This manga really left me awe-struck, I seldom read manga so breathtaking. Well, I may be a bit exaggerating, but it's true it's rare for a manga to touch me so deeply, I was on the verge of tears, which hardly ever happen. I actually cried only once over a manga (which was Sojou no Koi wa Nido Haneru).
First I have to say that it's not a manga you'll read for its beautiful art, original plot or sexiness. Why would you read this manga you're gonna ask me then. Well, for several reasons. The first one is the art, though it's not what you could call a beautiful art, it has this little something that hooked me.
I think it lies in the expressiveness of the characters, the angles choosed for the scenes, the way it looks sometimes distant or blurry, making you feel like you're peeking into an intimate situation (specially in the first story). It feels like the author care for her characters with a lot of sweetness, holding them gently in her hand. It's hard to explain since it's very subtle, but before being really into the story I was already into the art.
The second reason is the storytelling. Like I said it's not original plots you have here, but it's not lacking sense, or being dimwitted, on the contrary. The emphasis is put on the feelings and emotions, and it's very well done, they feel real and are really well conveyed. It's not something you read to know what's going to happen, but to feel the ambience and the inner thoughts of the characters.
Even though it's short stories, the psychology of the characters is deep, subtle, and well developped, which is something I'm hardly ever totally pleased with but here it was just perfect. It feels like they're human, with emotions they don't know how to deal with, stupid reactions they wouldn't like to have, clumsiness, and it makes it so sweet and bitter at the same time like in the title. Usually you feel more attracted to one of the characters, but here you end up wanting for each of them to overcome their issues, and feeling close to them.
The first story is my favorite one, it's so heartwarming and sweet, I thought I was gonna melt. How can you not immediatly feel sympathy for this little Chidebu, and want him to be loved. It's rare to see that kind of theme (love beyond appearances) treated in yaoi manga. The two following ones are very sweet and akes your heart flutter as well. And they also have this realistic sense towards homosexuality which is agreable.
The only thing I didn't like was the last story. I found it too rushed, and it makes it hard to understand the way they're acting or their emotions, and doing so you miss half of the story. And it's more rough than the other stories, which breaks with the general tone in this manga. That's the reason why I didn't give it a 10, but it's not really important since it's just a little story at the end.
So, in conclusion, I more than highly recommend this manga !!
