Tsugumi is recovering from her accident and while her parents come to help take care of her, her parents insist Itsuki is unable to properly care for their daughter and beg him to break up with her.

A mild nitpick here that’s slight spoilers: Nagawa (the aide) who helps Itsuki is a former nurse and we find this out when Itsuki needs a DRF (don’t click if you can’t handle poop) when he ends up in the hospital. She tells the doctors “Yeah, I was a nurse. I can do it.” Can you just do that in a hospital? Just say that and the doctors say “Well, if you say so, go ahead?” Without any proof? I dunno, that made me pause…

Other than that, this volume amps up how disability can put extra pressure on a relationship; the stress, pain, and embarrassment… Especially when you remember being able bodied and needing all this help. I like how this series is handling it. Nothing feels like it’s checking off a box on a list. It reminds me of With the Light. 5 out of 5.

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June 23, 2022June 21, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Gigant” Vol. 2, by Hiroya Oku

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This manga is recommended for mature readers.

While Chiho gets used to her powers, Rei finally gets up the nerve to ask her to be his girlfriend. Meanwhile, the E.T.E. (Enjoy The End) website continues to send strange and horrific events to Tokyo; including a giant that arrives the same day Rei is in the city with his parents.

Most of this volume is Rei and Chiho dating and the action is a cliffhanger at the end. While mundane, it is a chance to get to know Chiho, which I think is important because both in and out of this universe, people sex workers are human beings deserving of respect. However, this could have been done with less downtime and less sex scenes. I get that Rei is a horny young man but I don’t need to see every time he gets laid. I’m here for the giant woman punching giant monsters. 3 out of 5.

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June 22, 2022June 23, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Weights Time! And a cool thing I made.

I not only dusted off the ole kettlebell, I did 50 squats, some arm lifts, and leg lifts. I’m going to try to aim for doing weights 5-6 days a week even if it’s only 10 minutes while making sure to take a rest day for my muscles to recover or if I’m too sore. I wanna get stronger not hurt myself.

Tomorrow is my late night and I’m stressed the hell out so I’m probably going to use that as my rest day. It’s been a LONG week and I’m so looking forward to Sunday when I can finally have a break. And by “break” I mean do laundry and clean while I watch YouTube.

I also got creative with some of the pulled pork I made last weekend so I don’t get bored with the leftovers.

I made some black garlic ramen and put some of the pork on top. It was so good. A little salty with the combined seasonings of the pork and the ramen flavor packet but so satisfying. And don’t judge my liberal amount of scallions. I love me some scallions and the crunch they add to the dish. Helped out with the salty flavor, too. I would absolutely make this again but maybe with plain ramen noodles and just a dash of sesame oil.

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June 22, 2022June 21, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Cat + Gamer” Volume 1, by Wataru Nadatani

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Riko Kozakura doesn’t socialize with anyone at work, preferring to take care of her duties and go straight home to game. When a security guard at the office finds a stray kitten, she is compelled to take him home. But she doesn’t know anything about cats so she must level up her pet owner skills.

This is another cute cat slice of life manga with the hook of a gamer for an owner. It’s unique that Riko sees learning about her new friend as leveling up a character like in her RPGs. She clearly cares for him so it’s not her brain disconnecting to her gamer space, it’s leveraging her interests to focus her energy. Just adorable. 4.5 out of 5.

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June 21, 2022June 22, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: I need to change it up.

I did my usual bike and took a walk on my lunch break to get a birthday cake for my kid but while that burned a bunch of calories, there are some fairly reputable trainers that I follow on Instagram and Tiktok that have been making me rethink my strategy completely. I am big on cardio, thinking the pure caloric burn will help my weight drop faster. I would throw in weights here and there but those trainers have been staying that it should be the other way around; about 75% weight training and 25% cardio. Whelp, I’m gonna give that a shot. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be doing more kettlebell and bodyweight workouts instead of cardio. I’ll still do cardio three times a week but I am hoping switching it up will help with my progress.

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June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Yes, it’s short…

I have one of those snazzy smart watches (not sponsored) and while I do enjoy it when it works, the battery life can be wonky. Some days it lasts from wake up to bed time. Others, it’s dead by lunch. Today was the latter. I thought I could squeeze in the full 30 minutes before it died but, not quite.

I have no problem taking some extra steps around the day to make up for that or take up the kettlebell for 15-20 minutes. I have been really trying to build muscle but I won’t lie, I’m tired at the end of the day and just wanna go to bed. But, I’ve put reminders in my phone to nag be to at least do a little every day. We’ll see how that goes since I am the type to respond to such reminders.

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June 19, 2022June 20, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “I Want to be a Wall” Vol. 1, by Honami Shirono

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Yuriko and Gakurota appear to be like any other newlywed couple but behind the scenes, Yuriko is asexual who loves yaoi and Gakurota is gay; hiding his unrequited love for his childhood friend who also happens to be the gardener for the house they live in.

Other than Gakurota’s feelings, this is pretty low angst and more slice of life. Yuriko still tries to be a good wife, and Gakurota tries to be a good husband despite them not being in love at all. You don’t see many asexual characters around and Yuriko is funny and likable. They both settle in to life together, attempting to share interests and be a “normal” couple. I wonder how this will play out in future volumes; if it will stay as breezy as it is now or take a darker turn. But I want to read more! 4 out of 5.

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June 18, 2022June 20, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 2, by Rie Aruga

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Tsugumi has begun to take Itsuki but is keeping it secret due to the stigma and gossip around Itsuki being in a wheelchair. But with the stress of meeting Tsugumi’s parents, Itsuki’s aide Nagasawa, as well as a former classmate who still has feelings for her, Tsugumi is burning the candle at both ends trying to prove she can be a good partner to Itsuki.

Now, we’re getting into the rough parts. I dunno about adding in another set of love rivals as the existing conflict seems like enough for me. There are complications that come with dating someone in a wheelchair; and it’s more than just not finding a ramp and random people who can’t mind their own business. But we’ll see how it goes. They may turn out to be interesting. 4.9 out of 5.

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June 17, 2022June 17, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Perfect World” Vol. 1, by Rie Aruga

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Tsugumi and Itsuki went to high school together but drifted apart as they grew older. Tsugumi had a crush on Itsuki and is shocked to see him when her company and his have a work party and she still has feelings for him. She is shocked, however, to see is is now in a wheelchair; having suffered a tragic accident that left him a paraplegic.

Not many people know what it’s like to date someone who’s disabled and not many comics (or other media, honestly) address the unique complications that comes with doing so. Plenty of media have background characters but this puts one front and center with all the cards on the table.

Tsugumi is almost too perfect. I hope she goes through the full range of emotions rather than stick with being a go lucky saint the entire time. I do like how Itsuki isn’t a biter, angry character trope or an overcompensatingly happy person to “compensate” for being in a wheelchair. He’s got issues but he’s a realistic character and I look forward to watching their progress. 4.7 out of 5.

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June 16, 2022June 16, 2022 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol 1, by Nene Yukimori

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Nobody notices Shirashi unless they physically interact with him. He is frequently marked absent, skipped for handouts, sat on, and have random things put on his desk. He seems resigned to it and doesn’t let it bother him but his classmate, Kubo, goes out of her way to interact with him whenever she can and seems to be the only one who never thinks he’s invisible.

This is a cute and positive story. Shirashi isn’t angsty about his predicament, just going with the flow and Kubo’s intentions aren’t cruel. For a second I thought she’d end up being a tsundere who pushes Shirashi around but she gently nudges him out of hiding and is good natured about it. This is a light, fun read with some cutesy comedic elements. I recommend it if that’s what you’re looking for. 4 out of 5.

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