Yao
The ultimate MC
Bexy
A true fujoshi down to her bones
Rina
Steeped in the world of yaoi since elementary school
Murata
Has no recollection of a pre-fujoshi self
Yoshino
Has an uncanny ability to sense fellow fujoshi and yaoi potential in the air
Yao
Aww! The inside cover is beyond cute!
Murata
You can really tell what kind of manga it's gonna be at a glance
Yao
Truly the unique flavor of a manga by Owal. You can immediately tell it's her!
Murata
This is actually her debut work.
Bexy
Yep. "Love in Flames" was the very first manga she published in a magazine.
Yoshino
Good to know!
Yao
That was her debut!? Okay, we so need to expand on that later. First off, let's start with today's topic. Bexy, could you tell us your thoughts?
Bexy
One sec.
Bexy whips out a whole set of memos and everyone else cheers.
Bexy
Owal's art is definitely a selling-point for me, but I just loved how Hitoe (the top) got jealous and Haruya (the bottom) couldn't keep his feelings under wraps any longer. That really spoke to me!
Yao
Do you mean the scene that I'm thinking of? (no) That was quite a shocker for me.
Murata
Up until that point, Hitoe seemed like a straight-laced, serious guy and then boom! His hidden pervert pokes out, or more like, explodes.
Yao
Only a pervert can keep up with another pervert...
Rina
I liked the scene that followed that as well... Haruya sleeps around a lot and can basically do it with anyone, but he can't just sleep with someone important to him that easily.
Yao
Yeah, there was also this bit in the last chapter... I can't really say it without spoilers.
Yoshino
So are no spoilers allowed?
Yao
They're allowed but it just seemed that if the MC started with the spoilers it'd corrupt everyone else.
Yoshino
I think we can safely assume there isn't a single uncorrupted person here...
Yao
My bad >_<
We've had ourselves a little misunderstanding regarding the scene in question... Sowwie...
Yao
Okay, Rina's up next!
Rina
I liked how much of a pervert Hitoe turned out to be. You'd think that, of all people, he definitely wouldn't be the type but then he just got his freak on!
Yao
So you found this contrast appealing?
Rina
Like, when he just went out the door holding THAT with a completely straight face...!
Murata
He did bring the unspeakable with him to school (lol).
Rina
He's a high-class pervert.
Yao
That's powerful.
Rina
You could also say he's a lowlife and a pervert ^^
Yao
It seems that we all liked how he was a Hidden Perv.
Rina
"Hidden Perv"... I see.
Yoshino
Why're you writing that down!?
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Rina kept taking notes of V.I.V. (Very Important Vocabulary) such as "Hidden Perv", "Useless Top" etc.
Yao
Next, let's hear Murata's thoughts.
Murata
One guy is kind of slutty, the other's just a pervert- I thought they'd be downright dodgy, but the truth was, their love was actually way purer than I expected. Haruya's a sex worker but has strong feelings about not leaving hickeys, Hitoe can't be honest with his feelings so he pours everything into art... It's cute how they're simply in love, with all the struggles involved.
Yao
Haruya models for Hitoe's paintings, so hickeys would sell him out.
Murata
Little things like that. They might seem like clichés at the beginning but the feelings are there.
Yao
The "pure-hearted" in the title suddenly makes sense now.
Yoshino
That's actually... deep.
Yao
At a glance it seems like a title that'd bring your IQ down.
Murata
It is quite a silly title... (*that's praise!)
Bexy
I hope we managed to get that across in the English adaptation.
Yao
All said and done, we got to the bottom of what the title really meant!
Yao
What did you think, Yoshino?
Yoshino
The story's being told from Haruya's point of view, so at first it's difficult to discern what Hitoe's really thinking but on the other hand we get to see why Haruya fell in love with him. It tells us that Hitoe's not just about his perverted tendencies... When Haruya was down, he gave him some good advice and supported him, so I really got into their relationship.
Yao
Meaning that a certain special scene wasn't just for the shockers...
Yoshino
He's a Good Perv.
Rina
Good Perv, Hidden Perv.
Murata
True. If he hadn't been given that depth, it'd have been reduced to a gag.
Rina
It's also a little sad... The one thing he didn't want anyone else to know and kept hidden in his heart was suddenly exposed...
Murata
Someone's projecting (lol).
Yao
The overall tone is quite humorous but it's such a good story.
At this point, everyone's IQs dropped down a little, in a good way.
Yao
What do you think about the next story, Bexy?
Bexy
I really loved this one.
Yao
This is Owal's first official work.
Murata
Can't believe that...
Yoshino
The art is gorgeous.
Yao
Okay, let's start with Bexy once more.
Bexy
First of all, I like how the bottom, Yuuki, is the older one but his face is so cute!
Yao
Akane (the top) was convinced he'd rescued a teenager.
Bexy
But he turned out to be older than him!
Yao
And Yuuki got pissed off when he was mistaken for a kid.
Bexy
A tsundere, blowing hot and cold.
Rina
Even when he's shouting that he's 27, all offended, he looks adorable... Pat, pat, what a cutie!
Yao
And when Akane finally gave in. That was hot!
Aww, such a cutie!
Rina
How the bottom's a little mean and the top's a little lame.
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Rina
He's beyond clumsy and he's wringing his hands, unsure how to approach Yuuki, but when the time comes, he seals the deal.
Yao
Seals the deal... (dubious hand gestures)
Rina
The deal...
Bexy
Basically, you mean you like Useless Tops.
Rina
So you call that trope a "Useless Top" (scribbles)
Yao
Everyone should have a look! ( Yaoi Academy )
Rina
Calling him "useless" is so harsh!
Sealing the deal in a classy fashion!
Murata
There's one scene I especially like...
Yoshino
I also loved that part!
Murata
Yuuki's bristled up at everything up until that point, so when he suddenly grabbed Akane by the front of his shirt and unceremoniously started wiping his face, the distance between them shrank in milliseconds. Aren't they getting along almost too well here?
Yao
The way it's drawn is amazing, too. He just paws at him and plants his face in his shirt. Pulling out all stops!
Murata
All the while flaunting his adorable face...
Rina
And that scene where he's singing a lullaby! He's clearly poking and prodding at Akane's defenses, like, "What're you gonna do? Hm?".
Yao
I know what you mean...
Yoshino
I like the last scene the most. They get it on quite quickly and at first it seemed like Yuuki's just putting out without a second thought but everything comes together in the last scene. Akane acknowledges that Yuuki's an adult and he's admirable, and it turns out that Yuuki's wanted him all along and that was why he didn't protest against the sudden advances (or more like, encouraged them).
Yao
He wasn't just going with the flow. I guess it is best if feelings are involved.
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Yao
He wouldn't just let himself get overpowered!
Yoshino
They're both guys, after all.
Yao
Preschool teachers are actually incredible. They have children using their arms as a swing and they run about like that. That really builds muscle! He wouldn't get pushed down, were it not for love.
Yoshino
Yep, yep!
Yao
Akane was the only one left in the dark.
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Yao
Right, the next story... "Secret Oral Lessons". What can I say, it's all there in the title! Despite the dubious setting, the story is really good!
Bexy
That's right!!
Yao
That was quite a shout, so shall we start from you?
Bexy
We're being shown the events from Kenya's (he's the top) point of view, but there's a scene where we catch a glimpse of Meisuke's (Mr. Bottom!) feelings. I loved it!
Yao
Stories told from the top's POV are quite unusual. And in that single scene, Meisuke's thoughts, which were quite a mystery, reach the readers' hearts.
Bexy
That was squee-worthy.
Rina
Misunderstandings are so good.
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Rina
When they miss each other by inches. So close, yet so far! Pining! (squeals incomprehensibly)
Yao
I don't know any fujoshi who dislikes mutual pining. People who love mutual pining, put your hands up!
Everyone
(Everyone's hands fly up)
Bexy put both her hands up in passionate agreement.
Rina
I like the very scene that Bexy was talking about.
Yao
Two votes for that!
Rina
There's a sudden twist. Until that point, I was starting to feel sorry for Kenya. It seemed like Meisuke was the type to bang anybody and I was fully expecting even more angst coming Kenya's way.
Yao
It's so difficult to tell someone you love how you really feel.
Rina
He's on a whole other level though. He doesn't show his feelings but...
Yao
Sure flaunts what he can do with his tongue.
Everyone
(Everyone laughs)
Yao
Although that's yummy too!^^
Yao
I noticed that whenever Murata speaks, I always just say "I know what you mean". Okay, please go ahead.
Murata
I guess it's a scene that left an impression on everyone, but it's when Meisuke's cover is blown and he blushes, all vulnerable. I knew it'd happen at some point, but when it did, it was like... Ahhh...
Yoshino
Ahhh!
Rina
Ahhh!
Everyone
(Everyone claps)
Murata
His face changes completely in that moment. Technically, it's the same person, but the before and after is something to behold! His point of view wasn't explored as deeply, but you can see his thought process and what must have been going through his head, all in one look. The skills!
Yao
I know what you mean! I did predict that a scene like that would come, so the wait and expectations made it even sweeter.
Yoshino
I was sure it'd happen.
Yao
Owal never lets you down! I won't be showing the scene here, so everyone should make sure to read it for themselves!
Rina
Have a look!
Yao
Hah, we finally sneaked some advertising in here! (lol)
After this scene, Meisuke makes an utterly adorable face...
Yao
What do you think, Yoshino?
Yoshino
I like pessimistic bottoms.
Murata
I see...
Yoshino
I like it when they're open and pure-hearted, but it's even better if there's a slight touch of pessimism as well. Whenever he says he can't do it and it's impossible, I'd just go, "It's okay, you've got it!" (in a high-pitched voice). That's one of the reasons why the bonus pages are so good.
Bexy
I like them too!
Yoshino
I wanted to reach out and give him a pat on the back. He was so anxious but everything turned out well!
Rina
It was. So. Cute. (intense expression)
Yoshino
Seems you have a lot of feelings about that.
Yao
There's a lot of what makes Owal's manga so great squeezed into those few pages, but I especially like how they always take the time to draw detailed backgrounds and place various little things and trinkets here and there. There's underwear and photos scattered about. The only time I find boxers this cute is in Owal's manga!
Just look at this... We've hidden most of the picture but the cuteness is spilling everywhere!!
Yao
Let's proceed to the last story!
Murata
This is quite a problematic one.
Yao
It's actually also available separately on Renta!, since it's an earlier work. Okay, that was our second time sneaking in product placement! Let's start with Bexy, our resident Snow White-lover!
Bexy
I especially like Happy the dwarf. (with emphasis)
Yao
They have names!? Is he the one with the hair clip!?
Bexy
It's in the bonus pages.
Yao
Huh!? Those were not in the earlier version of this story that's available separately on Renta!
Rina
Yup, yup!
Yao
The afterword is interesting, too! You get to see the author's depiction of their Enthusiastic Bowing. (flipping through the pages) There's loads of goodies!
Rina
Bonus pages~ Extra pages~ (advertisement)
Yao
And Bexy votes for Happy...
Bexy
Yeah. He's cute and I adore him!
Yao
This work is quite short and packed with characters but each one of them has distinctive expressions and personalities.
Bexy
Isn't Happy cute? He so is.
Yoshino
He's a cutie.
Yao
His adorably perverted remarks.
Bexy
True.
Yao
"We'd prefer it if you'd service our d*cks."
Bexy
The other dwarf behind him is all embarrassed, but if you look closely, he's hiding his face and dropping his pants!
Rina
He can't decide!
On the left we have Happy, a dwarf with the dark heart of a middle-aged man.
Yao
The one that looks like a teacher seems downright mortified.
Rina
It's all quite shocking. When Snow White opens his eyes to find the dwarfs doing stuff to him, I was a bit confused... Is this how the story goes? Huh?
Yao
Well, the dwarfs have adorable faces but they're kind of a different magical species, so they're not actually children.
Bexy
That's right! ^^
Yao
They're all middle-aged men inside.
Rina
Through and through ^^
Yao
Some of them are middle-aged men with a shred of conscience left in them, and the others are shameless. I think we're all forgetting something important here- Snow White was actually a girl in the original story... Here, he looks very natural in the getup though.
Rina
Well, you never know. It could have been a boy!
Murata
Indeed. (deadpan)
Yao
Can I tell you which scene I personally like?
Rina
Go ahead!
Yao
When Snow White's panties are blown away in the wind and the prince is right there to catch them, his eyes shining and his face all handsome and princely. He flashes a perfect smile as he asks "Are these your panties?"- that's when I knew he was a pervert! He would be one in any story.
Murata
Any at all.
Yao
He's pulling and tugging at the panties with a glint in his eyes. He's freaky! I really love this about Owal's manga. Thank you for your attention!
Rina
I also really liked that. A glass slipper for Cinderella and panties for Snow White...
Yao
Wasn't it an apple? (serious)
Rina
Might have been... (actually considering it)
Yao
Ah! Wait, isn't that pattern on the panties... apples!?
Murata
The level of detail!!
Rina
So sneaky!!
Yao
How about you, Murata?
Murata
I really like Snow White's looks and the outfit.
Yoshino
That's what I thought!
Murata
It's so good, and he's not actually cross-dressing- those aren't girl's clothes.
Rina
Ah...
Murata
He's a boy but he's showing some skin and it's so adorable.
Yao
His belly button's the best.
Murata
Yep, it's totally showing!
Yao
I know what you mean. He's wearing a ribbon but you can tell that it's a boy.
Murata
The ribbon's cute and I like how the outfit's not too frilly. But to be honest, I can't really remember what went down with the prince...
Yoshino
The dwarfs' impact was too great.
Rina
(lmao)
Yao
It's because the prince's so out of it and he's a bit clumsy... he's a truly unadorned pervert. But I clearly remember the moments when he got turned down and was sulking and when he was apologizing...
Rina
An unadorned pervert...
Yao
Though the actual ending points more to a harem-like situation, rather than Snow White and the Prince becoming an item.
Murata
The dwarfs are all over him.
Yao
They're doing something naughty...
Murata
Is this the shortest story?
Yoshino
It's short but it packs a punch!
Yao
The plot moves at breakneck speed but somehow you just find yourself accepting all the twists and turns.
Murata
It's tempestuous! Whooo!
Rina
Dwarfs. Panties. Sex. (lol)
Yao
Those are important keywords. The power of perviness brings me back to life!!
A clumsy prince who doesn't leave much of an impression...
Yao
Which part did you like, Yoshino?
Yoshino
The outfit's undoubtedly very pretty... and I think that Owal takes great pride in depicting beautiful butts. When Snow White's hanging out the laundry, when he's running... his butt is a work of art at all times!
Murata
There's something to it... They're special.
Yao
Panties also feature regularly...
Yoshino
The shape is so pretty...
Murata
Does Owal have a thing for butts!?
Yao
Please answer us, Master!!
Bexy
I bet it's a thing. (100% convinced)
Rina
Butts are important.
Yao
Time's up for today! This concludes the first edition of our Fujoshi Fangirl Party!
By that point, everyone bid their sanity goodbye.