Taiyou no Ie

[Sol Falling]

http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/taiyou-no-ie-r1331

Pretty god tier slice of life shoujo manga. You should read it, lol.

Main character Mao is feeling neglected due to her parents going through a divorce. When she feels alone, she is invited to play and have dinner at the neighbour/large family's house across the street. The other family has three children; two older brothers, and a young girl.

At some point while they are still children, the parents of that family pass away due to a tragic accident. The younger children are sent off to live with relatives, but the eldest brother holds onto the house with the wish that they can live together again.

Mao chose to stay with her father after the divorce because her mother was getting married to an unfamiliar man. Now, however, her father is getting remarried, and she feels like she no longer has a place. Running into Hiro again, they awkwardly build up a relationship together while remembering their memories of the past.

Four volumes are currently out in Japan. Let's hope that this will grow into a long-lived and healthy thread, lol.

[Irenicus]

^I'll do my share (say, how many "first response" have I made in these threads? ). In fact I was kinda searching for a thread earlier anyway.

This one is indeed god-tier. Taamo did a few one shots which were firmly typical shoujo, but with enough heart and competent handling to be better than usual. This series is her (?) best so far though. Mao's really pretty, she's such a tsundere to Hiro, it's a lot more about family than love, it's heartful rather than melodramatic...

Chapter 6, for example, was nicely done. I was thinking "DRAMA" with Daiki's disapproval, then he's won over in a chapter. Turns out he's a good kid after all. I hope he gets to move over soon, so there would be more brother bonding, brother x sister-in-law (?) bonding, and maybe even a bit of a triangle lol.

But I wonder what will come out of Hina, who has yet to appear in person at the present...

[Bonta Kun]

What the hell is with Mao's like super epic cute-ness?!!!!

Thats gotta be a crime against humanity that is!

I thought Riri-chan(Inu X Boku) was super cute but she's got nothing on Mao here and they even look the same lol!

This has been a very very good read, very good.

All I can note atm is hope the love triangles(there are 2 of them atm) don't get too complicated.
I worry that throwing in the other brother could lead to that but I'm fine with the way things are atm.
You got the Mao>Hiro<Sugimoto and then then Mao<Oda<Chii one, don't think we need more than that.

Hope to see Hina soon, think her sit will be quite melodramatic compared to Daiki's.
I quite liked the fatc Daiki's wasn't melodramatic, not everything should be as they tend to be with these types of stories

Mao<3

[Bonta Kun]

Oh Dear God, just how much more cuter can Mao get?!!!

Seriously, if this doesn't end as HiroXMao, I do think I'll rage so hard I'll turn into some sorta big green monster!

Hiro is a great guy, love how he interacts with Mao is a real treat to watch.

I don't really call many people this with in the manga/anime world but that father is a right douchebag.
Even tho he is supporting Mao and isn't abusive or actually bad to her but he still feels as bad as parents that do the worst to their kids.
Maybe it's just cause I absolutely adore Mao so much that anyone that would cross her could actually make me turn into big green monster anyway but can't really bring myself to the guy.

So we got a date chapter coming up, I look forward to it

[Sol Falling]

Ch. 11 out. Seems to have resolved a couple things.

I was feeling a bit anxious about Mao's relationship with Chi before so it was really nice to not only see them talking again, but even getting a bit of sweet backstory. That part was great.

Regarding Mao's dad, I figured something like that was his motivation. I won't say the way he acted was sympathetic or excusable but I do understand his character. Certainly, by his actions he is hurting Mao but I'm not really satisfied by the conclusion of "just forget him, let Hiro take care of her". Somewhere down the line I do hope that he and Mao can genuinely patch things up.

As for the Mao/Hiro romance, it looks like it is pretty clearly moving forward now. At the very least, Mao's dream seems to confirm what she really wants. I haven't been totally behind the romantic aspect of this series far because it kind of feels like Mao has been conflating romantic feelings with her desire for a home/family...and to be honest I'm still thinking it's rather complicated, but let's just see where the story goes.

[Sol Falling]

Just read chapter 15.

Welp, that sure made things a bit more complicated. Mao's dad's backstory was quite something. I was always uncomfortable before, right, with just writing Mao's dad off as a bad father. Now that his backstory's been revealed, though, I'm equally hesitant to be satisfied just blaming Mao's mother.

What was the mistake? Where did things go wrong? I thought Mao's mother and father made a cute couple. Should the other boyfriend, whom the mother cheated with, be labelled a villain? The idea of Mao's parents' relationship ever being reparable seems impossible now that her dad's remarried. And Mao's new step-mother doesn't seem to have anything against her, maybe because she brought her own child of a previous marriage into the relationship. Might Mao's relationship with her father and his new family actually be redeemable?

The problem is Mao's father's feelings of not deserving to have a relationship with her. The other problem is how Hiro has succeeded in replacing him as a protective figure. Right now, Hiro is standing in as Mao's father. That's why he feels hesitant about accepting her feelings for a romantic relationship. Then we have to ask a question: does Mao want a guardian (i.e. in the sense of family), or a lover (also in the sense of family)? If Hiro accepts Mao's feelings, becomes involved with her, and allows her to stay in his house, will Mao have any need anymore for her father? On the other hand, is Mao's desire to "belong" in Hiro's house only because she feels like she doesn't belong in the house of her real father?

What would be ideal? What do the characters really want? This story has gotten quite complicated. The intersection of romantic and familial love is at the root of the difficulty. I've regained a bit of confidence that Taamo will be able to resolve it with the proper delicacy.

[Irenicus]

I strongly disliked Mao's father and thought something was seriously wrong with him before but, damn...

That kind of shit ruins a man. He's wounded, betrayed, broken, his whole world was a lie, and now he's burdened with crushing guilt and paralyzed and hates himself more every time he lashes out or ignores Mao, so he turns a blind eye and tries to pretend she doesn't exist. Doesn't make it right or okay to hurt the child like that, but he's the last person in the world who would think so.

I'm not sympathetic to the bitch of a mother. This isn't a "we are both at fault" situation. He was before clearly not abusive nor unfaithful; maybe he got his priorities wrong, took his jobs too seriously. Well so does half of all the fathers in Asia. "Loneliness" isn't a remotely acceptable reason to go back to cheating with the fucking abuser/scammer who your husband, your childhood friend who dearly loves you, rescued from (and it's even noted it restarted early in the marriage). This is like "girls love bad boys," ruining your childhood nightmare mode [I'm having difficulty avoiding the cursed three-letter acronym], and Mao suffered the most. Without the warmth of Hiro's family, I shudder to think what she would have become.

Which, of course, makes Hiro's position all the more delicate. Without anyone else, he's becoming Mao's world.

[Shadow5YA]

Well... that chapter certainly put a lot of things into perspective.

Interesting that Hiro has been aware of Mao's feelings. I guess he's hesitating to respond to her feelings because he feels that Mao needs him as a family member before she needs him as a lover.

I hold no sympathy Mao's mother either. There is nothing to justify what she had done. The rest of the family is a wreck when they did nothing to deserve it.

[bastek66]

Heavy spoiler from latest chapter

Spoiler for kiss:

[Shadow5YA]

Is he drunk?

[Excorsism]

About time, lol.

[Lexxus]

Do this one have a light-hearted theme?

[iCK]

Spoiler for chapter 32:

"Chapter 32

Previously : Mao & Daiki went to a school trip. Daiki annoyed by Mao troubled face, confessed to her.


Daiki : «Have you never considered dating me ?»
Seeing Mao’s face, Daki is blushing.

Daiki : «It’s just a joke. I’m going back.»

Mao blushes : «Daiki is very gentle... Even now... Even now you are telling me something like this to confort me.»
Then she walks away.

Daiki : « Mao ! I ...!»

Mao turns back but, he seems unable to tell her the truth. Only « It’s nothing...» comes out.

Mao returns to her room. Everyone is sleeping soundly.
She lies down on her bed and thinks « Did I look so desesperate ? For Daiki to say something like this... Am I annoying ? Of course I’m ! Right... From tomorrow on, I have to pull myself together and smile !»

In the boys room, Daiki is sitting on his blanket. His head on his knees.
A guy wakes up and sees him :
- Daiki ? Why are you not sleeping ?
- I’m sleeping, answers Daiki.
He lies down and thinks « Horrible... Why did I let those words out ? Why now ? ».

The next day, they visit a mansion.
Chii : Waouh it’s so beautiful. So it’s the kind of place where Daiki -kun lives ?
Daiki : No at all.
Chii : Mao, let’s take a picture ! Yeaaah ^x^
Mao : * peace sign * Yeaaah . Hey Daiki, come take a picture and we’ll send it to Hiro.
Daiki diverts his eyes : ... No need.
Mao : Are you sure ?
Mao thinks «Daiki is somewhat strange... Looking at him, I’m feeling a bit depressed...No I can’t. I have to cheer up. Cheer up ! Cheer up ! Yeah Yeah »
Chii : Mao you’re funny.
Mao : Chii, Oda, let’s take pictures !

Daiki checks his phone : Sorry, I’m leaving for a moment.
Mao : Where ?
Daiki : I have an appointment.
Chii : Your friends ?
Mao whispers to Chii : Chii, it must be his lover.
Chii : Huh ?? What are you saying ? Are you serious ? Stupid ! With which eyes are you seing ?
Mao : Hum... Maybe the eye on my forehead ?
Chii thinks : « Of course I’m cheering her love for Hiro-san, but... poor Daiki- kun...»
Chii calls out Daiki and asks him if they can go with him.
Daiki : You can, but I’m just going to visit a parent.
Chii : Mao ,see it’s just his parent.
Mao : Oh so it’s like that...

Chii walks beside Daiki.
Mao and Oda are in the back.
Mao thinks : « I’m thinking that Chii and Daiki suit each other. But Chii likes Oda.. And Daiki... I can’t see him being with the one he likes, it’s quite unbelivable».
She looks at Oda who seems to be lost in his mind.
She wonders what he’s thinking when he sees Daiki and Chii together.
Oda : Mao. Chii is a nice girl. Really. I hope that she can find someone who will suit her, cherrish her and brings her happiness.
Mao : What does « suit» mean. I think that being with the one you love is happiness. I feel like saying something smart.
Oda smiles : What’s that ? I feel like waking up by a punch.

When they arrive, a cute girl is standing, a bag in her hands.
- Sorry Daiki, for suddenly texting you. Is what Mum wants me to bring to you.

Chii, Oda and Mao are hiding behind and wall, saying that « Oh she’s cute»

Daiki : You can just send it to me.
Girl : But I wanted to see you.
Daiki : A hand made pull ? How can I wear...
Girl : How are you ? Hum...Are those people your friends ?
Chii : Spotted !!!! Hum...Hi ..!
Mao : Hello. We are Daiki’s friends.
Mao and the girl’s face turn red.
Mao thinks « Oh this kind of girl with Daiki ? Such a waste...»
Chii bluntly : What a cute girl. Are you Daiki-kun girlfriend ?
Daiki : ...
Girl blushes : ... !!
Daiki : It’s not like that. We are a family. Besides, we must go. Good bye
Girl cries out loud : Goodbye. But you have to visit us more often !
Daiki : Please don’t be like that.

Mao : Chii, why did you ask such a question ?
Chii blushes : Hum...Be...because
Daiki passes by codly : It’s nothing.

Mao stops walking and looks at his back.

----------
Hiro & Radical are walking home together. It’s raining.

Hiro : Do you want to go somewhere to wait ?
Radical : No need, I have an umbrella.
Hiro takes the umbrella and then they walk together.
Radical’ face is bright red.
Radical : Well... I...
Hiro : Yes ?
Radical : I love you. It’s like what I wrote on the text. I’ve always love the nice Hiro-san. Hum...I think I’ll leave first...
Hiro graps her hand.
Hiro : I’m sorry. You are a good person and I’m honored to be liked by you. But, I already have someone important.

Radical is on the verge of crying : I already know that. I know that I’m troubling you. I told myself not to fall in love with Hiro-san. So please, don’t be gentle with me...

Hiro has a sad sad face, he protects from the rain with the umbrella and apologizes again.
After a moment, they go separate way.

Hiro thinks : « I’m not gentle. Even now, my heart is thinking of someone else. A long time ago, a girl’s named Mao came to my house. A girl who ran away from home. A childhood friend and high school girl. Unconsciously, she walked into this place where I was alone. She was like a cat. Stubborn. Cry-baby cat. Without me, she couldn’t do anything. She can’t cook. She can’t tidy. Without me she can’t do a thing. It was what I thought. But... Things are not like that. « Being able to live with you family» even this feeling was far way, unknown. I’m a man who is very proud. Even if I was alone, it’s nothing to hard to handle. In my heart, I kept telling myself that it’s alright, even if I am alone. But in fact, I was just afraid to face my lonely self. Even now, I really don’t understand. Mao said that I was the one who told her to be sincere, to speak up when we feel that we want to be with the one we love. Telling them the truth without fear. But why do I feel like that she was lecturing me ?
I had to wait my real self to wake up to realize that without Mao, I can’t do a thing. Really nothing. I thought that being her tutor, I have to wear a mask of indifference and to protect her. Actually, the place where I want to come back, is a place where she is...»

-----------

Daiki and Mao come home.
Hiro : Oh you’re already back.
Mao : Good evening Hiro.
Hiro : I just came back. Was it fun ?
Mao : Yes ! It’s so much fun. We picked you some souvenirs.
Hiro : What the heck did you chose ? ( it’s a doll )
Mao and Daiki laugh at him.
Daiki : So Brother, how did the thing go with «this person»?
Hiro : Daiki. Even if it’s a joke, don’t talk about it. Besides, it’s me who want to ask you...
Daiki : About ?
Hiro blushes and turns away : nothing.
Daiki : If it’s nothing, I’m going to sleep after a shower.
Hiro : Dinner ?
Daiki : No need.

Mao keeps silent until Daiki leaves but she’s worried.
Mao : Daiki is really weird... Is it because he met a member of his family ?
Hiro : Did he ? I think that their family is a warm place. But if Daiki has decided to come home, it’s common that he feels a bit sad.
Mao : Yeah...
Hiro : When things are fixed, I have to go there to thanks them for taking care of him.
Mao : If we go there again, I have place I want to go ! It’s really a good place !
We will wait for ( Hiro’s sister I forgot her name )’s return then we’ll all go there together !
Hiro : When I hear your words, I feel like everything is possible even miracle.
Mao : Then I’ll repeat it again and again and she’ll return !
Hiro smiles : Thank you.
Mao blushes : Hiro really can’t do a thing without me.
Hiro : That’s right.
Mao * O.o* : I was just joking !!!!
She thinks : Hiro, such a Baka. If you keep saying things like that, I wont be able to resist and touch you...

In fact she doesn’t resist and put her hand on his cheek.

Hiro : What are you doing ?
He gets closer to her and says : Want to touch me ?
Mao denies it viruently.
Mao : Hi...Hiro was alone so I think you felt lonely, that’s why I wanted to give you some warm... !! When you were alone... What were you doing ?
She thinks « Did you...even just a bit think about...me ?»

Hiro crosses his fingers around Mao’s and gets closer to her face.
Gently he says : About Mao...I really think about Mao a lot...
His mouth meets her cheek gently.
But Mao shouts « AAAAAH» and graps his hair.
Hiro : Oh it hurts !!!
Mao : AHH...
Hiro graps her cheek and slowly comes to her mouth.
Hiro : Today it’s not good. Today, let it be my defeat.

KISS *

Suddenly, he jumps back. Mao’s face is red like never.
He turns back : I’m going to sleep. Sorry.
Mao : Go...Good night.

End of chapter x"

[Irenicus]

*~circa chapter 22~*

No one has the right to be as cute as Mao. She's a walking cosmic concentration of sugar, spice, bad cooking, and squeee~ Can't wait to see Hiro's self-control breaks down.

Oh, and now that Daiki's back, let the brothers' love triangle commence!

[Starshipw]

Super cute chapter. Next one is the last.

[bastek66]

Next chapter will have some annoucement, hopefully it will be anime.

[DragoonKain3]

A couple of years late, but honestly, monthly waits were excruciating. Once I remembered to pick it up again, look at here, it's 2017 already.

Over all, it's a very nice osananajimi story. Highlights the very things I love about the trope; supporting the one you love even if they don't love you back, love being able to be patient for the right time to start, and most especially wanting the other's happiness as first priority before your own love. Altogether it's heartwarming and daww-inspiring, and I'd take these type of stories over the 'love hate' romance.

Of course, the biggest difference between this and most other stories of the trope is that the main couple has 7 years age difference. Honestly, I'm usually kinda weirded out with say, teacher/student relationships, but this one one was pretty cute. Being childhood friends makes everything forgivable, even if technically Hiro is into jailbait. XD

If there's one side-story I want so badly, it would be DaikiXOtoha. Them having a challenge to get a boyfriend/girlfriend first is so cute, and we all know such challenges more often than not ends up with them getting with each other. They probably wouldn't be officially together until uni since Otoha lives in Kobe, but still, I would love a side-story about it.

[Verso Sciolto]

Kodansha Comics started releasing an English language Digital Edition of the series, for ages: 16+, in February 2017, titled "House of the Sun", and they're up to volume five in the release schedule.

http://kodanshacomics.com/series/hou...n-taiyo-no-ie/