Too lazy to...

In chapter 30, we finally get that long-awaited kiss! But that's not the only incredible panel from this episode. Personally, one of the most wonderful scenes is when they finally hold hands and run, so Kagi can win his competition. And it's not just because they both look gorgeous, or because Hirano finally has an answer for Kagi, but the image where they hold hands and run is one of the most symbolic ones to define that they're finally on the same page.

Because throughout the manga we have seen that they have been unusually close

invading each other's physical space, seeking to be unconsciously close to each other and in Kagi's case, always wanting to be attached to Hirano (either by grabbing his arm, taking his clothes or his hands).

But what sensei has emphasized the most is the closeness between them through the touch of their hands, and in a way, she has been showing us the progress of their relationship through them, because from the beginning she showed us their dynamic with Hirano caressing Kagi's back to comfort him (or patting his head):

Kagi holding Hirano's hand to stop him from going on a school trip and then the blond takes his hand away to leave.

Kagi's first confession:

They trip in Hatsumoude:

and one of the most painful, when Kagi just realized he likes Hirano and takes his hand, only to have it quickly taken away

when he really realizes he wants to touch him and is more aware that Hirano doesn't see him that way

and finally when he confesses in the infirmary where Kagi is the one who takes Hirano's hand.

On all these occasions it is Kagi who seeks contact and Hirano is the one who accepts or rejects (and Kagi is painfully aware of it) 

Even when they begin their 10 second experiment, Hirano raises his hand and it is Kagi who reaches for it.

Then to see in ch30 that it is finally Hirano who willingly accepts that contact is simply refreshing.

And happily, we can see that this search for contact is not unilateral; it is not an experiment, nor is it a moment of indecision or unawareness (as it happened at the beginning of their relationship), but it is something really thought and desired by both of them.

The gesture is so soft and sweet in the way they hold hands, Kagi holding out his hand, gesturing for Hirano to put his own in, both relaxed and with a little squeeze that we then see turn into Hirano running after Kagi, letting herself be guided with dreamy eyes and all the sparkles around in his own world, but the cutest thing is how they immediately interlock their fingers so they can run side by side, synchronized, and as equals ❤️‍🔥 laughing happily so that, despite being on opposing teams, Kagi can win (and Hirano ignoring his teammates calling him a traitor).

And those hands that finally join together and never separate again… even when they reach the microphone they never let go

All those words of love, being disguised as words spoken by a friend and roommate, but Hirano knows that they are part of the same words he has said to him when he confesses over and over again

And then that same hand that has been containing the desire to touch Hirano can finally take him by the jawline and gently touch his neck, to bring him closer to what he has had to repress for months now, that irresistible urge that at last can be carried out.

I like to think that for ch31 we will be able to see how Hirano will raise his hand and place it on Kagi's, confirming to him that he wants to continue the kiss, so that he can finally accept all the love Kagi has for him.

Now then, onto ch32: “Have you been tamed?” I LOVE IT! Of course I think it's an allusion to Hirano, and honestly, I doubt they were able to tame him hahahahaha, my precious blond is not that easy to tame, and that is one of the things I love about him, he's always so authentic... I truly liked the cover, they look so relaxed together, it gives me the feeling that they are at Kagi’s family’s home… I would love if sensei did a chapter about summer vacation. I know Hirano is going to be full-on preparing for exams this summer because he's a senior student, but I hope he can take a few days off to go see his precious…

…

…Well, if Kagi doesn’t know what's going on with Hirano, neither do I hahahahaha. But one thing is clear to me: it was his ex-girlfriend who asked him out, and it's too obvious that he wasn't interested at the time (just as uninterested as he was about the Valentine's chocolates)

My little guy is experiencing his first real love, and he's so confused that it seems like he has zero experience!

I thought it was adorable that they fell asleep that morning 🩷

They have been so tense during those months that they finally really managed to rest (maybe I'm so tired right now that I can totally empathize with that feeling that the wait is finally over and you can, after so long, sleep and rest). The day before was totally a catharsis (even if they don’t know what they are, they both felt relief).

When I saw that Kagi still had the red cheek 

 thought about how much of a liar he was when he said it hadn't hurt

I say it and I stand by it: Hirano really is very strong. Not only did he send him flying with a push, but he did it with his left hand and even left a bruise… He’s going to have to manage that impulsivity, since they can't continue solving things that way.

Now, what I really loved was Kagi racking his brains trying to remember if Hirano had really confessed! And coming to the wonderful conclusion that in theory, he had said it!

t's exactly what I thought! Ok, Hirano didn't fully verbalize it because Kagi interrupted him, but afterwards he did tell him how important he was to him and that he wanted to be with him, so what would be the ambiguity

And Kagi thinking that Hirano isn't violent, he seems to have forgotten the times he threatened him with his fist to get him out of bed!

And how cute they both look waking up that morning!

💛💚

I have three thoughts about this page:

1st: WTF, Kagi is so flexible!! In my basketball days I never achieved that, it's absurdly difficult to do those exercises like that, so all my admiration for my handsome basketball player.

2nd thought: How gorgeous Hirano is! I will continue saying it today and until the end. For me Hirano has the most interesting character design in the entire ssmy universe. Not only is his wardrobe the one with the most personality, but his design is also the most versatile or at least, the one with the most variations (I have a draft about this from a few months ago that I hope will see the light of day soon).

• 3rd thought: and this is the one that left me most confused: If they both confessed their feelings (even though Hirano didn't actually say the words), why are there so many doubts?

And on the next page Kagi continues to amaze us with his elasticity. If the previous posture had left me impressed, now I was left speechles. Seriously, how does he do it!What discipline, folks! Which leads me to stand up and give him a big round of applause because, despite the fact that his head is a monumental mess, he still concentrates on his practice. I LOVE how focused he is on his goal, so I hope he really achieves his dream of becoming a professional (at least in the AU he is, so I have high hopes). And not only is he focused and persistent, but he's also a cheeky guy! What's with Kagi thinking about kissing Hirano's hands, and then thinking about the lap pillow??? Did I understand what he wants to do correctly? How is that less intimate than a kiss?

And while our boy trains totally focused on his goal (but with the shadow of doubt haunting him), Hirano isn't doing much better...

Damn young man! That unfriendly face would definitely scare anyone away! I doubt his classmates could believe that Hirano has that tender and kind side with Kagi, when in class he has that aura of death around him.

But it catches my attention that the mess in his head is not just because he doesn't know what his current situation with his roommate is, but he also thinks that his feelings could change…

And even though he's so sure he likes him, he doesn't know if things will stay the same, and that's where my paranoia kicks in and I think: what if Hirano knows he likes him, but isn't 100% convinced about dating Kagi? Because he wants more of both of their desires to overlap, but he is so, so, SO lost on what dating someone implies that I'm even left wondering what he expects "dating someone" to be. When he thinks about the contract it's like… Dude, you lived in society with a family with a father and mother, you weren't raised by wolves, you must know something about human relationships right? And then he says he doesn't understand. My hopes of seeing KGHR  go official this year are fading a little... So I have faith that ch33 will bring us some progress, please!

Oh my god how cute they are! even being physically separated, they share one neuron. Hirano blushing in class, and Hanzawa looking at him out of the corner of his eye, how scary! And Kagi eating as always and just reflecting on his romatic status❤️ A short chapter, but one that opens us up to the new challenges of this, not yet, couple.

This chapter left me thinking about the issue of why they think they are not dating. I spent a long time thinking about how absurd it was, but I think I understand the reason now, and it is because there was no actual confession or “Kokuhaku” which would be the formal step to establish a romantic relationship. When Hirano was going to confess at the end of ch30, Kagi doesn't let him continue and kisses him, and ch31 is about how they resolve the fight that ensues from that stolen kiss, so there was never really a confession as such and the consequent proposal of "go out with me please." Neither Kagi nor Hirano said it, so they were left in this limbo of not being clear about the other's position, and also, in Kagi's case, he hasn't even received a confession since he interrupted Hirano before he finished the sentence. So, will they have to go on a couple of dates before they actually have this confession and start dating?

---

A little story about Niibashi Juuya

And finally we get a little more of Niibashi and Kagi's story! I loved seeing part of their history and finally getting a glimpse of their relationship outside of their roles as “Hirano's eternal lover” and “marriage counselor”.  We can finally see them more as friends, because we have known Niibashi superficially and here we also understand why he puts up with all of Kagi's diatribe and his love for his roommate…

I love that it's explicitly stated that Kagi is sociable (which is why it hurts me so much that he's lost this characteristic in the AU💔), It's a side of him we haven't been able to see, as there are no characters around him who describe him in much detail (unlike Hirano, whom we see in the ssmy manga),so seeing a little of this side of him as a friendly, sociable, and active schoolboy is a breath of fresh air. And I'm impressed by how sociable he is since he immediately gets involved in Niibashi’s conversation, even though he heard him respond not very kindly to his old schoolmate. Kagi doesn't get intimidated by anything.

And how precious he looks here! I'm sorry, and I run a risk saying this, but Niibashi has one of the prettiest eyes in the ssmy universe.

Just look at that profile, bro! And how beautiful he was in middle school! The uniform made him look even more adorable (even though he wasn't really

This is the precise moment when he falls for Kagi's good-boy charm!

And I understand it so much! Kagi is that adorable puppy you want to adopt and take care of… I think that friendship is so genuine, because in the end they support and accept each other, despite being so different from each other, they get along well, they take care of each other and learn from each other. I just hope we can see more chapters like this, I would love to see their friendship explored in more depth, and although we did get a glimpse of it in the 2024 birthday art, it felt like very little to me.

And back to the present… I hope Niibashi supports his friend again and helps him untangle that mess of thoughts he has. He has definitely been his guide, lighthouse, and a sort of cupid in this relationship, where he has been the voice of reason. I hope he is more practical and tells him to talk directly and not assume anything, because Kagi is very good at getting lost in his thoughts. Come on, Niibashi! I'm counting on you 👍

I was rereading the manga, and I feel that from chapter 30 onwards, we're going to see, along with Hirano, all those parts where his feelings overlap with Kagi's. Initially, he only thought that they shared the desire to be together, but in chapter 31, he realized that he also wants to touch him, I feel that little by little he will discover that he is not that far from what Kagi feels. Although I love the slow burn, I feel like it's killing me...

Maybe the next chapter will be Hirano talking to Sasaki (i.e., set in ch15 p28 of ssmy)

And we can also see Kagi's side talking to Niibashi because…

HE HAVE TO TELL HIM EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED!! If I were Niibashi, and I had been listening to my friend who is madly in love with his roommate for over a year, and finally there was an advance of this size and he doesn't tell me… he would be in serious trouble.

And in ch 34 we get a full confession from Hirano’s side. I don’t think he is going to stay with the doubt for long (he will barely put up with it until the afternoon).

I don't think this misunderstanding will last long. It's not the style of the manga and above all, they are both very honest when it comes to talking, so I think as soon as they have the opportunity they will address it (probably in the dorm, as they don't have the peace and quiet they need to talk at school) what I do see is that, ok they like each other, but now they will have to agree on their expectations and set boundaries. The good thing is that Kagi is aware that Hirano has to go step by step (even if he is dying to kiss him, touch him, and do several other things to him), but it will surely be a negotiation, a bit like how they came to the 10-second agreement.

And their first kiss... The detail in the image took me by surprise. The truth is that I always found curious the pseudo censorship of sensei, or his editors, to kisses (they are just kisses, nothing more!), but having this close-up really caught my attention. Also the color and details were superb! The effort to subtly point out Hirano's lips... All this to then be slapped by Hirano's reaction

Whenever I imagined that scene I always thought of a more joyful situation, with Hirano being the one to initiate things and Kagi accepting it.

And certainly, when I read ch30I thought that Hirano could push him, but I didn't want to think about that option, I wanted something happier... But of course, at some point I forgot that this is KGHR and that of course things would have to have a little more drama (yum yum, drama), and that it wouldn't be that simple.

And I'm really glad it wasn't.

A while ago (around ch 28) I thought things shouldn't develop so fast as I didn't see Hirano understanding 100% of his feelings or how he feels about a relationship, then rushing into an acknowledgement of his feelings and all that goes with that didn't seem right to me. Now, reading ch 31 I think the development of this chapter is totally in line with the character's evolution and the story in general, it's just that my dreamy soul wanted, longed for, a kiss that would be satisfying for both of them.

When I saw that panel, no lie, my heart sank… because it happened the way I didn't want it to happen (although it was a possibility; we already know Hirano is good at fighting), but it's a reaction Hirano could definitely have because, if he's already not comfortable with more intimate physical contact and is quite reactive, of course he would react viscerally and run Kagi off his side.

Hirano definitely has a lot of strength. With one push he threw away a guy who is much taller and athletic than him, even with his left hand, (although he says it didn't hurt, I think he says it more to not worry him). But his expression is the one that hurt me the most:

not only has his eyebrows slanted down as usual, but he has a face of saddened (eyebrows half raised, but not meeting in the middle, but raised again), eyes with small pupils and wide open, the shadow over his gaze that is slanted towards the floor... he is really shocked. And that only the sound of Kagiura's bag falling to the floor is what brings him back to himself, only to immediately worry if he had hurt him... 

Just to bring them both back to thinking about the kiss

And once again my heart broke! Kagi asking Hirano if he didn't like the kiss... I can imagine the pain he must have felt with the rejection, and also having to formulate those words that seemed unnecessary since, damn! He was thrown into the air with one slap! Which other confirmation would you need after that?! But what I love is that here they are no longer in times of assuming things,but rather he asks to be sure and we have a pretty auspicious confirmation because Hirano says it's not that he disliked it, it's just complicated

And I felt my little eyes sparkle with happiness for this because: IT'S NOT THAT HE DISLIKED IT! That opens the door for the possibility that later on, he might want to do it! That later on, he might have the desire to kiss Kagi! It's only complicated now because he's still understanding how his perception of romance is, but it doesn't close the door on it (I think I'm just as hopeful as Kagi at this point). Now, Kagi's reaction is one of bewilderment because he hasn't experienced that, but I have faith that he'll come to understand Hirano over time.

Hirano falls down after realizing that he hit Kagi, because he kissed him (even though he already knew he wanted to do it) I think that tells us a lot since I think it's the first time he reacts like that. We always see him more confident, more self-assured and he only crouches down to look at Kagi, but in this scene he's the one who needs stability, looking for it on the floor. And then Kagi sits down again looking like a scolded puppy (for the second time that day), though now in front of his beloved and in a clear position of apology 

He apologizes.

Because he regrets having crossed the line. Because he cares about what Hirano wants. BECAUSE HE WANTS WHATEVER THEY DO TO BE SOMETHING THEY BOTH WANT.

Hirano's mind is working at a thousand miles an hour because he wants Kagi to be okay. He feels bad for making him feel bad, but that doesn't mean he's going to step over his own boundaries. I love that he's clear about that. He's not going to kiss him if he doesn't want to, and that's great.

But Hirano keeps thinking that he loves Kagi's smile, and he wants him to smile, and he knows that touching him will make him happy but he represses this impulse because he had already used up his 10 seconds for the day... Which reminds me of chapter 15, when after defining the 10 second experiment he represses touching Kagi's head and doesn't know why he wanted to do it...

Well, he finally knows he wants to touch Kagi

And damn it! Just at that moment Hanzawa shows up!!!! As timely as ever!

But Hanzawa is still the dorm head? I thought that position was for a 2nd year student (that's why he offered it to Kagi). Why is he sticking his nose in other people's business and giving ultimatums to get the door open? 

Ahhhhh, Hanzawa has me so nervous lately, but I'll go into more detail about it in a few lines below because just this interruption left us at the best part: Hirano realizing that there's more in common with Kagi than just wanting to be together. And that's great, blond boy! Leaving Hanzawa out for a while so he could finish his important conversation.

And well, I just wanted to say that I love how Hirano looks here.

But back on topic, and distracted by Hanzawa's interruption, Hirano thinks again that he hurt Kagi, and wants to take care of him (looking for ice for his wound) and Kagi acting tough saying it didn't hurt; Darling, your cheek is red and your heart is broken, obviously it must hurt....

And I love that they start one of their silly fights (with less yelling thankfully), but it's a way to show that they're okay. I mean, they are still fighting but in that dynamic they have between them where they take care of each other and fight at the same time 

but something has changed in their relationship, and Hirano is aware of it since instead of letting it go like other times (remember the fight in the classroom in ch 16b where the bell is the one that ends the argument. At this moment what he is looking for is to make up. We can argue about how questionable his methods are, but not the background to it.

Because he's really thinking about what they could do to reconcile, and he drops the bombshell: He doesn't consider himself part of ordinary people, he doesn't feel part of whatever any other person would think or want to do (kiss), so he has to find his own way.

I have to say I feel a bit sorry for the face he makes in that last panel; he looks kind of sad when he thinks about it. But despite that, he realizes that it's not just the desire to be together that they share; they both want to touch each other (probably Kagi is more intense in this aspect still), but it's something they share, and already that diagram is getting complete with more things overlapping each other and this gives the cue to the cutest confession Hirano could give!

And isn't it a beautiful confession?:

"There might be places where we differ, but even then... I feel like I wanna touch you, I love it when you laugh, I wanna see you give it your all in the things you love from up close and:

Hirano ❤️‍🔥 really shined in his confession as he was able to tell him everything he felt (finally), and yes, it's like when Kagi confessed letting out everything he likes about the other, everything he wants from the other 

Hirano is so smart! Despite being in the middle of his confession, he immediately thinks that they should disguise the situation so that Hanzawa won't say anything and they can continue or start (?) their relationship, because he knows that Hanzawa is against homosexual relationships so they must cover their steps.

But my poor scolded puppy had zero hope; he thought he lost his chance with Hirano

This last panel of Kagi again breaks my heart! (This chapter was so intense guys!) Seriously, in just 5 minutes he saw all his fantasies shattered and reassembled in front of his eyes. Kagi is definitely the strongest...I really thought he'd start crying at any moment.

And I love that Hirano tells him that of course they have a chance. That it doesn't matter what mistake he made because they can try. And it's a way for Hirano to be convinced that it doesn't matter if they don't see the physical aspect of their relationship the same way right now, they can and they both want to try. One point that definitely caught my attention: what did Hirano think Kagi was going to ask for? Because he had already said no to kissing, but when Kagi says he wants to hug him his response is “haven't we done that a couple of times? ”What were you waiting for Hirano????

And the 2nd bombshell of the chapter drops:

What's with that sensitive back Hirano!

Okay, is sensei an evil mind or a mastermind? She's had us all these years thinking about Hirano's slender waist (either mentioning it in arts, comments, etc), but it turns out that now we won't have any panels of Kagi hugging him? Or will that be our reward for ch 50? And wow! He's so sensitive about his waist! I feel like they've been tempting us with this.... And then I think, really this series is far from ssmy because here sensei have given a lot of importance to the physical aspect. And I love that Hirano has that aroace inclination but at the same time, he's very sensitive.

Ok, boundaries set, so now Kagi knows he has to let Hirano know if he wants to do something, but this only makes me think:

Hirano didn't 100% refuse to kiss, nor to really be touched.So they'll have to practice little by little and probably let Hirano take the initiative (no taking him by surprise). And I really hope the next kiss will be from Hirano  since I think he will eventually want to kiss him (I still think it will be in an impulsive start, maybe when Kagi wins a game).

Going back to the previous panel. I love how Kagi looks like saying he wants to kiss him, he really is so handsome and flirtatious! Hirano will have to be careful because I'm sure he'll be falling under the charms of our beloved basketball player, especially now that he'll be off guard and that he knows he does like him.

But I love Hirano's reaction to that confession, since ok, he doesn't want to kiss him, but his impulse is to ask him if he can advance the 10 seconds of the next day (throw away that rule for god's sake!), and when he has Kagi's approval...

He just jumps in and hugs him! (I'm dreaming?) I LOVE that that he cuddles his head into Kagi's neck!! I feel like that will be his favorite place to be with his boyfriend, and that he hugs him so badly surrounding him completely. It's the same longing Kagi has in ch 20 when he catches him in the infirmary

Only now they're finally on the same page. And both of them saying that's what it is they want at that moment, they're happy, they're together, they're finally in love. 

And certainly this hug is a far cry from the one he gave him in the laundry room, it definitely doesn't feel like he's hugging a puppy.

Hanzawa!!!! Listening to everything, knowing what's going on behind the door because obviously he heard everything and already has them on his radar (he just needs to take out his red card to chase them off).

I'm worried that he saw them leave beaten up... And while he says it's fine as long as it's just that, it's clear he's thinking about something else, like it's bringing back memories of what his brothers go through with their partners. It's so obvious what's going on between his friend and the roommate that I don't think he hesitates too much to talk to Hirano. Already in the novel he asked him directly if something was going on between the two of them. If he asks again, will Hirano be able to lie to him? It would seem so since that was Hirano's first impulse: to hide the truth about what was going on (btw, the worst vice president of the disciplinary committee, breaking all the rules).

This reminds me of when he talks to Sasaki on the second-year trip. Sasaki tells him to leave Hirano alone because he can defend himself in a fight and Hanzawa is like “wtf, that doesn't reassure me!”

And how awful it is to have to hide from Hanzawa!! I don't know how long the cover-up will last, but they'll have to be extra careful from now on as Hanzawa's alarms are fully on and alert to their behavior. Unfortunately those paper walls give them zero privacy.....

And my last thoughts about the chapter:

Ok, poor Niibashi, now he'll really have to listen to Kagi's whining! That he kissed him, that he hit him, that he hugged him and now he doesn't know where their relationship is.

Wait, if he already confessed, does that mean they're now dating? Because Hirano told Ichinose that they weren't dating, yet. So if he thinks he can date him, will we see them become official in the next episode? Ok, but they will have to redefine what dating means to them, considering the limits Hirano has, and what Kagi wants.

Now that he has understood that he wants to touch Kagi: what will happen when he finally gets glimpse of those elusive but long-awaited abs? Will he have the urge to touch them? Will Kagi show them to him? Will he take the opportunity to negotiate and touch Hirano himself?

Will they drop the 10-second rule? Please! Drop the 10-second rule!

And now that it's reciprocated, will Kagi tell Hirano how long he's been in love?

When will Kagi give him the ring?

I suddenly remembered at the 3rd-grade cultural festival: Hirano is pretty knowledgeable about dating and all that. So, has he already experienced more things with Kagi by then?

Ok, and going back to June? When he talks to Sasaki and he tells him that he confessed and that he did it all wrong, Hirano will tell him that he's dating Kagi and they're trying things to see how far they can go and that's why they have that conversation? (note part, now I understand why Hirano gets so mad at sasaki for telling miyano that he likes everything about him, he's lazy even to confess!).

Well, I feel like everything is truly more difficult for KGHR. I feel like it's a deeper and more nuanced story, where it's not just a romantic awakening story, where you're outside of “the norm”, but it's much more than that, and I love it.

And between the name of the chapter (Overlapping, and What Comes After) and the text of the cover (let's go together, no matter how far, no matter where) left me with all the hopes on!

Anxiously awaiting the cover of vol.6! As of this writing, we haven't seen any previews of the cover design, nor has there been much news about the release of this volume, so I'm waiting like Penelope for the news to arrive (the only thing we know is that the bonuses would be a design that already exists. In Toranoana is the beautiful gene comic cover). At last I have the acrylics and the bonuses that came with volume 5 so I'm eagerly awaiting this release (not so my wallet, which cries for a break). And the 2023 birthday designs are out! And the information to buy it at animate International is here If you want it, buy it soon because the reservation is until July 21st.

Ok, Now what we're coming to... This is a chapter we've been waiting for years for it and I've reread several times to be able to have a more complete opinion since I really feel we're at such a crucial and expected moment that it needs to be honored. Now I LOVE how sensei colors the panels, and that panel of Hirano running brought me so much joy... it's that we finally see that he recognizes what he feels and accepts it so easily! (I mean, he recognizes it quickly once he understands that love can come in different forms, and he didn't take more time to recognize his feelings... let's say he just needed to understand that romantic love can come in different forms, and that it's not the same experience for everyone) At last Hirano seems to be more sure that he loves Kagiura

Buuuut not everything is rosy, then we see how the information of the day is decanting and the nerves grow...

I can't believe he lost just because he couldn't fold clothes! Since he was part of the track team, I think he's pretty good at running, although we've already seen that he's quite clumsy when it comes to fine motor skills (like when he's trying to put Kagi's band aid on

Or when he's trying to sew the button on Kagi's cardigan, or trying to tie his fortune in the new year... Poor little guy, he's not the most skillful when it comes to doing more delicate things.

Hirano is so handsome in this whole chapter!!! So precious with the headband, and that miniature that lives rent free in my memory

Hanzawa saying he's lucky to have Hirano as a friend and Hirano as oblivious to it as ever. I like their friendship, he is the character who is closest to Hirano and he can joke with him and trust... I'm a little scared how he will react when he knows that his dedicated friend is crazy about his roommate. Will he be able to understand him? Sometimes I remember how he behaved with ssmy and it gives the impression that at the time ssmy goes to see the movie, he still doesn't agree with homosexual relationships, but when Hirano helps miyano to get together with sasaki, I think there's already a change in him. 

So maybe something else happens in the meantime (beyond what we already know, that he sees ssmy and thinks that same sex relationships are not so bad). Well, I guess we'll have to wait a little longer to find out.

Back to my dear Hirano, I feel sorry for how he's thinking about how his conception of love is the same, but he's still thinking about the issue of his heart not racing... Unfortunately he doesn't remember what miyano told him, that relationships change and time makes them much more comfortable and that initial excitement turns into a tranquility

If so, if he could remember, then those hesitations wouldn't be populating his head. Although I do love it, it’s that after figuring out if Kagi likes him, he thinks, “ok, today I should tell him and then we’ll see how we approach it…”

Hirano getting startled just because  the competition that his almost boyfriend is going to begin! And all his thoughts go back to Kagi, but now thinking about: 

yes, he likes him, 

yes, he should tell him how he feels

But already with that doubt brewing about what will happen after he tells him how he feels.... Ok, they agree that they want to be together but that makes him irremediably wonder about if they can be together, since love can't always conquer everything 💔 and it's so obvious to Hirano that all that physical affection that Kagi seeks isn't necessarily what he's looking for, wants or even can give him, and he's sure that none of that makes his heart race and I think: Damn! Will the anguish never end ?

But there my dear blond again brings out his tenacity and decisive character making it clear that he must first give his answer to Kagi, and not get dizzy in assumptions, but above all, he concentrates on Kagi who is hanging around in the 3rd year area and this gives rise to one of the cutest scenes we've seen so far because...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Hirano forgets everything and runs off to Kagi just because he calls out his name! I mean, he's all serious, thinking about how he should give him a proper answer and what will that trigger in their relationship and in a blink, those thoughts are erased just by seeing the handsome boy shouting his name. And of course, he drops everything to run to him without even really knowing why he was being called, but he knows he wants to go with him, wherever it is.

And then we have an image of hands finally coming together not because Kagi insists, not with hesitation or guilt or doubt, but with total conviction, in such a gentle and confident way and that panel is so precious to me! Because we've been watching for 29 chapters now how they've been trying to understand each other and come to terms with their emotions and they're finally on the same page and well, since there's a image limit is that all that stuff I think about these touches will have to stay in this other post

And Hirano running towards him just because he called him, and squinting he follows him, and those are the dreamy eyes that I hope we will continue to see

I love the way they run together, because they run side by side, as equals, and then we have a beautiful panel of them intertwining their fingers to reach the finish line together.

Special mention to this panel! I love how different they look side by side and I'm not just talking about the height difference, but in the ways they dress and wear the uniform, they manage to bring it to their own styles and show that contrast that makes them so adorable. They will definitely look gorgeous as a couple.

And it's so funny how Kagi relates everything he loves about Hirano, and that he even brings up the quote from the civil code, being that only the two of them can really understand which boyfriend's fight this happened in, in their own private joke that others can't get to understand since here, it's just a kouhai talking nice about his sempai.

Honorable mention of sasaki just coming back from confessing… and just to see Kagi bragging about how much he knows Hirano (while he comes back with a half-broken heart for having confessed in the most clumsy way).

And Hirano listening to everything that Kagi has to say and turning red as a tomato in front of everyone! But Kagi doesn't let go of his hand and doesn't hesitate for a second so he just tries to hide his face under his bangs, but you're not fooling us dear. We know you liked hearing all that from the boy you love, that's why all the sparkles around you

On a separate topic, miyano missed the best scene he could imagine at the festival! I feel sorry for him...

Well, back in the dorm, Hirano resumes his thoughts about if they only agree that they want to be together (and again we see that Hirano is very bad at drawing... he couldn't even fill his Venn diagram well) but it seems so adorable that he's thinking about how Kagi felt when he confessed to him! All the nerves of confessing, but the uncertainty of what's going to happen... and it's funny because actually what I see is that he's nervous because he doesn't know if they're going to match, and he wants to be with Kagi so bad… poor baby and his first love 🩷

And Muroi's message comes in. Please someone teach that kid how to write! It took me too long to understand what he wrote, but what has me uneasy is that he mentions an injury Kagi's leg and for the love of god don't let something bad happen to Kagi! (It reminded me of something sensei wrote in his fanbox (https://harusono.fanbox.cc/posts/9366475). So far we know that Kagi's foot always has the band-aid on, but I hope it's just the shoe rubbing and nothing else.

I love that he goes to wait for Kagi outside the building to, first make sure he's okay, and then in her dormitory continue their conversations. It's like he has to first know that his little Kagi is okay from his fight, that there were no major problems or consequences, and then after closing that topic, return to what brought them to the dormitory.

He even inspects him! 

And Kagi saying that he wouldn't get into a fight, while Hirano immediately saying how “it's the normal thing between men”.

Sensei, I need to see Hirano's quarrelsome past! He seems like such a good student but he can be so temperamental. In ch 20 he doesn't hesitate to grab Kagi by the neck (and then you have to be reading around that Hirano is being forced by Kagi to everything... but I won't get into that topic), then I imagine that in high school he must have been even worse (with his face patch and bad boy face). Hirano always so biased: he makes a rule-breaking essay about his dyed hair, he doesn't care if Kagi fights as long as it's not one-sided, he jumps out of a window because he wants to go play with his little friend... He definitely couldn't be the disciplinary committee chairman!

A separate issue is that this wimpy boy dared to fight Kagi!! I have to give him credit for his courage because Kagi is much, much bigger. And it's hilarious to see him grab him by the collar of his shirt when he obviously couldn't lift him because Kagi would have to bend down for it! and then punished sitting there like scolded puppies

I think if Hirano saw that someone was going to hit Kagi, he'd not only jump to his defense but would definitely come to blows with anyone who dared to touch a single hair on his head.

And this panel:

Kagi saying that the head can understand, but the heart takes longer (I know what that feels like) is a little curious to me, because Hirano has been trying to rationalize his feelings all this time, and that's what he's had the hardest time with because he always saw his reactions through the prism that he “should feel the same as Kagi” or that he “should feel love like everyone else”, and now, in those few hours, he could finally recognize in a rational way what he feels, but he has that rational doubt of what if they don't agree on everything else? Will he just give in to the feeling after Kagi's kiss?

And from this page

begin the most beautiful panels we could have had of Kagi! I've said it before, and I won't tire of saying it: Kagi is getting more and more handsome, and this is because sensei wants to show us this more handsome version of Kagi because Hirano also sees him like that. More masculine, more handsome, a real hottie. And I'd like to add something: I've started to adore Kagi's big, expressive eyes.

I love that Kagi thanks Hirano, and in turn, Hirano turns into a tomato again (for the thousandth time this chapter), so that Kagi is so happy to see him all blushing.

And this is where it gets even more interesting, because after clearing up all the issues with Kagi's fight, Hirano gets back to thinking that he wants to give him his answer, no matter where it leads them.

And I want to stop here because, poor Kagi! It's been a very long day between the sports festival (with Hirano asking him if he wants to kiss him), then, all the fun of the scavenger hunt event, the fight at the club, the conversation with Hirano where he realizes he’s finally made progress on his basketball dream, and now Hirano saying he's going to give him his answer... He lived a month in just a few hours!

What I love is that he makes sure to close the door. Very good, Kagi! Remember to leave your private homosexual conversations in the quiet of your locked room

And just to be clear: I do think Kagi kissed him. I don't think he stopped halfway, I don't think Hirano reached to put his hand to block him (or wanted to), and I don't think it's a kiss on the cheek (even if it blows my prediction that Hirano would kiss him first).

Rayos! My poor impulsive puppy... I just really understand him so much. Having Hirano so close is both a blessing and a curse. Of course after months of trying to restrain himself at some point his will might falter and give in to what he wants. And especially since they were talking about kissing and their relationship that same day, he clearly has that fresh and vivid impulse and how to judge him????

Also, I'm still debating whether his impulse was because he feels he's going to be rejected and this would be his last chance, his last effort to have Hirano, or if he sees that he actually has a chance. Either way, I think in the end it's an act motivated by the exhaustion of trying to repress all those feelings and well, he's a teenager.

What if we don't see Hirano's immediate reaction in chapter 31, but instead we get a time jump? A bit like ch 8 where we are left with Kagi sleeping and then walking to the bedroom. Maybe leave us in suspense for a couple more scenes.

I'm a little scared. Just a couple of panels before Hirano admitted that it's normal for men to get into a fistfight, and we've already seen that he grabbed him by the cardigan (ch 20)... and if he pushes him? Well, I don't want that to happen because I refuse to think that we'll have a drama like that, so I won't follow that line of thinking.

What I do think is that, it might be the 2nd time in a day that Kagi's shirt collar is grabbed, though for a totally different reason.

So, since I don't know what's going to happen, I'll say what I want to happen (even if it's delusional of me): I want Hirano to enjoy it. I want him to first feel the surprise of “wow, he's kissing me”, probably have a second of wide-eyed stupefaction, but then consider that it's not bad at all, and not only that, but also grab him by the collar and get lost in the kiss. A bit clumsy at first because it's their first kiss, but that doesn't take away from the pleasure of feeling it reciprocated.

And if I can be more greedy, I would love for Kagi to run his hand around Hirano's waist (sensei has us hungry for this, and the shirt he's wearing is too wide, so it would be a nice shot if he did that), and instead of pulling away or feeling uncomfortable, that he likes it more and relaxes and melts into the kiss as Kagi, finally after all these months, gets to touch him a bit like he's wanted to during this time.

Will this finally make Hirano's heart race?

Kagi, you will be Hirano's first