Whispered Words, Vol. 1

Gr 9 Up—Best friends Sumika and Ushio have hidden feelings for each other, and because neither wishes to risk their bond, a rift forms between them. At first, Ushio is oblivious to her heart's desire, and Sumika is unwilling to reveal her own feelings, but with new friends complicating their daily lives, they are forced to reevaluate themselves. Gradually, their revelations, coupled with genuine bonding moments, bring them much closer. Character forms morph frequently to visually match the tone of the situation; poignant moments are shaded and highlighted in comparison to the normal gently cute mode, while comedic scenes are simplified and exaggerated. By keeping such elements as happiness and sadness, tension and lightness balanced, the author delivers a well-rounded emotional experience. A few hiccups in the text do not detract from the work. This shoujo-ai (light girls love) is a pure-hearted romance with minimal fanservice that establishes itself as a female friendly environment. Through both characters eyes, readers can feel the affection they have for each other and hope that their feelings can bridge the gap between them.