BL featuring men in their forties and above (sometimes includes late thirties too haha) is a subset of the BL genre, sometimes called “ojisan BL” (おじさんBL) or “oyaji BL” (やBL), from what I’ve see on ebook sites and social media. Depending on the person, ojisan BL can include a story between an age-gap couple between a younger and older man. For others, they must both be middle-aged or older men. While not as popular in Japan, it’s much loved by English-speaking fans. In English, the equivalent term is “old man yaoi”, which has gone viral online. I am very much a fan of this sub-genre, and I find Old-Fashioned Cupcake to be a great story to introduce it.

Synopsis
At work, many admire the popular and reliable Nozue. Approaching forty, he remains unmarried and lives a simple and routine life and has no plans of changing it. Togawa, his subordinate who is ten years younger, one day convinces him to try something different: to hang out like teenage girls. So the two begin to visit various spots popular with young women. As they become closer and closer, their conversations become more personal. When Nozue learns Togawa likes someone, the atmosphere changes and Nozue becomes aware of his changes. Togawa eventually admits the one he’s in love with is Nozue, who too recognizes and eventually accepts his own feelings. In with Cappuccino, the two have been happily dating for six months. But when Nozue’s friend and coworker recognizes Togawa wearing one of Nozue’s old ties, the Nozue begins to fear for their relationship. He especially worries about what would happen to Togawa if others learned about the two. He puts distance between them, but he learns how his one-sided decisions hurt Togawa. Togawa also wishes to find a solution, and he eventually decides to take a new job in order to grow. The two reconcile their thoughts on a trip, and they move together in the end.

Review
Old-Fashioned Cupcake wonderfully tells the story of a man who slowly learns to embrace new changes in his life. In the beginning, Nozue is resigned to live his routine life, believing himself too old for things like romance. His self-deprecating attitude makes him resist both his growing attraction to Togawa and realization that he himself is Togawa’s crush, seen in his thoughts. But in the panels, Sagan Sagan hints at Nozue’s true feelings through his expressions until Nozue finally admits it to himself. One of my favorite things about comics as a medium is the way artists can stretch or crunch time within a page and give feeling through its visuals. I also love the use of close ups and overall flow of the pages Sagan Sagan creates.

The story itself is also oh so sweet in the way they fall for each other over their dates. They had inspired each other to live and enjoy their lives, leaving deep changes on each other. They’re not drastic in the sense they become completely different people, but enough to find the courage to accept their feelings. Both of Togawa and Nozue’s confessions to each other were a delight, but Nozue’s was especially adorable. Togawa’s response is one of my favorites.

Togawa: I don’t want to be just “a part” of my life. I want you to be all of it.

With Cappuccino is a strong sequel continuing on with their relationship. In a way, it calls back to the end of the first volume, where Togawa hopes they argue and make up more in the future. It may feel like Nozue is regressing in his development as he gets caught up in his thoughts again, but it doesn’t feel like an exact repeat of the first volume. I’m reminded of the scene near the end, on their way to the onsen. Nozue still worries about Togawa changing their jobs. They talk as they walk, until Nozue wants to stop. Togawa once again has a sweet reply. (Thank you Adrienne Beck for the translation of both volumes!)

Nozue: I don’t want to ruin our vacation by fighting.
Togawa: Nozue… What’s wrong with it? Fights are fine. Life isn’t like the movies. Problems don’t end with one solution. You wrestle with them again and again.

Old-Fashioned Cupcake and with Cappuccino, for me, is a love story that isn’t like the movies. It’s not a glamorous romance that sweeps readers off their feet. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore BL like that, but I also love stories grounded in the everyday.

I originally read this story in Japanese and didn’t read it in English until now. Thank you to SuBLime and Edelweiss for the DRC for the first volume! I ended up getting my own copies so now I have both the Japanese tankobon and English translation of the story haha.