Description
In present-day Japan, art-club student Shintaro Ibuki struggles with a woodworking job at school. His stern-looking classmate Kyoko Sugisaki steps in: she is training to make taiko drums at her grandfather’s workshop, though drawing is another matter. As they help each other, admiration for the other’s skill turns into affection.
The romance gets moving early, then follows them beyond high school as art studies and craftwork compete for their time together. It is mostly a gentle, warm read, with awkward flirting and expressive visual humor. Career worries and family responsibilities bring more serious moments, and later chapters include some sexual content. Early slapstick includes hitting, but graphic violence is not a focus.
Pros
- Mutual respect for each other’s work gives the romance a convincing foundation.
- The relationship keeps developing beyond the high-school setting.
- Clear, expressive art makes both the craftwork and shy reactions engaging.
Cons
- Career drama can leave less time for the couple together.
- Some readers find the ending too abrupt.
Awards
Main characters
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Shintaro Ibuki
伊吹進太郎
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Kyoko Sugisaki
杉崎響子