Yura Tamaki's novel is one of those pleasant surprises. Knowing it was a tale about two high school boys, I was expecting a bit of light fluff. What I got instead was a nice meaty story filled with psychological drama that was more about relationships and a person's sense of self than it was about raging teen age hormones and a need to slake the resulting lust. Her careful characterisations depict two young people that happen to be in high school, but truth be told the situations presented would have been just as realistically valid had they taken place at college or workplace. The slow build up and reveal of each character's inner thoughts and emotions adds real depth to the story, breathing life into her characters with ease. It is not all angsty however, as Izumi's sharp tongue and embarrassed reactions lead to many light moments. The afterword re-visiting the pair and a close friend 15 years on adds a touch of poignancy, as well as an affirming closure, to the pair's story, though truly, given where the main story leaves off, I have to say I was sorry to understand that the tale ends with this single volume. It's not "Only the Ring Finger Knows", but it comes pretty close to the depth of emotion and feeling there. Paired with Taishi Zaou's art which graces several pages as well as the cover, what is presented here is a Boy's Love novel worthy of remaining on my shelf. It is rated 16+, but be warned that there is frank sexual discussion and an illustration that clearly depicts sexual intercourse. It is mild considering the genre, and admittedly the image while uncensored, is posed so that all ones sees in a missionary style embrace from the side, but if you object to this sort of thing you have been warned.