Welcome Back, Aureole

by Takatsu

Genres: Manga, Romance
Pages: 210
Rating:

Synopsis:

Outgoing and popular Kazu and shy and serious Moto grew up together as childhood best friends. But something changes during junior high, and the familiar, easy rhythm of their friendship begins to break apart as Kazu starts nursing deeper feelings for his oblivious friend. When Kazu's troubled home life and Moto's budding romantic forays create a clash of misunderstandings, secrets, and hurt feelings, will their relationship be able to survive these growing pains?

Welcome Back, Aureole is a bittersweet yet tender exploration of the maturation of young love. Two boys growing up side by side... their stars drift apart and come together again.

I didn’t love the art in Takatsu’s Welcome Back, Aureole, but it’s a cute story nonetheless: Kazu and Moto have been best friends for a long time, but we quickly learn that Kazu has fallen in love with Moto, who doesn’t return the feelings. Nonetheless, he’s determined to remain Kazu’s friend and help him with what he’s going through (the abusive alcoholism of his father and his parents’ divorce), even if Kazu just tries to go away.

There’s a happy ending, of course: their feelings start out of step, with Kazu’s attempt at kissing Moto just confusing and angering him. Moto starts to see Kazu differently though, especially after his 2.5 year relationship with his girlfriend ends with purely friendly feelings between them.

There’s a bit of pining along the way, and background trauma on Kazu’s part, but it works out pretty cute.

Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)