This manga is deeply sad and beautifully written, with a tragic plot that really pulls at the heartstrings. I felt so horrible for Shiraki, poor kid, and he’s the only character I truly connected with. I just wanted to give him a hug. That said, I think the story would have benefited from a slower pace and more depth. While the events themselves are objectively heartbreaking, they happen so quickly that I couldn’t fully engage with most of the cast. For example, Kurokawa’s decision to run away from home after a single conversation with Shiraki, where he learns Shiraki was forced into child prostitution, felt abruptand unearned. Up until then, Kurokawa had never shown much care for Shiraki, and he supposedly has five siblings at home he really loves. The way this plot point was presented felt rushed, making the dynamic between Shiraki and Kurokawa seem thrown together rather than developed.

Overall, it’s a touching and tragic read, but I wish it had taken more time to build its characters and relationships so their choices felt as powerful as the events themselves.