Hey everyone, I’m Ayxan Solongo aka Arden Skye aka TimeFliesAway, a shapeshifter traveling through the multiverse.
In this story, I first followed Kouta to his working shift at the library. A normal day like no other in the small town. But then a man with a suit walks in, sticking out and turning everyone’s gaze at him. Rather uncomfortable to be watched, he picks a book in silence, goes to the receptionist to check out, and since Kouta is sitting there, the two begin a conversation. Although work-related, Kouta got interested in him and from then on always looks forward to meeting him at the library.
When it was said that Yabumi is “an old man”, I expected him to be around 50, not 34. They only have an 11 years difference, too.
Not that important anyways, but I kinda hoped to see a gay older (40+) man, as those are rare in BLs (especially as a main character).
Still, I was quite surprised. I went in with the expectation of yet another countryside BL, perhaps similar to “Umibe no Étranger (Seaside stranger)”, where it’s basically just porn without or with minimal plot.
Yes, it does play in a countryside and it is BL, however, it has actual consent. And romance. It doesn’t start with sex between them, they also take a while until they kiss. Going on dates first, getting to know one another and communicating. Communicating that they’re both gay (yes, they actually said “gay” and “homosexual”, not just “swing that way” and “into men”), for example. Albeit closeted from the rest of the world.
The sex scene too wasn’t the typical penetration type; more like mutual masturbation and fingering. Haven’t seen that before in a BL! At least not as their first time. And there was consent throughout the whole time!!
It had funny bits, too.
And I could relate to Yabumi having no driver’s license cause of living in a big city! X’D
Reminded me a lot more of GL romances, which is a good thing. I’d love to see more of that slow-pace, consensual and dating-first romance in BLs!
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
| Art | 1-5 | 4.5 |
| Pacing | 1-5 | 4 |
| Characters | 1-5 | 4 |
| Writing Style | 1-5 | 4 |
| Originality | 1-5 | 4 |
Finale Grade
B
Thank you to Kodansha for sending me a digital invitation. The story was released as a manga, first in 2022 (フリップ・フリップ・スローリー) and the English translation (Flip Flip Slowly) on 16th December 2025 in this universe. Written and illustrated by Mame Ohtako. It’s a one-shot and completed.
I find the Manga cover a little misleading, though. They totally look like gangsters, sort of, there; perhaps also the reason why I expected what I expected. Yet they’re neither gangsters nor any of that personality type; actually sweet guys and rather introverted, too. Although driving is part of the plot and they spend quite some time in the car, I feel like them in the library or so would’ve been a better location/background for the cover.
Left 24th January 2026
~A. S.
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Written By: Arden Skye aka Ayxan Solongo aka TimeFliesAway
Favorite game/film/book: doesn’t have one, cause there are too many good ones!
About: A child of Mother Nature, traveling through the multiverse. Likes to explore the stories of unique individuals – most often referred to as “weird” in a lot of worlds.
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