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君のことが好きで言えない [Kimi no Koto ga Suki de Ienai] #2
My Secret Affection Vol. 2
MORE THAN FRIENDS
In a world where homosexual relationships are the norm, Kazusa’s feelings for her childhood best friend Ayumu, a boy, only continue to grow in secret. Her senpai Shiina has figured out not only how she feels, but what she is…and he might know other heterosexuals as well! Maybe Kazusa isn’t as alone as she thinks. But the real question is, how does Ayumu feel? Don’t miss the heartfelt conclusion to one of the most talked-about shojo series!
The final volume!
In a world where homosexual relationships are the norm, Kazusa’s feelings for her childhood best friend Ayumu, a boy, only continue to grow in secret. Her senpai Shiina has figured out not only how she feels, but what she is…and he might know other heterosexuals as well! Maybe Kazusa isn’t as alone as she thinks. But the real question is, how does Ayumu feel? Don’t miss the heartfelt conclusion to one of the most talked-about shojo series!
The final volume!
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 17, 2023
It was cute, but the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying, like they sped through a lot of character development to get to the end. Not bad, but a little lackluster.
August 1, 2023
Kazusa continues to grapple with the fact that she’s a heterosexual in a same-sex world. And Ayumu is the one she wants, but he’s not given an indication that he’s part of her minority. Then there’s Shiina, her senpai, who might just have noticed her. Oh, it’s gonna get messy.
This is a shaggy old mess of a story that I wouldn’t call endearing, per se, but gets a lot done over the course of its scant two volumes. And it didn’t hurt that the art and writing really had me in Kazusa’s corner for this whole journey.
I mean, Kazusa knows Ayumu better than anybody in the world, but if he’s gay like everybody else, well, what are her options? Live without her true love? Fake it with her very willing ex-girlfriend? I mean, the premise is silly, but it’s mined for good effect. And maybe Ayumu has secrets of his own…
Heck, they even bother to answer the question of conception, although it’s clearly just a throwaway to shut people like me up and also raises more questions than it answers (like, do babies burst out of the guys like the chestburster from Alien? The alternative sounds even MORE painful…). Nuanced, it is not.
I guess what tips this over for me is the finale, which goes where you suspect, but also firmly does not. I would love to spoil it because it gives more food for thought than many series do with its conclusion, but suffice to say, it chose a real interesting definition of what love is and I kind of respect that.
It really turns on some of the notions I had built up - people just didn’t forget about heterosexuality, but it definitely vanished except for a few people, so the minority are judged, as often happens. It’s no better here than the first volume, it’s still super ridiculous, but it is trying to say something.
And they don’t go hard at all on heterophobia, which I’m fine with because it was honestly the easiest play and most obvious route for things to go. I assure you, whatever this story chooses to make of itself, it doesn’t make the obvious choices, even when it looks like it is.
Shiina gets his own arc and his story gives Kazusa a little lesson on not missing your chance. He doesn’t have the space to develop into a full rival, although somebody might see him as one, he’s just latched on to the other person like him. He likes Kazusa, sure, but it doesn’t feel that passionate.
Amusingly, this is one time I would have loved to see more rival action, just because Shiina is coming at Kazusa from a whole different level of being another heterosexual she can relate to, which is a big thing for her given her friend circle.
Like I said, it all comes down to love, which is trite, but there are some interesting ways that love gets interpreted and expressed across all these characters. Kazuya’s ex-girlfriend didn’t get a lot to do, but she cares for Kazuya even now, no matter what. It’s bittersweet in all the right ways.
And Ayumu loves his grandfather dearly, which has sometimes cost him dearly as well. It’s interesting to see how that love has fuelled him through his life and his desire to pay it back, even with what it has cost him at times.
I don’t know how good this story is overall, even if I was very pleased with the ending and thought the bond between Ayumu and Kazusa was really sold well with such limited time to do it in. They were the reason I wanted to keep reading, less so anything else.
What it was, however, was interesting and I will take something that gives me a crunchy nugget of an idea and gets me thinking about what it’s trying to say over something vacuous that’s written expertly, if I’m perfectly honest (although these days I am probably reading both).
3.5 stars - an imperfect look at a strange scenario and the people caught up in it, yet one that definitely made an impression that lingers even after the story concludes. Whatever else I feel, I deeply respect that aspect of it.
This is a shaggy old mess of a story that I wouldn’t call endearing, per se, but gets a lot done over the course of its scant two volumes. And it didn’t hurt that the art and writing really had me in Kazusa’s corner for this whole journey.
I mean, Kazusa knows Ayumu better than anybody in the world, but if he’s gay like everybody else, well, what are her options? Live without her true love? Fake it with her very willing ex-girlfriend? I mean, the premise is silly, but it’s mined for good effect. And maybe Ayumu has secrets of his own…
Heck, they even bother to answer the question of conception, although it’s clearly just a throwaway to shut people like me up and also raises more questions than it answers (like, do babies burst out of the guys like the chestburster from Alien? The alternative sounds even MORE painful…). Nuanced, it is not.
I guess what tips this over for me is the finale, which goes where you suspect, but also firmly does not. I would love to spoil it because it gives more food for thought than many series do with its conclusion, but suffice to say, it chose a real interesting definition of what love is and I kind of respect that.
It really turns on some of the notions I had built up - people just didn’t forget about heterosexuality, but it definitely vanished except for a few people, so the minority are judged, as often happens. It’s no better here than the first volume, it’s still super ridiculous, but it is trying to say something.
And they don’t go hard at all on heterophobia, which I’m fine with because it was honestly the easiest play and most obvious route for things to go. I assure you, whatever this story chooses to make of itself, it doesn’t make the obvious choices, even when it looks like it is.
Shiina gets his own arc and his story gives Kazusa a little lesson on not missing your chance. He doesn’t have the space to develop into a full rival, although somebody might see him as one, he’s just latched on to the other person like him. He likes Kazusa, sure, but it doesn’t feel that passionate.
Amusingly, this is one time I would have loved to see more rival action, just because Shiina is coming at Kazusa from a whole different level of being another heterosexual she can relate to, which is a big thing for her given her friend circle.
Like I said, it all comes down to love, which is trite, but there are some interesting ways that love gets interpreted and expressed across all these characters. Kazuya’s ex-girlfriend didn’t get a lot to do, but she cares for Kazuya even now, no matter what. It’s bittersweet in all the right ways.
And Ayumu loves his grandfather dearly, which has sometimes cost him dearly as well. It’s interesting to see how that love has fuelled him through his life and his desire to pay it back, even with what it has cost him at times.
I don’t know how good this story is overall, even if I was very pleased with the ending and thought the bond between Ayumu and Kazusa was really sold well with such limited time to do it in. They were the reason I wanted to keep reading, less so anything else.
What it was, however, was interesting and I will take something that gives me a crunchy nugget of an idea and gets me thinking about what it’s trying to say over something vacuous that’s written expertly, if I’m perfectly honest (although these days I am probably reading both).
3.5 stars - an imperfect look at a strange scenario and the people caught up in it, yet one that definitely made an impression that lingers even after the story concludes. Whatever else I feel, I deeply respect that aspect of it.
November 18, 2024
This ending was not the most satisfying, felt a bit disjointed and abrupt.
And even tough I know the author had the best intentions the story comes out as a bit bizarre and misses the mark a bit.
And even tough I know the author had the best intentions the story comes out as a bit bizarre and misses the mark a bit.
May 30, 2023
El final me ha resultado decepcionante, pues el universo creado era interesante, pero a la autora más allá del concepto, el resto le ha venido grande. No logra sacar provecho, se estanca y el final se viene apresurado con una explicación un tanto pillada por los pelos.
May 22, 2023
3.5
The ending was a bit lackluster
The ending was a bit lackluster
December 31, 2023
Who else loves when a book goes exactly how u wanted🫶🙋♀️
May 19, 2026
⭐2.5
A pesar de que este manga cuenta con una trama original, ésta no se desarrolla mucho y es bastante simple. Al final se queda en una historia pasable. Además según el paso de los acontecimientos y lo que presenta anteriormente, el final no me tuvo mucho sentido (para mi gusto no está bien explicado). Sinceramente, no lo recomiendo. Es una historia prescindible.
A pesar de que este manga cuenta con una trama original, ésta no se desarrolla mucho y es bastante simple. Al final se queda en una historia pasable. Además según el paso de los acontecimientos y lo que presenta anteriormente, el final no me tuvo mucho sentido (para mi gusto no está bien explicado). Sinceramente, no lo recomiendo. Es una historia prescindible.
October 21, 2023
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The first volume was so promising. And this one wasn't bad!! But the ending just felt so rushed, and I feel like if there'd been one more volume, things could have been wrapped up much more nicely. The art is lovely, though, and I did like the premise of the story a lot.
October 5, 2023
Interesting, but too unbelievable in the fact that I've never seen Japanese be that sexually affectionate ever. Wouldn't have continued if there had been more volumes, but it was a sweet-ish two-volume romance, I guess.
December 10, 2023
Ending is disappointing to say the least. We don’t get to see them kiss or be together really… Concept was interesting but it wasn’t fleshed out enough and it was too short.
July 20, 2023
I finally got my chance to read this series and I am glad that I did.
This was better than I expected. Not perfect, not long enough, but I think it's better than most people are saying. It's short and sweet and tackles some interesting conversations that you can draw parallels to our current society and how they view LGBTQ+ relationships.
You have to allow yourself to step back and see this story from a different angle. If you take it literally, yeah I could see you being offended that the straights are the victims and how they are the ones wrong...I do worry what conservative minds could do with a story like this.
However, I believe the point the creator was trying to make was to show us how ridiculous these ideas of preconceived love are...how it should not matter of your sex or gender when it comes to love. Love who you love. Be yourself.
I like it, I recommend the short series if you are curious.
This was better than I expected. Not perfect, not long enough, but I think it's better than most people are saying. It's short and sweet and tackles some interesting conversations that you can draw parallels to our current society and how they view LGBTQ+ relationships.
You have to allow yourself to step back and see this story from a different angle. If you take it literally, yeah I could see you being offended that the straights are the victims and how they are the ones wrong...I do worry what conservative minds could do with a story like this.
However, I believe the point the creator was trying to make was to show us how ridiculous these ideas of preconceived love are...how it should not matter of your sex or gender when it comes to love. Love who you love. Be yourself.
I like it, I recommend the short series if you are curious.
January 7, 2024
What happens when a Heterosexual (girl) falls for her best friend, who is Asexual (boy), in a world where everyone is Homosexual? You get to the end of the book, and you feel like your time was wasted. Great story, good character development, but the ending was rushed and weak. Even if he wasn't into her, he needed to let her go. She can be with the redhead actor guy instead. I get the point of it, and I like the flip. And it's fine if he doesn't feel the same way about her. As an Ace myself, I get it. But I'm not going to let my friend stay attached to me out of jealousy and selfishness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
Okay the fact that being gay is the norm in this world and being hetero is the odd thing is great. I love that the author took the risk to write something so opposite of what we have learned in the past.
The main characters are coming of age and are learning what it's like to be different from everyone else because they aren't the normal. But we finally get the confession from the main female lead and the lead male gives an answer, not going to spoil his answer though.
The main characters are coming of age and are learning what it's like to be different from everyone else because they aren't the normal. But we finally get the confession from the main female lead and the lead male gives an answer, not going to spoil his answer though.
May 31, 2024
That was cuter than I was expecting, and I’m honestly pretty pleased that the resolution to this was a “he’ll be your aromatic life partner” thing instead of a “and he’s secretly been a heterosexual too this whole time!” thing. You don’t see very much aro rep, especially in romance (for obvious reasons), but I liked him committing to their relationship despite him not having the same sort of feelings she does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2023
Soooo we find out how babies come to be. And let's just say that surrogates should've stayed a thing. LOL.
Confessions are made all around and it was an alright ending. I'm not a fan of the childhood friend love interest trope, but for a two volume series, it's a decent ending.
Confessions are made all around and it was an alright ending. I'm not a fan of the childhood friend love interest trope, but for a two volume series, it's a decent ending.
September 17, 2023
I enjoyed it, and the ending made me happy, but I wish there would have being more time with them and she all three of them interact and fall in love.
All the parts with the late grandfather had me tearing up.
Super quick story as this time the final volume.
All the parts with the late grandfather had me tearing up.
Super quick story as this time the final volume.
November 25, 2023
Simply bizarre. Seems like the mangaka was genuinely going for an LGBT story, per the author's notes at the end... It was not totally doomed from the start, but it certainly didn't work. It just missed the mark in so many ways... First, by focusing on heterophobia and heterosexual content; secondly, by fundamentally missing the mark about LGBT love, that it is meant to be freeing from cis heteronormative ideas and restrictions, including gender roles and sexuality labels; but ultimately, by using the terrible trope of "I'm not gay (straight in this case), I'm just into you specifically." Cherry on top of a cake that was already falling apart.
August 17, 2024
Not very much happens overall... The idea was very interesting, but ultimately, it was just about a shy girl being insecure. Would have loved a deeper exploration of the world and their emotions. The end was very confusing. I also couldn't always tell who was saying what.
May 21, 2026
3.5✨
It was cute and had fun as this was just a 2 volume manga but i do want to know more. This would have been better if it was a 4 or 5 volume series.
Didn't expect that this was omegaverse. I like how Ayumu is not taken as heterosexual here but he just likes Kazusa and that's what matters
It was cute and had fun as this was just a 2 volume manga but i do want to know more. This would have been better if it was a 4 or 5 volume series.
Didn't expect that this was omegaverse. I like how Ayumu is not taken as heterosexual here but he just likes Kazusa and that's what matters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2023
El final me ha decepcionado un poco
December 27, 2023
My review for the whole series can be found at vol 1.
August 19, 2024
I love them. AHHHH
March 9, 2025
Das ende ergibt überhaupt keinen Sinn. 2.45
December 30, 2025
While I enjoyed this story, I am a bit disappointed there weren't a few more volumes because there is definitely more that could've been explored.
April 21, 2023
Pues me ha gustado muchísimo el mensaje que quiere darnos la autora, la verdad. La historia y sus personajes al final son una excusa para decir que no importa a quién ames, que todos tenemos derecho a amar a quien sea sin importar el género ni tampoco escondernos o esconder nuestra sexualidad. Me alegro de haberla leído.
Lee mi reseña completa aquí: https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...
Lee mi reseña completa aquí: https://unabibliotecaentremundos.blog...
January 28, 2026
3.5 I felt really bad for Senpai since he was straight and liked her. But I also feel happy even though ayumu wasn't straight he gave her a chance and wanted her by his side. I like the art and like the relationship between them.
February 16, 2026
I felt really bad for Senpai since he was straight and liked her. But I also feel happy even though ayumu wasn't straight he gave her a chance and wanted her by his side. I like the art and like the relationship between them.
December 27, 2025
Valoración: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5)
La historia sigue teniendo su encanto y mantiene el tono tierno del primer volumen. Sin embargo, el final me dejó con una sensación extraña. Se siente incompleto, precipitado e incluso confuso, lo que hizo que no terminara de convencerme.
Uno de los momentos clave del cierre es la frase “no soy hetero, pero pasemos el resto de nuestra vida juntos”, que me dejó más preguntas que respuestas. ¿Qué significa realmente esto en el contexto de la historia? La resolución de la trama no es clara y deja muchas dudas sobre la evolución de los personajes.
Aunque el libro tiene momentos entrañables, la sensación general es que el final no está bien desarrollado. Hubiera necesitado más profundidad y claridad para cerrar de manera más efectiva la historia.
El segundo volumen mantiene el estilo del primero, pero su desenlace no me terminó de convencer. La historia tiene su encanto, pero la falta de una resolución sólida y el final ambiguo hacen que la experiencia sea algo frustrante.
La historia sigue teniendo su encanto y mantiene el tono tierno del primer volumen. Sin embargo, el final me dejó con una sensación extraña. Se siente incompleto, precipitado e incluso confuso, lo que hizo que no terminara de convencerme.
Uno de los momentos clave del cierre es la frase “no soy hetero, pero pasemos el resto de nuestra vida juntos”, que me dejó más preguntas que respuestas. ¿Qué significa realmente esto en el contexto de la historia? La resolución de la trama no es clara y deja muchas dudas sobre la evolución de los personajes.
Aunque el libro tiene momentos entrañables, la sensación general es que el final no está bien desarrollado. Hubiera necesitado más profundidad y claridad para cerrar de manera más efectiva la historia.
El segundo volumen mantiene el estilo del primero, pero su desenlace no me terminó de convencer. La historia tiene su encanto, pero la falta de una resolución sólida y el final ambiguo hacen que la experiencia sea algo frustrante.
September 8, 2023
3 stars seems so wrong, but like I genuinely enjoyed the experience of reading it because the premise is ridiculously hilarious. Also is the author self aware?? Because they said they researched lgbt issues when writing this so were they just trying to make a comedic swap where the straights experience lgbt problems?? It just seems like a really rocky road to go down, but it doesn't feel like there was any ill-intent. It was just an extremely odd thing to write about. I'm just glad this wasn't stretched out and kept to two volumes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews