Just as the title attests, Does the Flower
Blossom, art and story by Shoko Hidaka, provides a slow intense burn—a romance
that takes a considerably long time to hit a climax before it blossoms.
BCB:
Sakurai Kazuaki. At age 38, he's single,
overworked, and starting to feel a bit miserable about his life. One day a
young college guy at a train station bumps into Sakurai and wrecks his
magazine. Fate - or coincidence - has it, Minagawa happens to own the same
magazine at home, and instead of apologizing for the damaged item, he invites
Sakurai to his house and replaces it with his copy. "What an arrogant
young kid he is!" Sakurai dislikes him immediately. Yet, despite feeling
annoyed and frustrated by Minagawa's rude and arrogant behaviour, Sakurai soon
finds himself a frequent visitor of the secluded household...
Sakurai works for an advertising firm and
Minagawa is a college student that kind of runs a boarding house. Sakurai is
mature, self-reliant, easy-going and has a sense of humour, where in contrast Minagawa
is young, immature, introverted and unsure of himself and everyone else around
him. These men couldn’t be more opposite. But as the old adage states:
opposites attract. And after an accidental meeting at a train station, Sakurai
and Minagawa’s lengthy “getting to know one another” courtship begins or more
appropriately “their friendship” starts to take shape; a journey that is rocky
with highs and lows that kept me glued to each page. There is a lot back-story
and a number of secondary characters, one of which, who competes against
Sakurai for Mingawa’s affection, a fellow college student.

However, problematic and distracting as the
dialogue was, I persevered and I’m glad I did. Hana was Saki ka is an endearing
romantic story, the kind that isn’t easily forgotten. Sakurai is patient and
loving and when he and Minagawa finally take their relationship to an
intimate level, he’s gentle and persuasive. And believe me after reading four volumes of just kissing and sweet words, the sex scene elevated my blood pressure. I also liked the fact that the seme is much older.
And the author did a great job with character development, which is something
every story needs. Regardless of the issues in the translation, I will continue
to read this series until it’s finished. Four stars!
Blak Rayne
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