オムニバスの傑作！『リンクス』著：キヅナツキ先生

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Libre Publishing BBC DELUXE B-Boy Comics Deluxe by Natsuki Kizu 『Links』 is gently introduced here!

For my very first article, I spent a long time thinking about which work to introduce, but this is a piece I truly love—one I discovered when I found myself wondering what kind of stories an omnibus might hold.

What is an omnibus?

A work made up of several independent stories, brought together to form one complete piece.

Rather than something you look up in a dictionary, it feels more like an understanding that slowly comes to you as you read. That was exactly how I discovered it as well.

The following is quoted from the back cover. I do touch on the story in my thoughts and review! If you just want a quick idea of what it’s about, I’d be happy if you read only the red text and highlighted sections.

Please scroll down ↓↓ (^^)

Four almost-but-not-quite lovers become linked…

・socially awkward radio DJ “Sekiya” × super friendly middle-aged man “Shibata”

・a resilient casual lover “Yahiko” × café owner “Akiba,” still bound by a certain man from his past

・a home-based worker, metal engraver “Kameda” × a food-loving stray kitten boy “Ogikawa”

・a man who lost his older brother, originally straight “Sado” × the yakuza heir “Nakajo”

From Libre Publishing BBC DELUXE 『Links』

The story unfolds through each of these four couples. The word “almost-but-not-quite” really makes you curious, doesn’t it? And above all, the cover instantly catches your eye, and the short story titles are truly unique. The way flowers and leaves from nature are drawn, along with the striking contrast between comedic and serious scenes, is remarkable—so from here on, I’d like to dive a little deeper and talk more about this wonderful work.

▶socially awkward radio DJ “Sekiya” × super friendly middle-aged man “Shibata”

This couple is purely and simply fun. Shibata, who dives headfirst into the things he loves, meets Sekiya at the café run by Akiba. Shibata is a huge fan of Sekiya’s radio show, and his strong, enthusiastic push is really something. Looking back, it might be that from the very moment they met, a melting-in-love alert was already quietly going off (^^). And then, when Sekiya—who is supposed to be socially awkward—gathers his courage around Shibata, the scene will take your breath away. Your heart rate is guaranteed to rise. It’s a story that feels just right to read in winter.

▶the resilient casual lover “Yahiko” × café owner “Akiba,” still held by a certain man from his past

This couple is the most mature in terms of content. Yahiko, who works under Sado, and Akiba, who was a high school classmate of Sado’s older brother, feel to me like the very definition of “almost-but-not-quite” lovers. And there’s no doubt your heart will ache with a tight squeeze. If the strongly forward Shibata couple is a form of “healing”, then the dynamic between these two is best described as “quiet turmoil”. It’s irresistible, and while it takes time for that painful feeling to turn into something sublime… it becomes incredibly addictive.

▶home-based metal engraver “Kameda” × food-loving stray kitten boy “Ogikawa”

＠This couple is hard to explain (and yes, that’s a compliment). If I were to gather every bit of vocabulary I have, I’d say it feels like “sometimes, even when your roommate is allergic to cats, there are moments when you simply have to take one in”. It doesn’t really make sense, does it? I think you’ll understand once you read it (^^). The scenes where they enjoy good food will definitely make you hungry—no question about it. The gentle flow of time lets you savor the feeling of a quiet day off as you read. I recommend enjoying it with a clean, refreshing cup of coffee or tea. Something surprising happens later on. And in the end, a question lingers: which one is he, really?

▶originally straight man “Sado,” who lost his older brother × yakuza heir “Nakajo”

This is the central couple of 『Links』. The men depicted by Natsuki Kizu naturally blend qualities like “cute” and “masculine,” slipping in effortlessly and quietly seeping into your emotions, which makes the story—told with a look into the past—something you can savor slowly and deeply. As the connection with Akiba becomes clear and elements of the underworld appear, there may be some readers who find those aspects a little challenging. Even so, the moments where Sado throws his emotions forward with full force, Nakajo’s true feelings, and even Nakajo’s parent are all highlights not to be missed. The climax comes in a powerful rush, and when you finish reading, it slowly soaks deep into your heart. It’s the kind of story that gently reminds you to be careful not to lose emotional balance or regret words spoken in the heat of the moment—and one you’ll find yourself wanting to return to again, unexpectedly.

In Closing

Now then, while each of the four couples has its own independent world, they are all connected through the ties between people. If there are things you haven’t noticed about yourself that may one day come back to you, or feelings you struggle to put into words, maybe it’s okay to take a chance and let them out once in a while (^^).