Reviews

Ch. 7
No one has seen or heard from Shirotani in days. He doesn't answer anyone's calls. Mikami contacts Kurose-kun out of concern, explaining that while Shirotani had tried hard with him, he hadn't made nearly the progress he had suggested. After this, Kurose does try calling and texting Shirotani (whose phone battery has coincidentally died). He suggested meeting at the cafe. When Shirotani sees the message, it is already 4 hours after the meeting time but he rushes there anyway, assuming Kurose won't be there. BUT HE IS! He then yells at Kurose for confusing him by being there after telling him they would no longer meet. Kurose tries to apologize but Shirotani won't hear it and rushes out. In his haste, he drops his ID card and key.

This was a good reunion except Shirotani's shift in mood is too sudden.

Ch.8
Shirotani only gets a little ways before he realizes he's lost his card. He is panicking, knowing it will be dirty and he can't find it. He crouches down, overwhelmed and Kurose catches up to him. Shirotani apologizes, Kurose asks him if he was lying about making progress, and he admits he said that to try to impress Kurose. Kurose wraps Shirotani in a jacket and hugs him, finally admitting he has romantic feelings for him. (Shirotani continues to comment on how "warm" he is.) He explains that when it became clear that Shirotani didn't want him to kiss him at the hospital, he decided he had to distance himself to avoid crossing boundaries. But now Kurose asks to stay by his side so he can cure him. Shirotani is unsure as to how to respond to the romantic advances, but says he doesn't want to go without seeing Kurose, which is good enough for now.

This is a very sweet reunion and explains all of Kurose's dickishness.

Ch.9
Kurose returns the card, switching it with his case so that Shirotani won't have to tolerate one that touched the ground. He asks if he can make Shirotani fall in love with him, he says he can't refuse. At home later, he is clearly distraught. He unsure what to make of Kurose "wanting to touch him". Their next meeting, Kurose cancels late because he had to go finish up some work. Shirotani swings by his office. Kurose invites him to wait and gives him a vending machine coffee. Shirotani dozes off and when he awakes, Kurose is kneeled in front of where he is sitting. He kisses Shirotani's chapped hand, then licks his fingers, making Shirotani super uncomfortable. He asks if this is disgusting, which Shirotani struggles to respond. Kurose then moves his hand to Shirotani's groin.

I was okay with the hand kissing- that seemed like a reasonable step. But the licking and jumping to palming him was clearly more than Shirotani could handle. A trained counselor would know that. Grrr.

Ch. 10
Kurose jerks Shirotani off in the waiting room over his clothes. Shirotani is disgusted (he avoids this act even on himself except when absolutely necessary) but can't help reacting. When it's over, he tries to leave because he is disgusted/embarrassed but Kurose stops him. He gives him a lab uniform to wear and offers to buy a new suit. Shirotani washes thoroughly and tells Kurose he hated it because he was "playing a joke on him." Kurose says he was serious and Shirotani leaves in a taxi. On the way home, Shirotani thinks back to how Kurose had told him (after confessing) that he wouldn't ask every time to touch him.

Mikami and Shirotani eat lunch together. Kurose apologizes and invites him out. Shirotani manages a drink. Even though Kurose encourages him not to push himself, he tries to eat. He realizes eating can be sensual and excuses himself to the bathroom. Kurose follows and realizes that Shirotani's hands look worse and feels bad.

Really Kurose? Not only is that an asshole move but then you tell Shirotani not to push himself at dinner? Because eating food in a restaurant is more than you making him cum in fucking clothes? Stop being an arse!

Ch.11
They leave the restaurant and walk a bit. Shirotani makes comments that suggest that he didn't find Kurose's actions disgusting in and of themselves but because they were done to his wounds which could have made him sick. Kurose tries to explain that Shirotani doesn't disgust him. Shirotani says he still finds the touch disgusting because he hates how his body reacts.

Kurose comments whether Shirotani wants to reject him or be "tainted" by him. Kurose takes him to his apartment, where he kisses his chest and jerks him off again. (He doesn't kiss him on the mouth yet as they haven't shared drinks.) Shirotani does eventually tell him to do it as the excitement is too much (painful) but he is clearly conflicted. Kurose asks if he can come too.

Conflicted over this chapter. It's less non consensual than the last one and it does suggest that Shirotani may be rejecting himself and the idea that Kurose being with him is okay more than the sex itself. Still things are clearly moving too fast for this poor boy and he's just lost in his emotions.

Ch.12
Kurose does come. Shirotani showers and Kurose offers him a water. He apologizes for Shirotani wearing his clothes and offers that Shirotani can burn them if needed. He says he's not that extreme. There is a comment about how great Shirotani looks with his hair down (which prompts him to put it up). Kurose goes to touch his hair and Shirotani slaps his hand away.

After a few tense moments, Kurose suggests they go shopping for the new suit. Shirotani agrees.

Extras: Shirotani, Food, and Boiling water; How Shirotani deals with clothes when arriving home; Playing with honorifics

Having read it all the way through, I do like the foreshadowing here. I take issue once again with how Kurose one minute could care less about pushing Shirotani beyond his limits and then refusing to let him try on minor things like coffee over water. No logic in it.