Kirakira Namida: Koishiteta, Aishiteta

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"Glitter Tears, I was in love" is a not-too-short and oh-so-sweet oneshot shoujo romance with seriuzly smexed out art and a bishie you want to lock up in your personal basement sex dungeon (a la Alexander Skarsgaard in True Blood) to do with as you please, with his defined abs of steel and endearing tsundere personality owing to his Kansai dialect.

We have our heroine Teshima who leads an otherwise shy life but desperately wants to try her hand at swimming which she has yet to master at the ripe ol' age of 16. She may need more training and assistance than she imagined though and ... who should happen upon her but class loner and mysterious boy-about-town Yuuma. A hesitant journey of self-rediscovery ensues for both sides, abound with uniquely tender moments, surprisingly mature decision making for 16 years olds and a wee bit of hanky panky which is to be expected when both leads are scantily clad for the main plot's premise!

Let me drool over the art a little bit more, so that those of you who missed it earlier may again realise that that is sufficient enough a reason to enjoy this oneshot. Hair is unrealistically perfect and tousled at all times, expressions are often a little too tasty for innocent audiences and background and actions all blend together to provide a smorgasbord of deliciousness for your shoujo aesthetic-senses.

The story is drawn out well, decently paced and employs sufficient situations to create a comfortable atmosphere for believable chemistry between Yuuma and Teshima. There are plenty of outfit changes to satisfy your shoujo impulses and a slow but sure build up of tension and romance which engrosses you thoroughly. It isn't all lighthearted fluff though. There is a bit of history which is fleshed out and provides the main conflict, though abruptly given the tone the mangaka had going for the majority of the story. The conclusion feels a bit off, not in what it is, but how it's delivered. Both characters utilise their eyelashes or hunched poses to express unsaid emotions very subtly, making you feel for them and pinch their little cheeks in sympathy!

You'll enjoy this read for its engaging pace, gradual build up and delivery of romance, and art (did I forget to mention the scrumptiousness of their expressions?). There are small situations which lead to shared moments and memories, making it personal and believable. Has a couple of "Kyaaa" moments, if only for the sake of fan-service! High re-readability and a very enjoyable story which will leave you feeling like taking charge of your romance life all over again!