Maddies Manga

More than 20 years after they were forced to break up due to distance, Kuroki and Inaba suddenly find themselves living next door to each other. Although both of them have long since moved on with their lives, they still remember their time together fondly. What kind of relationship will they have from here?

You can check out volume one below

What’s this manga about? (Chapter 1 spoilers)

Kuroki and Inaba were high school sweethearts. They began dating rather quickly after they first began talking, and were incredibly in love for the duration of their relationship. When Inaba had to move away from Hokkaido, they were forced to go long-distance which eventually caused the end of their relationship. This was a perfectly amicable break-up, and both of them were heartbroken for quite a while after.

Now, roughly 20 years later, both Kuroki and Inaba have gotten married, had a child, and gotten divorced. They now also have begun living right beside each other—a total coincidence, which shocked both of them. When Inaba came to welcome his new neighbour to the building one day, Kuroki just so happened to be the one that answered the door. A total coincidence. They are both so shocked they can’t really say anything to the other, and they part awkwardly. Thankfully the awkwardness doesn’t last for all that long, and Inaba invites Kuroki out to dinner to catch up on things the very same evening.

Kuroki, remembering Inaba as her “the one that got away”, is quick to accept the invitation, but is rather nervous. Is the invitation a date, or is it just a casual dinner between old classmates? Would it be appropriate to tell him that she has a daughter, or should she just stick to casual conversation? The day of the date comes, and things end up going rather smoothly. It’s almost as though they slip back into their high school selves, and they have no difficulties keeping a conversation going.

After the dinner, the two of them head back home, and onto their respective balconies—again, they live right next to each other. There they continue chatting, where they are able to have a slightly deeper conversation than at the restaurant. They are both able to admit how sad they were about their break up, and they talk about where they want their relationship to go from here.

My thoughts (spoilers)

I need to add this to my physical manga collection. It’s not a want, but a need.

This was such a beautiful chapter, I had to stop myself from reading on. Though both characters are in their 40’s they turn right back into their high school selves when they see each other. It’s really cute to see! Kuroki even realizes this, as she has to keep reminding herself to act like the adult she now is.

Seeing Kuroki interact with her daughter was a nice touch as well, as it helped to show how she really never did move on from Inaba. Every year on Inaba’s birthday, Kuroki would quietly say a little happy birthday for him, despite not being able to even remember her ex-husband’s birthday. Her daughter just wants her mom to be happy, so when she hears that he asked Kuroki out for dinner, she’s very excited for her. It was a sweet scene, and I hope we get to see a little more of the daughter as the story goes on. We love a supportive family!

A little part of me really hopes this is based on a real life story, as it absolutely could be! As I think it’s well-known that people who were friends in high school turn back into their high school selves when reunited, it makes total sense that Kuroki and Inaba act the way they do. It really feels like I’m watching an actual couple reunite later in life—they’re both mature, speak their minds, and don’t play any games. I don’t foresee any unneeded drama or games, and both of them really feel like real people.

If you are looking to read something without any stress or drama, that still has an interesting plot, I would recommend this one! It’s a mature story, but it’s not just full of fluff—there’s substance to it. A mature romance with believable characters is something I can always enjoy, and hopefully you will too!

If a life action drama were made for this one day, I would absolutely watch it.