"Papa, I love You" is SO superficial that it's actually cute because of that precisely. It's pretty obvious that Keigo loved Kaoru as a man and not as family since the very beginning.
Also, Kaoru fell in love just as quickly and didn't even bother to wonder how he suddenly turned gay - actually, we don't get to know if he was gay to begin with, because we don't get a glimpse of neither of their pasts. What's even weirder is that they're RELATED BY BLOOD, and neither of them care about it. I can understand Keigo's indiffence towards that matter because he's only a teenager and doesn't quite know what he's doing, but...Kaoru's, supposedly, a responsible adult! o.o
Although Keigo is pretty much the puppy-who-follows-their-loved-ones stereotype, I like Kaoru pretty much, for some reason. He resembles a tsundere for being hot-headed on the surface and gentle on the inside, and he'd even be one if there was enough development for him to resist Keigo some more and it'd add be angst to their relation - which is something I love.
As for Akio, though he's lovely and all, kids' only purpose in yaoi is to interfere involuntarily with the main couple, so they piss me off.
Unexpectedly, I really like Hirasaka! That's because he's not the usual jerk that likes the uke and screws his relationship with the seme, but he actually helps him come to the conclusion that he loves Keigo, once he realizes he doesn't have a chance anymore - and then stops messing with them. Right there is something we don't see everyday in yaoi and, therefore, a strong point.
Anyways, not only Mishima-sensei chose a really over-used plot to her manga, she also missed great opportunities to give it twists. She could've created a beautiful, angsty and deep love story with what she had in her hands, but opted for another cliché instead. Both of them end up the same as they were when the story started, so that's not really good, because a story is only important when it changes a character's life or personality.
The ending gave me an "unfinished" feeling, since it doesn't solve anything and their parents keep missing. What will happen? Will Kaoru raise them? Why did their parents disappear in the first place? Were they always like that? We will probably never know.
It was somewhat disturbing that Keigo was the seme, because he lacks personality, experience and maturity for that. I only like younger semes if their only similarity to an uke is the age, but they must be taller, stronger and psychologically equals to their older ukes.
For some reason, when I first started reading this, on 2008, I really liked it, but now I think it's pretty lame...the only good thing about it it's that it's funny and so superficial it's even a matter of laugher. Still enjoyable and quite cute, enough to make you finish reading.
As for the second story, I actually enjoyed it more than the main story. It's also a big lack of originality in a way, but I haven't seen that plot exactly as it is in this title...I have never seen a teacher fall in love with an ADULT STUDENT before...so it's actually interesting.
I don't really like Asano because he's too depressive and lacks self-esteem, among other things, but I adore Minagawa. He's just so forward and hot! The way he almost bullies Asano but then falls for him and tries to deny it to himself is adorable.
I loved the kissing scene, though it wasn't anything special. It was just that...the way Minagawa suddenly pulled Asano seemed like he had an urge to kiss him (well, he did) and I really liked that, since the rest of the feelings in this manga aren't nearly as intense as they should be.
Oh, but Minagawa calling Asano "an old man" kinda bothers me for some reason! He's just AN ADULT, not an "old man"! And that made me feel like he was old enough to have white hair and that kinda stuff and it made my reading less enjoyable. Watch out the , Mishima-sensei! (or is it the scanlator's fault?)
Also, I know Nishina barely appears, but he's just so cute I wish I could see more of him, haha >3
He helps out a lot - not purposely, but still - and he's damn funny!
There are some mistakes in the edition of the english version by Biblo Eros, such as "Keigo" in place of "Kaoru" (the names) and vice-versa in several dialogues, and if I didn't guess it correctly myself, it would've caused a big misunderstanding in the story. But that's not the mangaka's fault so I'm not lowering my rate because of it.
The art, on the other hand, was actually really pretty, and everybody was a sight for the eyes! -
Overall, in spite of my pointing out bad things, I DO recommend it, because it's a good one to read when you're bored: it'll make you laugh at moments and said "awwn" at points. Just don't expect something memorable and that you'll want to re-read later on.
OBS: The sequel to this manga disturbs me a little since I've accompanied Akio since his childhood now, and it seems like shota - which I really don't like when it's extreme.
