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美しいこと #2
美人 下
想知道在意松岡的那份感情究竟是友情還是愛情，
寬末頻繁地和松岡見面。
跟個性開朗的松岡在一起固然舒服自在，
但寬末卻又卑屈地覺得，像松岡這樣人緣好又能幹的人，為甚麼會喜歡上自己…。這時，公司開始進行人事大調動…。
墜入情網的兩人酸楚的愛情故事。
寬末頻繁地和松岡見面。
跟個性開朗的松岡在一起固然舒服自在，
但寬末卻又卑屈地覺得，像松岡這樣人緣好又能幹的人，為甚麼會喜歡上自己…。這時，公司開始進行人事大調動…。
墜入情網的兩人酸楚的愛情故事。
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First published January 29, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 9, 2015
To be honest, while this was good, I didn't like it that much...or rather, towards the end I didn't really want the two of them to be together. I'm not sure I can explain it that well, but while I liked the setting and the characters in the beginning, towards the end that kind of... passed. There wasn't a proper pay-off in the end... I remember I felt similar with Castle Mango and About Love. It's not that this was badly written, but there was something missing in the end. It wasn't unrealistic, but... not much fun to read? Especially Hirosue's endless back and forth, and the more unlikeable he became the less I understood Matsuoka.
Still, three stars feels not enough, so I'll stick with four stars for now, especially because the first volume was so strong. I have three more books by her here so I'm curious whether reading them will be similar... but for now I'll try something different. I'm in the mood for something less serious now.
Still, three stars feels not enough, so I'll stick with four stars for now, especially because the first volume was so strong. I have three more books by her here so I'm curious whether reading them will be similar... but for now I'll try something different. I'm in the mood for something less serious now.
August 26, 2018
This hurts much more than the first one, I feel? Where the first novel was told in Matsuoka's point of view, this one is from Hirosue's, and while Konohara themself admit they had a hard time writing him (the things this man says and does sometimes! So many unintentionally cruel things because he doesn't know any better or doesn't notice how Matsuoka is feeling), I feel like they did a stellar job in exploring his character: his insecurities and his confusion about his feelings.
After Hirosue admits that he can't stop thinking of Matsuoka, they enter an 'it's complicated' relationship where they meet up once in a while, Matsuoka being obviously more happy about seeing Hirosue, and Hirosue finding comfort in Matsuoka's company. Sometimes.
When Hirosue gets laid off his job, and Matsuoka's quest to forget about his broken heart by working his ass off begins to bear fruit with a promotion, Hirosue finds himself at a very low point in his life: he's obviously not skilled enough, he's old and slow, and a guy 5 years his junior has been made a section chief. He takes it out on Matsuoka and hates himself because he knows it's not Matsuoka's fault at all.
Finding himself with no other options, Hirosue goes back to his hometown, but not after admitting to Matsuoka that he's been leading him on: Hirosue couldn't love him romantically and just wants to be friends. Matsuoka refuses, since he'll have to 'congratulate Hirosue on his wedding'. He promises never to contact Hirosue again.
Months and months pass with Hirosue in the countryside and he starts getting things into better perspective. Also he misses Matsuoka. What could this mean??
Where Matsuoka experienced 0 gay panic, Hirosue experiences it all for him. It wasn't so much panic, though, as a 'he's a man, I can't feel attraction for him at all' to 'I want to see him' to 'I think I love him actually but do I find him sexually attractive??'
Only one way to find out, my dude.
Very refreshing to read a BL story with older characters--actually scratch that, there's a whole lot more range in BL stories than GL ones (pls to write more stories that aren't about schoolgirls), but eh, it's really refreshing to read light novels with adult concerns okay. I'm glad they're happy and that scene in the train station had me cackling so many times.
Matsuoka: What do I do now? I don't have a ticket.
Hirosue:
Matsuoka: Also my shoe. :(
Hirosue: Were you wearing both your shoes?
Matsuoka: Of course I was wearing both my shoes are you a fool??
Hirosue: I love you.
Matsuoka: I need to process this. Why did you only tell me at the last minute???
*train passes by*
Matsuoka: Oh no my last bullet train!
I love these silly boys. What a Mess. Thanks so much, Konohara, for making me laugh and cry.
After Hirosue admits that he can't stop thinking of Matsuoka, they enter an 'it's complicated' relationship where they meet up once in a while, Matsuoka being obviously more happy about seeing Hirosue, and Hirosue finding comfort in Matsuoka's company. Sometimes.
When Hirosue gets laid off his job, and Matsuoka's quest to forget about his broken heart by working his ass off begins to bear fruit with a promotion, Hirosue finds himself at a very low point in his life: he's obviously not skilled enough, he's old and slow, and a guy 5 years his junior has been made a section chief. He takes it out on Matsuoka and hates himself because he knows it's not Matsuoka's fault at all.
Finding himself with no other options, Hirosue goes back to his hometown, but not after admitting to Matsuoka that he's been leading him on: Hirosue couldn't love him romantically and just wants to be friends. Matsuoka refuses, since he'll have to 'congratulate Hirosue on his wedding'. He promises never to contact Hirosue again.
Months and months pass with Hirosue in the countryside and he starts getting things into better perspective. Also he misses Matsuoka. What could this mean??
Where Matsuoka experienced 0 gay panic, Hirosue experiences it all for him. It wasn't so much panic, though, as a 'he's a man, I can't feel attraction for him at all' to 'I want to see him' to 'I think I love him actually but do I find him sexually attractive??'
Only one way to find out, my dude.
Very refreshing to read a BL story with older characters--actually scratch that, there's a whole lot more range in BL stories than GL ones (pls to write more stories that aren't about schoolgirls), but eh, it's really refreshing to read light novels with adult concerns okay. I'm glad they're happy and that scene in the train station had me cackling so many times.
Matsuoka: What do I do now? I don't have a ticket.
Hirosue:
Matsuoka: Also my shoe. :(
Hirosue: Were you wearing both your shoes?
Matsuoka: Of course I was wearing both my shoes are you a fool??
Hirosue: I love you.
Matsuoka: I need to process this. Why did you only tell me at the last minute???
*train passes by*
Matsuoka: Oh no my last bullet train!
I love these silly boys. What a Mess. Thanks so much, Konohara, for making me laugh and cry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2022
Book 2 is from Hirosue's perspective, and I have to say, if you didn't like Hirosue before, you'll definitely hate him even more in here🥲 The first chapter or so honestly broke my heart when Hirosue pushed Matsuoka away when he kissed him, because it just solidified how difficult of a ride the rest of this was going to be. Anyway, personally, even though Hirosue's actions were very selfish and aggravating, I couldn't hate him. Well, I kinda did but at the same time I didn't lol. It felt like Matsuoka and Hirosue took turns in each book to hurt the other, but I still think Hirosue was worse when it comes to leading him on. Hirosue realised quite quickly that what he wanted from Matsuoka was more friendly than sexually, which was understandable, but he knew Matsuoka didn't feel that way and basically wanted to just wait for Matsuoka accept this more than friends but less than lovers relationship just so he can keep their friendship, and it really annoyed me. Like, I can understand really wanting a good friend that you can be yourself with etc, but he's the one who chose to try out this relationship, so he's the one who needs to clearly tell Matsuoka how he feels and what he's thinking, but he never does. He always relies on Matsuoka to say things, to decide things and never thinks about Matsuoka's feelings, or he does, but he always prioritises his feelings and protecting himself. He's a pretty selfish lover, and we know that, and I really wanted Matsuoka to ditch his ass, but obviously that didn't happen until everything broke down.
The breakdown of their relationship alongside Hirosue getting fired was honestly sad to read. Even though Hirosue was really too cruel towards Matsuoka for just leaving him like that, I couldn't completely fault for him it because I could relate to how draining it felt to be jobless, feel inferior, and then have someone "pity" you. I still do blame Hirosue though, because Matsuoka just wanted the best for Hirosue and didn't deserve any of the pain he was forced to receive as a friend and potential partner. Anyway, I found Hirosue's turnaround to "liking" Matsuoka rather selfish and random, but I think I can see how it clicked to him after being separated for so long and coming to terms with Matsuoka not being the woman he wanted but the person he wanted beside him. I think he just needed time by himself to process everything and understand that what was stopping him wasn't that there was no sexual attraction at all, but that he couldn't conceive the idea of being sexually attracted to a man because Hirosue's always been a rather rigid guy when it comes to rules and everything, so I think the idea wasn't he couldn't be sexually attracted to another man, instead it felt like he just found it difficult to accept the idea that being "different from the usual" was okay and kept finding excuses to keep Matsuoka beside him but also keep to his ingrained ideas of what love was and should be like.
Anyway, the internal struggles of Hirosue was frustrating to read, and at a certain point, I honestly thought he should just leave Matsuoka alone, but when he went back to attend his ex's wedding, and then ended up making Matsuoka catch the train with him because he didn't want to leave Matsuoka, I found it incredibly selfish but also endearing. I guess my emotions were similar to Matsuoka's, because I hated him for hurting Matsuoka so much, but when he commented about how Matsuoka got forced on to the train with Hirosue and ended up losing one of his shoes as if it was like how they first met, it made me so happy but sad. It made me think about how and why Matsuoka has always been so persistent in his love for Hirosue, how during a time of fear, Hirosue was the only one who reached out to him and continued to reach out to him as they spent time together, and it made me realise that yeah, there's probably a lot of guys who are better than Hirosue but the one who reached out and helped Matsuoka when he needed it most was Hirosue. Maybe he could find someone else, but what he wants is Hirosue and his heart knows that. So yeah, it was frustrating and scary for Matsuoka, but I was glad for him.
I was also glad that Hirosue started trying his best to treat Matsuoka right and much better than how he used to, and I guess I'm glad that he's showing Matsuoka how much he wants him now. However, I kinda wish it could have ended on more positive note? Like, it was great that they finally got together, but you can tell that Matsuoka was still very insecure in this relationship by how he is constantly tiptoeing around Hirosue, trying to not do things he doesn't like, always trying to not upset him and always being afraid that Hirosue will say this isn't working and dump him again. I know it's something that will take time, especially since Matsuoka will need to build his trust in Hirosue's love for him considering all the disappointment from the past, but I kinda wish they acknowledged his insecurity more and had Hirosue try his best to reassure him more? Oh well, I guess they at least seem to be heading in a better direction now and it's a "happy ending" even though I do think it feels inconclusive. Otherwise, it was a frustrating but enjoyable read.
The breakdown of their relationship alongside Hirosue getting fired was honestly sad to read. Even though Hirosue was really too cruel towards Matsuoka for just leaving him like that, I couldn't completely fault for him it because I could relate to how draining it felt to be jobless, feel inferior, and then have someone "pity" you. I still do blame Hirosue though, because Matsuoka just wanted the best for Hirosue and didn't deserve any of the pain he was forced to receive as a friend and potential partner. Anyway, I found Hirosue's turnaround to "liking" Matsuoka rather selfish and random, but I think I can see how it clicked to him after being separated for so long and coming to terms with Matsuoka not being the woman he wanted but the person he wanted beside him. I think he just needed time by himself to process everything and understand that what was stopping him wasn't that there was no sexual attraction at all, but that he couldn't conceive the idea of being sexually attracted to a man because Hirosue's always been a rather rigid guy when it comes to rules and everything, so I think the idea wasn't he couldn't be sexually attracted to another man, instead it felt like he just found it difficult to accept the idea that being "different from the usual" was okay and kept finding excuses to keep Matsuoka beside him but also keep to his ingrained ideas of what love was and should be like.
Anyway, the internal struggles of Hirosue was frustrating to read, and at a certain point, I honestly thought he should just leave Matsuoka alone, but when he went back to attend his ex's wedding, and then ended up making Matsuoka catch the train with him because he didn't want to leave Matsuoka, I found it incredibly selfish but also endearing. I guess my emotions were similar to Matsuoka's, because I hated him for hurting Matsuoka so much, but when he commented about how Matsuoka got forced on to the train with Hirosue and ended up losing one of his shoes as if it was like how they first met, it made me so happy but sad. It made me think about how and why Matsuoka has always been so persistent in his love for Hirosue, how during a time of fear, Hirosue was the only one who reached out to him and continued to reach out to him as they spent time together, and it made me realise that yeah, there's probably a lot of guys who are better than Hirosue but the one who reached out and helped Matsuoka when he needed it most was Hirosue. Maybe he could find someone else, but what he wants is Hirosue and his heart knows that. So yeah, it was frustrating and scary for Matsuoka, but I was glad for him.
I was also glad that Hirosue started trying his best to treat Matsuoka right and much better than how he used to, and I guess I'm glad that he's showing Matsuoka how much he wants him now. However, I kinda wish it could have ended on more positive note? Like, it was great that they finally got together, but you can tell that Matsuoka was still very insecure in this relationship by how he is constantly tiptoeing around Hirosue, trying to not do things he doesn't like, always trying to not upset him and always being afraid that Hirosue will say this isn't working and dump him again. I know it's something that will take time, especially since Matsuoka will need to build his trust in Hirosue's love for him considering all the disappointment from the past, but I kinda wish they acknowledged his insecurity more and had Hirosue try his best to reassure him more? Oh well, I guess they at least seem to be heading in a better direction now and it's a "happy ending" even though I do think it feels inconclusive. Otherwise, it was a frustrating but enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
This novel was something...
Hirosue is a very disturbed man and I find him absolutely repulsive to the point he is kind of pitiable, his character is like drinking water after eating a sweet,juciy apple,disappointing and horrible.
Matsuoka is a character that I can only compare to drinking Fanta that is mixed with milk, at first you think its disgusting but when you actually try it it's good. I say this because a lot of people dislike how he "deceived" Hirosue but when you really think about it further Matsuoka had his own reasons for not telling Hirosue sooner.
The rape scene was sickening they later talk about it and Matsuoka says it's fine because they both consented but it was obviously rape, Matsuoka said no several times and was left bleeding and aching, the description was graphic...
Hirosue deserves every bad thing that happened to him.
Hirosue is a very disturbed man and I find him absolutely repulsive to the point he is kind of pitiable, his character is like drinking water after eating a sweet,juciy apple,disappointing and horrible.
Matsuoka is a character that I can only compare to drinking Fanta that is mixed with milk, at first you think its disgusting but when you actually try it it's good. I say this because a lot of people dislike how he "deceived" Hirosue but when you really think about it further Matsuoka had his own reasons for not telling Hirosue sooner.
The rape scene was sickening they later talk about it and Matsuoka says it's fine because they both consented but it was obviously rape, Matsuoka said no several times and was left bleeding and aching, the description was graphic...
Hirosue deserves every bad thing that happened to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2025
Konohara Narise luôn là tác giả mình yêu thích nhất của novel BL Nhật. Mỹ Nhân không phải truyện mình thích nhất nhưng bộ này đọc xong có cảm giác nhẹ nhàng dễ chịu nên mình vẫn thích nó. Sách có in kèm minh hoạ của Hidka Shoko rất đẹp.
Mình thấy có rất nhiều người ghét nhân vật Hirosue. Một trong những điều mình thích ở các sáng tác của Konohara-senếni là nhân vật của sensei đều rất "người", họ có điểm tốt lẫn điểm xấu. Đôi khi cái xấu còn lấn át cái tốt nhưng điều đó không ngăn được tình cảm xuất hiện trong con người họ. Dù đôi khi nó còn méo mó dị dạng (đã thích sensei mà chuyện tình suôn sẻ quá thấy hông quen, bộ này đã là một trong những bộ nhẹ nhàng của sensei rồi 🥹)
Với mình nhân vật Hirosue vẫn có điểm tốt, điểm xấu không đủ để mình ghét anh ta. Matsuoka được khen người tốt nhưng anh vẫn có những vấn đề của riêng anh.
Mình thích tập 2 này hơn tập 1 một chút.
Mình thấy có rất nhiều người ghét nhân vật Hirosue. Một trong những điều mình thích ở các sáng tác của Konohara-senếni là nhân vật của sensei đều rất "người", họ có điểm tốt lẫn điểm xấu. Đôi khi cái xấu còn lấn át cái tốt nhưng điều đó không ngăn được tình cảm xuất hiện trong con người họ. Dù đôi khi nó còn méo mó dị dạng (đã thích sensei mà chuyện tình suôn sẻ quá thấy hông quen, bộ này đã là một trong những bộ nhẹ nhàng của sensei rồi 🥹)
Với mình nhân vật Hirosue vẫn có điểm tốt, điểm xấu không đủ để mình ghét anh ta. Matsuoka được khen người tốt nhưng anh vẫn có những vấn đề của riêng anh.
Mình thích tập 2 này hơn tập 1 một chút.
January 3, 2021
Rate 3 sao vì ghét Hirosue!
Anh đau khổ thì to tát còn Matsuoka đau khổ thì không sao?
Dù sang tập 2 đã đổi góc nhìn thế nhưng vẫn không thể thông cảm được cho Hirosue, thấy anh tệ ơi là tệ.
Truyện Konohara Narise luôn đặt trong bối cảnh hiện thực, còn nhân vật thì si tình đến bướng bỉnh. Ôi nhắc đến lại nhớ Kitagawa~~ Mình thích cuốn Trong Ngục - Ngoài Lao hơnnnnn
Anh đau khổ thì to tát còn Matsuoka đau khổ thì không sao?
Dù sang tập 2 đã đổi góc nhìn thế nhưng vẫn không thể thông cảm được cho Hirosue, thấy anh tệ ơi là tệ.
Truyện Konohara Narise luôn đặt trong bối cảnh hiện thực, còn nhân vật thì si tình đến bướng bỉnh. Ôi nhắc đến lại nhớ Kitagawa~~ Mình thích cuốn Trong Ngục - Ngoài Lao hơnnnnn
May 31, 2022
Phần này kể dưới góc nhìn của Hirosue, cũng có thể hiểu rõ hơn những suy nghĩ và cảm xúc của anh ta. Tuy nhiên anh này quá hèn, mất quá nhiều thời gian để xác nhận tình cảm, đọc hơi mệt.
August 27, 2017
Đọc tới gần cuối tự nhiên lại nghĩ tới Kitagawa :(
May 18, 2021
Một pha đổi trắng thay đen chóng vánh ở những phút cuối cùng đã giúp itoshii koto thoát khỏi định mệnh 2 sao mà tui đã ấn định trong cả quá trình dõi theo POV của Hirosue - một thằng cha đáng chán dễ sợ, không yêu thương nổi =.=
November 20, 2016
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