relationship after all...

Ah, I like this book (minus those awful covers). There’s really nothing like it right now (I would say [and have said] that A Perfect World is probably its closest match in subject matter, but from a very different perspective) and I continue to respect the work Morishita is putting in here.

Yuki absolutely makes this series come alive - she’s so upbeat and positive and trying her best to communicate despite being deaf. While the art remains singularly excellent, she is practically animated on the page at times (the chibi shocked expressions in this book are beyond reproach).

Itsuomi is, despite the book’s efforts, a little too poured from the mould of ideal super boyfriend - the cool college dude with a secret romantic side who travels the world so he can see things. Still, this wouldn’t be the first Morishita book where the male lead came a far distant second to the female (yes I am still annoyed by Shortcake Cake).

I do give him credit for being very normal with Yuki, trying to pick up more sign language, and trying to involve her in his life. His pronouncements on how much of a pure soul she is read like something out of a trashy romance, but if that’s the worst thing he does then I’ll be pretty happy.

Where this book really earns its stars is by how good it continues to be at depicting Yuki’s deafness and how she handles or experiences various situations. I found the section about her trying to find work and the boneheaded responses of the interviewer really believable (and depressing) and it provides a nice contrast to how normal Itsuomi treats her.

It’s a simple change, but it really shakes up the formula. How exactly are the two of them going to handle things when they fight? They still both have misreads and mishearings and skipped words and I love how this comes across in the text. There are a lot of cues that you miss without hearing and I feel relatively confident the series will keep addressing this going forward.

Still not sure about overprotective rival guy, who seems unsure if he’s just going to be an unwanted worried parent or just tsundere his way into a plot complication. His sister was a cool addition to the cast though - I like that she sees right through Yuki from the get-go.

3.5 stars, rounded up because of all the effort going into what it’s portraying and for not just shoving Yuki’s hearing issues to the side and making it an integral part of the storytelling while still making her a character with a disability and not a disability with some characterization. It’s not necessarily riveting from panel to panel, but it’s overall a very good book and a satisfying end to a year of manga.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO AMAZINGLY GOOD!!!

I loved loved loved it!!! I'm in a sea of feels which is no surprise because I knew I would be head over heels after reading. No not even AFTER, but DURING reading! I squealed, I laughed, I giggled.

This volume did seem faster pace than the previous two volumes. I know I binge read this series pretty hard, but am wondering if that's because the size of this volume was slightly smaller then the others? Well, not the ONLY thing as oh my goodness! Itsuomi was full of surprises in this one that left me turning through pages quickly! (I already plan to reread it again here today because I flew through this.) The opening kicks off right where volume two ended and just swept me away in a romance that I have been hoping for since the first page of volume one! I'm really excited to see their future together!

I continue to love the sign language part of this manga a lot! I love the thought the creators put into this because it is extremely powerful to read. There are subtle things that I wouldn't have even thought about, but makes me realize how I take certain forms of communication for granted. A great example of this that Yuki it's a lot harder to sign when she's holding hands. I never any thought of that!

The art continues to be absolutely stunning! I just love the depth and beauty and the occasional humor because of facial expressions.

Another fantastic and wonderful volume in this manga! I'm already desperate for the next volume!!

[ʚ Aileen ɞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying, you're crying 🥺

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know that sign language evolves over time and that there are generational differences, or that sign language differs from country to country. This has a high enough edutainment level that I can easily see a reader getting interested in learning sign language from having read it, or becoming engaged enough to try and see it out in a world where it might otherwise have been invisible to them.

Yuki's a sort of null entity as a character, unfortunately. She's the same girl whose psyche entirely revolves around her man from the first moment they meet each other, that we've seen in shoujo manga forever. She, Rin, and Emma, for that matter, may as well all be the same person when it comes to their "personalities" and motivations. Which I guess is okay, in the sense that Yuki's disability doesn't affect that aspect of her at all.

I do like the idea that Yuki and Itsuomi's worlds both expand as a result of having met each other. Another appealing part of the story is that Yuki is innocent and protected, and hasn't ever been subject to the cruelty of the world. The first indication of an uphill climb for her, is her applying for a part-time job as a data entry clerk and the employer possibly passing her over because she is deaf. But it's more a matter of whether she'll be able to "go dutch" rather than having Itsuomi pay, so the stakes aren't terribly high.

In any case, that these troubles are gently presented, or are more a matter of subtext than text, gives the reader a kind of idyllic or mostly utopian world that is sweet and pleasant to read.

[warisha ‧₊˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

am i the only one who finds him creepy? hes attracted to her "purity" and wants to "influence her" are these not red flags????

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I have complicated feelings about this volume and the disability representation. While I adore our hero and heroine together and enjoyed seeing the progression of their relationship, I was thrown off by how he utilized her disability to say that she was innocent and that’s why he wanted to be with her. This could be a translation thing going on, but I have to be honest and say that it struck me as odd while reading. I will still continue with the series but I’m going to see if that is handled better going forward.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:FMC hasn’t been able to hear since she was born

I’m getting happier and happier that I decided to read the manga of this series. Imma copy and paste the stuff I said in my other review so I can get to spoilers: Our FMC is deaf, I’m not sure if it is a trigger but I have added it just in case. The authors seem to have put a lot of research and the sign language is in Japanese. They have a whole process of how they figure out the sign language aspect of the manga which I found fascinating. The anime did a good job animating the sign language. Especially the different tones of sign language, some being soft and graceful while others are harsh and straightforward. I LOVE our FMC Yuki, she knows what she wants and goes for it. And Itsuomi our MMC has so much rizz, the guy is so handsome and dreamy. Some people have mixed thoughts on his actions but I personally think this guy is a walking green flag. They both communicate so there is drama but not as much as other mangas, this is more cute. Please do yourself a favour and watch the anime. Then come back and read the manga so we can fangirl together.


Yuki runs into Itsuomi in the subway and after a helpful interaction, she can’t get him off her mind. When she realizes the guy is someone in her friend’s class, she will get to know him.

Now for spoilers


We start where we left off where Itsu shows up to Rin’s place asking why Yuki left and what she was trying to tell him. Yuki spells out the word everything into his hand and he kisses her hand. Yuki is so flustered she falls down, she gets her phone and faces away from him since she is blushing. He asks if she is anemic and she asks him to give her a coupla seconds. He asks her to look his way and he is right there, Yuki thinks about him always being close to her. He is always close to Yuki but isn’t like this with anyone else. He is starting to understand sign language more. Itsu says that he knows Rin has been visiting his cousin Kyo’s bar to see him. He asks if Yuki has been doing the same to see Itsu himself. Yuki nods and he says he had a feeling. Yuki is worried he knows that she likes him but she thinks he doesn’t know the depth of her feelings. She makes the sign for “I like you,” but Itsu was on the phone and didn’t see it. He got a call from Kyo since the bar has a booking so he needs to go in early. He says that he is going to be travelling for a month. He asks Yuki to send him sign language videos and signs that when he is back, he will make time for Yuki. Yuki asks why he kissed her hand earlier. While Yuki is looking down shyly, Itsu asks if he can fall for Yuki. Since Yuki isn’t looking, she has no idea he said this. He ruffles her hair and Yuki knows that he now knows that means that she is cute. He leaves without giving her an answer and Rin returns. Rin says that they can go visit Kyo and Itsu at the bar since Yuki was sleeping over at her place for the night.


Oushi is walking home with his childhood friend Izumi’s dog. He runs into Yuki’s mom who says that Izumi is lucky to have a friend like him. She tells him that Yuki is staying over at a friend’s place and Oushi is wondering if it is Itsu. Yuki’s mom says that it was nice that Yuki has him at school since he knows sign language, saying it was reassuring for Yuki. Oushi asks for Yuki’s number and texts Yuki. While at the bar, Kyo asks if Itsu is serious about Yuki. Itsu says that since Yuki can’t hear, she has never heard a bad word in her life. She is pure, he views every human as transparent glasses. He believes that human influence scratches and makes changes to the glass. He says he wants to make an influence on Yuki. He can’t stop looking at her, he finds her expressions cute, and he finds everything about her beautiful. Kyo is shocked and realized that Itsu is gone bad for Yuki. That’s when Yuki and Rin show up and Itsu asks if he can take Yuki aside. He takes her outside and Yuki can see he is cold and she was so sweet, she gives him her scarf. Instead of taking it, Itsu just holds her close, I love how cuddly he is with her. He says she is warm and Yuki is flustered. He asks about Yuki’s curfew and Yuki says it is fine since she is with Rin. Yuki had a whiteboard and Itsu puts it down. The way my heart fluttered in this moment was crazy. Itsu learned sign language that Yuki never taught him to ask her out. He asks Yuki to go out together, Yuki was in awe.


It’s so swoony that he learned sign language for this, it made the scene even more meaningful. Yuki wasn’t sure if he knew what he was asking and I loved that she made him clarify why he wanted to go out with her. I liked that it wasn’t a simple yes, she wanted to know what Itsu felt for her. And Itsu never shied away from it, he says that even if he travels to many places, there is only one Yuki. And he wants Yuki, he held her as he said this and it was so cute.


He takes Yuki’s hands and makes it the yes sign and asks if it is going to be a yes. Yuki cries and nods her head, it was such a cute moment. Itsu asks if Yuki has a passport since he wants to travel with her. Yuki says no but she will make it her goal to get one. She is going to try and find a part time job so she can save and travel with him. Itsu puts her scarf back on her and wraps his arm around her while they walk back inside. Rin and Kyo ask why Itsu has his arm around Yuki and he nonchalantly says he is going out with Yuki. Everyone is shocked and Itsu asks why they all have the same expression. He then says that Yuki has a curfew so they should head home. Rin says its fine since Yuki is staying over but Itsu says that Yuki’s parents don’t know she is out. It is clear he just wants to walk her home and spend time with her alone. While they are walking, Oushi texts Yuki saying to add him as a contact. Yuki doesn’t know why he has her number and thinks that she will do it later. Before leaving, I love that Rin told Itsu that Yuki saw Emma give Itsu his apartment keys, saying it bothered Yuki. So he tells Yuki that Emma borrowed his unit the day she saw her with his keys. But what I loved? He says it won’t happen again and she has nothing to worry about. They make it to Rin’s place and they’re sad the walk was so short. Itsu tells Yuki to go in and while she walks up the steps, he says her name but she can’t hear him. So he follows her to the door and hugs her, it was so sweet.


Itsu leaves but while he is away, he texts Yuki about where he is. He constantly reminds Yuki that when he is back, they will spend time together. Kyo and Rin were shocked that Itsu and Yuki started going out that quickly. Shin visits so Kyo called Itsu to let him know before he left for his travels. Then Kyo asks Itsu why he would start dating Yuki and then leave. Itsu says that he wanted to ask her out before he left. He knows he will meet different people on his trip but he doesn’t see himself breaking up with Yuki. He tells Yuki that he plans to spoil her rotten and take care of her. He asks Yuki if there is anything she doesn’t like and I was surprised that Yuki told him she doesn’t like her belly being touched. In a previous volume, Itsu tickled her after she laughed since he wanted to hear her laugh again. Itsu says he won’t do it again and promises to respect her. I love all the communication that these two do. Itsu makes it a safe place for Yuki to come to him. While Itsu is away, Yuki tries to find a job but is struggling. Someone was wearing a mask so she couldn’t read their lips. Some jobs say they will call her but she can’t hear them. Yuki has a friend who she met in school who is also deaf, so she thinks to contact her. Itsu asks Yuki for sign language videos so she films herself for him. She asks if he has time and Itsu says he will make time, I love that. When you love someone, you will make time for them even if you are busy. Itsu continues to send Yuki texts throughout his travels and tells Yuki different things. Sometimes he doesn’t talk to her for days but he makes up for it with messages and pictures.


Oushi asks Yuki to come over since his sister came by. His sister used to play with Yuki when she was younger and knew sign language. Oushi’s sister forgot most of her sign language and asks Oushi to translate. She says that she is going to brush up on her sign language and is gonna be working with seniors. Yuki says the sign language between seniors and young people might be different so she says she will learn again, Oushi asks Yuki to teach her. His sister is surprised Oushi is still good with sign language. She asks Yuki if she is in love since she looks that way. She then tells Oushi good luck and its hinting that Oushi might like Yuki. When she leaves, Oushi says he plans to become a sign language teacher. He tells Yuki not to let Itsu’s nice behaviour get to her. He says that people are just nice to deaf people so not to read into it. Some shit like that. It was such a messed up thing to say and Yuki thought that Oushi always reminds her that she is deaf so she will be treated differently. She doesn’t need him to remind her constantly. What I hate about Oushi is he leaves Yuki feeling down about herself. Whereas Itsu uplifts Yuki and treats her so well. Yuki misses Itsu so she is surprised when she gets a text from him saying he is back home. He asks Yuki if they can meet for a bite and meets Yuki at a railway crossing. Before they cross, he asks if he can kiss Yuki but she misreads it as hug, since the Japanese word for hug and kiss is similar vowels. Yuki says yes and tells him to sit down, she puts her arms out for a hug but Itsu surprises her with a kiss. Yuki is so flustered while Itsu is ready to go to a restaurant.


They go to eat and Itsu knows the sign alphabet and is trying to sign more with Yuki. He orders food for them and Yuki is so happy to just be with him. Once they are done, Itsu pays for the food and Yuki wants to get a job to have money for occasions like this. I love that Itsu said he would spoil Yuki and he is doing just that. They go to a park and Itsu puts his arm around Yuki and she feels spoiled by him, it’s just so cute. She says she is looking for a job and Itsu says that she doesn’t need to rush. Itsu says that he has a best friend in Germany and a best friend in Japan. He wants Yuki to meet his Japanese friend Shin who came to the bar. But he says it is fine if Yuki doesn’t want to. Yuki is scared Shin will judge her because she is deaf. Oushi didn’t help in making this a thought for Yuki even if she thought this before. Itsu says they don’t have to go but Shin is someone that won’t judge her for that. Yuki doesn’t wanna cause trouble so they walk to Shin’s place. Itsu holds her hand and says that when she wants to leave or feels uncomfortable, she can squeeze his hand. I thought that this was sweet, but Yuki does think that it can be a little inconvenient. I’m not sure if she means the situation or if she means she can’t sign if he holds her hand. But she doesn’t tell him since she doesn’t wanna bother him. What I like is Itsu always checks in on Yuki and watches her face for reactions. So if this does continue to bother Yuki, I’m sure he will pick up on it. Or he will ask her and Yuki is honest when given the chance to tell him. If he asks her, she will tell him. They go to visit Shin and Yuki realized it was the drunk guy she saw at the bar and the volume ends. I feel like this couple is a green flag because of how they compliment each other. Open communication, they both like each other, and they look out for each other. I liked that this volume showed the feelings go both ways. Itsu asking if he can fall for Yuki when she isn’t looking when Yuki said she likes him in sign while he wasn’t looking. Itsu learning sign language just to ask Yuki out and constantly telling her he wants to spend time with her. And the second he is back, he comes to see Yuki, keeping his word. He isn’t all words, he shows her by his actions too. Can’t wait to read more!


Stay safe folks!

[Rod Brown]

Okay, some of the relationship vagueness finally gets cleared up, but now this series -- while very cute -- is skating awfully close to the tipping point of being too gentle and mild for its own good. There's an impending warm and fuzzy overload if we don't get some drama stat.

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is getting really cute

[Anja Karenjina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ja, devojka u srećnoj i zdravoj vezi od skoro pet godina plačem na poljubac dva fiktivna lika (ponovo).

[DeannaReadsandSleeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so cute i forgot i had pressons and i bit my nail clean off

[** Lucie ( Taylor's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

This really might be the cutest thing I've ever read. Like, EVER.

[Niyousha · Rating 3 out of 5]

توی بارنز اند نوبل خوندم. هفته پیش با همسرم رفته بودیم. اون داشت دست نوشته های منو میخوند، منم اینو. خیلی ساعت خوبی بود. شاید جز بهترین ساعتهایی که روی این زمین تجربه کردم.
پسره توی کتاب خیلی خوبه. واقعا green flag

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was super cute! Sadly though it’s cuteness was marred for me by the continued interrogation and lack of respect for Yuki by Oushi who gets worse with each volume in my opinion and is just an annoying character overall. 😒

Also, I think Itsuomi should have asked again or made sure Yuki knew he wanted to kiss her before springing that on her—it was obvious she didn’t know what he was about to do and being so observant he should have clarified before going ahead. And again he often touches her sometimes very suddenly or without asking, which again I’m just not personally comfortable with.

If my library gets more of the volumes I might continue this series, but probably not likely due to things that keep making me annoyed or uncomfortable and the fact that nothing really happens much story wise. Which is super disappointing because I really wanted to like this series. 😔

Content: mild swearing; a kiss; characters drink; suggestive hints

[灰 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I don’t get the physical copies soon I might go insane!!! I don’t normally care for instant romances because slow burns have my heart but this is so heartwarming I think I might explode ദ്ദി╥ ᴗ ╥). I don’t know if I can stomach writing another review without saying “cute,” “heartwarming,” “adorable,” etc… you get the point ITS SUPER DARN SWEET AND I HAVE A SWEET TOOTH ૮꒰◞ ˕ ◟ ྀི꒱ა

[Annadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

fact people say itsuomi was red flag like hell no😡 he is greenest flag ❤️😊

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaaaaaaaah my favourite volume so far because the big thing happens in this one *wink*

I loved this instalment and A Sign of Affection has quickly become my new favourite current manga Yuki and Itsuomi are just so precious!!! <3 I get all the feelings that I got from reading Dreamin' Sun, and despite that being a different manga, I think Itsuomi reminds me of Taiga Fujiwara (who I also loved).

Volume 3 sees Yuki and Itsuomi finally become a couple with Itsuomi declaring his feelings to her (and to his cousin, Kyouya, who does an insane amount of blushing when he learns Itsuomi is truly on cloud nine). Then there's Yuki's ever-lovable friend, Rin-chan, who is truly supportive of their relationship (and I really hope she gets to do the same with her crush, Kyouya).

Elsewhere, we see Yuki's childhood friend, Oushi, warning her against Itsuomi - but it's only because he has always like Yuki but has never known to vocalise it and instead comes across as being a mean a$$, and Yuki meeting up with Oushi's sister who she used to be friends with as a young girl.

The final chapter is just sweet perfection! <3 And I really hope Shin's reaction to this news isn't going to upset me in the next volume.

Loved this with all of my heart!

[GlutenFreePixels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's just me, but I got uncomfortable with the logic of him liking her because she seems innocent and transparent. People with disabilities get infantilized a lot, so this really didn't sit well with me.

"I think maybe part of it is because her ears have never heard the sound of the cruel world. She's transparent. It's like everybody starts off as a see through container. But then the container gets scratched, and dirty. And polished, because of the influence of other people. I want to have an influence on Yuki. It's like I never want to let her out of my sight."

Maybe I'm thinking too much, or maybe this is just a shojo manga thing. I'm curious about other people's thoughts.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 4/20/24:
Ugh. It's SO. CUTE!!! I couldn't love this more. It's just the sweetest, most adorable thing I've ever read. I'm in love with Yuki and Itsuomi. I just want more. I want all of them. I'm definitely going to have to own this series some day in paperback.

Original review 5/19/22:
Ahhhh another amazing edition to this series.

I didn't think it could keep being as cute as book 2. How could it? But it did! It's still so sweet and making my heart pitter patter and I'm grinning like a fool the entire time I'm reading.

Steam: we have a kiss! (Swoon)

[Mewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potrzebuję przerwy od tej historii, jako że pochłonięcie trzech tomów na jeden wdech mnie przesłodziło, ale to moja wina, nie mangi. Ona wciąż ogromnie mi się podoba. Czy będę kontynuowała lekturę? Zobaczę! Na pewno te trzy tomy były warte każdej minuty.

[Rin ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“NO
MATTER WHERE I GO...
THERE'S OLY ONE YUKI..”
😣

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm gonna get cavities from how sweet this is

[Jude · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eh. 1.5 stars. I was underwhelmed. Especially disappointing because I liked v.2 and was hoping for the series to pick up.
It did advance the story some so I gotta give it credit for that. Also, I liked the bit we saw of my boy Oushi.

So, I have 2 main issues with the series so far.
1. Yuki's entire character revolves around being in love with Itsuomi. Every single one of her thoughts are about him. 🙄 And I get the whole idea that she's super innocent and sheltered so now that she's in love for the first time the feelings are intense. But as a reader I find it so dull. It got old by the end of volume 1. I don't even see why she fell in love with him so hard to begin with.

2. There really isn't much conflict, especially noticeable in this volume. She likes him. He likes her. There's hardly anything getting in the way. What little obstacles there are, the characters are good at working with (i.e. Itsuomi is smart, patient, and actively learning sign language to communicate with her; his constant traveling isn't a deal breaker for Yuki and in fact she aims to join him). Both characters are near perfect and there just aren't enough events and drama going on to make the story an interesting, entertaining read.

[⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꒰ঌ mimi ໒꒱ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ [semi-ia] · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Her eyes. Her hands. The look on her face. They’re all beautiful. Now, it’s like im not looking at her. It’s more like Yuki captures my eyes and everything else disappears”

IM GOING ABSOLUTELY FERAL FOR THIS SERIES ITS SO CUTE 🥹

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cada tomo es mejor que el anterior.

[sophie ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

not itsuomi being literal perfection