'Shounen wo Kau' is one of those lukewarm age gap series that skirts around taboos by not being TOO controversial in its approach. If you wanted spice, you won't find it here. If you wanted something more gradual, fluffier, more roundabout - the series will fit your preferences. A 30-year-old OL takes in her sister's 16-year-old stepson because his parents are, frankly, irresponsible as fuck. From there on, the series follows how the duo cohabitates over a year and a half (roughly). 'Shounen wo Kau' has it all - some rivalry, some drama, decent conflict, and plenty of struggles for both FMC and MC. All of these, however,are dialed down by a LOT. So don't expect some high-tension fireworks and the like, the conflict -> resolution chain of events here is rather mellow throughout.

But you know what - I enjoyed it. Not all drama (including age gap stories) has to be about emotional supernovas and life-or-death melodramatics. 'Shounen wo Kau' sets a more relaxed, day-by-day tone and stays true to its nature until the very end.

The art is not bad, either. The attention to detail in some outfits was awesome. Thank god women mangaka focus on this aspect properly!

Sure, the series could've been better. It also could've been way worse. We end up with a solid 7/10; an enjoyable read over a day or two. I wish some of the side-character threads could have been explored a bit more, but oh well.