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ばら色の頬のころ―when I was thirteen [Barairo no hō no koro - when I was thirteen]
戦争で父を亡くしたポール。「市長の息子」と呼ばれ続けるモーガン。
それぞれに家族との葛藤を抱え、少年たちは大人になっていく。
名門男子校を舞台にふたりの少年の出会いを描く『Ｊの総て』前日譚。
それぞれに家族との葛藤を抱え、少年たちは大人になっていく。
名門男子校を舞台にふたりの少年の出会いを描く『Ｊの総て』前日譚。
184 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Asumiko Nakamura
76 books382 followersAsumiko NAKAMURA (中村明日美子) is a Japanese manga artist.
Born in 1979, she is one of Japan's hidden gems. The artist has penned a lot of titles since 2002 and has reached critical acclaim for her sensitive protrayals of romantic narratives featuring a wide range of characters - men and women, young and old. Nakamura has worked in a range of genres for an equally broad range of audinces winning recognition in every category.
Born in 1979, she is one of Japan's hidden gems. The artist has penned a lot of titles since 2002 and has reached critical acclaim for her sensitive protrayals of romantic narratives featuring a wide range of characters - men and women, young and old. Nakamura has worked in a range of genres for an equally broad range of audinces winning recognition in every category.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 5, 2025
Chinese title: 薔薇色的臉頰
This one has 神率 of 61.5% on Chil-Chil.
4⭐️
A collection of Nakamura Asumiko sensei’s older works got reprinted in Chinese back in 2016, celebrating the artist’s 15 year anniversary. I’ve only picked up this manga and not read the sequel
Jの総て because the content might be too dark and twisted for my taste.
The story set in 1950s conservative all boys private school reminds me a bit of her more recent GL manga series メジロバナの咲く… There are two pairs of boys in this story, both had bitter ending…
Andrew Morgan (seme) is the son of mayor Mike Morgan, he’s active and loud, into playing guitar (Les Paul) and watching antihero films (Robert Mitchum). His dad is very strict and unapproachable, he doesn’t want to keep living in the dad’s shadow so he tries to find his own identity.
Paul Anderson (uke) is the school chairlady’s nephew, he’s a quiet and reserved orphan. His dad is Jewish Rabbi and met his mom in US, he went back to Europe during the war and died in the Nazi concentration camp, she came back to US and gave birth but passed away when Paul was 10 year old.
Andrew and Paul met on their first day of middle school. Andrew was being bullied by three third year students asking him for money, he used his Swiss Army knife to fight back and slashed one of the boy’s ear. Paul called out the teacher is coming to scare off the boys and save Andrew. Next day Paul had a broken arm because the older boys picked on him instead and he didn’t fight back.
Andrew and Paul had different opinions about how to approach bullies and had an argument over it. Andrew overheard the bullies discussing a plan to drag Paul into their dorm that night, so he went over by himself to pick a fight, as repaying the favor to Paul. The two boys then fell asleep at the tower…
Andrew and Paul have been assigned to live in the same room for their second year. Andrew remembered that he left his cigarettes in the first year room so he went back to grab it before the opening ceremony. He saw two younger boys kissing and was shocked and ran off…
Jaredson O’Brien (seme) and Eugene Scott (uke) are first year students, they are childhood friends and lovers. They plan to move to Europe in second year and live with Jaredson’s relatives as the society there is more friendly towards homosexuals. Andrew agreed to keep it as a secret for them.
Paul received ~50 letters from his dad, retrieved from Germany. He was crying at night after reading them and shared his life story with Andrew. Andrew went out to balcony to get some fresh air and met Dina who’s also smoking (in the friend Cass’ room). Andrew kissed Paul when he’s asleep with tears from his eyes.
Andrew couldn’t look straight at Paul the next morning and wondered why did he kiss Paul? Eugene came over and wanted to have a chat with Andrew while Jerry is not around. Cass told Andrew that many boys in the school got their eyes on Eugene the lil wild cat, it’s common in an all boys school… Andrew suddenly remembered how soft Paul’s lips were last night.
Cass brought Andrew to the diner and introduced Gina who’s working there as waitress. She’s 17 year old and already married because she wanted to leave orphanage, her husband went to Vietnam soon after and is working as messenger in the army, the fat and bold diner boss is her horny father-in-law... Cass fell asleep in Dina’s room after sex, she had a chat with Andrew and gave him a kiss as goodbye.
It’s time for mayor election and Andrew’s dad Mike Morgan wants to be re-elected again so he spoke with the school’s chairlady to use Paul’s story as part of his speech. Andrew was surprised to see his dad in school with Paul, but Paul reassured him it’s ok. On a hot summer day, Paul read out his dad’s letters in public but fainted in the end due to the heat and emotional torture… Andrew’s dad continued emphasizing the importance to never have war again, Andrew was enraged so he shouted out and punched his dad on stage.
Andrew’s dad beat the hell out of Andrew at home, who said he will kill the dad in the future and severed their tie that day. Andrew went back to dorm and saw Paul throwing all his dad’s letters into the fireplace. Andrew tried to save some with his bare hand and got burned, so Paul put his hand under running tap. Paul said the touchy letters are pretentious and his dad just wanted to live in illusion that he’s a loving father although he’s never met his son. Andrew said that Paul must’ve been lonely growing up without the dad, then Paul punched him in the face, other boys heard the rattle and came over to break them apart.
Andrew got very pissed and ran over to Dina’s home in the rain and had sex with her as distraction. While Paul cried himself to sleep all alone in the room. The next day Paul saw Jerry and Eugene kissing in the garden. Somebody reported their relationship to the house master and the two boys got suspended. Dina told Andrew he cannot run away from problem forever and he has to go back to school. Andrew apologized to Paul but got cold reaction as Paul starts to distance himself away.
Andrew confronted Paul whether he’s the one who exposed the young couple. Paul didn’t give a clear answer and told Andrew to not get too close to him as them two would be seen as weird too. Eugene came to find Andrew for a chat and said he’s actually the person who wrote a letter and put in the house master’s room. Eugene doesn’t want to go to Europe as he liked Jerry as a good friend, but recently he finds Jerry scary. Jerry overheard it and jumped off the tower, luckily he fell on trees and only sustained minor injuries.
Dina’s husband died in the war, her mother-in-law is kicking her out because of her affair with the father-in-law. Andrew’s dad also met with her and paid her a breakup fee to never see Andrew again. Andrew asked Dina to marry him so she wouldn’t be alone, Dina locked Andrew out of the house while they both cried. Meanwhile Paul spoke with the chairlady about converting his faith as a complete separation from his dad…
Andrew has finally realized his feelings for Paul is love, but it’s too late as Paul’s personality has changed, he doesn’t have passion for life anymore. Paul started growing his hair long, and the two boys would only glare at each other when they pass by in school… Until J appeared in Paul’s life, the curly hair crossdressing angel…
In the extra chapter, 13 years has passed and they are now 26. Andrew was released from prison two year ago and went around on his bike (Mexico, Alaska)… He showed up at Paul and J’s home, watching the pair of love birds while he’s still stuck in the grey and moody student years… Paul saw that he zoned out and asked if he’s ok, also expressed that he’s always been worried about Andrew all these years because he keeps his thought inside and doesn’t share with others. Andrew throw the same line back at Paul and almost confessed, he then blushed, hugged Paul and quickly left…
In another extra chapter, Andrew secretly cut a slice of Christmas pudding from his family house party, and ran over in the snow to the dorm to bring it to Paul who’s all alone. Awww, their sweet memories paused in time, when they were thirteen with rosy cheeks…
This one has 神率 of 61.5% on Chil-Chil.
4⭐️
A collection of Nakamura Asumiko sensei’s older works got reprinted in Chinese back in 2016, celebrating the artist’s 15 year anniversary. I’ve only picked up this manga and not read the sequel
Jの総て because the content might be too dark and twisted for my taste.
The story set in 1950s conservative all boys private school reminds me a bit of her more recent GL manga series メジロバナの咲く… There are two pairs of boys in this story, both had bitter ending…
Andrew Morgan (seme) is the son of mayor Mike Morgan, he’s active and loud, into playing guitar (Les Paul) and watching antihero films (Robert Mitchum). His dad is very strict and unapproachable, he doesn’t want to keep living in the dad’s shadow so he tries to find his own identity.
Paul Anderson (uke) is the school chairlady’s nephew, he’s a quiet and reserved orphan. His dad is Jewish Rabbi and met his mom in US, he went back to Europe during the war and died in the Nazi concentration camp, she came back to US and gave birth but passed away when Paul was 10 year old.
Andrew and Paul met on their first day of middle school. Andrew was being bullied by three third year students asking him for money, he used his Swiss Army knife to fight back and slashed one of the boy’s ear. Paul called out the teacher is coming to scare off the boys and save Andrew. Next day Paul had a broken arm because the older boys picked on him instead and he didn’t fight back.
Andrew and Paul had different opinions about how to approach bullies and had an argument over it. Andrew overheard the bullies discussing a plan to drag Paul into their dorm that night, so he went over by himself to pick a fight, as repaying the favor to Paul. The two boys then fell asleep at the tower…
Andrew and Paul have been assigned to live in the same room for their second year. Andrew remembered that he left his cigarettes in the first year room so he went back to grab it before the opening ceremony. He saw two younger boys kissing and was shocked and ran off…
Jaredson O’Brien (seme) and Eugene Scott (uke) are first year students, they are childhood friends and lovers. They plan to move to Europe in second year and live with Jaredson’s relatives as the society there is more friendly towards homosexuals. Andrew agreed to keep it as a secret for them.
Paul received ~50 letters from his dad, retrieved from Germany. He was crying at night after reading them and shared his life story with Andrew. Andrew went out to balcony to get some fresh air and met Dina who’s also smoking (in the friend Cass’ room). Andrew kissed Paul when he’s asleep with tears from his eyes.
Andrew couldn’t look straight at Paul the next morning and wondered why did he kiss Paul? Eugene came over and wanted to have a chat with Andrew while Jerry is not around. Cass told Andrew that many boys in the school got their eyes on Eugene the lil wild cat, it’s common in an all boys school… Andrew suddenly remembered how soft Paul’s lips were last night.
Cass brought Andrew to the diner and introduced Gina who’s working there as waitress. She’s 17 year old and already married because she wanted to leave orphanage, her husband went to Vietnam soon after and is working as messenger in the army, the fat and bold diner boss is her horny father-in-law... Cass fell asleep in Dina’s room after sex, she had a chat with Andrew and gave him a kiss as goodbye.
It’s time for mayor election and Andrew’s dad Mike Morgan wants to be re-elected again so he spoke with the school’s chairlady to use Paul’s story as part of his speech. Andrew was surprised to see his dad in school with Paul, but Paul reassured him it’s ok. On a hot summer day, Paul read out his dad’s letters in public but fainted in the end due to the heat and emotional torture… Andrew’s dad continued emphasizing the importance to never have war again, Andrew was enraged so he shouted out and punched his dad on stage.
Andrew’s dad beat the hell out of Andrew at home, who said he will kill the dad in the future and severed their tie that day. Andrew went back to dorm and saw Paul throwing all his dad’s letters into the fireplace. Andrew tried to save some with his bare hand and got burned, so Paul put his hand under running tap. Paul said the touchy letters are pretentious and his dad just wanted to live in illusion that he’s a loving father although he’s never met his son. Andrew said that Paul must’ve been lonely growing up without the dad, then Paul punched him in the face, other boys heard the rattle and came over to break them apart.
Andrew got very pissed and ran over to Dina’s home in the rain and had sex with her as distraction. While Paul cried himself to sleep all alone in the room. The next day Paul saw Jerry and Eugene kissing in the garden. Somebody reported their relationship to the house master and the two boys got suspended. Dina told Andrew he cannot run away from problem forever and he has to go back to school. Andrew apologized to Paul but got cold reaction as Paul starts to distance himself away.
Andrew confronted Paul whether he’s the one who exposed the young couple. Paul didn’t give a clear answer and told Andrew to not get too close to him as them two would be seen as weird too. Eugene came to find Andrew for a chat and said he’s actually the person who wrote a letter and put in the house master’s room. Eugene doesn’t want to go to Europe as he liked Jerry as a good friend, but recently he finds Jerry scary. Jerry overheard it and jumped off the tower, luckily he fell on trees and only sustained minor injuries.
Dina’s husband died in the war, her mother-in-law is kicking her out because of her affair with the father-in-law. Andrew’s dad also met with her and paid her a breakup fee to never see Andrew again. Andrew asked Dina to marry him so she wouldn’t be alone, Dina locked Andrew out of the house while they both cried. Meanwhile Paul spoke with the chairlady about converting his faith as a complete separation from his dad…
Andrew has finally realized his feelings for Paul is love, but it’s too late as Paul’s personality has changed, he doesn’t have passion for life anymore. Paul started growing his hair long, and the two boys would only glare at each other when they pass by in school… Until J appeared in Paul’s life, the curly hair crossdressing angel…
In the extra chapter, 13 years has passed and they are now 26. Andrew was released from prison two year ago and went around on his bike (Mexico, Alaska)… He showed up at Paul and J’s home, watching the pair of love birds while he’s still stuck in the grey and moody student years… Paul saw that he zoned out and asked if he’s ok, also expressed that he’s always been worried about Andrew all these years because he keeps his thought inside and doesn’t share with others. Andrew throw the same line back at Paul and almost confessed, he then blushed, hugged Paul and quickly left…
In another extra chapter, Andrew secretly cut a slice of Christmas pudding from his family house party, and ran over in the snow to the dorm to bring it to Paul who’s all alone. Awww, their sweet memories paused in time, when they were thirteen with rosy cheeks…
January 6, 2024
Me re comí el ship, lpm, uno así no puede
January 22, 2024
HORRIBLE
October 8, 2021
personalmente uno dei miei preferiti della sensei, nonostante sia una serie molto breve. ho un debole per le ambientazioni collegiali, soprattutto se si parla di collegi maschili o femminili dei secoli scorsi.
qui ci troviamo negli anni 40 e, sullo sfondo della guerra, due ragazzi di 13 anni di incontrano. il loro rapporto sarà pieno di risentimento poiché incapaci di comunicare con l altro. L' arte della nakamura é eterea come sempre e contribuisce a creare sempre un aura di fascino intorno ai suoi pg.
peccato per il finale (dolce)amaro
qui ci troviamo negli anni 40 e, sullo sfondo della guerra, due ragazzi di 13 anni di incontrano. il loro rapporto sarà pieno di risentimento poiché incapaci di comunicare con l altro. L' arte della nakamura é eterea come sempre e contribuisce a creare sempre un aura di fascino intorno ai suoi pg.
peccato per il finale (dolce)amaro
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
As I mentioned in my previous review for Nakamura Asumiko, her art is extremely captivating. What it lacks is a good direction, she expects the stories to connect by itself without getting into details. This was a prequel for her other story and it left me confused.
November 14, 2017
No le entendí a la historia. No le vi coherencia. Y tampoco me gustó el estilo de dibujo.
Pero seguiré probando con otros mangas de la autora para ver.
Pero seguiré probando con otros mangas de la autora para ver.
December 14, 2022
Una historia corta pero que me causo muchas emociones. Termine más deprimida de lo que ya estaba.
December 21, 2022
Pathetic
September 27, 2023
No le entendí a la historia. No le vi coherencia. Y tampoco me gustó el estilo de dibujo.
Pero seguiré probando con otros mangas de la autora para ver.
Pero seguiré probando con otros mangas de la autora para ver.
January 20, 2024
Los gays nunca pueden ser felices.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2015
Kupikir ini bakalan twisted or dark angst bgt... But no, it was teen angst...*duh, kan uda jelas dari judulnya, hahaha...eh tapi kukira ini bakalan teen angst yg rada twisted abis loh, hehehe*
Menurutku sih plotnya standard aja and lack something... Sepanjang cerita ini kayanya aku ga bisa connect ama kedua tokohnya. So much drama but I didn't feel anything... Ga terharu atau emosional atau apa. Nothing. Krn cuma lumayan, jadi 3 stars aja deh.
Kayanya aku harus baca J no Subete, sekuelnya dulu kali ya... Soalnya ini bkn prekuel kalo mnrtku, semacam spin off.
Menurutku sih plotnya standard aja and lack something... Sepanjang cerita ini kayanya aku ga bisa connect ama kedua tokohnya. So much drama but I didn't feel anything... Ga terharu atau emosional atau apa. Nothing. Krn cuma lumayan, jadi 3 stars aja deh.
Kayanya aku harus baca J no Subete, sekuelnya dulu kali ya... Soalnya ini bkn prekuel kalo mnrtku, semacam spin off.
March 6, 2013
It was okay, I guess. I love Asumiko Nakamura's art style. Very gangly and...dark in a way. The eyes are drawn beautifully..
But to me she has a problem with linking up a story to the very end. Something is always lost, some compelling bit as the story goes on until I'm kind of confused and left disappointed. In the end I only skimmed the last two chapters and got confused. Simply because of the dramatic jump from teenaged boys to grown men. But whatever.
But to me she has a problem with linking up a story to the very end. Something is always lost, some compelling bit as the story goes on until I'm kind of confused and left disappointed. In the end I only skimmed the last two chapters and got confused. Simply because of the dramatic jump from teenaged boys to grown men. But whatever.
July 25, 2014
I don't really like (or really not likes) this story... Make me confuse... He loves the boy but want to marry the girl? The main story, Didn't really got it... Of course, I didn't like it because the "xxx" scene too... Maybe, the genre more likes (or really likes) something like that... difficult to understand... an adult story... maybe it because the drama genre... Yah, I don't like it... But, for the others? It may be good... So, just
Ganbatte fo Nakamura Asumiko-sama!! :D
Ganbatte fo Nakamura Asumiko-sama!! :D
January 21, 2024
ooooohhhhh i hated that ending....... sound of my heart breaking fr
i really would have wanted andrew and paul to end up together but i had already read j no subete so 🫠 ah am i the only one who found their relationship a lot more compelling than whatever J and paul had??? for some reason i cant help but feel a strong attachment to andrew...... but the heart break is so real..... so deliciously crafted, im eating it up and going crazy
i really would have wanted andrew and paul to end up together but i had already read j no subete so 🫠 ah am i the only one who found their relationship a lot more compelling than whatever J and paul had??? for some reason i cant help but feel a strong attachment to andrew...... but the heart break is so real..... so deliciously crafted, im eating it up and going crazy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
M'encanta com l'autora lliga el passat de l'Andrew i el Paul amb la història principal de Jの総て 1 J no Subete 1 . Una preqüela massa breu, però molt significativa. Enamoradíssima dels personatges ♥
November 14, 2012
Prequel from J no subete. Love it. End of story.
January 9, 2011
Bittersweet coming-of-age boarding school story.
April 18, 2017
One of my all-time favorite works by Asumiko Sensei.
Her manga have always had a long-lasting impression on me.I loved one of the main characters, and that's why I thought the ending of the sequel- J No Subette was a bit sad.
Very beautiful and outstanding artwork as expected.
Her manga have always had a long-lasting impression on me.I loved one of the main characters, and that's why I thought the ending of the sequel- J No Subette was a bit sad.
Very beautiful and outstanding artwork as expected.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews