Manga: Soba ni Oitene

Soba ni Oitene has two love stories. It is written by Sakuragi Yaya, one of my fave mangakas. :D

The first love story "By Your Side" is about two high school students that grew up together. It's one of those stories that one boy is quite girly and the other is not. It has its funny moments that's why I want to share this to everyone. :D

Yuzu (Uke)

Yuzu (Shibata Yuzuru) transfered to Tokyo when he was a small kid. Because other kids bullied him, Icchan would come to his rescue. Eversince they were kids, he love Icchan and dreamed of being his "princess". But when they reach high school, he grew taller than him. He felt awkward about this. He thought that his dream of being Icchan's princess is destroyed. Still he tried harder to be suitable to him. He trained himself to be his future "bride" so he joined the Home Economics club to learn how to cook very well. Everyday, he prepares obento for Icchan and Icchan enjoys his company and the food. 

Yuzu has been asked by a karate captain who was a pervert to join the club because of his height. When Icchan learned about this, he got jealous. That jealousy arrive to Icchan's confession. Yuzu was surprised that Icchan thought thesame as he thought of him. Though the tallest, Yuzu is the Uke of this series. Not only was Yuzu pursued by a karate club because of his height, but also by a drama club leader where he acted as the "Prince." He asked Icchan to help him practice his lines. He adore Icchan so much because he can learn things easily. At thesame time, Yuzu was dieting because he was conscious that he gained weight so he wasn't eating very well for many days. On the day that the drama club had a performance, he fainted on stage. When he gained consciousness, Icchan was carrying him, like one would carry a sack of rice. Yuzu was so disappointed and told Icchan that it's not what he expected him to do. He admitted that he always dream being carried like a "princess" by Icchan. So Icchan gave him that. Whoa! Unbelievably he can carry Yuzu like a "princess" due to his daily activities where he acquired strength. I forgot to mention that he "K.O.-ed" the captain of the karate club because of his jealousy. Hehe. Then there's another person that pursued Yuzu. She fell in-love with the "fainted Yuzu" during the drama club presentation. She is a senpai and a former captain of the kendo club. She pushed herself on Yuzu by joining the home economics club, too. Although she doesn't know how to cook. She would tell him that she wants to protect him. But one day, while seducing Yuzu on a day off of the club, an accident occur in the kitchen where Yuzu protected her instead. She was so nervous and came along Icchan who stopped the fire. Icchan told her something that made her realize how she disrespected Yuzu. After this incident, along came the elder brother of Icchan where he made Yuzu do things so the two lovers won't be able to meet for a week. When are they going to have a peaceful and lovey-dovey relationship with all these weird people coming between them? *sighs*

Age: 
17

Citizenship:

Japanese

Hair: 

Short/Light Brown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

Taller than anyone else in school (182cm), all he ever think about is how to please Icchan and become his future "bride" so he doesn't know that he's considered a "school's celebrity", friendly and quite popular with his home economics classmates and he acts like a girl with them. He can be insecure but definitely a hard-working and very understanding guy.

Activities/Hobbies:

He loves to cook! He does it so well so that Icchan will like him. (But he's already liked eversince primary school, hehe)

Icchan (Seme)

Icchan (Yogi Issei)  has been friends with Yuzu eversince they were young. He protects him from bullies. They grew up together but reaching high school, Yuzu became taller than him. He doesn't admit it at first, but he really loves Yuzu. He loves his childishness and naivety. Also Yuzu is quite hard-working, and he praises him so he will be less insecure. He also know that Yuzu is conscious with his height being taller than him. So he told him that one day he will grow taller. As his adam's apple hasn't developed yet. His parents are both tall, so as his older brother. 

When someone wants to go between them, he shows his feelings for Yuzu. Like for example, he got jealous of the karate club captain (Oosumi senpai) that kept pursuing Yuzu to be a member of his club, but it looks like that wasn't his attention. So Icchan gave him a warning not to touch Yuzu again. And when he wasn't listened to, he K.O.-ed that karate captain, taller and bigger than him! It was so cool... (now I look like Yuzu when admiring Icchan hahaha!)

Then came the female senpai from a kendo club that thought Yuzu is a weakling. He didn't like her for that reason. So on the day that he stopped the fire in the home economics club room, he told her that no matter what she does, she's just another girl who would get scared of accidents. While Yuzu will always be a man. Who's instinct will that be of a man and will find ways to protect women. Icchan also told her that she had disrespected Yuzu by treating him as a weakling. I think that this made her gave up on Yuzu. Yuzu was so flattered, he thinks Icchan is super cool! (me too!) After this incident, along came Icchan's elder brother who will work as a temporary librarian at their school. His brother realized that Yuzu has feelings for his little brother so he teased him. He made Yuzu help him out at the library. He used the reason that Icchan cannot walk very well (due to an accident where he caught Yuzu falling from the stairs, he sprained his foot) , so the two cannot be together even after school. After a week of exhaustion, Yuzu decided to visit Icchan at his house. Then the elder brother told him that Icchan is taking a bath. Yuzu left immediately then texted Icchan. They both realize that the reason they haven't seen each other for a week because of elder brother's doings. When they met at their usual meeting place (the park), the nii-san was dragged by the younger brother. He admitted that he was testing Yuzu's capability of loving Icchan. Icchan told his elder brother that he's the one who is madly in-love with Yuzu and there's nothing he can do about it. And so, the next school day, the 3 of them drive to school together. ^__^ 

Age: 
17

Citizenship:

Japanese

Hair: 

Short/Black

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

He is shorter than Yuzu (172cm) but he's the seme. He silently love and protected Yuzu. His character? serious, handsome (popular to girls but hard to be approached by), quiet-type and he loves to eat alot but dislike sweet things. Although he said he will only eat the sweets that Yuzu makes.

Activities/Hobbies:

He joins the archery club and quite good at it. Yuzu watches his practice from the home economics club window. 

Note: The couple of the 2nd story will be posted some other time. 

- E.N.D. -

Scanlated by Memory For You

Thank you so much!

(memoryforyou@gmail.com)

Manga: Love Life

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!

Manga: Oresama no Toriko

Oresama no Toriko also known as, "Toriko of Mine", where "Toriko" here can also mean "Slave" is one of my favorite comedy yaoi mangas. Created by Amagi Ren, the story revolves around two working adults who just moved in to their love nest. The story tackles about the basics of "living in together" and what does it take to be a "couple." It may have simple story plot but the sweetness of these two is the "thing" that made it likable, that is, if you're into corny stuff, which I am. *fufufufu*

Toriko Ubukata (Uke)

Toriko kun is from a poor family. His mother, father, and sister have been divorced and re-married more than once. During high school he met Shijima kun and hated him for being an achiever without doing much. During graduation, he declined Shijima kun's uniform button and told him that he hates him for being not hardworking. That's when Shijima kun fled to the mountains and learned the art of pottery. That also resulted to Shijima kun's insecurity so Toriko kun feels guilty about it. He loves Shijima kun so much that he would do anything for them to be together - forever.

Age

26

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

slender

Hair:

straight, semi-long / black

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

a Dreamer, hardworking, likes people who are hardworking, very strict to students, not very strict to Shijima kun, tidy and neat, patient considering he's dealing with the Shijimas ^_^, pervert and cuddly, creative

Activities/Hobbies: 

He works as a Teacher in a cram school. He enjoys cooking and doing household chores although he's a busy man. He does cosplaying with Shijima once in awhile.

Shijima Rui (Seme)

He is the 1st son of  the President of Shijima Corporation but became a potter. He's naturally intelligent and a schoolmate of Toriko kun during high school. He became a potter because he wants to show  Toriko kun that he is a hardworking person, thus giving up his position to be the next head of Shijima Corporation to his younger brother, Jyun. He has this attitude of not telling Toriko kun beforehand what's he planning to do and they would end up fighting. He's got his funny - sweet moments and I think that's what I like about this manga. ^^~

Age

26

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

tall

Hair:

straight, long / blond

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

Good proportionate body = sexy , arrogant, a bit selfish, easy-go-lucky and can be naively funny, caring, hard working although he's quite intelligent and can do things without doing much... , a pervert, wears a bandana on his forehead and traditional Japanese clothing, at most times - or NOTHING at ALL when he's inside the house, his world is only for Toriko kun and his pottery!

Activities/Hobbies: 

 He is a Potter. He has his own kiln inside their love nest. He also loves to cook and enjoy making their couple's items made of clay ^_^. He loves cosplaying with Toriko kun to spice up their sex life at home. He took care of the baby of his friend and enjoys babysitting!

Yoyomori Seiichi

Is the newly appointed President of the Cram School where Toriko kun works. He is also a former classmate of Shijima kun during elementary until middle school. He hates Shijima kun so much because without putting so much effort in the things he does, he's an achiever. He tried to snatch Toriko kun away from Shijima but he failed.

Age

26

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

tall

Hair:

short /blond

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

a Gentleman, hardworking, 

Activities/Hobbies: 

 Managing a cram school.

Shijima Madoka (Seme)

He is the father of Shijima Rui and is currently the HEAD of the Shijima corporation. He is the 7th successor. He put Toriko kun in hardship in order to be accepted as the "bride" of his son. He is also in relation with his former secretary, Shijima Hiroshi.

Age

42

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

very tall

Hair:

long, straight / blond

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

He got wrinkles under his eyes -but still handsome, super strict dad, responsible, mean and arrogant

Activities/Hobbies: 

 He runs the Shijima corporation.

Shijima Hiroshi (Uke)

He is the wife of Madoka sama but before that he was his secretary. He's reliable and mysterious. He is also the one that punch Toriko's face and gave him a tea after putting dust on the cup.

Age

36

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

very tall, well built

Hair:

short / black

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

quiet, mysterious, trickzie...and actually a sadist

Activities/Hobbies: 
 He used to be the secretary of Madoka sama but he became his wife later on.

Shijima Jyun

Age

very young...

Citizenship:

Japanese

Height/Weight:

small and short

Hair:

short / blond

Birthday: 

Unknown

Physical Attributes and Personality: 

super kawaii, pervert

Activities/Hobbies:

Still a student.

If you're a fan, let me know! 
I have listed some quotes that I like from his manga, help yourself ^^

Special thanks to Attractive Fascinante for the scanlation!