EN Title: Love in the Palm of His Hand
JP Title: ใซใกใฌใชใณใฏใฆใฎใฒใใซๆใใใใ(ใซใกๆ)
Romaji: Chameleon wa Tenohira ni Koi wo Suru. (KameKoi)
Author/Artist: Rinteku
Publisher: Square Enix
Publisher Rating: Older Teen
EN Publication Status: Ongoing (3+ volumes)
Setting: Contemporary, university
Love in the Palm of His Hand by Rinteku truly has been one of my favorite BL titles I’ve been reading. Rinteku beautifully conveys the themes of communication and wishing to connect with others with her characters Fujinaga and Keito and their developing relationship.
Story Overview
College student Fujinaga initially meets Keito, who had fallen asleep on him, on the train. Not realizing Keito thanked him for waking him up in sign language, he thought Keito was a foreigner. But when they meet again on campus, Fujinaga learns Keito is deaf. Despite knowing no sign language, Fujinaga’s background as an expressive actor–so expressive to the point of getting little jobs–helps him be able to guess what Keito is signing. Fujinaga’s persistence in making sure he understands Keito and his aptitude for sign language earns him admiration from Keito. Meanwhile, Fujinaga makes sure Keito can understand them when they talk, never minding if he has to repeat himself. Keito notes this, having grown up with many hearing people giving up communicating with him when he can’t understand. These two young men who had difficulties connecting with others begin to form a bond that eventually blossoms into love.
Review
Everything about this manga has blown me away. From the characters’ personal and relationship development to the artwork… I really have been loving it all. Rinteku’s ability to convey movement in the artwork is phenomenal. I’ve found myself really rooting for Fujinaga and Keito, both as individuals and a couple! I’m especially invested in seeing Fujinaga develop more as an actor. Keito has also begun to move toward some goals in vol 3, which just released in Japan last month. I’m definitely excited to continue following along with the series!
Love in the Palm of His Hand is currently serializing in English digitally on Square Enix’s manga reading application Manga UP!, with volume 1 releasing on May 20. As of today, the serialization on Manga UP! has just started releasing chapters from volume 3.
Closing out this post with illustrations Rinteku drew to celebrate the release of volume 3 and volume 2 getting third place in the 2025 BL Awards Emotional Category! (I’ll definitely write up about the BL Awards and Chill Chill in general in the future.)
Stacks of BL 