White Pawn – Tobi Washio

Kuroki, a freshman in college, becomes infatuated with his senior Shirasawa, who enjoys dominating men, and plans to seduce him at the school’s entrance ceremony, but ends up being the one who gets captured. Despite the setback, Kuroki is determined to win over Shirasawa’s heart and comes up with a cunning plan to turn the tables.

White Pawn is another gem from Tobi Washio, mangaka of Hochichirui Hitoka and Enishi Majiwaru Haguremono.

Kuroki spotted the gorgeous Shirasawa at the school’s entrance ceremony and fell in love at first sight. One day, he was approached by Shirasawa, who asked him to be his model for a painting. Jumping at the chance to get close to his crush, Kuroki agreed and began his seduction.

He thought his scheme was working when Shirasawa asked him to come to his house. Kuroki thought he was a tiger ready to pounce, but Shirasawa proved that Kuroki was nothing more than a kitten.

Oooh, yandere in the wild! Not as common as tsundere because they’re not as endearing as love interest. It took a while for me to warm up to Shirasawa. He borderlined sekuhara Kuroki, but our boy wanted to sleep badly with Shirasawa, so yeah.   The sticking point, if we may use the phrase,  is that Kuroki wanted to top.

Quite a refreshing dynamic! Far from a tsundere, Kuroki loudly proclaims he’s in love with Shirasawa at every opportunity. Shirasawa boldly challenges Kuroki to flip the table if he can, and he will top until Kuroki does so. A challenge Kuroki is determined to win, only Shirasawa is a martial arts expert who can easily manhandle the taller Kuroki. But our boy isn’t giving up anytime soon.

My only complaint is that this is such a missed opportunity to switch. Vers couple is a rare thing in BL, and I was really hoping Kuroki gets what he wants. Maybe a sequel?

The whole time they were together, Shirazawa was seemingly just there for the dominance and sex. My favorite part is when Shirasawa’s big brother crashed the party to stir trouble, and Shirasawa had to stake his claim. Kuroki wonders if Shirasawa has any feelings for him. Only for Shirasawa to fervently declare, “It was never one-sided.”

I get such a thrill every time we get glimpses of the confident and unflappable Shirasawa’s deeper feelings coming to the surface, the rare times he gets flustered or passionate! And the gags were hilarious because we know Kuroki is never getting Shirasawa’s ass.

This is what happens when a cat thinks he’s on top, until a tiger comes along.

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