I Cannot Reach You, Vol. 6

"Please, may the little light in Yamato never go out. May it someday burn bright again"

Tell me about inner light and childhood and friendship and emotions 😭

This volume was very cute and wholesome, and surprisingly healing. Volume 6 diverges from the main story and takes us back in the past, when Kakeru and Yamato became friends. They are children, yet they both have deeply emotional issues to contend with, and this volume is about how they both stepped up to be there for the other.

Both Yamato and Kakeru are dealing with the absence of a parent, and the volume explores wonderfully the complexity of emotions in children, and how they can't always manage them or understand their depth. Seeing the two boys open up their barriers to let the other in, and accepting to show vulnerability in front of the other, was very touching. And of course, they both need all the love and care in the world, they are very precious!

Volume 6 felt a little slow, mostly because we spend a lot of time standing still while we are waiting for the present version of Kakeru and Yamato to finally communicate. But this dive into their childhood felt necessary to understand who they are becoming as older teenagers, as well as the deep connection they share. It helps to establish them as close friends, which we didn't get to see as much as the present explores more the romantic aspect of their relationship.

Another great instalment in this series that I have come to love dearly, I cannot recommend it enough!