Rating: 3 for manga's ability to normalize queerness
My Thoughts:
Makoto is a beautiful sophomore in high school, but when freshman Saki confesses her love for Makoto, Makoto has to let her know that he is actually a crossdresser. I don't know if Makoto is trans, but I will use the same terminology as this manga, so I am assuming that Saki is attracted to Makoto as a female, but once she finds out he is a male, she is still attracted, so I guess gender is fluid for both. I think that is what I mean by normalizing queerness. It's not a thing. For example, the reader knows that Makoto got harassed for being a crossdresser, but by his sophomore year, it seems to be accepted if not liked by all. In addition, Makoto's mom does not know that he is a crossdresser, but no one at school tells her, including the administration.
In addition, Makoto has a childhood friend, Ryuji, that is very protective of Makoto and cautious of Saki as a weird outsider that could harm Makoto. There is definitely more than just friendship vibes, at least from Ryuji towards Makoto, but volume 1 does not really go into that. I have not seen the webtoon or the television series of this story, but I think readers will get more of the same shenanigans with Saki chasing Makoto.
From the Publisher:
First-year high school student Saki is head-over-heels for the older Makoto. After all, this senpai is tall, beautiful, and oh-so-cool... Who wouldn’t fall for a girl like her? The bright and bubbly Saki doesn't hesitate to confess her feelings. But Makoto turns her down, because Makoto isn’t a girl, but rather a cross-dressing boy!
Second-year Makoto is used to the negatives that come with his love of cross-dressing: harsh gossip from his classmates, the disapproval of his mother... Most of his classmates already know, but still, when he tells Saki, he expects her to be disgusted. Yet Saki's feelings only grow stronger, and she says she doesn’t care about Makoto's gender expression. In fact, she's determined to win him over and become his first love!
Caught between the straightforward Saki and his overly protective childhood friend Ryuji--who may have feelings for Makoto of his own--Makoto must navigate a complicated love triangle and chart his own course to happiness.
Second-year Makoto is used to the negatives that come with his love of cross-dressing: harsh gossip from his classmates, the disapproval of his mother... Most of his classmates already know, but still, when he tells Saki, he expects her to be disgusted. Yet Saki's feelings only grow stronger, and she says she doesn’t care about Makoto's gender expression. In fact, she's determined to win him over and become his first love!
Caught between the straightforward Saki and his overly protective childhood friend Ryuji--who may have feelings for Makoto of his own--Makoto must navigate a complicated love triangle and chart his own course to happiness.
Publication Information:
Author/illustrator: Pom
Publisher: Kodansha Comics (August 19, 2025)
Print length: 176 pages
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