I Hear the Sunspot 7: Four Seasons 2

I Hear the Sunspot 7: Four Seasons 2 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Taichi is learning first hand just what jealousy feels like while working to support Kohei and be sure they have time together. He still has a tendency to lead with his fists, though surprisingly that isn't the trait most likely to get him in trouble given Sendo's actions. Hopefully Ryu's warning won't come too late, though it's still surprising Kohei doesn't seem to have any idea Sendo is the same person from Ryu's gathering that set him off in the first place. While the job hunt continues for Kohei, and this company that his top pick is sending mixed signals as far as what sort working environment it would end up being, a lot of this volume focuses on Taichi's childhood and his relationship with his father. Kohei is making some surprising connections as he watches Taichi in this volume, though it's unlikely to change the way things are no matter how much they may wish they could protect each other from everything.

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I Hear the Sunspot 6: Four Seasons 1

I Hear the Sunspot 6: Four Seasons 1 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The chaos continues as we learn more connections between all the characters. Kohei and Taichi also have probably the strangest DIR (defining the relationship) discussion possible, especially after all of their discussions and declarations up to this point. It seems like more fireworks are primed to fly with the new worker at Sig-n, but it's put on hold in favor of drama with Kohei's ex-girlfriend. While it fortunately seems to be resolved for the best, and both boys are able to ultimately stay true to themselves and their relationships, poor Kohei is going to end up worrying himself to death one of these days. If only Taichi could learn to tame his trigger reactions a little bit at least when it comes to Kohei before he ends up with a permanent concussion.

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I Hear the Sunspot 5: Limit 3

I Hear the Sunspot 5: Limit 3 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Somehow, Kohei still doesn't seem to understand why so many other people like him or how he can react differently when he can't hear what people are saying to him without hurting their feelings (especially the girls who assume he's snubbing them when he genuinely can't hear their confessions, though he doesn't seem to realize that is what has been happening). Neither Kohei or Taichi seem to be coping well with this whole separation idea, leading to yet another incident where one of them nearly gets run over - seriously, need to pay attention to those crosswalks! The trip in this volume is unexpected but also humorous given the ir encounters with Hiro and some similarities to the other characters. Seems like there's a lot of digging into the past and realizing the intentions behind different choices and actions in this volume. Now if they can just remember those things and not spin things out of control again.

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I Hear the Sunspot 4: Limit 2

I Hear the Sunspot 4: Limit 2 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a very frustrating volume in the series. While our main couple both seem to want more time together and to understand the other, they tend to internalize and make assumptions leading to more distance and confusion. Kohei takes the cake on this one with the end of this volume, leaving Taichi in shock before our last flashback that seems to take them back to college together sometime between Kohei's first confession and their joint confessions. We see a lot more of Ryu and Taichi's co-workers as well, who all seem to have their own complex stories. Ryu comes off very abrasive and assertive, but in some ways similar to Taichi in his quick temper. Where Ryu tends to write off anyone not in the deaf community though, Taichi tends to not even notice and roll with it in stride as Kohei as observed. Truly a remarkable and surprising skill. Hopefully the next volume will bring things back together as we leave on a rather sour note in this part of the story.

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I Hear the Sunspot 3: Limit 1

I Hear the Sunspot 3: Limit 1 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Just when the boys seem to be on the same page, of course something else happens. It will be interesting to see if or when they learn that Ryu is related to Taichi's new coworker. In the meantime, they're both basically worrying about the same thing for different reasons. It's also amusing how they can seem so mature and serious one moment, and devolve into the most childish antics in the next. Hopefully they will talk sooner rather than later and find some real time for each other, otherwise this doubt and all of these naysayers will wear away the very happiness they want together.

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I Hear the Sunspot 2: Theory of Happiness

I Hear the Sunspot 2: Theory of Happiness by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Maya is a new addition that puts herself in between Taichi and Kohei, adding more jealousy, resentment, and misunderstandings to the mix. While Kohei seems very certain in his own feelings, he is very unsure when it comes to his interactions with Taichi and trying not to push him away. At the same time, Taichi is trying so hard to improve and do better that he completely misses his own feelings until it's nearly too late. While the confession scene is very touching, it seems like there are more hurdles to overcome still along the way. Between Taichi's temper and Kohei's disability, it's unlikely to ever be a dull moment even when they are doing so much better trying to connect with each other. Hopefully this camping trip won't turn into a total disaster.

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I Hear the Sunspot 1

I Hear the Sunspot 1 by Yuki Fumino

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Kohei has a hearing disability that often leads to him being misunderstood and having difficulty with everyday activities in school that others take for granted. When Taichi just about literally falls out of the sky next to him, he has no idea what to expect, except he finds that oddly Taichi is easier for him to hear. As they grow closer, Kohei's hearing starts to get even worse, leading to awkward encounters, misunderstandings, and perhaps the most unusual confession possible, though no words are spoken even now. They really do balance each other out where Kohei is understandably more withdrawn and cautious, but Taichi tends to get into trouble thanks to his big mouth and fast fists. It's rather sweet the way they get along, though that also makes Kohei's seclusion even ore heartbreaking. Hopefully, we'll see more of these two as the series progresses given it appears to have several phases based on the titles.

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