What’s a girl to do when her best friend forever loves cute girls, and she’s just not cute at all? Suffer in silence, mostly, if we learn anything from Sasamekikoto, Volume 1. (ささめきこと) ^_^
Murasame Sumika has a real problem. She’s in love with her BFF, Kazama Ushio. Ushio is always looking for a girlfriend but, unfortunately, she’s fond of the extra-cute girly type…and Sumi’s just not that. Not at all. Good in athletics, a little rough around the edges, Sumi would make the perfect Prince to Ushio’s Princess, but Ushio just can’t see the obvious.
When Sumi and Ushio spy a couple of girls kissing in their classroom, nothing gets any easier. Miyako and Tomoe see Ushio and Sumi “practicing” kissing, while Ushio wears a plastic mask…it’s a long story…and blackmails Sumi into joining their new “Girl Club” for women who love women. Brilliance, except Sumi explains it was all a misunderstanding, and…. But Ushio jumps at the chance to join and Sumi is dragged along, dragging along another member (because remember, you need five people to start a club) who is a cute boy who likes Sumi who dresses like a girl and does modeling work.
It’s all very convoluted, and amusing.
When the Girl Club starts hanging out, Sumi bumps right up against the thing she’d really like to say to Ushio, but somehow, just can’t bring herself to do it. In the end of the volume Sumi’s forced to watch Ushio hit on another girl, again, who isn’t her.
This manga is a comedy and, while it’s basically one or two jokes repeated endlessly, it is pretty amusing. Not “zOMG bwahahahah!” but more like “heheh” amusing. And, even though it *was* only one or two jokes endlessly rehashed, I didn’t hate it by the end, which has to count for something. ^_^
The art reminds me of something else, which I am so far unable to identify – someone help me out here and tell me what it makes me think of?
Cute kisses, haha funnies, and not-fanservice filled high school Yuri drama. Lesbian approved.
Ratings:
Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 7
Service – 3
Overall – 8
Sasamekikoto is *perfect* for Yuri fans who like the “best friend who loves her friend in very loud silence” trope. If you were ever a Tomoyo fan, this is probably the book you’ve been looking for.
This one grew on me, I have to say. Poor Sumi did what most of us lesbians have done at least once in our lives….she was there to pick up the pieces of our best friend crush’s broken heart. That was one of several touching scenes in the volume, aside from the comedy. Vol 2. just came out and I purchased it from Nippon Export. I have to say, I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks, Erica!
I absolutely *adore* this manga so far. The premise, even though it is typical in love with my best friend kinda thing, is refreshing. The reason why is it seems… normal? The situation is unique, I don’t think I remember reading any one shots or manga where the best friend is also a lesbian and doesn’t notice the feelings of their friends.
It doesn’t hurt that Sumika is loveonlegs.
It reminds me of read or die a little, though that may just be sumika’s glasses/hair/bookishness and that weird shoulder overcoat thing their school sometimes makes them wear.
Also, I’ve only been able to read the first chapter, but I can already tell I’m going to love it. I really really do like the Tomoyo-type. I have martyr issues, I think.