Only Serious About You by Kai Asou

Title: Only Serious About You (Sorenari ni Shinken Nandesu)
Author: Kai Asou
Format: manga


The lovely part about this story is that it isn't insta-love, and it isn't a booty call. The characters start off as acquaintances, and only through a series of events do they develop a closer relationship. Naoki is a single parent, and anyone who is familiar with the role of parenthood knows how challenging it can be to care for a young child. There's always something to take care of, from house chores to school issues to the child themselves. 


Even though Mizu is a sweet and cooperative child, some things that have nothing to do with attitude can be a problem. Namely, sickness. Or the fact that Mizu's mother still has partial custody over her. 


For Naoki, the thought of dealing with a job and a child, the idea of love just doesn't fit into the picture. Though Yoshioka is not easily dissuaded when it comes to pursuing Naoki, Naoki cannot afford to let another person in. 


But like it or not, he cannot avoid Yoshioka. Yoshioka won't leave him alone, and when things become overly complicated for Naoki, Yoshioka is right there to support him. Again and again Yoshioka proves to Naoki that the man needs him, and there's just no way he's going to let him go after witnessing all his vulnerabilities. 


Truly, this is a sweet story touching on the life of two men going through the rough times the life brings them, and coming out of the trenches together more united and happier than before. For anyone wishing to read a story that's not overly dramatic or fantasy, but more down to earth and has a realistic feel to it, then this is story is right up your alley. It pulls at your heartstrings and makes you all warm and fuzzy inside in the end. 


Overall: 5 out of 5