The Flavor of Melon Manga Reviews (P.5)

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Feb 07, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

緩やかに静かに過ぎてゆく時間と生活

Time and life pass slowly and quietly

This review contains spoilers. 自分では処理しきれない絶望やあせりを背負いながらも、毎日をただ静かに暮らしている木内さんにとって、寄り添いながらも深入りせず、かと言って突き放すこともないナカジョーくんは、本当にありがたい存在だったのですね。ナカジョーくんにとっても然り。世間から見れば恵まれた甘えた生き方かもしれないが、緩やかに時を重ねることで生を繋いでいるのだとすれば、それを誰が否定できようか。願わくば二人が自然体でお互いに必要としあった生活の中で幸せを感じる日々が多くありますように。

This review contains spoilers. For Kiuchi-san, who lives just quietly every day while carrying hopelessness and anger that he cannot handle on his own, Nakajo-kun, who snuggles up but doesn't go deep, and doesn't throw him away was a really appreciated presence. The same goes for Nakajo-kun. Seen from the public's point of view, it may be a blessed and spoiled way of life, but if life is connected by slowly passing time, who can deny that? Hopefully, there will be many days where the two of them feel happy in their lives where they naturally needed each other.

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Feb 05, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

深かった…

it was deep...

思ってた以上に深くてじーんとくる物語でした。えつこ先生の作品の中でもお気に入りの作品。家から出れない、動けない、あの心情描写がとてもリアルでした。今後もずっと見ていたい二人だったなと思います。

It was a deeper and more compelling story than I had anticipated. This is my favorite work among Etsuko sensei's works. That emotional depiction of not being able to get out of the house and not being able to move was so realistic. I think they were two people I'd like to watch for a long time to come.

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Jan 23, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

絵津鼓先生良い

Ezuko sensei is good

ここまでの作品もだいたい読んだけど、特にメロンの味以降の雰囲気が、私は好きです。大人ものというか。優しくて、ちょっとしょっぱくて、静かなストーリーが、とても沁みる。

I've read most of the works up to this point, and I especially like the atmosphere after the taste of melons. I think it's something for adults. The gentle, slightly salty, and quiet story is very soothing.

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Jan 21, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

難しい感情

Difficult emotions

表面上では陽なタイプの木内さん。人当たりもよく穏やかで素敵な方だけど、抱えてるものは凄まじいなと思いました。繊細すぎたのかな。良くも悪くも評価って怖いですね。中城くんは一見フツー、穏やかな感じ。ゲイであるために親とギスギスした関係性。そんな2人が恋愛？関係になっていくというBLなのですが、同性愛というより人間×人間、この人が好きというとても純粋で重たい感じがするお話でした。お互い自分の気持ちに気づいているようで気づかないようにしてるというか、このぐらいがちょうどいいという付き合い方というか。描き下ろしでやっと伝え合えたのかなと感じました。とても繊細で鋭く重い内容だと思うのですが、さらっと描かれているのがすごいなと思いました。普段こういった重い内容は得意ではないのですが、こちらの作品はとても刺さりました。2人の穏やかな生活をのぞいていたいと思う作品です。

On the surface, Kiuchi-san is a positive type. He is a friendly, calm, and wonderful person, but I thought the things he was holding were amazing. I wonder if it was too delicate. Evaluations for better or worse are scary, aren't they? At first glance, Nakagusuku-kun is furious and calm. I had a tight relationship with my parents because I was gay. are those two in love? It's a BL about becoming a relationship, but it was a story with a very pure and heavy feeling that people x humans like this person rather than homosexuality. They both seem to be aware of their own feelings, so they try not to notice them, or rather, this is just the right way to have a relationship. I felt like we were finally able to communicate with each other by drawing it down. I think the content is very delicate, sharp, and heavy, but I thought it was amazing that it was drawn so quickly. I'm not usually good at this kind of heavy content, but this work really stuck with me. It's a work that makes me want to take a peek into the peaceful lives of the two.

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Jan 21, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

危ういけどリアル

Dangerous but real

This review contains spoilers. この作品は読んでいてずっと消えないモヤモヤというか不安感がずっと付き纏っていました。優しくて癒されたりするシーンは沢山あるのに、苦しくて仄暗いかんじ…。木内という人間は目を離したらふわりと消えてしまうんじゃないか？と感じるほどの危うさや儚さがあり常に切なくなっていました。（作者さんのこの細かな描写の表現力が素晴らしすぎて脱帽）私も木内と付き合ってたら元カノと同じことしちゃうんだろうなぁ〜と、ちゃんと通院して薬飲んで治して欲しいって言い続けちゃうと思います。。。でも彼の中で引っかかっている心の奥底の苦しみは薬なんかでどうにかなるものではないんだろうな…。「夢は諦めること」この言葉にすべてが詰まってる気がする（語彙力草）ナカジョーは、「愛を注ぎたい人」彼の背景も中々複雑でしたが彼の考え方や価値観が素敵だと感じました。彼の持つ雰囲気や居心地の良さがすごく伝わってきました。木内にとって、何も言わず、励ますでも貶すでもなく温かさをくれるナカジョーの存在に救われていたんでしょうね…?私、木内の死エンドになるかなってずっと予想しながら読んでたんです。ハッピーエンド？で後日談で収まってましたけど、これはIFかな？（描き下ろしと表記してるのが引っかかる、考えすぎかも笑）そこまで簡単なことではないし、根本は何も解決してないんですよね。木内が救われる希望は見出されていますが、これからなんだと思います。ゆっくり心を休めて欲しい…、幸せになって泣。この2人、恋人とか友達とか正式な関係にもなってないです。とても危ういんですけど、ここまでピッタリな2人はいないと思います。関係性だけではないけど、「メロンの味」というタイトルの意味が一部だけですが腑に落ちた気がします。ずっと2人で過ごす優しい時間があることを祈っております。作品としての終わりがないからこそ、より現実的で苦しくなります…。これから2人がどう歩んでいくのか気になります。とてもリアルなお話だったと思います。ちょこちょこ出てくるおばさんやお母さんのこと、見方を変えると違った一面が見えてくるということでしょうか？自分の人生についても考えさせられる内容でした。

This review contains spoilers. As I read this work, I always felt a sense of fuzziness, or rather anxiety that never went away. There are so many gentle and soothing scenes, yet it's painful and dark... Doesn't a person named Kiuchi disappear softly when you take your eyes off him? There was such a sense of danger and transience that I felt it, and I was always sad. (Hats off, the author's expressive power of this detailed depiction is so amazing) I think I'll keep saying that if I were in a relationship with Kiuchi, I'd probably do the same thing as my ex girlfriend, and I want him to go to the hospital properly and take medicine to heal... But I wonder if the pain in the depths of his heart that is stuck in him isn't something that can be solved with medicine or something... I feel that everything is packed into the phrase “dream is to give up” (vocabulary power lol) Nakajo is a “person who wants to pour love,” and I felt that his way of thinking and values were wonderful even though his background was quite complicated. The atmosphere and comfort he had was really conveyed. Kiuchi was probably saved by the presence of Nakajo, who didn't say anything, encouraged or belittled, and gave him warmth...? I've been reading it while predicting whether it will end with Kiuchi's death for a long time. happy ending? It was settled at a later date, but is this IF? (The expression drawn is stuck, maybe I'm thinking too much lol) It's not that easy, and it hasn't solved anything at all. Hope has been found that Kiuchi will be saved, but I think that is the future. I want you to relax and rest your mind... become happy and cry. These two aren't even in a formal relationship with their lover or friend. It's very dangerous, but I don't think there are two perfect people up to this point. It's not just about relationships, but the meaning of the title “taste of melons” is only partly clear, but I feel like it made sense. I pray that the two of us will always have a kind time. It is precisely because it has no end as a work that it becomes more realistic and painful... I'm curious to see how the two of them will move forward. I think it was a very real story. Does that mean that if you change the way you look at old ladies and mothers that come up here and there, you can see a different side? The content also made me think about my own life.

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Jan 20, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

なんとなく、ほっとした

Somehow, I'm relieved

よからぬ終わり方しないで良かったです。読んでて、知らないうちに涙が出てましたが、何に涙が出たのか？そんな話でした。2人が幸せそうになりとても安心しました。先生の話の中では珍しく子供みたいな大人が出てませんでした。綺麗目な2人。いいじゃないですかー。

I'm glad it didn't end in a bad way. I was reading it, and before I knew it, I burst into tears, but what brought my tears to my eyes? That was the story. I was so relieved that they both seemed happy. Unusually, there were no adults who looked like children in the teacher's stories. Two beautiful people. that's fine, isn't it?

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Jan 05, 2023 (PST) | Translate to English

世知辛いこの世の中に染み入るストーリー

A story steeped into this difficult world

作者買い。絵柄が変わってる…個人的には前の方が好きだけど。今作には合ってるのかなぁ。ん…じわぁっーと来る。ほんとに静かにじわりと。ラスト辺りは自然と涙腺が緩んだ。木内の言葉が刺さり過ぎた。励ましは悪い事ではない。前向きで人を応援するポジティブなもの。それが時として人を追い詰める事もある。ただ何も言わず。ただ側にいる。いてくれる。ただ日常を過ごす。ただそれだけで救われる。２人がそれぞれの抱えているものに。それぞれが優しく寄り添おうとする。誰かしら何かを抱えている。そんな心情に静かに刺さる物語。

Buy the author. The pattern has changed... Personally, I like the previous one. I wonder if it fits this game. huh... it's coming slowly. Really quietly and slowly. My lacrimal glands naturally relaxed around the end. Kiuchi's words stuck too much. Encouragement isn't a bad thing. Something positive that is positive and supports people. Sometimes it can also hunt people down. I just didn't say anything. I'm just on the side. Can you stay with me. I just live my daily life. That alone can save us. To what the two of them each have. They each try to snuggle up gently. Somebody is holding something. A story that quietly sticks to such feelings.

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Dec 30, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

2人で支えあって

Support each other with 2 people

This review contains spoilers. 何も悩みなんてなく、上手く生きているようにみえて、実は心の奥に抱えているものがある2人が、自分のことよりも相手を思いやって支えあって生きていくというお話。最後すこし辛くなるところもありましたが、最後は2人とも幸せそうでよかったです！

This review contains spoilers. It's a story about two people who don't have any worries, seem to be living well, and actually have something deep in their hearts, and live by supporting each other rather than themselves. It was a bit difficult at the end, but I'm glad they both seemed happy at the end!

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Dec 03, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

なんかジーンときた

Something hit Gene

This review contains spoilers. トラウマを抱える優しいゲイとバイの二人が同居を始めるお話ですが、これが相性がいいということなんだなぁ。ちょこちょことそれぞれに起こる小さな日常の出来事に対する反応がとにかく優しい。お互いの傷にそっと寄り添う感じが本当にいいです。外国に住み、親になりたいって考える2人も日本よりは同性カップルに大らかな海外でならそうして幸せに暮らせるなぁと、すごく嬉しくなってしまった。読んでよかったです。

This review contains spoilers. It's a story about two people, a gentle gay and bi, who are traumatized, starting to live together, and this means they are compatible. The reaction to small everyday events that happen here and there is just so kind. The feeling of gently snuggling up to each other's wounds is really nice. The two people who live in a foreign country and think they want to be parents are also very happy that they can live happily in an overseas country where same-sex couples are more comfortable than in Japan. I'm glad I read it.

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Nov 26, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

いろんな人に読んで欲しい

I want many people to read it

This review contains spoilers. 絵が好き、多分嫌いな人いなさそうな絵。ストーリーが現代でもなんかある感じで親近感あって読みやすい。めちゃくちゃえっちな感じじゃなくてストーリーでとっても楽しめる感じすごくちょうど良くて尊かった

This review contains spoilers. There seems to be no one who likes or probably doesn't like pictures. The story feels familiar and easy to read even today. It's not an insanely eccentric feeling, it's a feeling you can really enjoy the story, it was just right and precious

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Nov 16, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

！

!

よくおすすめされているのを見ていてずっと気になっていました。話の進み方がすごく好みでした。下巻で2人がどうなるのか楽しみです。

I've always been curious to see that they are often recommended. I really liked the way the story went. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to the two in the second volume.

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Nov 11, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

胸が苦しくなるくらい最高に良かった

It was so good that it made my heart ache

This review contains spoilers. 読み終えて言葉が出ないくらい素晴らしい作品。中城くんも木内さん、2人とも傷があり、誰にも触れられたくないけど1人では乗り越えられない。そんな2人が一緒に過ごすことでお互い癒されてく。優しいストーリーです。ラブだけを描いてるものではないので、色々考えさせられるし、胸がギュッと苦しくなる。でも読んで良かった！また読みたい！と思える素晴らしい作品です。買う価値あり！

This review contains spoilers. It's such a wonderful work that I can't get words out after reading it. Both Nakagusuku-kun and Kiuchi-san have wounds, and although they don't want anyone to touch them, they can't overcome them alone. These two people are healed by spending time together. It's a gentle story. It doesn't just depict love, so it makes me think about a lot of things, and it makes my heart feel really painful. But I'm glad I read it! I want to read it again! It's a wonderful work that makes me think. It's worth buying!

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Oct 25, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

共感できる

I can sympathize

軽快なテンポで読み進められました。その中にドキッとするような言葉が散りばめられていて、共感する人は多いと思います。ショータの気持ちはよく分かる?

I read on at a light tempo. There are exciting words scattered in it, and I think there are many people who sympathize with it. do you really understand Shota's feelings?

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Oct 18, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

じんっと来るコマありました

There was a frame that slowly came

This review contains spoilers. ああ、ちょっと暗めの話かぁって読み進めていたのですが、期待していなかったのも大きいのですが、ジンってきました。書き下ろしがあって尚救われた掲載のままのエンディングも嫌いではないけど、書き下ろしありがたい

This review contains spoilers. Oh, I was reading it a bit dark, but I wasn't expecting much, but it came true. I don't dislike the ending as it was published that was written down and even saved, but I'm thankful that it was written

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Oct 04, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

センシティブ

sensitive

上下巻ですが、全7話構成でエピソード数がやや少ないため、1巻完結の作品に近い印象。今回は重くセンシティブなテーマを扱っているので、好みが分かれるかなと思いますが、シリアスで重い展開の中にも人の優しさやぬくもりが感じれる物語になっていて、絵津鼓ワールドは健在。仄暗さと切なさと静謐さが同居する絵津鼓らさんならではの独特の世界観に引き込まれました。

As for the upper and lower volumes, it consists of 7 episodes in total and the number of episodes is slightly small, so the impression is close to a work completed in 1 volume. This time, we're dealing with a heavy and sensitive theme, so I think our tastes will be divided, but it's a story where you can feel the kindness and warmth of people even in serious and heavy developments, and Ezuko World is alive and well. I was drawn into the unique worldview unique to Ezuko and the others, where darkness, sadness, and tranquility coexist.

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Sep 29, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

布教のタイミングに悩みつつ

While worrying about the timing of missionary work

さっぱりした空気感で進む本作ですが、クライマックスに近付くにつれ他人事ではない気持ちになりました。私自身うまく立ち行かない人生を歩んでいるので、「凄くわかるな」という気持ちを抱きながら、最後の先生の一文でとうとう涙が滲みました。解決して欲しいわけじゃない。同調して欲しいわけでもない。存在を確かめられるだけでいい。不安定にぐらつく足元を、少しだけ暖かくしてくれる人に出会えたらいいな、って思います。

This work progresses with a fresh atmosphere, but as I got closer to its climax, I felt like it wasn't someone else's problem. I myself am living a life where things don't go well, so I finally burst into tears at the end of my teacher's last sentence while feeling “I really understand.” I don't want it solved. It's not like I want them to tune in. All it takes is to be able to confirm its existence. I think it would be nice if I could meet someone who would keep my unsteady feet just a little warmer.

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Sep 22, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

ただ、只、

just, only

良かった。結末を知ってても、何度も読み返しながら、木内が居なくなってしまうんじゃないかとハラハラしたりして。辛かった日々の褒美として、2人共、出会ったかのようだから。これからも見守っていきます！

That was great. Even though I knew the ending, I reread it over and over again, and I was harassed that Kiuchi might be gone. It's as if the two of them met as a reward for their hard days. I'll keep watching!

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Sep 21, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

考えさせられる感じ

A feeling that makes you think

特に接点のなかった2人が一緒に過ごす中で、お互いを少しづつ知って、必要な存在になっていく過程が良かった。本当の自分の想いを話せたり、自分の楽と思える存在に会えた2人を静かに応援したい気持ちになった。ただキュンとする話と全然違って、色々と考えさせられる感じで、静かにゆっくり時々読み返したら違ったことを感じそうで楽しみ。

In particular, the process of getting to know each other little by little and becoming necessary while the two people who had no point of contact spent time together was good. I felt like I wanted to quietly support the two people who were able to talk about their true feelings and met someone they thought was easy for me. However, it's completely different from the story that makes you think about a lot of things, and it's fun because it seems to feel different when you reread it quietly and slowly from time to time.

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Sep 19, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

二人いっしょの心地よさ。

The comfort of two people together.

じわじわと来る感じが最高によかったです。ただ時間の流れに任せている構成は木内くんが求めていた人間関係を表していてそれは薬よりも木内くんの心の病に効いたのだと思います。なかじょーくんも何気に家族に拒否され人間関係が上手くいってなくて、でも唯一木内くんだけがなかじょーくんをハグしてキスして心と体を温めてくれてのだと思います。はぁ、ほんとに素敵なストーリーでした。最後の描き下ろしで二人が ”いっしょに”いて、それが外国で次のステップの進もうとしている二人を見て涙が出ました。

The feeling that it came slowly was really nice. However, the structure left to the flow of time shows the relationships Kiuchi-kun was looking for, and I think it worked for Kiuchi-kun's mental illness rather than medicine. Nakajo-kun was also rejected by his family and relationships weren't going well, but I think Kiuchi-kun was the only one who hugged and kissed Nakajo-kun to warm his heart and body. Huh, that was a really nice story. The two were “together” in the final drawing, and I burst into tears when I saw them trying to take the next step in a foreign country.

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Aug 23, 2022 (PST) | Translate to English

元気にしてるかな

I wonder if they're doing well

This review contains spoilers. これを読んで、木内さんのように早く自身の幕引きをしたいと言っていた友人を思い出した。暗い話なので苦手な人は読まないで欲しいが、私は父親が病気で亡くなって、目の前で命が散る瞬間を見届けました。父親が亡くなった後、多くの方が悲しんでくれたのも見届けました。私はしばらく何もしたくなくなって、3ヶ月くらい布団の上で過ごしていました。でも生きなきゃならないから、また働かなきゃと動けたからよかった。私には幼児の頃から付き合いがある友人が居た。友人は家庭環境故に理想のために努力を惜しまずプライドが高い。しかし歳の節目が近づくにつれ最期への願望を口にする機会が増えた。あまりに見過ごせないレベルだったので病院を勧めもしたし頻繁に連絡もした。段々友人との距離が遠くなり、連絡しない方がいいんだろうと、こちらから身を引きました。SOSが出てるのに、普通に生活し、いつも通りな友人がいつか突然消えてしまわないか心配しているのに、友人は私を拒絶したのだと感じるようになり、私は怖くなったのです。本音がわからなくなったから。この本を見て、鬱病を患っている木内さんが「ナカジョウくんは何も言わずに隣にいてくれるから、ナカジョウくんが良い」と言ったシーンで私は、苦しみを吐き出している友人に何も言わずに寄り添うだけでよかったんだな、と申し訳ない気持ちになった。私は父が亡くなった時の自分の気持ちも、子に先立たれた時の祖父母の憔悴具合も、命のリミットに絶望しても生きたいともがいていた父の姿も、残された家族の気持ちも全部知っているので…あの時の私は友人に寄り添わず、ただ自分の保身為に連絡していたのかもしれないと確信してしまった。友人はSNSでは表面上は変わらずパワフルだし、今どう思っているかわからない。ふと連絡をしようとしても、もう前のようには戻れないし傷付けたくないから、連絡できない。でも、木内さんとナカジョウくんは一度離れて、また住んで、家族になった。長い時間をかけて二人が、二人だけの特別な距離感が病を融解してくれるのだろうか。木内さんとナカジョウさんの二人の長い旅がずっと続いてって欲しい。二人が別つときがきても、次も家族であって欲しい。私には出来なかった世界を見せてくれてありがとう。書き下ろしは、勝手に救われた気持ちになった。作者さんも生きてこの漫画を描いてくれてありがとう。そして友人…いつまでもお元気で。

This review contains spoilers. Reading this reminded me of a friend like Kiuchi-san who wanted to pull the curtain down on himself as soon as possible. It's a dark story, so I don't want people who don't like it to read it, but I watched the moment my father passed away due to illness and my life was lost right in front of me. I also saw how many people felt sad after my father passed away. I didn't want to do anything for a while, and I spent about 3 months on my futon. But since I have to live, I'm glad I was able to move on to work again. I had a friend I've been in a relationship with since I was a toddler. My friends are proud of their family environment, sparing no effort for their ideals. However, as the age milestone approached, there were more opportunities to talk about my desire for the end of my life. It was a level I couldn't overlook, so I recommended a hospital and contacted them frequently. The distance between my friends gradually became farther and farther, and I thought it would be better not to get in touch with them, so I withdrew from here. Even though SOS was on, I was afraid that my friend, who lived a normal life and was worried that one day would suddenly disappear, had rejected me. Because I don't understand my true intentions anymore. Looking at this book, in the scene where Kiuchi-san, who is suffering from depression, said, “Nakajou-kun is good because he stays next to me without saying anything,” I felt sorry that I should have just snuggled up to my friend who was spitting out my suffering without saying anything. I know all about my feelings when my father passed away, how tired my grandparents were when they were ahead of my child, the appearance of my father who wanted to live even if he despaired of the limit of his life, and the feelings of the family left behind... I was convinced that I wasn't close to my friends at that time, but simply contacted them for my own self-preservation. On the surface, my friend is still powerful on SNS, and I don't know what they think right now. Even if I try to get in touch all of a sudden, I can't get in touch because I can't go back to the way it was before and I don't want to get hurt. But Kiuchi-san and Nakajyo-kun separated once, lived again, and became a family. I wonder if the two take a long time, and the special sense of distance between just the two of them will resolve their illness. I want Kiuchi and Nakajo to continue their long journey. Even if the time comes for the two to break up, I want them to be a family next time. Thank you for showing me a world I couldn't do. When I wrote it down, I felt like I was saved without permission. Thank you to the author for living and drawing this comic. And my friend... stay well forever.

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