Yes, No, or Maybe Half?

Description

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Kunieda Kei is a popular, young TV announcer whose public and private personas are so different, they might be called extreme. Outside he is the picture of perfection, affectionately nicknamed “The Prince.” Inside he is constantly cursing at all of the incompetence around him. Of course, no one knows this secret of his. One day, Kei meets the stop motion animation artist Tsuzuki Ushio for a work assignment and unfortunately runs into him later while he’s in “off mode.” Luckily Tsuzuki doesn’t recognize him in his worn-out sweats and a facemask, but as compensation for injuring Tsuzuki’s arm, Kei gets roped into helping out with his work…

Volume 1: Yes, No, or Maybe Half?
Volume 2: Center of the World
Volume 3: Where Home is

Associated Names
One entry per line
O-uchi no Arika
Sekai no Mannaka
Yes, No, or Maybe?
Yes ka No ka Hanbun ka
おうちのありか
イエスかノーか半分か
世界のまんなか
Related Series
Off Air ~Yes, No, or Maybe Half?~ (Side Story)
Side Profiles and Irises ~Yes, No, or Maybe Half? Spinoff~ (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Screen Partner (1)
The Rental Shop Owner (1)
Don’t Pick Up Boyfriends From the Trash Bin (1)
Assigned CEO (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. pending
  2. Excellent Novels (Shounen ai/Yaoi)
  3. CONSENSUAL smut because consent is hot
  4. SMUT with Good Plot!!!!!!
  5. BLLLLLL

Latest Release

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Review
14 Reviews


nachte
nachte
Apr 22, 2019
Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I’m the translator for the series, but it is one of the most outstanding that I’ve read, imho.

People are never entirely who they appear to be on the surface—everyone in their own way is essentially treading water to keep afloat.

This is the story of Kuneida Kei and how he navigates his public and private life, as he tries to balance his work and his professional image with his personal de-stressors, which clash with his Prince-like image. He was happy leading his double life, even if it meant keeping everyone... more>> away at an arm’s length, until he meets Tsuzuki Ushio. Ushio makes Kei feel at ease, like Kei can truly be himself in front of Ushio, but he also makes Kei question whether he’s been living his life wrong the entire time.

Kei is wonderfully human and flawed as he struggles with his feelings, his work, his double life, and his love life. This story will tear you into little pieces before putting you back together again, and you will fall in love with Kei, just like Ushio does, over and over again.

Ichiho-sensei does a wonderful job fleshing out many of the characters in the story, making sure we see more than one side to them, so that we understand that everyone is human and complicated. As Kei and Ushio’s relationship develops, you will understand how important Ushio is to Kei as Kei is to Ushio. They grow as individuals and as a couple, and you will cry and cheer as you watch them tackle the problems that come their way. It's really a testament to Ichiho-sensei's writing that the thrill of falling in love is just as moving and heartfelt three years into a relationship as it was at the beginning.

Please note there is one particular scene with consent issues that is a common trope in Japanese BL. Please check the content notes on the ToC page before reading, as you may need to re-adjust your expectations or skip it all together. I’ve decided to take the disappointments with the good, and there is a lot of good in this series. <<less
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narinim
narinim
Mar 08, 2022
Status: Completed
I usually don't like tsundere characters, honestly I hate them.

but this one I liked, it was heartwarming, we all change ourselves in some degree in public in attempt to be liked.

I am not a two-faced person like him, but I could really empathize with MC. And I think it is very romantic and heart warming to find someone, who doesn't want to change us, and accepts us and loves for who we are, all good things and bad things, every side of our personality.
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Ritsuka
Ritsuka
Nov 14, 2019
Status: v1c1
I don't like writing reviews tbh but I knew I had to write for this because this novel is such a damn gem that I decided it just as I started reading it
Its rare to find japanese yaoi novels are good because on NU chinese yaoi novels are more translated and ofcourse they are better in story too but I won't back out on this because I truly assume its on same or maybe even better than the top grossing chinese yaoi novels.I remember stumbling upon it by chance... more>> and putting it in my Want To Read List but soon after its anime news came in and I heard about how good it was so I tried it and BELIEVE ME when I say that only the first chapter got me hooked.

The story is so nice. Normally, when you think about people hiding their true face you'd think that this will be about a malicious guy hiding behind a kind guy but nope the protagonist is just a bit bratty with a foul mouth.I love how the ML is not a facial paralysis, cold faced, possessive guy but actually really caring and doting for the MC. The one thing I loved about this was how in some situation I totally expected a lot of cliche happening as i've read in a lot of mangas but to my shock the author always exceeded my expectations by not using cliches and having logical solution
For Example

Spoiler

In vol 1 how Ushio had already confronted both of Kei's personality and told him that he loved them both instead of him loving just one and then shoving him in the face that he loves his this side but he can accept the other too just like most shoujo mangas do and even when Kei lost his other personality Ushio still loved him but he became miserable because both sides of Kei really make the kei he loves as both his personalities are interconnected too.

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I'm so happy that the Kei was not some typical scheming or super innocent shy uke but damn he was adorable, dashing, precious, foul mouthed and quite intelligent that you just can't hate him, You'll love him.
Spoiler

Especially when he brought Ushio back to home with his own effort he was so dashing I was like literally screaming

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I especially loved how the problems in this novel are so relatable and hit so close to home that I felt them on a spiritual level and cried a lot too. The dialogues are really good.
The couple is so funny with their banters and how sickeningly sweet they are and damn the smut scenes are so satisfying.
Overall I'm completely smitten with this and if you wanna read this and you like some heartwarming, funny, slice of life yaoi I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS
Thank you so much to the Translator for translating this masterpiece

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BanniNotBunny
BanniNotBunn
Jul 24, 2021
Status: Completed
Read it.

I read this novel so long ago. Just putting the review now because I realized it has very few no. Of ratings and reviews.

It's one of my favorite novel.

... more>> At first I was in doubt to read this novel because of mentioned different personality of Kei. I was expecting something extremely weird BUT I was wrong.

This is super awesome.

I love this couple so much.

◆What can you expect from this novel -

• The Couple (Kei & Tsuzuki) - Great chemistry.

I love Kei's character development- from total dissatisfaction towards his job etc to sorting out everything. His inner thoughts/real personality) are/is epic.

Tsuzuki is the best boyfriend. How much he understands Kei and supports him; and accept everything about Kei. The way he teases Kei is so cute.

•A little bit of angst and load amount of fluff

• Steamy s*x (many times)

• Relationship development : My favorite is the way Kei goes all out for Tsuzuki when Tsuzuki's dad appears. (I dont remember in which book). After reading this one, you can feel the sweetness between them naturally in the side stories collection "Off Air- Yes, No, or Maybe Half?".

• Plot is very simple yet interesting.

I dont know how to express my likeness to this novel any more.

Totally recommended. <<less
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periperi
periperi
Feb 18, 2020
Status: Completed
4.5 stars

Liked this more than I thought I would. I liked Kei despite his snappy half half personality because to be honest, everyone hides behind some kind of mask, his is just more extreme. The angst was a bit abrupt yet hit really close to home when ... more>>
Spoiler

Kei questioned if how he lived his life was "wrong".

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Overall, I do like his dynamic with Tsuzuki and I like the hidden identity trope so that was a big plus. It was also interesting to see the TV aspect of Japanese culture that wasn't about idols.

Minus half a star for
Spoiler

the almost cheating that occurred halfway through the book because really WTH Kei? I don't condone even the act of almost cheating because if Tsuzuki hadn't arrive when he did, would he have cheated?! He better not! He was super remorseful after that but I was a bit disappointed in him for that moment.

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Overall, I'm excited at the news of an anime coming out for this series! <<less
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Tekateka
Tekateka
Sep 11, 2019
Status: v3c25
Great story with an unusual main character (perfect charming prince on the outside, grumpy people-hater on the inside), with a lovely, patient but-not-a pushover ML. Modern urban setting, showing their regular lives.

The author explores the really interesting dynamics between the two, and does a fantastic job of showing their growth as a couple. The story has a degree of depth and detail, in terms of background and jobs, side characters and the psychology of the couple, that I haven't found in a Japanese LN before. Which makes it sound deadly... more>> serious and boring - it's not! Very funny, very sweet and very charming is the perfect description.

Also, the translation is wonderful - definitely the best I've seen for a Japanese translation here, and the translator has a regular update schedule, which s/he stick to - so appreciated! <<less
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rhianirory
rhianirory
Apr 25, 2019
Status: v1c3
so far it's pretty good. I love the contradiction between his inside voice and his outside persona, and it's fairly funny when the inside voice slips out without him meaning it to. It's only three chapters but I'm giving this a temporary 5, (subject to change if the story goes downhill) because of the people giving it a one without bothering to read at all.
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shreyshrey
shreyshrey
Sep 02, 2021
Status: v1c1
I went into the novel because I was intrigued by the summary, I have a thing for the whole 'duality' of a person. Like say a cinnamon roll who never gets mad goes f*cking psycho -sh*t like just gets me going. But this book is so so much more than that.I mean, initially I thought it is interesting and the characters are cute. But the subtleties are so so well done.. ugh

we all have different parts to us, we aren't one dimensional creatures and somewhere, we all want someone who... more>> can accept ourselves in our entirety and well, ushisho loves kei -all of him. There was considerable distinction between kei' the prince ' and kei the uh... foul mouthed sweatpants wearing brat -it was a highlight of the book but ushisho's love and attraction towards the both of them is.. very natural. Like one day, he's just watching him on his set doing and he's like 'yeah, this part I love that too -I love all of him'. (noone is ever going to love me like that :'')

I love how they kept kei's character settings intact and still managed to forge out a healthy relationship. Initially, I was worried that Ushisho would always yield. Simply because Kei is someone who has a hard time expressing his feelings. Kei does struggle on the whole 'communication' part and Ushisho naturally feels helpless as to just how to resolve this. But kei doesn't come across as inhumane -he loves ushisho and he feels so mad at his ownself for being the way he is. Also, the fact that Ushisho doesn't always yield or coddle him makes it a good balance. He answers back and questions his partner like "okay, but why do you hate this guy?? for real??". Don't get me wrong, the ML does give a lot of leeway to the MC but it's like not unconditional. MC is a awkard little piece of sh*t and when they are in a stalemate and someone needs to jump across a distance to come through, it is ML but he initiates -it's not one sided.

That being said -ushisho's not all that great at communicating either -something I found out later in the novel. But when he's stuck in a rut, MC brazenly barges in and gets him out.I loved that ! kei has his own special way of showing care. Also, the gradual realisation that -oh, I want to know about this person outside out of our two person bubble -that was ahhhh. MC and ML realise that they love each other pretty early in the relationship but they are still new things that they discover. Kei's a person who likes to keep to himself -not cold exactly, but withdrawn (and there's nothing wrong with that) , he is interested in ushisho but he never got to knowing about his life outside of this-these four walls, the ushisho currently that was all he cared about but then at some point he's like "what was his life before this? Are there things that he doesn't tell me ?now, he wants to know all about him and that was sweet. These guys are so f*cking domestic.

The main reason why I loved this book was the kei 'outside' and the kei 'behind closed doors' were both parts of kuneida kei -they were always there but he had a identity crisis and was unaware just who he was.I think he's just more self aware than most people. It was a journey seeing how he came to understand and acknowledge that both were his true selves. It was a journey seeing ushisho going to know him (all of him) and consequently, fall in love with all of him. It was like watching puzzle pieces fit together. <<less
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earlgreyt
earlgreyt
Jan 30, 2020
Status: Completed
If you are into tsunderes, this is the novel for you!

Our MC is a real life tsundere (and borderline bipolar/multiple-personality disorder patient) who keeps his "real" self under wraps while he performs the role of a perfect "Prince" tv-announcer in public.

... more>>
Spoiler

I'm not a big fan of tsunderes, but I was amazed how quickly he grew on me. The first chapter, the MC's thoughts and inner rants came off as super jerk/uncharitable/nitpicky/hypocritical (I truly got annoyed at him quite a bit!).

But, by the end of the first volume, I was very very fondly looking forward to the inner snark. The reader (and the ML) find out that our MC is a sweetheart despite his unhappy grumblings.

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A very well written, well paced, and incredibly well translated (seriously over 100% excellent translation) story about the modern day struggles the couple goes through.

The relationship is very heartwarming and not as cliched/cookie-cutter repetitive "romance" in lot of other novels (esp. CN). There are so many interactions and little details that flesh out their relationship and turn them into living/breathing/people with quirks and edges. (Plus lots of domestic fluff and smut to tide you through!)

Spoiler

Seriously, CN relationship development can be summarized with: face slapping at dinner parties/high school reunions, face slapping on social media, face slapping with imaginary status/"noble" bearing, face-slapping 2nd ML, overbearing public declarations of ownernship/possessiveness, PDA to random passerbys/social media/fans, shopping/spending money dramatically, special gifts/matching material goods, and last but not least, detailed descriptions of physical looks every significant moment (aka, once per chapter minimum).

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You get some tropes here (celebrity-ish, mysterious background, temporary amnesia) but the plotlines are well done and meaningful for character development without turning into empty filler.

I recommend reading the extras within the timeline of the volumes because they do add a lot to the main story.

Overall, an excellent BL story, one of the top "modern" ones I have read on this site with a more mature outlook (where MC has to deal with workplace troubles, personality troubles, real life struggles). <<less
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ElianaDiana
ElianaDiana
Nov 02, 2019
Status: c35
It's hard to find a novel that could tickle your laugh but at the same time, the fluffiness and drama is just niceeeee.

Thank god I stopped myself and wait until the chapter is long enough for me to binge reading.

The ML and MC's interaction is very refreshing. They try to understood each other as time goes on and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their banters!

Author-samaI love youuuu
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veihakase
veihakase
Aug 03, 2019
Status: v2c19
This novel is kinda rare (in my opinion) because I rarely read japanese bl novels, I do read mangas and such but their novels are kinda lacking on sometime except for this. This novel's MC has a "colorful" personality. I really enjoyed his POV so much, so contradictory (tho I also really want to see the ML's POV but it's enough haha) anyway, the story is progressing in a good direction that keeps you reading. I really like fantasy novels but this is an exception, it keeps my eyes glued... more>> into it even if I'm not into this genre that much hehe. The translation is also very easy to understand so it's really worth a try if you want to read modern day setting bl novels. <<less
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Lara Night
Lara Night
Apr 09, 2022
Status: Completed
omggg I love Kei so muchhh, he might be bold and s*upid sometimes, but he's daring and sweet in his own way. And he didnt just listen and do what people expect him to do.

The couple are meant to each other, I love their inner thoughts! 🤣 Perfect ending. Perfect amount of angst too, I cried a bit hahaaa..
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Rustle silver butterflies
Rustle silve
May 23, 2020
Status: v1c11
I rate it as a bit smaller than 4. Because I even didn't read for the end.

Not bad. I have sceptical attitude for Japanese manga or anime. Because it's usually silly, unreally and incoherently. Not really it is brilliantly, but normally for "daily routine". This is really sad and hard I guess. Rejection of one’s personality, hypocrisy and tricking person who likes you. They don't make hurt much each other but this is doesn't smoothly.

I like MC's personality, because I good understand his thoughts, when you should hide your real... more>> wishes and character and show improved version yourself for the public. MC is perfectly realize his bad sides and this is hard for him, what no one know who is he real. He also has diferent different problems, for example with work. When he was so scared that he could escape, I thought it's so familiar for me. That's why it doesn't annoy me, although I don't like tsundere, whose behavior even can't be explained.

ML is loyal and gentle. I thought that their relationship between them will be bad kind of bickering couples but it doesn't. MC is can scold and swear, but it's just his character and he anyway love him. He accepts all personalities of him: gentle and smiling and rude with constant swearing. ML is support him, but he is also criticize him and doesn't agree with all what say MC. It would be unrealistic if he always indulged him.

I'm not thrilled because don't like much this genre when nothing global occurs. But I really will be wait release the anime. <<less
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erikvio
erikvio
Oct 31, 2019
Status: v1 extra 2
Well written story, just personally wasn't a fan of either leads.

The story is told from the PoV of an unreliable narrator whose personality is rather erratic. This made the writing rather interesting as it made me think critically about what the MC is exaggerating/misinterpreting or missed. Had to constantly read between the lines of his personas and his tsundere personality. Time skips were also handled expertly.

That said, your mileage will vary with this fic depending on how much you enjoy the tsundere trope and being inside the head of one.... more>> Your enjoyment of S+M relationship dynamics (light smatterings of it) and constant bickering with occasional sweet scenes will also affect your enjoyment. Also be aware that there was one non/dubcon scene (labeled) that is endemic to a lot of Asian novels. As I don't particularly enjoy these elements, I'll drop this at the first volume since it's a good stopping point, but what I read was well composed.

Didn't like the personalities of either leads.

The translation is top notch.

R18 scenes were steamy and varied, even with elements I wasn't into.

Spoiler

Personally liked the character Tatsuki introduced a bit later on more than I liked either lead, and I was glad that SPOILER FOR VOL 1 he didn't get together with either of them. He deserves better, lol.

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