I came across this manga when I was scrolling the web, looking for something light and good to read. Although BL, this manga has a really light touch, and seem to focus more on the slice of life aspect. A good recommendation for anyone who is starting out on BL.
The story has two distinct layout style: the 4-koma (or 4 column) where by a page is divided into four rectangle rows, and within those four koma is a 'topic'; the other style would be the traditional style where the author is free to divide the page. This manga style switches between the two styles, and the author makes really good use of the two styles to tell her story.
The story follows the daily life of a high school fudanshi* Miyano (*fudanshi meaning boys who like to read BL), and his developing relationship with his senior, Sasaki.
In the first volume, the story focuses more on introducing the characters and how the two came to meet, and also heavily on the developing feelings of Sasaki towards Miyano. There were many flashbacks throughout the story that links back to the incident where they first met (which is also when Sasaki first fell for Miyano).
From Miyano's point of view, this volume focuses mainly on the two's friendship and getting to know more about each other, whereby Miyano introduces to Sasaki BL manga and the unintentionally showing this ways as a fudanshi. The author also seemed to place a lot of emphasis on Miyano's food preference which makes him seem 'manly' despite his feminine appearance. Miyano tend to prefer bitter food like wasabi and alcohol, and do not like to take sweet stuff. His hatred for sweets is then further emphasis by his strong rejection towards his people who try to feed him sweets.
On the other hand, although having a rough appearance that makes him seem like a rebel, Sasaki is weak at fighting, and does do frequent baking as his parents own a bakery. He baked during home economics class, and gives his cookies to Miyano saying that it's not too sweet, in which Miyano accepts it.
Their way of speaking reflects and their personality very clearly, whereby Miyano speaks in very proper sentences mostly in 丁寧語 or 'polite speech'; while Sasaki speaks in a very typical high school boy way (you can see that a lot in many other high school stories). Miyano wakes up early, revise his school materials constantly; is part of the school committee and is seemed to be very put together (except for cooking); while Sasaki tend to oversleep and be late for lessons - he would usually come in after lessons has started or there was a scene where he is seen just reaching school during 2nd period - he is also seen copying his friend's (Hirano, who is also Miyano's senior in the committee he is in) notes.
Throughout the whole volume, Sasaki drops a few confessions here and there, saying that he 'likes Myaano' but Miyano takes it as a joke, always announcing that he doesn't swing that way even though he likes to read BL. Although the development was slow, towards the end, we can see Miyano paying more attention to Sasaki as a 'potential boyfriend' and not just a 'senpai'.
Parts that appealed to me a lot was how relatable Miyano was to me as a fujoushi* (the female counter part of a 'fudanshi'). How he turns every single opportunity into a BL scenario; going to the book store to by BL's ensuring to go alone and not with a male friend; listening to drama CDs; etc, etc.
The volume ends off with a valentine's day event where in food is being emphasized again. Miyano seems to be leaning towards Sasaki, giving in and being seemingly bias toward him as compared to his other friends, while Sasaki's feelings continue to grow.
