A story of a sensitive college student and a caring companion — “Hana no Mizo Shiru” Vol. 1 by Takarai Rihito（宝井理人）

I’d like to introduce “Hana no mi zo Shiru 1” (CRAFT Series / Million Comics), published by Taiyoh Tosho!

The following is quoted from the back cover. This review touches on the story’s content! If you just want a brief idea of what it’s about, I’d be happy if you read only the highlighted sections.

“I hope you can fall in love with someone so deeply it almost hurts…” …———

On a sunny afternoon on a university campus, and on a rainy evening at a train station, Arikawa and Misaki met.

Without even knowing each other’s names, or even each other’s existence―――

That was the beginning of everything.

Little by little, the distance between the two begins to close, but……

From “Hana no mi zo Shiru 1” (CRAFT Series / Million Comics), published by Taiyoh Tosho

I first came to know Takarai-sensei through the artwork of the earlier work “Seven Days,” but I absolutely love how this title carries an even greater sense of fragility in its style. The level of detail poured into even a single plant is astonishing. I’m speaking purely as an ordinary reader—not an expert by any means—so my vocabulary may fall short, but I truly adore the meticulous artwork. Has there ever been a gaze this fragile that struck my heart so deeply? No… there hasn’t. (a mysterious rhetorical question)

The two main characters attended the same university, yet had no connection to each other—until one day, they suddenly meet. Misaki Shota-kun is a little clumsy and lives alone in a house filled with memories of his grandfather. Arikawa Yoichi-kun is skillful, open with everyone, and a caring type with a deep curiosity about anything that catches his interest. Despite never having met before—let alone properly spoken—their reactions upon meeting were strangely sweet and endearing (^^)

Clumsy Misaki-kun is pure healing

With his delicate aura and androgynous features, he’s a beautiful presence who easily becomes the subject of rumors around campus, and from the moment I saw his profile on the cover, I had a feeling—“ah, I might fall for him.” As you keep reading, it’s not just his looks; his clumsiness and difficulty communicating with those around him are so endearing and adorable. He’s the kind of person you can’t help but want to look after, and it seems Arikawa-kun was no exception. The story begins by gently watching over the process as Misaki-kun—who’s embarrassed to hold proper conversations and struggles even to meet someone’s gaze—slowly starts to open his heart to the attentive, caring Arikawa-kun.

Kind-hearted Arikawa-kun, who can never bring himself to refuse a favor

When imagining university life, I think where people place their priorities—making friends, focusing on specialized classes in labs, and so on—varies greatly depending on their environment and the future they envision. Among all those different kinds of students, Arikawa-kun is someone who is genuinely kind and caring. He’s the type who will take responsibility for items friends have borrowed, pick up lost belongings, and generally can’t bring himself to ignore people who are in trouble. And that, of course, includes Misaki-kun as well.

Is he being bound…? A glimpse of hidden possessiveness

When you start caring about the people around your partner, end up testing them a little, or wanting them to look only at you—these are interactions most people have probably experienced at least once. In this story, a character appears who makes you pause and think, “Huh…?” just a little. Both Misaki-kun and Arikawa-kun have such figures around them, but this one, in particular, is a person with a very specific kind of possessiveness. To be honest, I’m not great with that kind of character (-_-;). They have a strange charm, appearing whenever the main pair starts to grow closer—but speaking purely for myself as someone who lives for happy endings, they were more of an obstacle… (I couldn’t bring myself to like them). The story absolutely needs them, though (^^)

This title truly feels like only a prologue if you read just volume one, so I highly recommend binge-reading the entire series if possible. Please take the time to watch over where the two of them end up as they gradually close the distance between them. With its intricate artwork and emotions that resonate deeply with the characters’ shifting feelings, you’re bound to get completely hooked……!!