The Magic Touch, Vol. 1 by Izumi Tsubaki, is the first of the five manga selected for the Manga Challenge hosted by Rhinoa. This isn’t a review; instead, I want to share my feelings, especially about liking someone and falling in love.
I totally relate to this: When you like someone, you think about them a lot. He or she occupies your mind for almost every waking moment (and possibly even when you’re asleep and dreaming). For example, in this manga, Chiaki is reading the secret book of massage handed down by her older brother, and Yosuke pops into her mind: “Hmm, this looks good. How to prevent a cold. Although I bet Yosuke doesn’t get colds.”
Then she goes, “AH! Why am I thinking about Yosuke?!”
She keeps reading and uses a massage technique from the book to calm her heartbeat. That’s when Yosuke pops into her mind again: “But I wonder if Yosuke is all right. If he’s really that stiff, it could be bad for his body in lots of ways.” Chiaki realises she could be falling in love with Yosuke because she really cares for him and thinks about him often.
Somewhere down the story, Yosuke confesses his feelings for Chiaki: “This is the first time I’ve ever… felt this way.” I understand that feeling too well. Then Yosuke utters the three magic words: I love you. My heart skipped a beat when I read it.
Read what Yosuke said to the wide-eyed Chiaki: “Your hand… Your hair… Everything… It’s all mine. My blood moves when I hear you speak. As I touch you, I feel I’m about to explode. How can I describe this incredible feeling… this romance born from thumbs?” I can’t—my heart skipped another beat—when I read the line: My blood moves when I hear you speak. So beautiful. There you have it: Oyayubi kara Romance (literally translated from the Japanese as romance born from thumbs).
Here’s some background to the story. Chiaki Togu is a star of her high school’s Massage Research Society club, and she falls in love at first sight with the gorgeous back of—no prize for guessing—Yosuke. She would do anything to give him a massage, but Yosuke is not into massages. He sets a condition: If Chiaki can make him fall in love with her, she will be allowed to touch his back. What a challenge!
NOTE: The Magic Touch is categorised as Shoujo manga (also known as Shojo manga), primarily targeting girls and often centred on romance and love. It is closely tied to the Romance and Drama genres.
