As both volumes feel like an AU to each other and can totally be each read as a stand-alone, heres my review for both separately. ~~~ Volume 1: 9/10 The story is quite fast-paced, a bit too quick sometimes, and yet, at the same time, felt like a slow read. In a good way, though? I'm not sure how to explain. It's overall a nice concept with loveable characters. Although the romance was almost insta-love, which isn't my favorite trope, I did feel the chemistry between them. It has a tender writing style, with some nice quotes that make the death theme more poetic rather than dark. I lovedthat vibe while reading.

It did lack a bit of depth, which I, on one hand, find unfortunate, cause instead of having a side-story with Iku's mom, that time could've been used to give more moments between Iku and Mimori. On the other hand, it makes it quite realistic, showing that we all have side-stories in our lives, and there's never enough time to spend 100% time on one plot. Even if we wanted.

Maybe it was never intended to be a deep love. This manga's love story certainly isn't anything new, but the "fleeting moment" vibe did touch me in a soft way.

~

Volume 2: 6/10

Sometimes it's better to keep your head-canons to yourself. Even if you're the author.

Volume 1 had the perfect ending, why stretch it unnecessarily? Just for money? Especially the smut scene was screaming 'fanservice sequel'.

It would be good in itself, or like an AU type of thing, but fells incredibly flat as a sequel. Especially cause this ending was essentially the same as vol1's ending …
Also, the dialogues here were very confusing. Not sure whether that's just the translation – hopefully, honestly, otherwise it adds another point to the one above.

3 stars cause it wasn't really bad, just "meh", and also had consent, which is so rare for Yaoi/BL. Additionally, the soft/tender vibe from volume 1 was here too, and I did like the one chapter from Mimori's perspective.
Chapter 1 of this volume should've been completely scratched though.