One more story by Inio Asano that I peeled through its layers in repeated readings. The story leaves bits and pieces throughout to be connected later on. I caught many subtle hints only during my second read-through, I really needed the hindsight to make things click. You need to pay attention or you'll miss important connective tissue.

The two protagonists, each carry different issues, each one tries an approach that simultaneously abuses the other but, crucially, themselves as well. In the end there is progress and a kind of salvation for all those involved, call it surviving puberty, call it surviving love.

Inio Asano's signature photo-realistic images are once again used masterfully. Probably his most daring depictions I've read so far, yet never feel out of place or over the top. Everything felt grounded on reality. Characters are coupled with meaningful locations and an overarching song to bind them all together.