Soba ni oitene by Sakuragi Yaya

[insaneneko]

Thanks to oiyaoi, I got to read Sakuragi Yaya's newest manga Soba ni oitene before my amazon japan order arrives (whenever that will be...when will it ship? ;_;). I initially skimmed it and wasn't too impressed, but upon reading it more carefully I've come to like it quite a bit. It's not fabulously good or anything, but it's sweet and makes me happy. A classic sweet shoujo manga concept except with two guys instead of a boy and girl. I'm glad I ordered it.



First, the lovers:



The (wanna-be) princess, Shibata Yuzu (not sure if that's his full name), 1st year in high school, 181 cm. Isn't he so domestic? He loves to make good food for his Icchan.



The prince, Yugi Issei, 1st year in high school, 172 cm. Called Icchan by Yuzu.

They are childhood friends. Icchan is one of those athletic, probably smart, cool guys. Yuzu just worships him. Calls him "his prince" (because Icchan's so cool!) and wants desperately to be his princess...or at least his wife (I'm not kidding...and he declares this in public all the time). What I like about them is that they have a very stable relationship. Yuzu is incredibly girly, and yet still a guy. Icchan is cool and a bit aloof, but gentle and always there for Yuzu. It's cute that one of Yuzu's big concerns is that he's grown taller than "his prince." But Icchan is totally not phased by this, because Yuzu will be cute to him regardless of height. Besides, he's confident he'll grow soon enough since his family is tall (ah, the confidence!). Icchan isn't unnecessarily mean, Yuzu isn't unnecessarily weepy or pathetic, and there aren't unnecessary misunderstandings or angst. They are cute. The story is cute. The art is nice. The manga makes me smile. XD

Finally, a moment when Icchan comforts Yuzu:



I love a boy who can be so cool and manly while having to look up. ^_^