Mar 9, 2009
Shinzuki is the school idol. Therefore it is but obvious that sweet but ordinary Touha will have an unrequited infatuation with him. What’s not obvious is how Shinzuki could possibly be oblivious to her presence when she follows him home from school one day! He only finds out just outside his house! Boing! These shockers-for-plot’s-sake don’t stop here though. While Shinzuki is obviously good looking, I found no other aspect of his personality shine through in the story. Also his “real” version only shows him with a loosened tie and not smiling around at everyone all the time. But since not much is said of
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his personality in the first place, we can assume that being a prince at school, he is callous and cold when the mask comes off.
Story wise, it’s pretty standard on two characters meeting each other, falling for each other after getting to know personal quirks and facing and overcoming external conflicts together. However, there is little novelty in how the plot progresses. It’s as if the characters suddenly decide to switch scenes in the midst of one, so they hurriedly exchange two lines and appear at a different setting with a different mood. Essentially, even within the two chapters, the story feels unconnected and each event is thoroughly predictable.
While the art is a saving grace for this manga, it has its ups and downs. The mangaka is skilled at drawing sneaky and lovelorn expressions for Touha who really makes the reader feel whatever emotion she’s experiencing through her facials. Of course her shock and embarrassed facials are endearing as well. Conversely Shinzuki has severely limited expressions and looks anxiously robotic most of the times. Whenever he’s supposed to actually convey emotions, he ends up showing his tongue. Apparently we're supposed to get a cheeky feel from that!
Character wise, both are underdeveloped figures. We don’t see what appeals to Shinzuki about Touha or vice versa really, considering she ended up liking his “real” version. And while I’m happy a shoujo finally knows how to cook (and well!), that's all she seems to do in the story. Well, that and feel sorry for herself and weep an awful lot, again during the kisses! GOD! But she is devoted in her feelings, and this comes through effortlessly. Shinzuki is also portrayed as liking her genuinely in that he doesn’t ignore her at school and steals kisses when he can. He isn’t very keen when it comes to recognizing her getting upset, but he does make up for it by being so gentle and delicate with her after, that you can’t help but yearn for the same love!
Overall, read this one for the captivating artwork and the odd sweet kiss but not much else. There aren’t too many tender moments or even cutting edge dialogues, so if you enjoy shoujo where you can predict the end and the middle and even the next page right off the bat, you should give this one a read. Otherwise, Shiiba Nana does it better, and within one shots.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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