May Webnovel TBR

May. 10th, 2026 02:24 pm
bluapapilio: Lil Black Cats & Ghost from LINE stickers (lil black cat + book)
[personal profile] bluapapilio
Using my gameboard!

I read 5/5 last time, some more chapters than others. I don't want to forget anything I haven't read in a while so I'll try to get things already on my reading list this time.


Avatar:


Supernatural | Heaven Official's Blessing
Skill: Re-draw a prompt once

Roll #1

A 3, prompt: demons/youkai -Trash of the Count’s Family thought not sure who the demon is.

Roll #2

An 11, prompt: gender bender. Using skill, new prompt is entertainment industry - Waiting Upon You.

Roll #3

A 5, prompt: game elements! First thought is It Seems Like I Fell into a Reverse Harem Game.

Roll #4

A 6 and the generate from CR tile. Had to reroll twice because they were already on my list lol. I got Guardian and it's been a while, have to check where I stopped last.

Roll #5

A 9, prompt: fantasy creatures. Gotta start something new for this one since TotCF is already on my list - How to Live as the Enemy Prince.

Roll #6

A 7 and the end, reward is CÄi CÄi.

Webnovel TBR List:

[Fantasy/Adventure] Trash of the Count’s Family
[BL/Romance] Waiting Upon You
[Reverse Harem/Politics] It Seems Like I Fell into a Reverse Harem Game
[BL/SPN] Guardian
[Fantasy] How to Live as the Enemy Prince
[BL/Slice of Life] CÄi CÄi

x2 BL, x1 Het and x2 Gen

B5 Double Drabble: Unsettling

May. 10th, 2026 07:28 pm
badly_knitted: (B5)
[personal profile] badly_knitted
 


Title: Unsettling
Fandom: Babylon 5
Author: 
[personal profile] badly_knitted
Characters: Londo.
Rating: PG
Written For: Challenge 500: Amnesty 50 at 
[community profile] drabble_zone, using Challenge 483: Shiver.
Spoilers/Setting: In the Kingdom of the Blind.
Summary: For the first time, Londo finds the Royal Palace an unsettling place to be.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Babylon 5, or the characters. They belong to J. Michael Straczynski.
A/N: Double drabble.
 


 

FAKE Double Drabble: Passing Thought

May. 10th, 2026 07:20 pm
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[personal profile] badly_knitted
 


Title: Passing Thought
Fandom: FAKE
Author: 
[personal profile] badly_knitted
Characters: Ryo, Dee.
Rating: PG
Setting: After the manga.
Summary: Ryo has a random thought.
Written Using: The dw100 prompt ‘Fight / Flight’.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.
A/N: Double drabble.
 
 


Economics

May. 10th, 2026 12:36 pm
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When School Taught Me Basic Finance, Badly

The other day I wrote about the question Who should be teaching kids basic finance? Some point to schools and say schools should be teaching it; others point to parents and say it's their job. I noted that one difficulty with asking schools to do it is that they're already overloaded trying to cover basic academics. (And really the reason they're so overloaded on that is public school teachers end up spending, like, 90% of their time trying to manage behavior problems.) I also noted that schools seems ill equipped to teach it because, at least the one time a school I attended did try to teach basic finance, the whole lesson was basically a fail.


I would say that it's useful to teach basic finance BOTH at home and at school. That way if one skips or does a bad job, the other has a chance to pick up the slack.

Read more... )
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Hajime Yanase is a plain businessman who's pretty quiet at work. However, he's actually a hardcore submissive guy who often fishes online for men to hook up with, but usually ends up unsatisfied.
One day, his coworkers spot him leaving a shady hotel with one of his hookups. Rumors about him spread quickly, leaving him gloomy and alone at a company party. While everyone is making fun of Yanase, Haru Mitani, an extroverted and handsome guy from the sales department, starts chatting with him, confiding that he, too, is gay and wants to blow off some steam!
Even though Yanase knows their arrangement is just physical, he can't help feeling satisfied from their perfect chemistry in bed. At the same time, as they see each other more and more, Mitani's possessive nature starts to grow stronger...
This is the story of a handsome, big-shot, and dominant salesman and a seemingly-quiet, introverted businessman who's actually quite wild in the bedroom!

My Rate: 8 (www.ebookrenta.com/renta/sc/frm/item/149765)

If you’re looking for a BL that leans heavily into the "pet play" dynamic while maintaining a surprisingly sweet, workplace-rooted heart, The Handsome Salesman At Work Is An Ideal Master by nocori is a standout choice. The story follows Hajime Yanase, a diligent office worker who harbors a secret: he has a deep-seated desire to be "kept" and treated like a pet. Enter Haru Mitani, the office’s star salesman—handsome, capable, and seemingly perfect. When Mitani discovers Yanase's secret, he doesn't recoil. Instead, he steps into the role of the "Master" with an intensity that Yanase never expected. This isn't just a standard boss/subordinate romance. It explores D/s (Dominance and submission) themes through the lens of pet play. Mitani is protective and firm, while Yanase finds peace in his submissive role. A major draw is the "gap moe." Seeing these two maintain a professional, polished exterior at the office while knowing exactly what goes on behind closed doors adds a layer of delicious tension. Despite the kink-heavy premise, the relationship is built on mutual consent and care. Mitani isn't just a "Master"; he is a provider who genuinely looks after Yanase's well-being. Nocori’s art is polished and modern. Mitani has that classic "alpha" salesman look—sharp suits and a piercing gaze—while Yanase is drawn with a softer, more expressive vulnerability. The mangaka excels at drawing the "trance-like" expressions of Yanase when he's being pampered or disciplined, which is crucial for this specific sub-genre of BL. The Handsome Salesman At Work Is An Ideal Master is a top-tier pick for fans of kinky office romances. It manages to be explicit without losing the emotional thread that makes you root for the couple. It’s less about "dark" obsession and more about finding the one person who understands your unconventional needs. As with most nocori works, expect high-quality "steam" and a very clear focus on the physical and psychological aspects of the pet-master relationship.

Birdfeeding

May. 10th, 2026 12:32 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is mostly sunny and mild.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, a blue jay, and a fox squirrel.  :D  Blue jays are fun.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I planted the pussy willow at the north edge of the savanna.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I picked up sticks in the south lot, but only got as far as the birdgift tree.  There were a LOT of sticks and they filled the trolley, which I dumped in the firepit.  My partner Doug is out mowing a path around the prairie garden.

EDIT 5/10/26 -- I trimmed grass around the small garden beside the maple tree.  The burgundy iris is open and smells musky-sweet.  :D

We walked around the newly mowed parts of the prairie garden path.   Much raking to do before anything can be sown there, but the sowing needs to wait for a rain forecast anyhow.





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badly_knitted: (Pout)
[personal profile] badly_knitted
 


Title: Courteous - Follows ‘Diplomacy’
Author: 
[personal profile] badly_knitted
Characters: Ianto, Jack, aliens.
Rating: PG
Written For: Challenge 916: Hug, at 
[community profile] torchwood100.
Spoilers: Nada.
Summary: Licking aliens is a very strange experience…
Disclaimer: I don’t own Torchwood, or the characters.
A/N: Double drabble. For taylorpatta.
 
 


trobadora: (stargate & jumper by i_am_a_cylon)
[personal profile] trobadora
[community profile] highadrenalineexchange (HA) author reveals happened, and I can finally talk about this! *deep breath*

I wrote a whole sci-fi novella! And I had so much fun with this, and I'm really proud of the result. :D

The requested relationship was "Young King Warring With Rival/Famed Older Knight Who Was Betrayed By Rival", and my recipient was open to a variety of different genres and settings. But they said "space opera" in their request, and I went, "YES, THAT, I'M DOING THAT," and then spent the next week or so in a haze of worldbuilding and note-taking and snippet-writing.

HA has a very short creation period - only two weeks for a 10k story - so after that I pulled together a first complete draft. But I couldn't stop writing more, and worldbuilding more. Happily, there were several delays, so I was able to extend the story to double the word count, which IMO also improved it considerably. *g*

One of the most fun things about worldbuilding, for me, is hinting at all the things that aren't on screen, to make it look like a proper lived-in world - and to show how the world they live in shapes and impacts the characters, beyond the immediate plot. And I had SUCH a blast with all of that here! I'm definitely going to talk more about this in another post, but for now, here is the story - if it sounds at all like your kind of thing, I'd really love it if you gave it a chance:

**

Title: Zhentari's Choice
Rating: Explicit
Word count: 21,458
Relationship: Young King Warring With Rival/Famed Older Knight Who Was Betrayed By Rival
Characters: Younger King, Older Knight, Rival Would-be King
Content Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Space Royalty, Space Politics, Political Manoeuvring, Betrayed to the Enemy, Code of Ethics, Sci-Fi Philosophies, Age Difference, Enemies to Lovers, Loyalty Issues, Power Dynamics, Consensual Sex, Refractory Period Manipulation, Multiple Orgasms
A/N: Many thanks to [personal profile] china_shop for beta-reading!

Summary:
"Do what is necessary. Only the gods know what is truly necessary, but you must choose.
Do what suits the purpose. You have not the hindsight of the gods, but you must choose.
Do what is appropriate. You have not the measuring-stick of the gods, but you must choose.
Do what you must, Zhentari, and know your choice."

(The "Three Choices", according to the Zhentar Code)

Jolim Niall, famous Zhentar Knight (or infamous, depending on your position), has been in service to Tevin Appen of Trella for most of his life. When he falls into the hands of the King of Tarn, he's not sure which is worse: what Ayrom Gaudren no doubt has in store for him - or that it's Appen's betrayal that landed him there.

But Gaudren's plans aren't what he expects - and Jolim Niall must make a choice ...
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[personal profile] creepy_shetan posting in [community profile] comment_fic
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Hello and a good Sunday to you! ^.^ It's time for this week's Lonely Prompts adoption/promo day. If this is your first time at [community profile] comment_fic on a Sunday, you can either request previous prompts to be filled or share your recent fills for prompts. (Or do both, of course!) ✎

How to look for prompts:
We have plenty of prompts that might just nibble away at your brain today. You can browse through the comm's calendar archive (here on LJ or here on DW) for themed and Free For All posts, or perhaps check out Sunday posts for Lonely Prompt requests. (Or, you can be like me, and try to save interesting prompts as you see 'em... and then end up with multiple text doc files full of [themes + links + prompts] that you can easily look through and search for keywords.) Multiple fills for one prompt are welcome, by the way! Oh, and you are very likely to find some awesome fills to read as well, and wouldn't it be nice to leave a comment on those lovely little writing distractions? ~_^

Whichever you decide to do, prompt or fill (or both), please remember:
1. You can only request five prompts to be filled.
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3. You can, however, fill as many prompts in as many fandoms as you'd like!
4. In the subject line, be sure to say whether it is a request or a fill!
5. You must link back to wherever the prompt is in the community archive (whether filling or requesting), and, if you're filling the prompt, please post the fill as a reply to the original prompt.
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7. If you've filled any lonely prompts in the past week, this is the place to share them!
9. Finally, please remember to add your prompt fills to our AO3 collection: Bite Sized Bits of Fic from 2026 collection. See further notes on this option here.

How to link:
[a href="http://comment-fic.livejournal.com/449155.html?thread=70682755#t70682755">MCU, Tony Stark/Pepper Potts, She's wearing daisy dukes and one of his button-down shirts.[/a]
(change the brackets to "<" and ">" respectively)
or:
http://comment-fic.livejournal.com/139897.html?thread=30155641#t30155641
Burn Notice, Sam/Michael/Fi, "It's always been you. And it's always gonna be you."

We are on AO3! If you fill a prompt and post it to AO3, please add it to the Bite Sized Bits of Fic from 2026 collection.

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If you have a Dreamwidth account and would feel more comfortable participating there, please feel free to do so… and spread the word! [community profile] comment_fic


A friendly reminder about our posting schedule: Themed posts for new prompts go up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays are a Free for All day for new prompts of any flavor. Sundays are for showing Lonely Prompts some love, whether by requesting for someone to adopt them or by sharing any fills that you've recently completed.
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The first year of high school: Spring. Mori, who has just entered school, learns of his classmate, Michioto, who is rumored to be the "treasure of the boys' school." Mori volunteered to ask for Michioto's contact information on behalf of a friend who was too scared to talk to him. Mori headed towards Michioto without really thinking about it, but the moment Mori sees him, it's love at first sight...

My Rate: 8

This manga is a poignant exploration of "love at first sight" that avoids the usual cliches by focusing on the sensory overload of a first crush. The narrative kicks off with a classic boys' school setup but quickly shifts into something much more intimate and atmospheric. Mori is a fresh face at an all-boys school. He hears rumors about a classmate named Michioto, who is whispered to be the "treasure of the school" because of his ethereal looks and presence. Mori isn't particularly interested in the hype, but he agrees to help out a timid friend by approaching Michioto to ask for his contact information. The moment Mori actually lays eyes on Michioto, the "rumors" become a secondary thought. He experiences a literal bolt-from-the-blue moment of love at first sight. The story then follows Mori as he navigates the gap between being a "messenger" for his friend and his own burgeoning, intense obsession with Michioto. As the Japanese title's translation, I Remember Even the Color of the Wind, suggests, Kazari focuses heavily on how memory and love are tied to the senses. It isn't just about what Michioto says; it’s about the way the air feels around him, the specific shade of his hair in the light, and the "color" of the moment they met. Usually, the "most beautiful boy in school" trope leads to a story about popularity or arrogance. Here, Michioto is treated more like a quiet, almost untouchable figure. The story explores the pressure of being "admired from afar" and how Mori’s direct (though internally panicked) approach breaks that glass wall. If you’ve read Kazari’s other works, you know their style is defined by: Fine lines and very delicate character features. Cinematic panelling that feels like watching a live-action indie film. An ability to draw "silence"—there are many pages where the art does the talking, conveying the awkwardness and beauty of teenage longing. It is a relatively quick read (standard tankōbon length), but it feels "heavy" in a good way because of the emotional depth. It’s incredibly sweet but carries that sharp "sting" of high school romance where every text message feels like a life-or-death event. If you enjoyed works like Seven Days or Classmates (Doukyuusei), this will be right up your alley. It captures that same "frozen in time" feeling of being a student in love. It’s a beautiful, short, and impactful read. It’s less about a complex plot and more about capturing the exact moment a heart starts beating for someone else.

Artificial Intelligence

May. 10th, 2026 11:39 am
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Generative AI vegetarianism

Hello, it’s me: I’m a generative AI vegetarian.

The tech industry is convinced this is the future; every app on my phone and most of the apps on my computer want me to use their new AI features.

I don’t want any of them. I want to write my own emails. I want to write my own (mediocre) software code. I want to learn and think and ponder with other humans, not with a text-prediction system built by consuming all the text on the internet.


Read more... )
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This is a problem. The more attached Asuka-kun becomes, the cuter he looks… Ever since Kaii-san picked up his lost commuter pass, Kaii-san has somehow ended up living in Asuka-kun's house...!? Eating meals together, trying their hand at gardening, spending Halloween together... Little by little, the distance between them seems to be shrinking.

My Rate: 8 

Kaii-san to Asuka-kun no Ohanashi by Shizuma is a refreshing, supernatural BL that leans heavily into the "found family" trope with a side of gentle, domestic romance. If you’re tired of high-octane drama and want something that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day, this is it. The story follows Asuka-kun, a college student who has the unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) ability to see "Kaii"—supernatural apparitions or urban legends. While most people would run screaming, Asuka ends up living with Kaii-san, a powerful, humanoid supernatural entity who is as mysterious as he is surprisingly domestic. Asuka-kun is the "straight man" of the duo. He’s grounded, kind, and remarkably unfazed by the weirdness surrounding his roommate. His care for Kaii-san feels organic rather than forced by plot necessity. Shizuma does a fantastic job of making Kaii-san feel truly other. Even when he’s doing mundane tasks, there’s a sense of latent power and ancient loneliness behind him. The way he slowly learns to navigate human emotions through Asuka is the heart of the manga. The romance isn't rushed. It focuses on the quiet moments—cooking, cleaning, and the silent understanding between two beings who don't quite fit into the "normal" world. Shizuma’s art style is clean but evocative. The character designs for the various spirits (Kaii) are creative and occasionally eerie, which provides a nice contrast to the soft, handsome features of the leads. While there are moments of tension regarding the spirit world, the primary focus remains on the evolving relationship. It’s a "comfort read" through and through. This manga is a love letter to the weird and the lonely. It argues that no matter how "monstrous" or "different" you are, there is always a place where you belong.
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Sachio Kurumizawa is an omega mouse manga artist, and Shinobu Ukano, the alpha fox, is his editor... but Sachio can't help but feel uncomfortable around Shinobu.
He always seems to look at Sachio with predatory eyes.
One night, Sachio goes into heat at an omega-only bar, and Shinobu saves him.
Unfortunately, Sachio has no idea how long he'll stay in heat... and then, Shinobu offers to help him stop it.
Will Sachio say yes to getting between the sheets with Shinobu despite his terror of being devoured...!?

My Rate: 8 (www.ebookrenta.com/renta/sc/frm/item/142515)

If you are looking for a BL that leans heavily into the "opposites attract" trope with a dash of height-difference charm and animal-coded personalities, The Foxy Mouse's Romance is a cozy, trope-heavy delight. The story centers on the relationship between Sachio (The "Mouse"), a petite, hardworking man who radiates "prey animal" energy, and Shinobu (The "Fox"), a tall, sharp-featured, and somewhat intimidating man who carries the aura of a predator. The "Foxy Mouse" title is literal (they are actual shifters), but it is also a metaphor for their social and physical dynamics. The narrative follows their transition from a height-gap friendship into a romantic entanglement where the power balance is more nuanced than it looks on the surface. Sachio is the heart of the story. While he fits the "uke" archetype—being small and easily flustered—Hanasawa gives him enough earnestness that he doesn't feel like a cardboard cutout. His reactions to Shinobu are often comedic and serve as the main driver for the "moe" factor. Shinobu plays the "seme" role with a mix of intense devotion and occasional possessiveness. Despite his "foxy" or "predatory" appearance, his genuine affection for Sachio provides the sweetness that balances out his sharper edges. Namio Hanasawa has a clean, expressive style. The contrast between Sachio’s soft features and Shinobu’s angular, "sly" look effectively communicates the theme without needing constant dialogue to explain it. It’s a relatively light read. It doesn't bog itself down with heavy trauma or overly complex external drama, focusing instead on the internal realization of feelings and the "will-they-won't-they" tension. If you enjoy "size difference" imagery and protective leads, this hits all the right notes. This manga doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel. It leans on established BL conventions. If you’re looking for a genre-bending masterpiece, this might feel a bit predictable. Shinobu can sometimes border on being "overly intense," which is a common staple in the genre but might not be everyone’s cup of tea if they prefer more egalitarian beginnings. The Foxy Mouse's Romance is a sweet, standard-issue BL that excels at character chemistry. It’s the perfect "comfort read" for an afternoon when you want something cute, visually appealing, and emotionally uncomplicated. If you loved titles like Dekoboko Sugar Days, you will likely find Sachio and Shinobu’s dynamic right up your alley.

Life in Smokey Blue by Kamome Hamada

May. 10th, 2026 04:34 pm
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Sakutarou got himself in danger while enjoying the nightlife when he was saved by Kuji Shizuka, his ex-colleague and rival who used to boast of being no.1 in sales. Kuji had resigned from work slightly earlier than him, and Sakutarou had envied him, believing that Kuji must be having a glorious second career now. However, after reuniting with Kuji for the first time in six years and though he's still as sarcastic as ever, Kuji now has long hair and a lethargic appearance and for some reason, he currently works as a translator...

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/4daXeTe)

Life in Smokey Blue by Kamome Hamada is widely considered a "grown-up" BL in the best way possible. It steps away from the high school hallways and dives into the messy, quiet, and often complicated reality of adult life. If the first part of the series is about "reconnecting," the story of Sakutarou and Shizuka is about intentionality. Sakutarou is often the "anchor." He’s grounded, observant, and possesses that classic Kamome Hamada trait of being a weary but capable adult. Shizuka carries a bit more of the "smokey" atmosphere. He is complex, sometimes elusive, and his vulnerability is layered under a professional or social mask. What makes their review so positive among fans is the lack of artifice. They don't communicate through shouts or grand gestures; they communicate through shared cigarettes, quiet dinners, and the spaces between words. Hamada excels at showing how two people in their 30s negotiate "baggage." They aren't blank slates; they have pasts, and the manga respects that. Kamome Hamada’s art for Sakutarou and Shizuka is particularly evocative. There is a heavy emphasis on hands, the way they hold a glass, or the way they lean against a wall. It feels very tactile and intimate without needing to be explicit. The use of screentones and shadows creates a constant sense of twilight. It feels like you are watching a high-end indie film. The review for this specific pair usually hinges on comfort. Shizuka, in particular, has moments of deep insecurity regarding his place in Sakutarou’s life. Watching Sakutarou provide a sense of "home" without being overbearing is incredibly satisfying. It’s a story about finding a "landing spot" after a long day of being an adult. The Sakutarou and Shizuka chapters elevate Life in Smokey Blue from a simple romance to a character study. It is a "quiet" manga. If you want something to read on a rainy night with a cup of coffee (or a glass of whiskey), this pair provides the perfect atmosphere. It is a masterclass in the "Slice of Life" BL subgenre.

Manga Check-in: "BASARA" volume 3

May. 10th, 2026 09:40 am
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[personal profile] bluapapilio


Chapter 9:
Sarasa and Hayato get kidnapped by pirates, their chief is a badass lady although she's a slaver. Kaku is there though!

Lmao of course Shuri taught his messenger bird to praise him.

Never thought we'd get secret penpals with the enemy in this, so now they can keep in contact outside of hot springs lmao.

Sarasa fought and won against Chacha the chief so now the pirates work for her! And it's effective immediately, the Shoujou clan found their hiding spot...

Chapter 10: Shidou is backing up the Shoujou. He said he counted Ageha as one of his close friends lmao. I hope Ageha gets to go back with Sarasa.

Those poor women and children on the ship, Shidou ordered their murder but they drowned and got trampled first. T_T

Ageha and Chacha know each other, of course they do.

Chapter 11: Sarasa got to the Shoujou's cannon on time and shot at the Fuujin, now the Red King faction think Shoujou joined with Tatara.

The location of the real Suzaku sword has been revealed.

I was so glued to my screen this chapter!

Chapter 12: Shidou's wife has guts I'll give her that.

Nice flashback to Shidou and Shuri's childhood, if they were the good guys I'd feel more. "Now and always he provides the canvas. So I can paint my kingdom."

Meanwhile someone attacked a European ship claiming to be Tatara's man. :/ Union ships are now attacking Suou.Shuri realizes it wasn't Tatara but his brother setting him up. He destroys his own ship in apology to the Europeans.

The irony that Shuri's letter is what cheers Sarasa up when she's on the run from Shidou, who Shuri had to back off from helping against her. I love that the bird relayed 'Shuri snot' to him.
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Ever since it became known to the people around him that he is gay, Iki, a high school student, hides his expression with a mask and plays a character who is bullied in the student dormitory. He advances to the second year and shares a room with a new student named Harutora. Iki is attracted to Harutora's straightforward personality and the way he devotes himself to his club activities...?

My Rate: 8

Chotto Matou yo, Harutora-kun by Amekiri is a delightful entry into the "opposites attract" and "earnest kouhai" subgenres of BL. If you’re looking for a story that prioritizes sweetness and emotional sincerity over heavy melodrama, this is a top-tier choice. The story follows Iki, a college student who is generally laid-back but perhaps a bit too used to people keeping their distance. His world gets turned upside down by Harutora, a blunt, energetic, and incredibly persistent younger student who doesn't just knock on the door of Iki's heart—he basically kicks it down with a smile. The "Golden Retriever" Harutora is the soul of this manga. His "dog-like" loyalty and lack of a filter make for hilarious and heart-melting interactions. He doesn't play games; if he likes Iki, he says it. Constantly. The art is clean, expressive, and soft. Amekiri excels at drawing facial expressions that convey that specific "panic-to-affection" pipeline that Iki experiences. The character designs are distinct and visually appealing without being overly stylized. While there is character development and the usual hurdles of realization and confession, the manga avoids toxic tropes. It’s a "comfy" read that focuses on how Harutora’s sunshine personality eventually melts Iki’s cooler exterior. This is a must-read for fans of Amekiri (known for Megumi to Tsugumi) or anyone who enjoys the Kouhai/Senpai dynamic. It’s a story about the bravery it takes to be honest with your feelings and the joy of finding someone who appreciates you exactly as you are. It’s short, sweet, and punchy. It doesn't overstay its welcome, making it a perfect palette cleanser between more intense or angst-heavy series.

Backlight by Gangddo

May. 10th, 2026 01:56 pm
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A life in the spotlight is a dream for many…but it’s behind the scenes where the real drama takes place. Baek Yeongwoon plays manager for Seo Hae-yool, an up-and-coming actor at All One Pictures with a secret: his success is fuelled by an industry “sponsor” who loves more than just his talent. So when a love affair between the young star and a mysterious figure threatens the livelihood of their company, it is up to Yeongwoon to track his client down and put an end to their risky romp. But the truth may be too much for him to bear, as the other party turns out to be top model - and Yeongwoon’s first love - Han Seo-in. As Yeongwoon struggles to reconcile his unresolved feelings for Seo-in with his sense of duty toward his work, the two fall into a intricate web woven of unanswered questions and lingering emotions that changes the trajectory of their lives forever...

My Rate: 8 (www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/backlight_en)

If you’re looking for a story that masterfully blends celebrity drama with deeply rooted psychological trauma, Backlight by Gangddo is a heavy-hitter in the BL genre. It’s not your average "glamorous life" romance; it’s a gritty, emotional dive into how the past can haunt the present. The story follows Baek Yeongwoon, a dedicated and somewhat stoic manager at All One Pictures. He’s currently managing an up-and-coming actor, Seo Hae-yool, who is tangled in a messy "sponsorship" scandal. While trying to protect his client, Yeongwoon crosses paths with the other man in the affair: Han Seo-in, a top-tier model and, more significantly, Yeongwoon’s first love and source of his greatest trauma. Baek Yeongwoon (The Stoic Survivor) is a character defined by his resilience and his scars. He carries a significant amount of guilt and internalized pain from his school days. As a manager, he is professional to a fault, but Seo-in’s reappearance completely shatters his composure. Watching him navigate his duty to his job versus his unresolved feelings for Seo-in is the emotional backbone of the series. Han Seo-in (The Complex "Antagonist") starts as a character who is very easy to dislike. He is manipulative, possessive, and seems to enjoy pulling Yeongwoon’s strings. However, as the story unfolds—particularly in the flashback arcs—we see that Seo-in is just as broken as Yeongwoon. He is a "red flag" character, but the writing provides deep context for his toxicity, making him a fascinating, if polarizing, lead. Gangddo’s art style is atmospheric and expressive. The contrast between the bright lights of the entertainment industry and the dark, moody "backlight" of the characters' private lives is visually stunning. The story doesn't rush the healing process. It treats the characters' pasts with weight, showing how childhood trauma manifests in adult relationships through miscommunication and obsession. Characters like Taegu add necessary tension. The unrequited love and the protective (sometimes overstepping) nature of the supporting cast make the world feel lived-in and high-stakes. This is not a "feel-good" read. It deals with heavy themes, including manipulative behavior, toxic family dynamics, and emotional abuse. Some readers find the transition between the present-day drama and the extensive school-life flashbacks a bit jarring, though these flashbacks are essential for understanding Seo-in’s motivations. Backlight is a 10/10 for fans of psychological BL and angst. It succeeds because it doesn't shy away from the "messiness" of love. It asks the question: Can two people who broke each other ever truly find a way to fix what’s left? If you're sensitive to "red flag" leads, take it slow. The character development for Seo-in is a journey, and he doesn't become "good" overnight—which is exactly what makes the story so compelling.

Done Since 2026-05-03

May. 10th, 2026 01:00 pm
mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)
[personal profile] mdlbear

Happy Mother's Day to those in a position to celebrate it. I'll be over here with the widowers and orphans. Meanwhile I'm getting depressed over how little I've gotten done recently. (Which, depending on how one counts, may include much of the last decade.)

On the other hand, I'm not actually in bad shape physically, considering. Walks six days out of seven. And I got some web work done, on naomi-rivkis.com and hyperspace-express.com/, specifically on the .../Books pages, because there's enough information about N's next book, Paleomythic to have gotten started on it. So I've been more productive than usual, which of course isn't saying much.

If you want a taste of what Paleomythic is like, N has submitted a couple of stories in the same universe (the Pantheon of Worlds series) to a contest on Reedsy.com.

In other good news, I now have a charger for Scarlett, and an update cable for Romann. I suspect that the former may not be able to deliver enough power, and the latter needs a Win$ computer to run the software despite the fact that the dongle is supported -- with free software -- on Mac and Linux.

On the gripping hand, my (gripping?) hands are in somewhat sorry shape -- I'm suffering from trigger fingers again. Working on it, with topical diclofenac gel, paracetamol (at my GP's insistance), and sometimes compression gloves (which don't seem very effective). It is not at the point where I can't type, play guitar, or put on my compression socks, and hopefully will get away from that point rather than to it. But it's worrisome and annoying.

Linkies: BBC: 100 years of Sir David Attenborough (whose 100th birthday was Friday). Life and Death of a Planetary System - Intro - NASA Science nice series, with short videos. Some random math links under Sunday,

Notes & links, as usual )

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