Sartori Okada thinks of himself as an average guy – a good student at the college which he attends, the sort who follows the rules, attends classes, studies hard and prepares his classwork well in advance. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary. Not like his beautiful and charming classmate, Naotaka Asou, who is cool and oh so attractive to the girls. They don't even know each other that well, and until recently have never even hung out together. But suddenly all that has changed – Asou comes to see Okada every day – and he kisses him! Nothing more than that, at least not since the one night when they ended up drunk and in bed together! But those kisses! Oh, those kisses…. Okada can't stop thinking of those kisses, even as he wonders why he is being kissed….. And thus we begin Fevered Kiss, a novel by Arika Kuga.
Highlights
Dependable Okada helps Asou with his studies, for the other boy tends to wait til the last moment for everything, and then has to "borrow" Okada's notes. They spend a lot of time together at Okada's place, studying around his kotatsu, a low Japanese table which contains its own heat source – at one time, charcoal but modern versions are electric – and a blanket which fits beneath the table, to contain the heat, and where you stay warm while you eat or study or whatever. Okada feels as if he is always on edge, never knowing when it will happen, but there inevitably comes a moment when Asou takes Okada's face in his hands and kisses him – heatedly, feverishly, passionately – and then goes on with whatever he is saying or doing, as if nothing has occurred – and sometimes several times in the course of one night, sometimes just once. It is driving Okada crazy! He doesn't understand what he feels, or what he wants himself, much less what Asou wants or feels, as the other boy tends to be inscrutable, but suddenly the revelation hits him – he is in love with Asou! What is he going to do about it?
When rumors reach Okada that Asou has a girlfriend, he is devastated. He feels that they cannot keep kissing like this, it would be dishonorable. And yet he doesn't want to stop. How can he give up the kisses and yet keep Asou as a friend? It's tearing him up so badly, that even Asou notices. And when the time comes that he sees Asou with a beautiful girl, can Okada handle the devastating jealousy that is searing his soul? How does Asou feel about Okada, and why does he keep kissing him, making no move to go any further? Is it just a game on his part, and is he using Okada as a toy?
Overall
Fevered Kiss is divided into two parts – Fevered Kiss and Hold Me Tighter, as we follow the relationship of Okada and Asou as it grows and develops. This is a love story, most certainly, but even though it happens to be about two boys – which, of course, is what yaoi is all about – its message can be applied to any two people who fall in love, with all the uncertainty, the pain, the glory and the pleasure that goes along with the most powerful, the most wonderful feeling in the world. This is a first love for both of our heroes, and as is often the case with something that is new, there are mistakes to be made, lessons to be learned, heartaches to be endured. But in the end it all comes down to one basic thing – communication is the key to a good relationship. Communication and honesty. For there is no situation that cannot be survived, no truth that cannot be endured much better than the worst lie, and if you try, you can do anything. I ached for these boys as I read, wept over their heartaches, cheered their triumphs, and enjoyed their lovemaking. The writing flows easily and smoothly – I actually finished the book within one day. I'd be surprised if you didn't fall in love with Asou and Okada yourself. I intend to find this book a permanent home on my shelf, and reread it often. It is a very satisfying read, and I admit that I am a member of that happily ever after club which wholeheartedly believes that, as Pablo Cruise once said, love will find a way. I recommend this book to all lovers of yaoi, and to anyone who enjoys an unabashedly sweet romance.
Comicsonline gives Fevered Kiss 4.5 out of 5 fevered kisses.
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