Manga publishing imprint June and mangaka Jinko Fuyuno presents a prose novel for the post 18 crowd. It belongs to the class known as light novels, that is, shorter length novels that use uncomplicated prose and have full page illustrations scattered about. Uncomplicated the prose may be, but this is not to say it is simplistic. Fuyuno shows her mastery of expression by managing to compose a book that is a comfortable read with an engaging plot full of appeal to the more mature reader. Translation By Design's effort reads smoothly and feels natural, without any stilting of expression or loss of emotion. It reads s well, one would be forgiven if they thought it had been in English originally, for which commendations should be made. The illustrations by Noboru Takatsuki are delightful. Done manga style using the beautiful man bishounen aesthetic, they lighten the angst ridden piece and provide a nice gateway for manga readers to the light novel experience. My only quibble lay not in the expressive quality of the pieces, but with the editing. I don't know if it was done due to local publishing standards back in Japan, or by Digital manga, but the invisible body parts made me giggle. There is just simply something very funny about gazing at a picture of a man on his knees doing what appears to be a mime of a sexual act as the organ is nowhere to be seen. Given the age rating and content advisory, I think if this sort of image edit is going to be done, using a different image elsewhere would have been preferable. It is my only quibble however, though the inappropriate burst of laughter that it caused me to spring forth makes me take away a star as it did ruin the mood so carefully set by Fuyano sensei's emotive prose. At 255 pages it is longer than a novella but shorter than most other works of fiction, making this an attractive read to those looking for a quick literary fix. Indeed, this is what light novels are for, providing entertainment to the busy masses as they commute via public transport, snatch a quick red during breaks, or just want to relax after along day's efforts. As such it serves quite well and I enjoyed this enough that I sincerely hope that Digital Manga's June will publish more of this writer's work, whether another light novel such as Kuu ka Kuwareru ka (Eat or Be Eaten) or a manga such as Dekiru Otoko (Successful Man). I just hope that if they do, no mimes are included.

This is an exciting, sensual, and heartwarming novel between ex-lovers. It doesn't really have that many gang tendacies but the author promised to work on that in the second book. This is a story of gaining a lost love and believing in that love. Of course there is smex that would make any fan blush! I loved it. I would recommend this novel to anyone that loves yaoi as much as I do. ^_^