T’s personal rating:
Spice: 2.5/5
Romance: 3/5
Fluff: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Tsukushi recently broke up with his long term boyfriend Toui, an esteemed novelist. Yet, he finds himself continuing to worry for Toui’s wellbeing, recounting their time together. A simple, casual text draws him back despite Tsukushi trying to move forward. Toui continues to act like nothing has changed, his detachment and avoidance towards communication making Tsukushi feel all the more isolated. Yet, they continue to sink into a loop of familiarity while simultaneously trying to set their boundaries, reigniting what drew them together, but also what drew them apart.
Illustrated and written by COCOMI, “Send Them a Farewell Gift for the Lost Time” comments on the blinding, uncomfortable nature of love as these two young men stumble through their hardships, seemingly salvaging a sinking ship.
Toui repeatedly abandons and ignores Tsukushi for his craft. They met and bonded over Tsukushi’s love for Toui’s work, leaving Tsukushi conflicted over his own needs coming in the way of Toui’s writing. There is a great emphasis on what wasn’t done and what wasn’t said. The ache of loneliness stands in the way of a clean cut, no contact breakup. Tsukushi wears the ring Toui gave him even though their distance stands, clinging blindly to someone who he continuously tells himself to let go of.
Despite their distance, their desire to continue trying sits with me especially. Seeing Toui chase down Tsukushi at his house for a “last date” emphasized to me our desire for companionship as humans. The thought of finally being alone is incomprehensible to even someone as anti-confrontational as Toui, and we get to watch a character that’s presented to us as reclusive finally chase down Tsukushi and commit, demonstrating his care and adoration.
I found myself wishing for more from both of the main characters’ sides. Despite being a one shot, I wished that the character arcs were fleshed out where the communication that they so desired could’ve been developed in a more satisfying and filling way.
The Blue and White 