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Semi-shigure ga Yamu Mae ni
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(蝉時雨が止む前に/Before the Cicada Chorus Fades)
Extra
Before the Cicada Chorus Fades
“Cicada-shigure” refers to the sound of countless cicadas filling the summer air, like a shower of sound.
Overall Rating 5.0
Story 5.0
Artwork 4.5
Heart-Flutters 3.0
Spiciness 4.0
Sweetness 3.0
Author: Niko Yamaguchi
Publisher: Kaikan Club
Release date: May 31, 2026
Number of volumes: 6 volumes
Completed: Yes
“A trashy photographer seme × an ordinary, down-to-earth college student uke. By crossing the few steps between them, they become an unforgettable love.”
Source: Comic Cmoa, Before the Cicada Chorus Fades
Synopsis
Wataru, an ordinary college student, begins spending time with his neighbor, Wataru? a dangerously alluring photographer named Wataru. Drawn to the photographer’s carefree yet lonely nature, he gradually finds himself falling for him, unsure whether what he feels is admiration or love. As jealousy, rejection, loneliness, and affection intertwine, the two slowly begin to realize just how special they have become to each other. Set against the fleeting days of summer, this is a bittersweet and deeply emotional love story about two people finding their way toward each other.
My Thoughts
First of all, this is genuinely one of those stories that left me thinking, I’m so glad I read this.
There are definitely some painful moments in the beginning, but by the time I finished, I realized that all of that was part of the process of these two slowly getting to know each other. The way their emotions are portrayed is incredibly delicate, and honestly, the expressions and atmosphere that convey things words simply can’t are what really blew me away.
The story starts off with a pretty dark atmosphere. It’s about Wataru, a college student, and Shikishima, the guy living in the apartment next door who gives off major walking-red-flag vibes.
And first of all, Shikishima is ridiculously hot…! He shows up wearing his clothes all loose and sloppy, covered in tattoos, giving off the strongest possible “this man is absolutely trouble” energy 😂
Then there’s Wataru, a straightforward, earnest college student.
These two are basically the kind of people who probably would never have crossed paths if they were just going about their normal lives. And somehow, this story brings them together.
From the very beginning, Wataru completely falls for Shikishima, but to Shikishima, Wataru is basically just “an interesting kid.” This trashy older guy is seriously dangerous. 😂 He has this ridiculously magnetic charm that just pulls people in.
Poor Wataru falls for this walking red flag and ends up getting thoroughly used by him, but even after that, he refuses to give up on Shikishima or stop trying to truly understand him. And little by little, that stubborn sincerity starts to get through to Shikishima too.
⚠️Spoilers ahead.
Once they finally start dating, they gradually realize that they truly love each other and have become incredibly important to one another. I thought, Okay, maybe things are finally going to be okay now… But nope. Those emotional scars don’t just disappear that easily.
There’s this moment where Shikishima quietly asks himself, “I’m taking good care of him now, right?” and honestly, that hurt. 🥲 Even though they’re officially together, their relationship still has this strong codependent feeling to it.
But at the same time, you can really feel how genuinely they both want to cherish and protect each other. I was basically sitting there thinking, PLEASE, JUST LET THESE TWO BE HAPPY ALREADY and stressing out over them the entire time 😂
Then, at the end of volume 5, Shikishima suddenly disappears, while Wataru starts working as a full-fledged member of society.
Please read the final volume for yourself and see how everything turns out. Shikishima is SO damn cool. His eyes and overall expression change so much from the beginning to the end, and I really want you to experience that transformation for yourself.
Seriously, make sure you see it all with your own eyes.
And yes, it’s properly a happy ending. ♡
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20代後半女子。BLをこよなく愛している
