Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru
Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko!

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I'm yet again amazed at Sai Jiang's ability to shift subject matter so seamlessly and perfectly. Even while some of the elements of the story seemed a bit on the slower side, I think it was done pretty much perfectly.

I really appreciate the ability of this manga to juggle comedy and drama so well. The first half is very much clearly comedy, but when it transitions into the second half, a lot of the focus is shifted to drama, while still keeper its original comedic undertone. It's genuinely quite insightful and realistic to see it tackle how society views queer people and distancing yourself ... from being gay at work as a way of protecting yourself. As well as how your responsibility and position might affect the other person, running the risks of being accused of nepotism.

Ayaka is also a lovingly bold lead, to see her approach gradually change, yet remain consistent with who she is as a person is a welcome addition. Her methods might be a bit unorthodox and a bit out there, but I think it works perfectly well for a story like this, which is both realistic and comedic. It's easy to get swept up in her confidence and attitude, so the reader also can't help and cheer for her, even if she goes too far at times.

I'm a lover of romance that identifies and highlights the weakness of their leads and uses them to elevate their relationship. One of the best ways to write a compelling romance is to have the people involved be perfect matches for each other based on how they compliment and bring out the best of each other, in the ways that makes them forget about their weaknesses. That's very much present in this story, as Ayaka and Hiroko bring a lot of joy into each other's lives and make each other better people as a process.

Another aspect that's obviously worth praising is of course, the artwork. It's stunning and incredible, especially on the faces. Every time we see a person cry, it conveys so much raw emotion that it's hard not to feel a sting at one's own heart. But even in more subtle expressions, there's always so much emotion and humanity.

Certainly a worthy read that really builds up a lovable cast of characters, in an environment that's usually harsh and unforgiving. The author really knows hows how to build amazing narratives and atmospheres, even within similar frameworks.

This manga starts out so promising, with Ayaka trying to show off to her senpai at work, Hiroko. As of chapter seven, though, I find myself quite displeased with the progress of the story.

Each chapter has Ayaka *flaunting* herself to Hiroko, and sometimes even drunkenly confessing to her. However, Hiroko, herself a lesbian, keeps turning her down because she believes Ayaka to be a "straight" girl. The first two times, it is kind of understandable, I suppose. After a certain karaoke incident and tearful confession on Ayaka's part, it really began to get old. I understand this may be a form of "comedy" or "gag," ... but it comes across as just painful.

The sad thing is, the characters and art are quite good!! Hiroko is so cool, and Ayaka is incredibly cute, especially when flustered!! Risa, Ayaka's coworker, is also quite interesting: in the seventh chapter admitting (to herself, at the least) that she holds an unrequited love for Ayaka, thus explaining some of her characterization earlier on. Yet I cannot forgive the flippancy toward Ayaka's love; perhaps if we did not have Ayaka's viewpoint, it would be easier to do so? Seeing everything from Hiroko's side, it may just come across as overly flirtatious with no backing.

I think i've never read a more infuriating manga than this. It's not a bad read at all... if you can handle all the main characters stupidity.

If there is something i hate about japanese romances is that usually the main character is a brainless r-tard that can't get even the most obvious hits.. The entire first half of the manga goes literally like "eh? she said he loves Hiroko? Wait.. my name is Hiroko.... Nah she must mean someone else lol" or "Oh she says she is in love with me for like the 5th time? Nah im sure i misheard it or im just ... misunderstanding her"... I swear to god, one time? Haha funny... 2 times? like "ok, i get it now move on", then another and another and then another after that and the whole first half goes like that. I understand the author didn't want to move too fast with the story but the way he did it was way too forced and it just felt like Hiroko was just mentally incapable, it was WAY too much to the point it wasnt even funny anymore, was just plain annoying..

And then the other half is just denial denial denial, which it was sorta more "understandable"? but still the first half was just too much to have any patience... The ending was ok i guess, at the end i was just reading to know how it ends because i was way too pissed to care.

If you can handle all the stupidity of the first half, its not such a bad read, i would never ever read it again tho still, not bad.. although i would never recommend it to others, there are faaaaar better stories out there to waste time with this one when it isnt even that good to begin with.