Manga Review: Play Me Softly
We’ve all had those friends we’ve fallen out of touch with. Not necessarily for negative reasons, but oftentimes because life just becomes busy. You can’t help but wonder about that person. Sometimes you might feel the urge to reach out and try to make a connection again, other times you might run into them again because the world can sometimes feel small.
Official Summary
Aihara, a straitlaced office worker who plays in a concert band on the side, is having a hard time moving on from his first love. But one day, Hayama, the very classmate who’d first stolen Aihara’s heart in high school, joins the band. Reunited with an old flame, Aihara’s feelings are sure to be rekindled, especially when they share a passionate kiss. After Hayama pins him to the ground, Aihara won’t be able to resist the aches of his heart—and his body! Two men share a sweet refrain from their youth in this dramatic reunion romance!
Quick Information
Story and Art: Kakeru Tsukino
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Published: December 10, 2024
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: Mature
Series Status: Complete
Review
For trumpet player Aihara, he doesn’t have to wonder about what-ifs when he reunites with his old high school friend Hayama while playing for a local band. The two rediscover their friendship and answer some lingering questions they’ve both shared from their youth.
The story is based around miscommunication and second chances, but it doesn’t fall off the deep end with needless drama. For a single volume manga, it does a good job to not drag its feet with the main question of why Hayama kissed Aihara back in high school. Instead, it leans into the awkwardness of two young men who haven’t seen each other in a long time and want to reconnect.
One of my favorite things about this manga are the ways in which both characters are close with one another. In high school, Aihara would play his trumpet while Hayama pitched in his baseball games. Later Hayama picks up an instrument as an adult to cherish the time he spent with Aihara. These small gestures and others demonstrate how much they care about each other despite being apart.
I really liked both characters individually. Hayama tries not to come on too strong, but he struggles with the pace of their relationship after reconnecting. You can really pick up on his attraction to Aihara, who in turn is cute and charming.
As a result, the romance is adorable, and it's clear both Hayama and Aihara are in love with one another. The second chance nature of their romance feels very realistic and sweet. There are detailed explicit scenes as a heads up, and I enjoyed each of them. The chemistry comes off the page.
There is a short story at the end of this volume about a lawyer and a pharmacist that has nothing to do with the main storyline. While it is alright as a stand alone, I would have preferred to see those pages dedicated to the main pairing instead of a side pairing.
If you’re looking for a sweet, enjoyable story about two men who are given a second chance at their high school romance, you should read Play Me Softly.
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