As I said on my
"chatbox" a few days ago, I will be posting my fave mangas of
Yamato Nase. I have been collecting more of her mangas recently. I'm happy to have found them!
The manga
"Love Life" is not the first manga I read from
Yamato sensei. The first one was called
"Saa Koi ni Ochitamae" and the most favorite out of the 5 mangas I got from her. But then alot of Yaoi Lovers must've known about that manga already because it's famous. So I decided to post about
"Love Life." It's a comedy and romance story.
(I love the story!) I guess, corniness is really my thing. *hahaha* One thing I have to warn the future readers. The seme is drawn with long-hair, and kinda feminine features and if not for the uke's characteristics, it won't be easy to guess who's the uke, who's the seme. Sensei in her end notes mentioned that it's the first time she drew a character with long-curly hair. So it's refreshing to see the new character design!
Shinohara Satoru (Uke)
He just moved in Tokyo and his wish to live alone finally arrived but he isn't happy about it. His parents died a year ago from a car accident and his only sister had left him behind after getting married at age 20. He was left without anyone to depend on that's why he decided to go to Tokyo. Now, he lives in a rundown building, at room #6, very low rent, a 6-mat room tatami, and no bath.On his first day, he made a noodle cuisine for his next-door neighbor and landlord but it was horrible that his neighbor, Izumi, figured out that he's not a very good cook. Well practically, he's not good in any house chores too. He found his new neighbor intimidating at first, but later on they became good friends. In a way that he's mostly being helped with cooking and cleaning. He would tell himself not to be dependent on Izumi but he would still end up needing his help. The more he resist, the more his love and affection grows. He was slow to realize his feelings until Izumi kissed him when they were drunk. Then when he saw him kissing Oohori kun that's when he admitted to himself how much is the importance of this person to his current life. How long will this virgin love get mature?
Age:
19-20
Citizenship:
Japanese
Hair:
Short, Straight/Brown
Physical Attributes and Personality:
He tries to be independent immediately but he is a slow learner. He can't cook, nor clean properly. He usually forgets alot of things so one night when Izumi was away for a week vacation to his family, it rained and he forgot to close his door and the window. So the next day, the neighbor below his room complained that it's dripping. He is the epitome of messiness. Despite of this, he doesn't want to be pitied. He never uses his weakness to get what he wants. He has a problem telling people about his innermost problems and one had to discover that or else they wouldn't realize that he's sensitive. He's quite hardworking and can be dependable when you most need him. He wants to be needed by anyone.
Activities/Hobbies:
He works in a bookstore and sometimes at a convenience store. He also found a liking helping the theater group or troupe of Izumi so he became their errand boy and even learned how to sew costume clothes.
Izumi Yoshinobu (Seme)
He is the next-door neighbor of Shinohara, at room number 7. He is an actor and has been living at the rundown apartment for 3 years. He is a super-busy person. Shinohara observed that he gets up early then comes home late. During weekends, he's rarely home, too. These observations are easy to notice especially if the house you're living in has very thin walls and as they say on this manga, "Even when someone farts, you can hear it." Eversince he was a kid he wanted to perform. So when his parents disagreed with what he wanted to be, he moved out from their house and lived with his friend, Oohori Shouichi. And together, they pursued their dreams to be actors.
The first time he met Shinohara is when he was given a "Hikkoshishoba", some kind of noodle and he told the guy later on that it was disgusting. He also warned him that other neighbors weren't able to stay long having him next to them, how much more for Shinohara? But they ended up as good neighbors. He especially help Shinohara alot because that guy is useless with house chores, especially cooking. He would cook his meal and they would eat together when they have time. They also go together in public baths where he is friendly with the folks over there. When he learned that Shinohara lost his parents a year ago and that his sister is the only relative he has left, he started understanding the overly-perseverance behavior of Shinohara. He then avoids mentioning his parents or he had to stop being independent and just go back to them. Miraculously, he couldn't help falling in-love with this naive guy as days pass by. He kissed him while the boy was crying and he used that same trick the second time that Shinohara was feeling down. More about him? He can be misunderstood. Like one time, Shinohara caught him kissing his friend and co-actor, Oohori, but in reality they were just practicing for the play. He likes hugging and touching people that he could be misinterpreted if you do not know him well.
So dealing with a difficult person such as Shinohara, do you think he managed to tame that boy?
Age:
22-23
Citizenship:
Japanese
Hair:
Long, Curly / Blonde
Physical Attributes and Personality:
He is an independent person and gullible. He can be quite honest about his opinion of other people especially if the food is not good. Shinohara's first impression of him is intimidating and weird. Oh yes of course, he enjoys doing house chores , loves to cook and eat, and play with other kids while taking a bath at a public bath. He likes making people happy at the end of the day. He's obviously childish, but I find him cute nevertheless. Most of all, he's always concern of Shinohara doing mistakes but he helps him out in the end. He teases him alot, too. But I find it cute and the reaction of Shinohara. ^___^
Activities/Hobbies:
He is a member of a theater troupe in Tokyo and one of their lead actors. Acting and dancing is his passion and he thinks he still has a long way to go to achieve his dream.
Minor Characters Worth Mentioning:
Oohori Shouichi
An old friend of Izumi. Both of them went in thesame high school, having thesame dream, and both walked out from their parent's house to make their dreams come true. He taught Izumi how to do house chores especially cooking. Until now, they're working together in thesame theater group and performing major roles. He likes hugging Izumi and other people and their closeness can be misinterpreted if you do not know them. Shinohara got jealous of their closeness and was shocked when he saw them kissing! Just like Izumi, he likes teasing people, but Oohori teases Shinohara more.
Note: He's not gay! What a pity...
Ooya Takeshi
He is the son of the owner of the rundown apartment where Izumi and Shinohara live. He is very young and very small so he's often teased as "chibi landlord". He is a quite cute, friendly, but strict landlord and anytime who is willing to help when you need one.
*Now, now, what could this be?*
- E.N.D. -
Thank you Hochuuami for the beautiful scanlation!
