Bokura no Oukoku

Just finished reading this manga... and I absolutely adore it. The characters are incredibly lovable, and the story is so sweet. ^^ Throughout the narrative, I noticed something - maybe it's just me, but Rei seems to be getting more manly. In the first three chapters, he looks around the same age as Akira, but as the story progresses, he starts resembling Usui Takumi from "Kaichou wa Maid-sama." His appearance becomes more mature. It's hard to explain, but if you read the manga, you'll understand what I mean. Hehe. I know! I'm a big Rei fan, you know! Hahaha.

About Akira... he's such a cutie. He blushes most of the time because of Rei. The same goes for Hiyori. And the love between Shigure-san and Okumiya-san is adorable too. Hehe.

I know my review might not be very helpful, but I want you to enjoy this manga as much as I do. I recommend it for fans of cute yaoi stories. ^^

I previously read some amount as it was coming out and remembered a bit, probably one of the first BL I ever read... I tried to reread it now 20 something years later and I couldn't stand it. It's absolutely a product of its time and contains a trope I really don't like (fast romance and instalove) so even for nostalgia's sake I can't finish this one... CWs for the first 4 chapters: -Filthy rich families, that's it that's the warning... -Rei smells Akira's coat, next thing you know he's professing his love like they're soulmates and trying to rape Akira (Akira hits him and manages to escape but he's really freaked out). Like one chapter later he forgives him and decides he's in love too. -Cousin incest (Rei is the son of Akira's father's younger sister) -Rauru kidnaps Akira, ties him up and tapes his mouth, starts undressing him and attempts to rape him before Rei shows up I had initially come across portions of this story when it was first released and retained some memories, likely making it one of the earliest BL stories I ever encountered... Deciding to revisit it after more than two decades, I found myself unable to endure it. The narrative unmistakably reflects the era in which it was written, incorporating elements that I find particularly distasteful, such as rapid romantic developments and insta-love scenarios. Consequently, not even the allure of nostalgia could compel me to complete the book... Content warnings for the initial four chapters include: - A focus on obscenely wealthy families – consider yourself forewarned. - In an instance, Rei sniffs Akira's coat, leading almost immediately to declarations of eternal love and an attempt at forcing himself upon Akira (who fights back and escapes, though understandably shaken). Shockingly, by the following chapter, all is forgiven, and Akira reciprocates these feelings. - There is also a subplot involving cousin incest, with Rei being the offspring of Akira's paternal aunt. - Additionally, Rauru captures Akira, binds him, covers his mouth with tape, begins to disrobe him, and initiates an assault, only for Rei to intervene at the last moment.