I simply cannot find any positive things to say about this one. The main character is shockingly naïve, behaving more like a four-year-old than a high schooler. She seems completely out of touch with reality, which makes it hard to relate to her. The love interest is not only her 32-year-old neighbor and teacher but also a stoic, unemotional character, which is my least favorite type. The entire story seems to revolve around him treating her like a four-year-old kid and her constantly saying "I like that so much~! ♡". It's just so creepy and uncomfortable to read.
Creepiest of all is that apparently the reason they keep meeting isn't at all hitsuzen, but because she is his "target" for whatever unspeakable job he works. This adds an extra layer of unease to the story and makes it even more unappealing. But most disappointing of all for a Clamp work is that the art isn't even pretty. It lacks the charm and detail that I've come to expect from their illustrations.
I cannot think of a single good reason to recommend this to anyone. I can't even find it in me to be glad it's only three volumes long when it should've ended here - or better yet, never existed in the first place. It's a real letdown and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a good manga.
We started off a little badly. At the beginning, things didn't seem to be going as smoothly as we had hoped. There were some unexpected difficulties and setbacks that caught us off guard. However, we didn't let this initial misstep discourage us. Instead, we decided to look at it as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow stronger. We analyzed the situation carefully, identified the areas where we had gone wrong, and came up with a plan to correct our mistakes. With determination and perseverance, we were able to turn the situation around and move forward. Although the start was not ideal, it taught us valuable lessons that will surely benefit us in the future.
Boring as it might seem at first glance, there were indeed certain elements that could potentially serve as a prelude to a possible theme shift. These elements, although perhaps not immediately obvious, held the promise of something more significant lurking beneath the surface. It's as if they were the initial whispers of a new direction, hinting at a change that could bring a fresh perspective and a new level of interest. While the overall experience might have been initially perceived as unexciting, these subtle clues suggest that there could be much more to come. It makes one wonder what exactly lies ahead and how these potential theme shifts will unfold, adding an element of anticipation and mystery to the situation.
*possible spoilers*
As a die-hard CLAMP fan, well-versed in their numerous extreme fantasy, supernatural, and shojo manga, this slice of life story they created (presumably in their early years) seems to commence with several deficiencies. It begins with a young teenager named Hina, who resides alone in a colossal house. One can envision her excitement when someone finally moves into the neighboring house. Her excitement further intensifies when her new neighbor, who is also her Sensei, shares some experiences with her.
The artistry leaves a bit to be desired, especially considering it's a CLAMP manga. It is more simplified and lacks the detail of their other works. I'm nearly certain that they assigned a different artist within the group to handle the artwork for this piece.
I also find it amusing that people are unsettled by the age difference between Hina (16) and Shiro (32). However, anyone familiar with CLAMP's works knows that this is a trope in most of their creations (even popular ones). Here is a short list:
Hikaru (14) x Lantis (?) (Magic Knight Rayearth)
Umi (14) x Clef (745) (MKR)
Eriol (13) x Kaho (35) (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Rika (10) x Yoshiyuki (20) (CCS)
Kobato (16) x Kiyokazu (22) (Kobato)
Yuzurika (14) x Shiyu (25) (X/1999)
I will complete the remainder of the series as it is short (only 2 more volumes) and was inexpensive on Kindle. It has indeed had a very slow and boring start. I earnestly hope it becomes more exciting.