Vanilla Chocolate Cigarette – Panda/Kumaneko

When did love start? Kisses tasting of cigarettes. The view from the veranda. In this small corner of town, they gradually fall in love. Tsubaki, who recently moved into town due to a job transfer. A gay couple living next door, Toyohashi and Takatsuki. And Tsubaki’s elusive senior, Azuma. While bewildered in an unfamiliar surrounding, Tsubaki’s naturally rigid heart slowly unfastens for the “first time”, and he starts knowing what love is.

Vanilla Chocolate Cigarette is the sequel to Bitter Cigar.

It’s a look at the lives of Toyahashi and Takatsuki through the eyes of their new neighbor Tsubaki. Surprised to discover his new neighbors are a gay couple, Tsubaki was also envious of their happiness. It made him curious and lonely, drawing him to their orbit. Voicing these to his co-worker Azuma who is unexpectedly sympathetic, he finds himself caught between friendship and something deeper

Meanwhile, Azuma casually offers to hold Tsubaki’s hand one particularly lonely night. Days later, Azuma kisses him and Tsubaki flees. Azuma apologizes and explains he thought Tsubaki was testing the waters and assumes Tsubaki’s reaction means he’s straight. But then Tsubaki realizes he likes the kiss and may be ready to explore dating a man.

I love that we get another peek at Toyahashi and Takatsuki’s cozy boyfriends dynamic. They’re still ridiculously cute, welcoming Tsubaki into their meals and shopping expeditions. Takatsuki in particular made a strong impression on Tsubaki with his androgynous looks, sunny personality, and creative flair.

By contrast, Azuma and Tsubaki were more of a slow-burn. Azuma never announces his sexuality outright. His low-key approach goes straight to Tsubaki’s kokoro who didn’t know what to do with it. Patient and considerate, he lets Tsubaki set the pace. Tsubaki’s first boyfriend is green flags all the way.

The story closes on a hopeful happy-for-now, with Azuma and Tsubaki just beginning to date. Overall, it’s a tender celebration of love, domestic bliss, and the promise of new relationships. I hope there’s a follow-up to this.

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