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Utsukushii Koto
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Rating(4.3 / 5.0, 140 votes)
5    64% (90 votes)
4    18% (25 votes)
3    8% (11 votes)
2    3% (4 votes)
1    7% (10 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
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One entry per line
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Year
Example: 2012
2007
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
2 Volumes (Complete)
1 Volume Bunko (Complete)
Licensed
No
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 22.3 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #2000
Monthly Rank: #16460
All Time Rank: #6648
Reading List
[Graph]
On 1738 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #28025
All Time Rank: #5742

Description

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Matsuoka is hooked on wearing his ex-girlfriend’s clothes and going for nighttime walks into town, feeling the pleasure of being stared at by men wherever he goes. One night, after he is assaulted by a man during a one-off encounter, he is saved by Hirosue, a nondescript senior worker from his company. Drawn to Hirosue’s innocent and pure love, Matsuoka continues to meet with Hirosue, all the while dressed as a woman, until Hirosue finally confesses to him. Narise Konohara’s pinnacle of achievement portrays the pain and beauty of unrequited love and has also been adapted to a theatrical play.

Contains 2 short stories (published in earlier editions) “Of Tenderness” (Itoshii koto) and “Of Love” (Aisuru koto).

Associated Names
One entry per line
Aisuru koto
Itoshii koto
Of Beauty
Of Love
Of Tenderness
愛しいこと
愛すること
美しいこと
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System (1)
Dear Nicole (1)
Hako no Naka (1)
Deep in the Act (1)
Off Air ~Yes, No, or Maybe Half?~ (1)
Muted (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. HE novels that have emotional moments
  2. Already read
  3. BL I've read
  4. wanttoread
  5. BLs I've read

Latest Release

Date Group Release
08/10/24 itoshii koto v3 part4
08/10/24 itoshii koto v3 part3
08/10/24 itoshii koto v3 part2
08/10/24 itoshii koto v3 part1
08/09/24 itoshii koto side story 2
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part9
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part8
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part7
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part6
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part5
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part4
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part3
08/10/24 itoshii koto v2 part2
08/09/24 itoshii koto v2 part1
08/09/24 itoshii koto side story 1
1234
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33 Reviews sorted by


Otwentyfirst
Otwentyfirst rated it
January 30, 2018
Status: Completed
I am so glad I only found this now years after it fully got translated. It meant I could binge read the whole night away without feeling shocked and unsettled by the lack of a 'next' button to click. And indeed I stayed up till 9 in the am to read this. Thank goodness for days off. ?

It is a fantastic story. 5 out of 5. The kind of 5 out of 5 that makes me want to go back and reevaluate other 5 star ratings, know what I mean?

The... more>> story is about two straight guys who end up falling in love. There are several role reversals pertaining to who chases who.

Spoiler

In the end it's the old absence makes the heart fonder and make em jealous approach that worked.

Although Hirosue was indecisive once he came to a decision he acted wholeheartedly.

[collapse]

But it fits and doesn't feel contrived. In large part it's because the MCs behave like adults. There's no excess angst often used to create drama. Through the mutitple POV you get to see what the MCs thought processes are and why their feelings develop the way they do. Which brings me to another point... I love the natural progression of their relationship. And I love the honest expressions throughout. The MCs made sense and were well flushed out characters. They weren't cookie cutter but where people with their own insecurities, desires, and of course frustrating and adorable flaws. Ultimately it's a story about falling in love with the character of the person and not so much their gender.

A very huggable and super easy story to reread. Would totally purchase just to keep a copy around. <<less
15 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
sweetiiey
sweetiiey rated it
August 1, 2018
Status: v2c5
I hate Hitosue. Knowing how it will end makes me struggle even more than I have ever since he ... more>>
Spoiler

raped Matsuoka. Nothing that Matsuoka can say to himself can convince me that was nothing else than plain r*pe.

[collapse]

All I wanted was for Matsuoka to finally just let go and understand that he may have done wrong but he deserved better than Hitosue that is just selfishly leading him on.

Spoiler

the fact that they end up together at the end of all this is not a happy ending in my books. Like WHY? Why could Matsuoka not just end up walking away and finding someone who truly loved and valued him as a person and did not take out their cowardly, selfish, jealous and insecure traits on him??????

[collapse]

Besides my obvious anger and frustrations I have to say that the book was well written, well translated and despite I disagree with the ending with my burning distaste of the seme the characters were extremely well written 3 dimensional figures. It's rare reading something this well translated and written in a way that feels realistic...

Spoiler

... even if it feels unrealistic that a clearly obviously straight character as Hitosue would after 2 years of being disgusted of the male features of Matsuoka when it was fairly established early on that he had no hesitation when he actually liked some one and that he just wanted platonicly the good feeling that came with Matsuoka while selfishly wanting him to remain in love with him to feed his own insecurities

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11 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
amruta
amruta rated it
January 7, 2020
Status: Completed
Skip this.

The 2 stars are for the translator.

Matsuoka comes across as self-abusive to me. Hirosue behaves as if he is entitled to ab*se Matsuoka after suffering disappointment. What a jerk.

Its better if some people don't get together. Matsuoka and Hirosue are two of them.
8 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nana (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
nhanat rated it
January 12, 2016
Status: --
satisfied with the length.. Going to update soon after finish reading it.. The seme is so adorable pure

update:

... more>>
Spoiler

Part 14: Seme you can die already :<

End: well, I can say it's has a happy ending and stuff, but even though its make me angst, the seme was portrayed with realism in mind.. I mean I'm not a guy, but I don't think if you are a heteros*xual before, you can't became a homos*xual as easy as turning your hand. So even though I know the reason, I still don't like it :<

[collapse]
<<less
8 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
DeviLaugh
DeviLaugh rated it
October 26, 2016
Status: --
Nobody said this would be an emotional roller coaster (or if they did, I didn't notice), but it was! I basically dedicated all my free time, giving up sleep, to read this to completion. There are three volumes and two side stories, though the third volume is only three long chapters.

I skimmed through most of the first part of the first chapter and went straight to their first meeting. Matsuoka was nearly r*ped while dressed as a woman and ran out of a hotel without his shoes, phone, or... more>> wallet, so he had no way to get home. Hirosue saw 'her' and gave 'her' his shoes and some money for a taxi home. So Hirosue wouldn't suspect she was a he, Matsuoka pretended he couldn't talk under the alias Yoko Eto.

The first volume is about Hirosue falling in love with Yoko and pursuing 'her' and Matsuoka trying not to lead the man on while simultaneously falling in love himself. About halfway through, the beans are spilled, and man do things get tragic from there. Matsuoka fully loves Hirosue back, but he's a man!

Volume two focuses on Hirosue's perspective and him coming to terms with Matsuoka being a man. Can he love a man romantically and physically?

Volume three... well, all ends happily.

I thoroughly recommend this to all yaoi lovers. Though I thorously hated Hirosue as a person, he was an interesting character to read about. I find it interesting that even the author seemed to dislike him a lot. It's not that he was a bad person, but parts of his personality made him do totally insensitive things. The main driving plot in this story is the fact that Hirosue is such a difficult person to deal with. He seems so nice and shy at first, but that just covers up all his other flaws.

Still, I love their relationship. If Matsuoka still loves Hirosue, then that's that. I was cheering for him the whole time. His pain was so raw that I doubly wanted to smack Hirosue! <<less
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
nicolekage
nicolekage rated it
June 16, 2021
Status: v1 part1
I’m so grateful that my friend recommended Hako no Naka, then I fall in love with this author and found this book. Hako no Naka hits me emotionally with sympathy, but this one hit me right at my heart core with realistic that I fall in depress for several days.

I guess most of us hate Hirosue for being insensitive, neglecting and taking advantage of Matsukou’s feeling. Me either! I hate him for hurting Matsukou too much that it hurts me every time I see Matsukou cries and tolerate how bad... more>> Hirosue behaves.

But I can relate to Hirosue too much to this reality in society that it makes me so f*cked up. I’m talking about his personality. I can say that I’m 90% similar to Hirosue. I’m overthinking, dense, not flexible, soft, moody, incompetent, and we somehow mess up in the head. But at least I have one thing that he doesn’t, it’s being sensitive. I’m quite sensitive to my surrounding that sometimes I’m scare of myself overthinking.

I want to hate him but I can’t cos I understand that feeling well. Being insecure of himself and turn it against someone who is nice to him is understandable but unacceptable. I’m glad that Matsukou doesn’t give up on him.

I love this book so much that I cry and can’t get over it. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
dee_ism
dee_ism rated it
May 21, 2020
Status: --
It's bittersweet. I'm glad that finally it works between them at the end.

But Hitosue is such a indecisive bastard and Matsuoka deserve better.

Matsuoka really deserve better! He is such a good man, gentle, handsome, good at his work, good with his friends, good at his crush, but yet he keep himself emotionally hurt by Hitosue. Even when they finally get together, he will always insecure and keeping Hitosue moods in check, given how bad Hitosue treat him back then. And I'm hurt knowing him like that.
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Zawachan
Zawachan rated it
September 1, 2019
Status: Completed
This story was absolutely ridiculous.

I absolutely hated Matsuoka and Hirosue. They had no business getting into a relationship. It was one disappointing chapter after another. It's like the author found two characters from the gutter and forcefully paired them. The MC's IQ seems to be dwindling as the story progresses. How do you justify his actions?

Does love make people s*upid?The ML was utterly disappointing, so unremarkable, like lukewarm water. Indecisive, whiny, piteous, and seems to be stuck in victim mode.

In short, this was a story of two idiots with no... more>> future breaking up and getting back together. Rinse repeat.

You call that a HE? I want to fight the author. I'm so disappointed.I'm surprised with the raving reviews. People here are clearly masochists <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
tee
tee rated it
November 12, 2016
Status: watch part2
I absolutely love this novel and the English translation is top notch.

My only problem is that I feel like the writer sort of wrote herself into a corner that she couldn't realistically write herself out of...

... more>>
Spoiler

... with Hirosue. I could completely understand Hirosue rejecting Matsuoka for the first time after he found out the truth, but after like two years of knowing each other and rejecting Matsuoka for the second time because he was convinced that he couldn't love a man, that kinda sealed the deal in my eyes. If after two years you can't love a person for who he is, then that's that, and I'm sorry but after that it just felt forced to have Hirosue's feelings change.

[collapse]

Having said all that, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I especially loved both of the main characters, flaws and all. Despite my problem with the ending, overall I still think the story is fantastic and for that reason I give it 5 stars. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Shio
Shio rated it
October 27, 2015
Status: --
Much like its name, utsukushii koto is sweet and tender with a hint of sadness.

This must be the only novel from Konohara Narise where both of the protagonist are relatively likable and normal (lol). If you have read some of her novel before, you might have noticed her tendency to write non hero like MC. No character is perfect or cookie cutter, all characters have their own personality set. For those who are used to read character with perfect moral, the MC might feel to horrible for you. In Utsukushii... more>> Koto, we have two main characters; the socially adept, competent salesman with crossdressing habit Matsuoka and socially inept, indecisive, but kind Hirosue. I am sure many people here hate Hirosue's indecisiveness, but I truly relate to him. For one, I will probably react the same way as him, since I am just as indecisive and really care about society's judgement. While not explicitly stated, there's clear growth for both MC.

The beauty in this novel is probably how both MC grows to love each other even after finding out the other's bad side. Both Matsuoka & Hirosue falls in love with the idealized version of each other. Matsuoka with Hirosue's kind and gentle self; and Hirosue with Matsuoka's woman facade. Usually in rl relationship, people will break up after realizing that the other party is not as perfect as they hope to be. Matsuoka and Hirosue breaks up too, but they can't let go and finally able to accept each others real self.

For me this is Konohara Narise best novel. The twist and turns might not have the same impact as Hako no Naka, but is still unique and dear in its own way. Definitely recommended if you like modern romance <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
flyingpingu
flyingpingu rated it
February 1, 2022
Status: Completed
Bittersweet and nerve-racking.

I read the story due to the reason I read first volume of manga adaptation. Story about two straight men falling in love with each other and their journey along the way. While MC realizes and accepted his love towards ML, his journey to be accepted and be loved by ML is emotional rollercoaster with lots of heartbreaks on the way. ML on the other side struggling to realize his own feelings due to his personality and believes.

It's beautifully written novel with complex emotions and struggle of falling... more>> in love despite the gender. I loved it.

It's definetly must read for anyone more or less interested in BL genre <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rosyspell
rosyspell rated it
September 8, 2019
Status: --
I absolutely love this story. I don't know how many times I've read it and continue to reread this story. Its beautiful. The emotions are so raw, so realistic. some of these scenes so vivid in my mind. I feel such pain for both. I've come to love this author's works... even her stories tend to have happy ending but the journey is bittersweet with tendered sadness. Thank you sharing the story.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
I Saw A Shark
I Saw A Shark
July 8, 2018
Status: Completed
This story was absolutely wonderful. The characters were so real and relatable. Even the side characters were much more than that with a realistic personality and you would get glimpses of their lives in the story too. I love Matsuoka and I kept feeling with him at every turn. I'm not as much as a fan of Hirosue because

... more>>
Spoiler

of how he toyed with M's feelings and was downright insensitive. It hurt so badly whenever he acted selfishly and walked all over M.

[collapse]

I do have mixed feelings about the ending and I was hoping that

Spoiler

they wouldn't end up together. I wanted H to regret his choices and I wanted M to find someone else and live happily. Not every story needs a happy end and I think this one would've been better off without one.

[collapse]

Beautifully written and so heart-wrenching. The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is because I wanted the ending to be different <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
aoma
aoma rated it
July 7, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a story of ab*se. I understand why other people view the story as simply angst-filled, but it genuinely hurt me to read this.

Spoiler

It was heart-wrenching watching MC go from a lovable person who had a harmless hobby into a broken person who cries so easily.

[collapse]
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fave
Fave rated it
November 28, 2021
Status: --
It was certainly bitter sweet.

I for one couldn't stand hirosue and felt that matsuoka suffered needlessly for him.

There was a bit of dubcon /r*pe which ruined it for me and hirosues indecisive and insensitive nature wore me down to the point I I hoped matsuoka would just move on.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Rinmoyi
Rinmoyi rated it
September 19, 2021
Status: Completed
This light novel is something down to earth. It was too realistic at some aspect!!! The translation was worthy of applaud. |^_^|

Matsuoka was the most likable & perfect character. He was good, too good for someone like Hirosue. Matsuoka wasn't trying to deceive, he was just afraid to tell the truth. Hirosue on the other hand who seemed to be gentle, kind & considerate turned out to be someone insensitive, indecisive, coward, selfish. But I don't think his behavior was something that wasn't normal to a person's. It was understandable... more>> but he did hurt Matsuoka with those characteristics too much. Well, he changed when felt that he truly loved Matsuoka. Hirosue was definitely not likeable but Matsuoka falling in love with him was not something that could be controlled, even Matsuoka was aware of it.（╥﹏╥）

Normally speaking it isn't easy for a straight man to fall for another straight man. So, I somewhat understood Hirosue's as well as Matsuoka's feelings which was felt realistic. O (￣ヘ￣) o

A good light novel that worth your time. Can check it out |*^*| <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
fudanshii18
fudanshii18
September 17, 2021
Status: Completed
I don't think there will be drama if Matsuoka had just think maturely after that forced s*x. ML apologized, he was wrong at that time, but Matsuoka was partly at fault too. It's just Hirosue was too drunk and did not know what he's doing. It was Matsuoka who actively invited him though.

I pity Hayama (Hirosue's gf after knowing Ms. Yoko is a man a.k.a Matsuoka) for falling in love with Hirosue. He is so insensitive to her. Don't make her your gf if you're not even gonna care for... more>> her. Smh. Don't worry. She found the right person for her and was happy.

Hays. I literally don't know why people from the review are saying the ML is a scum. No? Are you too blinded by MC's own drama? I understand MC. Why he's acting that way. But please don't be biased and say ML is a scum. I'm telling you, he is not.

In Volume 2, I see people commenting he acted like a scum. But please do understand him. He just lost a job and wanted to be alone. I know he is at fault for not telling Matsuoka about this. It is unfair to Matsuoka. If he just told Matsuoka about it then maybe Matsuoka could comfort him. The reason why he didn't tell Matsuoka about it is because he was afraid Matsuoka would think he is incompetent.

But I definitely agree Matsuoka deserves better.

You know, sense of companionship is a more higher and different form of love. But anyway, at the end, it wasn't one-sided at all.

It makes me sad how Matsuoka was cautious in this relationship. I wanna hug him. Don't worry, Hirosue's love for Matsuoka is genuine. Ah, my heart.

For those who are saying the love here is "forced", I don't think so. It just came naturally. No character here is being taken advantage of, okay? <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Suliana
Suliana rated it
August 16, 2021
Status: Completed
Loved the story, but honestly the ML was so annoying. He's slow and indecisive. The one thing that kept me reading this novel was my love for the MC. Even though he wasn't gay, he fell in love with a man and did everything he could to keep them together. At the same time, I totally understood the ml. He's straight and can't easily accept another man. This story is very realistic.

I never give bad ratings if a story is good and a character can make me hate them. It... more>> just means that the story was hella good if I can feel a certain way for any characters besides the MC. The ML was both a villain and love interest in my perspective. The MC was straight forward with his feelings and although he did trick the ML in the beginning, it wasn't on purpose. <<less
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shooter4binghe
shooter4binghe rated it
June 2, 2020
Status: Completed
it was really nice seeing matsuoka take his anger out on hirosue. sorry, but I just cant get down with that man ? even the author was like "what a jerk..." while writing about him LOL. I liked him better when he was a shy puppy, but maybe that's just me being sick of the internalised h*mophobia trope. matsuoka honestly deserves better. I mean, come on. he's boring and incompetent and insensitive, not to mention selfish and tactless. the only thing he has going for him is that he's cute... more>> when he's overeager and stuttering like a shy highschooler. ugh... mediocre men. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Pame-sama
Pame-sama rated it
December 11, 2019
Status: --
OMG ?

they said perfection was a chimera, here I found it... utsukuchii koto.

don’t get me wrong Hirosue annoyed the hell out of me, but I will tell you something: wait till the end. Magnificent!

i was so tired of these new BL about beautiful long haired guys, kings or lords, no here we go with two normal guys whether you hate or love them they are just so realistic you could even touch Matsuoka tears ? omg I cried laugh and smiled like a pe*vert so much so much.... when he... more>> swallowed:”you taste green”... my heart... thank you Konohara Narise and Translator-San. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
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