The Blue Summer and You (君は夏のなか (Kimi wa natsu no naka) #2)

moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus]

Rating: really liked it
4.5 stars ☆

❝You know, I'll try my best to make sure that I never let go of this hand that you reached out to me, Wataru.❞

i went into this sequel expecting angst-fest and what i got in return was fluff and cute shit and i loved every moment of it!! Saeki and Wataru's relationship is honestly way too precious and must be protected at all costs. loved the side characters as well and would recommend this manga if you want a lighthearted, wholesome romance. 🥰🥰

if i had one minor complaint, i would have loved to see (view spoiler)[Wataru making the first move (such as kissing) every now and then, but i understand him being flustered and all lol and he's definitely the type to show his love through actions and the little things he does for Saeki, which is a love language i always adore so that aspect was lovely to read about (hide spoiler)].

daph pink ♡

Rating: really liked it
The first volume is one of my favourite BL manga of all time, and I adore it. However, while the sequel was similarly adorable and fluffy, it didn't really advance the plot and was essentially unnecessary. Nevertheless, I liked it since I like Nagisa Furuya's art and storytelling.

Bon

Rating: really liked it
Waaah, they're so PRECIOUS.

Keiko Reads Manga

Rating: really liked it
So, this is my second review for rereading this. I can't stop smiling! The first one is little dramatic, angsty of course. That's why I loved it! But I loved how their relationship progressed here. Although, Wataru is still somewhat confused and holding back, I love it that he's trying in his own way because he knew that he really want it—want him. I also love it that Chiharu considers Wataru's feelings and respects it. That's one angle of love, right? Perseverance. He isn't someone to take advantage of him and their relationship. It's just beautiful.

I need more summers with them. I feel like it doesn't end there. Nagisa is right, the story is still rolling even after end credits. I believe that there's still another volume coming. I just want to see the side of Wataru that is fighting for their relationship. I want to see him grow as a man in love. I think I want to see a more vivid and undeniable panel that would scream at me like: here's your freaking dinner, devour it at once!

But, yes, symbolically (subjective) speaking, it ended so well for me. I love that scene at the bonus where Wataru took a picture of him too, while Chiharu was trying to capture another photo of him. I mean, I see that as a symbol of love that is reciprocated. It's just heartwarming. And if it ends there, it's enough for me.

I just love them so much. I mean, how can you do that, Nagisa? I'm claiming it again, just how I claimed it before. You really reached me with your words too. Simple words, and yet, slaps me like a huge wave, sending me flying and crying. It hurts in a good way. And I need a love like it too.

See you again next summer. If there is another summer!

Andre

Rating: really liked it
Nothing much happened in this volume. It’s still cute and wholesome, but I feel that there was potential for more growth and character development and we didn’t got to see it.
I’m curious how their relationship will thrive in the future

Katrina

Rating: really liked it
This was still sweet and lovely and had a lot of great points; it just didn't quite live up to the quality of the first volume, and it's oddly slow-paced and kind of anticlimactic. Not that it's bad to have a story where nothing in particular happens...I'm glad to be spending more time with these characters and seeing more of their lives together. I really do enjoy indulging in those quiet, everyday scenes. But it strikes me as odd that they've been dating for what....a year and a half? Two years...? And still barely even kiss.

True to his promise, Saeki chose a university in Tokyo after graduation - different from Wataru's, but close enough for them to (fairly) easily see each other. They are pretty busy, though...along with usual class loads, Saeki is doing some tutoring for extra money, while Wataru works at a movie theater (Saeki's suggestion). They still meet up on weekends to see movies together (both in theaters and at Saeki's apartment), and make a point of planning dates like a fireworks festival and another film-themed pilgrimage.

I liked seeing glimpses of their separate lives and the time they spend with their friends. It's a healthy balance, with absolutely no drama about possessiveness, sudden romantic rivals, or unnecessary bursts of jealousy - they care about each other, and they're confident and secure in their relationship. Kind of a unique thing to see in this genre, really.

Saeki actually does kind of wish that Wataru would be jealous sometimes - it doesn't even bother Wataru when girls hit on his boyfriend or talent scouts try to pick him up! - but that's mostly just because Saeki's still a lot more openly invested in the romantic/physical side of their relationship than Wataru is. That's the part that doesn't fully work for me, with the big timeskip between volumes where they must've at least made some progress on the romantic front.

Obviously you don't have to rush into the more physical parts; their friendship is still the most important aspect of their relationship, and they certainly prioritize each other. (That scene with Wataru choosing Saeki over a fancy movie premiere was absolutely fantastic.) And I like seeing them in university, so I'm glad we moved ahead to that stage of their lives. It just doesn't really make sense that Wataru is still super jumpy every time Saeki touches him. It's like because we didn't get to see that time pass on the page, it just...didn't. It's mostly explained as: "oh we were too busy studying for entrance exams to ever meet up."

Which I guess is possible. Long distance relationships do help to cement certain parts of relationships while leaving others...relatively untouched.

What's nice is that Saeki really, genuinely gives Wataru space. There's even a scene where Wataru's passed out asleep on Saeki's bed (exhausted from a long day at work and then an evening with friends), and Saeki bends down to kiss him and then stops himself, because Wataru wouldn't like him doing that when he's not awake.

Those are the kinds of moments that keep this volume feeling fresh and as wonderful as the first one.

I don't have any concerns about them breaking up - they make some more quiet promises to each other, echoing themes from their first meeting - but it does feel like they're still in the pretty early stages of their relationship. It seemed like the main focus of this one was getting Wataru to start calling Saeki by his first name - which was cute but possibly the least effective scene, for me. There was a bit too much ... trailing off with all their dialogue, and Wataru was still pretty jittery about how badly Saeki...no, Chiharu...wanted to kiss him in response.

The author's note says something like "hope to see you again," so it's possible there might be a Volume 3 eventually. It's not necessary, but it could be nice to see more of their relationship developing. I would've liked to see more of Saeki visiting Wataru, maybe, since Wataru still lives with his family, or to have their friend groups fold together a bit. It seems like Wataru's coworker suspects some things, and would be supportive, and that would've been a fun moment.

This is still a good little series, though - warm and summery and full of affection. It's a great edition, too, with a bunch of lovely color plates at the back of the book, instead of all the usual "read these other manga" advertisements. Kodansha's a great publisher.

I was a bit amused by the part where Saeki talked about wanting to be a translator, so he can bring his love of films to new audiences. The Kodansha translators certainly did a great job there, too. (Thank you for bringing this world to me in a language I understand!) It's a fun future to imagine Saeki in - always interesting, and probably a flexible enough career to keep him by Wataru's side for the longterm.

lunaa_semi-hiatus

Rating: really liked it
I didn't know they have part 2 My Summer of You 🙄 Well...Isn't it a bit boring? Not as good as the first volumn though I still enjoy it (just a half). There's no plot twist in this vol. Kinda disappointed but Wataru and Saeki cheer me up by their cuteness. That's why I gave this 3 stars instead of 2, all thanks to that cute couple yk 🤨

Shu Wei Chin

Rating: really liked it
Yeah look there's not much going on except for the lovely, wholesome, domestic dating life of two young boys figuring out themselves and each other. I melted from all the fluff 💖

Jacqueline

Rating: really liked it
This has easily become my new fav BL. Please tell me there is another one?

Eitan

Rating: really liked it
It was too short. Too fucking short.

I said this same words about You Are in the Blue Summer and I couldn't be different with this.
I gave this one 5 stars because it deserves it so much. Love the story between the main characters, how they evolve from being just friends to something else. I hope Nagisa Furuya continues this story <3

Yago Gancedo

Rating: really liked it
2.5

The relationship did not grow in any way after years, nothing happened :(

ryan wilkey

Rating: really liked it
title is suppose to be “my summer of you: vol. 2 the summer with you” … i’m confused where “the blue summer and you” came from, but anywaysssss…

this volume is better than the first!!! the plot didn’t advance much, at all, and i’m still frustrated that wataru is still acting weird about the whole relationship with chiharu-san, but like i guess that’s how he is, can’t force the guy to be fully comfortable with everything (and it’s not like he doesn’t like it, he just has a hard time expressing and regulating his emotions). but still, poor chiharu-san just wants some lovin!!!

i really want to see some SIGNIFICANT progression with this relationship in the next volume, if we get another volume…please, let us get another volume!!

Kat

Rating: really liked it
I think I always love the second half of romance stories the most - we're past the original angsty origins and the characters are figuring each other out/enjoying the wistful beginning of a new relationship. Not a whole lot of drama here, which may seem quiet or even boring to some readers, but I truly enjoyed it. Wataru is constantly overwhelmed by Saeki, while also still figuring out these new experiences and fighting some internalized homophobia...Saeki meanwhile is head-over-heels but trying to give Wataru the space he needs to process everything. I thought the progression of both characters here was well done! Would definitely read more of their story.

Julie

Rating: really liked it
I'm so unsatisfied!!! I want more! I hope there's another volume in the works or something because that wasn't enough. It just felt like it was a piece part of a bigger story and that it's missing more parts. I want to see more of Chiharu and Wataru getting closer and their relationship growing. Give me the content!!

Morgan

Rating: really liked it
The Summer with You is such a cute sequel to My Summer of You. I wish there was more but I like how it ends happy!! This is probably the first bl/gl that I have read that isn’t devastating at parts. This is just all fluff and it’s a super quick series to read!!