At 25:00 in Akasaka 5

At 25:00 in Akasaka 5 by Hiroko Natsuno

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Shirasaki faces a difficult director as he stars in a new TV drama while Hayama is overseas in the U.K. to film a movie. What no one aside from 3 people seem to realize is, he's filming the novel penned by his father that tells the story of his own life. With 8 hour time zone difference and filming taking up most of their daytime, it's difficult for the boys to find time to connect, but they do their best. While Hayama doesn't seem to think he's learned whatever his father thought he might, it's clear the experience is still good for him, even as he's eager to return home to Shirasaki. Shirasaki is learning and growing as well, as he has to figure out how to be the main lead and help the cast navigate a difficult arrangement with their director. Despite everyone's concerns on the two of them working together, it seems Shirasaki may have the best idea and approach to working with this director, even if the rest of the cast doesn't seem to understand or agree.

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At 25:00 in Akasaka 4

At 25:00 in Akasaka 4 by Hiroko Natsuno

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This volume seems to be more of a set up than a significant job like the other volumes so far. Shirasaki and Hayama return to their hometown for a wedding and Shirasaki's birthday. As a result, we see more about their school days and their families. Hayama even unexpectedly gets to meet Shirasaki's family during the trip, though it seems Shirasaki's siblings are a bit starstruck. Hayama's family, on the other hand, seems to be struggling, especially his mother. We finally learn more about his father as well, who seems to not really be in the picture given his employment and residence overseas. For all of the indications of estrangement, their phone conversation at the end seems rather straightforward and even somewhat expected. Despite Shirasaki's encouragement and support, it will be interesting to see how the next volume goes if it follows this job offer with Hayama going overseas for an extended period of time and how the boys will handle that with their relationship.

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At 25:00 in Akasaka 3

At 25:00 in Akasaka 3 by Hiroko Natsuno

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Shirasaki and Hayama are still together, and Shirasaki has even found an apartment in the same building and on the same level as Hayama so it's even easier for him to sneak over to his boyfriend's apartment despite their new fame. While we don't see Hayama's work specifically other than a script he seems to be studying, it is implied that his work is going well, why Shirasaki feels like he's failing and may lose all of his current jobs (not helped when one of them actually does cancel). Instead of looking for help though, he turns inward and seems to punish himself, and his boyfriend by extension since he tends to use avoidance tactics when he goes quiet. While their old classmate toys with Shirasaki at the same time as texting Hayama to pick up his "lost child," he seems to play a bit of devils advocate. As sweet as these boys can be when things are good, they really need to work on communication when there are questions or they need help - stop running away!

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At 25:00 in Akasaka 2

At 25:00 in Akasaka 2 by Hiroko Natsuno

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Shirasaki and Hayama are still going strong in their relationship while working separate jobs until they learn their drama did so well they are now cast to reprise their star roles in a new movie, bringing in an additional new actor, Yamase, to turn the drama into a love triangle.... both on and off the screen. It's amusing that while Hayama seems to be struggling with jealousy the most and was definitely the most experienced emotionally before he managed to catch Shirasaki, it seems it's Shirasaki who is the most adept at reading the room with their new costar. Yamase seems to be fairly sure he knows what's going on, but it's always played off as fantastic acting, rehearsing, or something else, playing on his uncertainties while still keeping him in his place - which is not between Shirasaki and Hayama.

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At 25:00 in Akasaka 1

At 25:00 in Akasaka 1 by Hiroko Natsuno

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Admittedly, I picked up this series because I recognized the author's name and otherwise didn't really know what to expect with this first volume. Yuki Shirasaki has played small roles in his acting career until he finally makes this big break, costaring with the popular model Asami Hayama. What Shirasaki doesn't remember in the beginning is that Hayama was a classmate, and one that he made a lasting impression on at that. During filming, the two of them play lovers, both on and off the stage (though no one else knows about the off-the-stage relationship). The two actually work very well together, which is an added bonus given how comfortably they fit together when they're off the clock. It's a small wonder then why Shirasaki starts questioning his own feelings and resigns himself to feeling heartbroken when the filming ends. Fortunately, Hayama isn't on that same wavelength and doesn't seem to have any concerns going after him. It will be interesting to see where this duo goes as it appears this series does have a few installments at least rather than just a one-off.

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