Magic Gems Gourmet (WN)

~ Please be advised that this review contains some spoilers~

Two individuals, each leading a rather lonely existence, lost in their own isolated worlds. After a chance meeting, what occurs when their paths intersect? Will they find themselves?

Itou Haruya achieved success with his novel but now struggles to pen his next best-seller. Instead, he is uninspired and forced to make a living as a columnist. Itou appears distant and lives a solitary life in the countryside just outside Tokyo. His only regular visitor is his editor and occasional lover, Yagisawa Kei. Yagisawa, an old college friend, has been urging Itou to write novels again, but without success. One day, Itou encounters 17-year-old Hidaka Maki on the beach, and his interest in this young man begins to change the isolated life he's built for himself.

When reading Miyamoto Kano’s stories, you notice that the dialogue is mature and crafted to reflect realistic conversations between her characters. In Te wo Tsunaide, Sora wo, these conversations, combined with her delicate artwork, create an overall tone of intimacy between the main characters. Even though Maki is portrayed as having severe anxiety, you sense how he’s been quietly suffering inside, especially through his gentle yet painful expressions which evoke pathos in the reader.

As the story begins, we see Itou trying to distract himself from writer’s block. For a writer, the work reveals parts of themselves within the pages. The vulnerability involved in creating, along with the high expectations after success, can be overwhelming. He comes across as a laid-back man who leads a leisurely lifestyle; it is an exile he’s chosen for himself. Behind this facade lies someone who is kind yet cruel, strong yet weak. The complex nature suits the character Itou, especially regarding how he interacts with his long-time friend and lover Yagisawa.

Yagisawa’s emotional bond with Itou makes him both a victim and antagonist in the story, and Itou is certainly not blameless. It is due to Itou’s avoidance of confronting Yagisawa, which leads Yagisawa to an unfortunate encounter filled with misdirected anger towards Maki.

Though it is a common theme in writing, I was somewhat troubled by the "love conquers all" approach to what seemed like a crippling issue for Maki. While I do believe the significant influence between Maki and Itou is credible, the pace of the resolution makes it less so.

As much as I enjoyed Te wo Tsunaide, Sora wo (titled Two Hearts for the English publication), I preferred the sequel Amayakana Toge (Sweet Thorn) which follows directly after in the timeline and focuses on editor Yagisawa. Other titles within this Universe include Aisanai Otoko (The Man Who Wouldn’t Fall in Love) and Vanilla Star. I recently asked if Miyamoto Kano Sensei had given a name to this Universe, but she said it had no official name as of yet. However, she refers to it, albeit only temporarily, as the “Publisher Series” or the “Toge Series.”

Te wo Tsunaide, Sora wo was originally a 6 chapter volume but was re-released in Japan with bonus chapters. The reprint includes an additional story called Secret that takes place after the events in Amayakana Toge. Plus 3 chapters from Make me Happy (Kiss me, Daddy - Make Me Happy - Walkin' on the Moon) and 3 one-shots (Fade – Closed - Echo Night.)

- Written for the Miyamoto Kano Society -

As a guy with the standard of SS and LOTM. I find it difficult to look for a novel to read.

Now, is this good at least? U see I'm stacking chapters and I need a novel to read. I hope it's good.