Yuuta and Ritsu have been childhood friends and part of the same baseball club for years, but after being defeated in a local tournament over the summer, the two decide to quit the club and begin studying for the same university. Still, Yuuta finds himself unable to give up his lingering attachment to baseball. The one person who can truly understand him is Ritsu. But there's something Yuuta himself doesn't understand... Does he think of Ritsu as his partner in the way that a teammate would, or is the affection between them something stronger?
By Saki Tsukahara
Series RePlay
Volume 1
Release Date 04.02.2020
Genre Yaoi
Age Rating 18+
Publisher Tokyo Pop
CW None
Rating ★★★★½☆
My Review
I was in one of those "I don't know what to read" moods. When you're staring at your ever-growing backlog, overwhelmed by all the options. So, I decided to pick something at random. I didn't expect much—just something to pass the time—but what I was so surpised I ended up reading such a wholesome story. I can’t believe I didn’t read this earlier! This sweet and cute one-shot quickly became one of my favorite reads. I have to say it's one of the best one-shots I’ve read so far. The longing, the character growth, the gentle pacing, and of course, the adorably natural romance—everything is done so well.
The main characters, Yuuta and Ritsu, have been best friends (and baseball partners) since childhood, known around the club as the “old married couple” because of how in-sync they are. From the beginning, you can feel their deep bond- but things start to get complicated when both of them decide to quit the baseball club, something they’ve been part of for years. This decision, seemingly small on the surface, leads to a small rift in their relationship. Yuuta, who’s always been by Ritsu’s side, starts to feel a bit lost at the distance between the two. He assumes Ritsu has a girlfriend, which, for some reason, makes him feel both jealous and heartbroken—though he can't quite figure out why he is feeling this way.
The plot isn’t filled with dramatic twists or conflict. Rather, it focuses on Yuuta’s internal struggle and his eventual realization that his feelings for Ritsu go beyond friendship. Ritsu, of course, feels the same. We don't see much from his POV but still his intent and emotions are clearly illustrated. Eventually Ritsu reveals that he feels the same way.
One of the main plots in the story is Yuuta’s decision between a future in baseball or pursuing a future with Ritsu. He decides on the latter and they start focussing on studying for their entrance exams, taking things one step at a time, and letting their romantic relationship grow slowly. It’s refreshing to see the characters take space to grow before jumping into anything too fast.
What really makes this manga even more amazing is the artwork. Saki Tsukahara’s art is simply stunning. The character designs are soft and expressive, and you can really tell what they are feeling. The way emotions are portrayed through small details is just chef's kiss. You can feel the tension and longing in these little moments. It’s easy to see how much thought and care went into every panel.
I know some readers might find the pacing a bit slow for a one-shot, and sure, it does take its time, but I actually think that's what makes it enjoyable. This manga isn’t about rushing to some grand confession or dramatic twist. It’s about the characters understanding each other and themselves. Even the moments of spice, which can sometimes feel forced or out of place in certain manga, fits here. I feel like some mangaka add it just for the sake of adding it- but that's not the case here.
If you’re someone who appreciates a slow-burn, heartfelt story with lovable characters, this one’s a must-read.
