Ocean's Cage, Sky's Door (Please - Chapter 5) - Miyamoto Kano

Art:

The usual. If you're familiar with Miyamoto Kano's works, it shouldn't be hard to identify that this story is hers. The characters aren't exactly the bishie type but still, the art is fairly good in my opinion.

Story:

It serves as an introduction to the Rules universe. Ryuu was sixteen and just transferred to a new school and later on met an older American guy named Stefan. They got along after meeting near the beach through Stefan's dog. Ryuu then started coming over to Stefan's house and it isn't hard to figure that Stefan's interested in him. The story progresses with Ryuu struggling with his past and his developing relationship with Stefan.

Characters:

Ryuu - A sixteen year-old Japanese boy haunted by something that happened a year ago. He speaks in Kansai accent because he originally came from Osaka.

Stefan - A retired American homosexual soldier who developed an interest in Ryuu after seeing him several times near the beach. He owns a friendly dog named Lad.

Review:

This contains spoilers. You've been warned.

Uhm.. I'm writing this after reading it the second time. I read it a long time ago and I'm not really sure if I read it before the other stories in Rules.

Anyway, it was good. It gives me the feeling I always have when reading Miyamoto Kano's works. Idk.. Reading her works makes me feel like I'm really reading someone's life story. I mean, unlike some yaoi mangas where everything is fluffy and all or just smutty.. I like the bitter sweet feeling I get whenever I read her works.

Okay, back to the story (I'm so sorry for spazzing about her. This is the first story I'm reviewing for her so yeah.. forgive me. XD). There wasn't really special about their meeting. It was even kinda cliché, I guess. But the angst in the story is good. There was a brief not-so-graphic smut and the end was kinda sad since they had to go on their separate ways. Honestly though, I really don't think their relationship would've worked out even if Ryuu decided to go with Stefan in America. He's too young. And it wasn't like the only thing that was bothering him was what people were saying whenever they found out about what he did. It was more of him feeling guilty for having killed someone so running away wouldn't have done any good for him. Well, maybe it would've if their relationship was strong enough but.. as I said, he's too young for that kind of love in my opinion. I like how the story included some family aspect. I kinda adore Ryuu's relationship with his dad. It wasn't perfect but you know they really care for each other.