Only recently did I come across an article that was talking about the marketing coup Kentucky Fried Chicken achieved in Japan: apparently, it has become tradition there for young couples and lovers to spend Christmas Eve eating one of a variety of chicken dishes, all with a special festive note, of course. Then I came across this story and knew I’d have to read it. It not only sounded cute, but I was hoping to get an insight into the KFC craze and what it means to the Japanese. I am happy to report that I was not disappointed.

Aoi, an erotic voice actor who has perfected his” moaning on demand”, and Sato, an accountant at an anime studio, have been boyfriends for ten months when they face their first Christmas together. They are both worried about finding the perfect gift, and while Aoi has promised sharing a KFC chicken dinner, Sato is still looking until the last moment. But that was not the only source of suspense. Aoi accepts a gig without knowing it is on Christmas Eve, then goes through incredible trouble to ensure he can still make it back in time for dinner. But the Fates are not with him… and, after the performance, he gets stuck and locked in a room without cell phone reception, so he can’t even let Sato know. I was biting my nails!

There is more to this story than the cuteness of the main characters, although there is plenty of that! The author has added lots of little details about Tokyo, life as a young worker there, and all the issues with lack of space and no affordable apartments. Not to mention the impossibility of coming out as gay for men who want to have a career. It gave me a great flavor of a very different culture and Christmas tradition in a country that does not, on the whole, celebrate this very Christian holiday.

If you like stories about different kinds of Christmas traditions, if you want to find out more about two young Japanese men who are head-over-heals in love with each other and plan to give their lover the “perfect” holiday, and if you’re looking for a read that is full of cuteness, suspense, sweet gestures, and a very happy ending, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. It’s going straight to my reared file!


NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )