Never Hollowed By The Stare

Sakurada Coffee Ten – Kei Kuzuhara

“Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel…” Is that love or coffee?

Kusama Kou isn’t sure, especially after he rediscovers that his first childhood crush is now a widowed coffee shop owner by the name of Sakurada.

Sakurada-san’s kind, soothing, with an amazing voice, and much older than Kou – i.e. exactly Kou’s type. So he wastes no time in getting himself hired part-time at Sakurada Coffee Shop, but is there really any hope for his love to be returned…?

Sakurada Coffee Shop is an age gap romance between a college student and a much older man whom he considers his first love, having been drawn to the older man since he was a kid eating at his cafe.

Kou is persistent in his pursuit of his one true love, Sakurada, who was flattered but chalked it up to the passion of youth. No matter how many times he turned the young man down, he would not be deterred. The two spent time in close proximity since Kou worked part-time in Sakurada’s cafe, and slowly but surely Kou wormed his way under Sakurada’s walls.

My niggle is that the mangaka really laid the age gap pretty thick. Sakurada is drawn gaunt with grey hair and wrinkles, which led me to believe he was in his 60s. It made me sad because he and Kou only have a short time together.

It wasn’t until I saw the characters’ bios that I learned Kou is 19 and Sakurada is only 47 years young! Phew, I thought the old man was on death’s door; he got at least 30 years more on him.

Some readers might be put off with Sakurada looking so old, but don’t let it discourage you.

This manga lifts the spirits and brings comfort, blending Kou’s youthful ardor with Sakurada’s zen of maturity. But then sometimes the tables are turned, and it is Sakurada who needs assurances, and Kou offering himself as the rock the older man can stand on.

The romance was beautifully executed, and the dynamics are a wonderful play of contrasts that highlight why Kou and Sakurada fit so well despite their obvious differences.

Overall, as heartwarming and uplifting as a cup of perfectly brewed coffee!

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