Love on the Horizon by Machi Yamashita

Love on the Horizon by Machi Yamashita

EN Title: Love on the Horizon
JP Title: ใ‚ใ—ใŸๆ„›ใ‹ใ‚‚ใ—ใ‚Œใชใ„
Romaji:
Ashita Ai Kamoshirenai
Author/Artist: Machi Yamashita
Publisher: Kodansha
Publisher Rating: 16+
EN Publication Status: Complete (2 Volumes)

Setting: Contemporary, university
Content Notes: Non-explicit sexual content

Kodansha released volume 2 of Love on the Horizon just last week! I was pleasantly surprised to see it included extra stories, including a doujinshi (self-published comic). When I found this out, I went and nabbed a copy from my local comic shop.

Synopsis
Love on the Horizon follows two university students who are both in the same club and neighbors. Because of that, helping his upperclassman Yu get home safely after a party regularly became Nagi’s job. Ever since the first time Nagi helped Yu, who clung to him in his sleep, Nagi has been secretly staying and falling asleep beside Yu and quietly leaving later on. When Nagi quietly confesses one night, Yu hears him and returns his feelings. The story then follows the two navigating their new relationship, as both are rather beginners at dating. While Yu has dated in the past, this is the first time he’s truly fallen in love! Volume two continues on months later into their relationship. The two work at deepening their relationship, including the sexual aspect of it. And with Yu’s graduation around the corner, the two have to figure out their plans for the future. Unsure if their goals line up for each other, both hesitate to bring up the topic.

Review
Tensions in the story ease rather quickly, with the two able to eventually convey their thoughts and understand each other without much conflict. The bonus chapters are also sweet, especially the “Atami Trip” story which was originally released last fall as a doujinshi. With BL, it’s common for extra stories to be self-published and sold at doujinshi events. Sometimes authors will host mail orders as well, but they’re generally they have a limited aprint run. Some do have digital versions for sale later on, but it depends on the author. This is the first time I’ve seen extra stories that were originally doujinshi published in English alongside the main story, so I’m really grateful they could be included!

This comic is great for readers looking for a short and sweet slice-of-life. Each chapter is a like a little episode, which string together to give glimpses into Yu and Nagi’s lives. Machi Yamashita’s soft linework gives extra warmth to an already feel-good romance.

Sharing another illustration to end the post. Volume 2 ranked eleventh 2025 BL Awards Emotional Category, so Machi Yamashita drew Nagi and Yu as thanks!

Love in the Palm of His Hand by Rinteku

Love in the Palm of His Hand by Rinteku

EN Title: Love in the Palm of His Hand
JP Title: ใ‚ซใƒกใƒฌใ‚ชใƒณใฏใฆใฎใฒใ‚‰ใซๆ‹ใ‚’ใ™ใ‚‹ใ€‚(ใ‚ซใƒกๆ‹)
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.)