Savoring a stand-in—“A Taste of Dawn on the Tip of the Tongue” by Ueda Aki（上田アキ）

I’d like to introduce “Shitasaki ni Yoake no Aji” (Dear+ Comics), published by Shinshokan!

The following is quoted from the back cover. This review does touch on the story’s content! If you just want a quick summary!! I’d be happy if you read only the red text and highlighted sections.

I’ll use my tongue, my body—everything I have, if it’s for the man I’ve fallen for… you. …———

Sinking deep into the back alleys, “Yoruji” gazes up at the night sky. Though he has gone independent and opened his own ramen shop, “Yogoto,” business isn’t thriving, and his ideals feel as distant as the stars above.

The one who lifted Yoruji up from the depths of the night was “Akemi,” a man blessed with a truly genius tongue. With Akemi’s help, Yoruji sets out to create the ultimate bowl of ramen—but Akemi’s talent shines so brilliantly that it almost becomes blinding……!?

Just ramen, just love—yet Nightji and Akemi pour their hearts into both as they aim for the dawn. Savor this rich, full-bodied romance by Ueda Aki!

From “Shitasaki ni Yoake no Aji” (Dear+ Comics), published by Shinshokan

This was a refreshing new kind of work by Ueda Aki-sensei, whom I absolutely adore for the “Koi ga Ochitara” series, one that centers on the pursuit of the perfect ramen flavor. The story is deeply moving with its focus on human connections, the wholehearted passion poured into ramen, and characters who are masculine yet brimming with sensuality.

In their first meeting, it’s clear that Akemi-kun—already a ramen lover—has a truly “special tongue” simply from watching him eat as a customer. When they reunite years later, that “special tongue” becomes a key element in what follows—but I was surprised by the suddenly unfolding highly sensual scenes. After opening his own shop centered on the ramen he loves, Yoruji-san finds himself at a dead end; meeting Akemi-kun again becomes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As they begin rethinking ramen together, the distance between the two closes dramatically.

As he carefully pursues his own flavor, his sense of possessiveness toward Akemi-kun gradually grows as well (^^). Determined not to give him to anyone else, Yoruji-san continues to push forward—showing consideration while stubbornly refining his own direction—and, before he knows it, he’s completely fallen for Akemi-kun. What seems like a one-way path at first instead gives rise to an outstanding partner who embodies both strength and masculinity.

Highly recommended especially for those who love a strong, manly uke…!!!

Just when I’d been thinking that I generally prefer more delicate, vulnerable uke characters, I came across this work—so I never expected that a story centered on pursuing the perfect ramen flavor would deliver such a strong, manly uke (and yes, that’s praise). While offering something entirely new in terms of subject matter, it’s a story I especially want those who love single-mindedly chasing what they care about and those who are giving their all to something right now to read. The intimate scenes grow more intense as the story progresses, so anyone who can’t get enough of physical closeness (what does that even mean?) will also find plenty to enjoy—highly recommended…! (^^)