insaneneko | Kiss Blue II by Kinoshita Keiko

I had bought Kiss Blue II by Kinoshita Keiko a while back, but for some reason didn't get around to reading it until now. I had raved about the first volume before, maybe I was just afraid the conclusion wouldn't be nearly as good. In any case, all my fears were put to rest because the story ended fabulously. I read volume 2 a couple of times before breaking out volume 1 and rereading that one, too. Oh, the story is exactly the kind I like. It develops slowly, with Tomosaka gradually realizing that he's in love with his best friend Noda. The story intertwines his angst as he tries really hard to suppress his feelings with glimpses of their past as friends as well as their daily interactions as friends so well. I also appreciate that we get to see Noda's side of things as he tries to make sense of how Tomosaka's feelings for him affects their relationship. This continues on in volume 2, with things sort of coming to a head at one point (see under the cut) and then resolving in a very satisfactory ending. Seeing the progression of both Noda's and Tomosaka's feelings makes a cliched ending feel oh so right. XD They are both terribly sympathetic, trying hard to deal in their own unique ways...

Leading up to this scene, Tomosaka and Noda try to act normally as per Tomosaka's wishes, but things just are too awkward. Tomosaka can't help but be extremely conscious of Noda, and Noda just wants to make things easier for Tomosaka and is frustrated that he only seems to make things worse. After one spat, Tomosaka is absent from school due to a cold. When Noda goes to see Tomosaka, he apologizes for being insensitive (as he is wont to do). Tomosaka tells Noda that he knows he's caused Noda trouble with his feelings, but that he'll "stop" and stop being a bother...Which makes Noda very mad. He demands to know what Tomosaka will "stop." Being friends? Loving Noda? Tomosaka only replies that he won't cause Noda anymore trouble, which only makes Noda even more angry. He wants to know what the hell Tomosaka really wants. He pushes Tomosaka down and starts groping him.

Tomosaka pushes him off and demands to know what he thinks Tomosaka is. Does Noda think he can do anything to Tomosaka because Tomosaka likes him?

Noda responds that he thinks of Tomosaka as his friend.

Noda goes onto say that he thinks of Tomosaka as his most important friend. That's what Tomosaka wanted as well, right? Noda continues, saying that feelings are inconsequential. Even if things started out as pity or as fun...

If the other person ends up falling for you, what does it matter? Noda had thought that maybe, if they had sex, he'd end up falling for Tomosaka and be able to respond to Tomosaka. He apologizes for being so easygoing and leaves.

Leaving Tomosaka remembering an earlier thought he'd had, that Noda tended to be insensitive and sometimes said things that hurt Tomosaka....and would end up hurting himself, too.