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Title:  Stop Bullying Me!

Author: Natsuho Shino

Publisher: Junè

ISBN:  9781569705919

May Contain Spoilers

Tomo Masaki adores his older brother Ei so much that he studied non-stop so he could pass the entrance exams at Kouryou Academy.  Ei is smart, athletic, well-liked, and the Student Council President.  Tomo is the exact opposite of his brother.  He’s a little dense, over indulged, and not very motivated if Ei isn’t involved.  He is the perfect target for Izumi, the Student Council Vice President.  Izumi bullies Tomo whenever he’s around – why does it make Tomo’s heart go pitter-patter?

Stop Bullying Me! is simple, fluffy fun.  There is no complicated plot, just Tomo, his brother complex, and the guy that gets stuck in the middle.  Izumi torments Tomo from day one, calling him stupid and demanding that he leave the Student Council room if he’s just going to sit around and wait for Ei.  Every now and again, however, he displays a rare show of affection toward Tomo, and soon the younger boy is having chest pangs whenever Izumi is around.  But wait!  He’s supposed to love only Ei!

I thought the rivalry between Izumi and Ei was very cute.  They both were jealous of the attention that Tomo gave to the other, and they vied for his affections.  Ei was especially amusing, because he felt as though he wasn’t protective enough of Tomo, now that he’s dating his best friend.  His reaction to the tearful Tomo’s confusion about why Izumi wouldn’t do naughty things got a huge laugh.  He’s the kind of older brother everyone wants – kind, supportive, and there when you really need you.  No wonder Izumi is getting a complex whenever Ei’s name is mentioned.

Izumi is a different sort all together.  He says what’s on his mind and doesn’t pull any punches when he’s doing it.  He loves to tease Tomo, but he’s quick to display his gentler side when Tomo’s feelings are hurt.  Though he’s smart and hard-working, he feels that he just can’t compare to Ei in Tomo’s thoughts. 

The slightly dim-witted Tomo made for an amusing hero.  He is very simple-minded, and seems to be able to only hold a thought or two in his head at any given time.  He’s confused by his feelings for Izumi, which ambushed him, because he thought the only one he truly could love was Ei.  Now he’s experiencing these weird feelings, and he’s suddenly bursting into tears when Izumi is mean to him.  I liked Tomo because he was sincere and oh so easy to understand.

Also included was the short story “Please Keep it a Secret.”  It’s about another less than brilliant guy and his childhood friend.  They have been reunited after years apart, and now they attend the same high school.  Yuuri isn’t exactly pleased, because he’s changed and isn’t the trouble maker he used to be.  Now he’s the quiet, reserved type and he wants to stay that way!  Will Kousuke blow it for him?  And, Kousuke, why are you suddenly avoiding your best friend now that he’s got a girl friend?  Another cute, fluffy tale of two friends trying to reconcile their feelings for one another.

Grade: B

Rated for Older Teen

Review copy provided by Junè