The White and Blue Between Us | BL Manga Review (ARC)

Release Date: February 13, 2024

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When a white lie tears apart two high school friends, the two boys will have to confront their past in order to repair their future in this moving, dramatic, BL one-shot, perfect for fans of My Summer of You, Seven Days, or I Hear the Sunspot.

Is it ever too late to make up for a lie? Or can the opportunity be swept away, like white clouds across a blue summer sky?

It’s been seven years since Hozumi left the island town he grew up on, leaving behind not only the seaside, but also Mishima–his close friend and first love from high school. The two haven’t spoken since Hozumi turned Mishima down when he rejected him and lied about his own feelings, so when Hozumi returns for his high school reunion, he wants nothing more than to make amends with Mishima–a task easier said than done. In their years apart, Mishima has distanced himself from not only Hozumi, but everyone in the entire town, choosing to live alone in the lighthouse his grandfather used to tend to. Will Hozumi finally be able to break down Mishima’s walls, clear the air between them, and finally confess his true feelings, or are the two fated to be separated from one another?

Short and Sweet

It’s a second-chance romance, and while that might not be your preference, this is a short and sweet oneshot that might be worth the read.

While I was entertained while reading, I couldn’t help but feel that Hozumi should have done ten times more groveling, considering he literally broke Mishima’s heart. However, due to the short oneshot format, they quickly reconcile after Hozumi apologizes to Mishima. In Hozumi’s defense, he was just a high schooler at the time, thinking he was doing the right thing before heading off to college.

The artwork was appealing with a traditional manga style, but what I loved most about this manga were the coastal vibes and the lighthouse.

I believe, for a oneshot, it’s acceptable. If you’re anticipating fully developed characters and an in-depth plot, then this might not be the right fit for you. However, in the context of oneshots, it’s a pleasant read that neatly ties up everything with a happily ever after ending.

Not So Sweet?

*mentions of non-con*

After completing my review, I checked on NetGalley to see what others thought about the manga. To my surprise, some people mentioned that Hozumi had raped Mishima. Concerned about how I missed that altogether, I began contemplating the state of my mind for not picking up on those vibes. I decided to go back and reread it.

While the sex scene itself didn’t imply anything, it was after when Hozumi said, ‘It’s because of what I did… I bet that now he really won’t want to see me again,’ that raised concerns. I also noticed a moment where Hozumi thought, ‘I wonder if he’d forgive me… for what I did to him.’ However, it’s worth noting that these thoughts could be in relation to how Hozumi abandoned Mishima seven years ago. Notably, Mishima’s character doesn’t bring up any details about what happened; he simply expresses that he is still in love with Hozumi.

While some reviewers brought up these potential concerns, others did not. Considering this, I felt it was important to mention it as well, particularly for those who may have triggers related to the content. In my opinion, the inclusion of sex scenes felt out of place in the story and could have just been omitted altogether.