A writer who doesn’t believe in love and a courier who’s all but fallen in love at first sight…
About Melt in Your Color
Melt in Your Color is Boys’ Love manga by hitomi, published in English by Takeshobo. The story stars Haruma Hojo, a guy in his 20s who is working as a motorcycle courier. One day he happens to see Akihito Aranami, a popular novelist, giving an interview TV. During this interview, Aranami makes some remarks about love, which catches Hojo’s attention. He quickly dismisses him from his mind until he’s called into work and has to make a pick up. The pick up location? Akihito Aranami’s apartment. Not only is he surprised to see the novelist in the living flesh, he also happens to witness Aranami with man.
Hojo tries to push the encounter out of his mind but he can’t help but imagine Aranami in his arms instead. Due to work the two keep crossing paths and suddenly their relationship turns from professional to personal. But Aranami has some eccentric views about love and relationships, thinking they are nothing more than chemical reactions. Can these two crossover into more when one person doesn’t believe in the magic of love?
My Thoughts
Man, I love a story where one person doesn’t “believe in love“! It is always such a fun premise, and Melt in Your Color has the perfect approach. Hojo is clearly interested in Aranami from first sight, and as he gets to know Aranami, he’s falling deeper in love. He lets Aranami set the tone for the relationship and he’s happy to meet him where he’s at. As a result, he gets to know Aranami more intimately, and understands why Aranami is approaching love this way.
Another aspect of this story that is well done is how Hojo contends with the Aranami from “the media” and the Aranami he’s getting to know. Because Aranami is a famous novelist who is hot, he garners media attention and there’s a lot of talk about him being cold and dismissive. Yet the person Hojo is different. Aranami may not be outwardly affectionate, but he’s kind and thoughtful. In his own ways, he expresses his care and love for others (even if he doesn’t believe in love past a scientific reason.) I love that Hojo sees past the talk and is able to see Aranami for who he is.
Melt in Your Color is a such a cute read. I love the chemistry between Hojo and Aranami, and how true to themselves they remain while letting love in. This is definitely going on my “rereading all the time” list.
Where to Buy Melt in Your Color
Melt in Your Color
Story and Art: hitomi
Publisher: Takeshobo
Melt in Your Color is available now on BookWalker.
Thank you BookWalker for a copy to review!
