A Side Character's Love Story

by Akane Tamura

Genres: Graphic Novels, Romance
Pages: 162
Series: A Side Character's Love Story #5
Rating:

Synopsis:

What does it mean to go out with someone? Suddenly, the things you couldn't do when you were friends are now possible, and the love, respect, and gratitude you have for one another grows ever stronger. With no manual in hand to guide them, Tanaka and Irie steadily grow closer. Perhaps they'll find the answers they seek between themselves.

A Side Character’s Love Story‘s fifth volume has a bit more of Nobuko’s anxiety again — my original comment on this volume was that that felt a little bit too real, ’cause yikes! Nobuko jumps to the worst conclusions because she’s having trouble reading Hiroki’s reactions. For his part, he’s worried about coming on too strong (where “too strong” means getting too excited about the idea of holding her hand!).

The sweet thing about Hiroki and Nobuko’s relationship though is that they talk about these things. Hiroki tells Nobuko that he wants to hear about how she’s feeling and what she’s thinking, no matter what she has to say — and she puts her trust in him, and tells him her worries. Despite her anxieties, it’s a really sweet and healthy relationship.

The funny thing is that the story has barely referred to him as Hiroki up to now: he and Nobuko still refer to each other by their surnames. They still have a long way to go!

Rating: 4/5