Indie developer, WitPOP has made the jump from indie visual novels to light novels with the release of their hilarious friends-with-benefits story, Just 69cm Between Us. Set in the same universe as their short boys’ love VN, Wrong Number, Just 69cm Between Us is a modern boys love story that follows friends-with-benefits Xander and Luka as they try to make the transition from casual fuck buddies to something more.
When university student, Xander, starts to develop real feelings towards his sex friend, Luka, he questions just how much longer he can walk the fine line between friends and lovers. Luka isn’t interested in becoming anyone’s boyfriend, but he’ll happily play the part of someone’s lover for the night if it means he’ll get to have a good time.
After winning tickets to an indie rock show in Sydney, Xander invites Luka to a weekend getaway in an attempt to either deepen their relationship, or finally end it. Can Xander convince someone who’s against dating to become exclusive? Or will he have his heart broken while on holiday?
Three days, two nights, one chance to fulfil the friends-to-lovers trope.
Just 69cm Between Us Light Novel Review
While you don’t need to play Wrong Number to get into Just 69cm Between Us, it does give a bit of background on Luka and Xander’s relationship. But, the basic rundown is: after a night out, Xander gets the number of a hot bartender, but when he calls the number he accidently switches up some of the digits and calls a complete stranger instead. Luka, while not the female bartender Xander meant to call, is pretty chill and decides to use this as a chance to get a free date. And surprisingly he and Xander actually hit it off.
So, after a lot of flirty texting, late night calls, and crazy sexual compatibility, the pair figure why not just go with the flow and see where their relationship goes. Fast forward to Just 69cm Between Us, and Xander and Luka are now in a friends-with-benefits “situationship” that’s been going pretty well… that is until Xander catches real feelings, and starts to want something more. Despite their insane chemistry both in and out of the bedroom, Luka has made it very clear that he wants to keep their relationship strictly casual. But, that doesn’t stop Xander from inviting him to a weekend getaway in Sydney for a rock concert. His hope being that the trip will be just the thing to push their relationship into something more serious.
Of course, it’s going to be a bit of an uphill climb for the pair as they navigate their misaligned feelings and work out just what kind of relationship works best for the both of them.
While, the situation could easily veer into melodrama territory, Just 69cm Between Us is a fun, lighthearted read that takes a different approach to “traditional” romance. The dynamic between Luka and Xander is pretty well established; they’re buddies who just happen to have really great sex. The meet cute has already happened and they are both intimately acquainted with each other’s bodies–there are no secrets here.
As far as casual relationships go, theirs is pretty uncomplicated, because Xander and Luka are genuinely friends. There is an ease to their interactions that is just super refreshing to see depicted in a romance story. Of course there are some growing pains, for the plot, but the pair takes everything in stride and I love seeing their existing bond, while tenuous, grow and solidify over the course of the story. Also, I am a sucker for fun banter and teasing.
Just 69cm Between Us is a character driven story. The real weight of the conflict doesn’t come from some external force, but rather from Xander and Luka themselves. Xander is head over heels for Luka, and while he likes how close he and Luka are, he wants more. He is over the casual hook-ups and wants to start something more solid with Luka. Which is sweet, but Luka is aromantic, and established pretty early on that he is not a relationship person. He is more of a go with the flow kind of guy who isn’t looking to settle down with anyone. But, that doesn’t diminish Luka’s relationship with Xander, rather it becomes more apparent as the story progresses that his feelings for Xander may be developing into something deeper too.
It’s like Luka and Xander are operating on two different speeds. Xander is ready to dive head first into dating (man has been ready). While Luka is right on the edge of dipping his toes into the idea of maybe trying out being in a serious relationship. He just needs time (and a lot of patience) and even then he may never be ready to fully take that plunge. In a situation like this, Xander’s feelings could easily become overbearing, but they aren’t because he doesn’t try to force Luka to change who he is to accommodate his feelings.
Xander genuinely respects Luka and the bond they’ve established. And Luka, the shameless tease that he is, can clearly see that Xander wants more out of their relationship. But, rather than pulling back or making things weird, he is comfortable enough with Xander to have those tough conversations and clearly communicate his needs and wants. Even if that means he and Xander put and end to their relationship as it currently stands. Seriously, we need to normalize actual communication in our romance media, because them actually talking is sexier than the smut.
Speaking of smut, if the fun title wasn’t indication enough, Just 69cm Between Us gets pretty spicy. The boys fuck. Often. I mean they’re fuck buddies, what did you expect? Red-chan put them writing chops to work with the sex scenes, they are descriptive and poetic, while being really hot. Like I had to re-read some pages a few times before moving on hot. Also, there are 15 black and white full page illustrations by Yuusagichii to add that extra visual element to some of the key scenes. To be clear, nothing explicit, but lovely to look at nonetheless.
Is Just 69cm Between Us Worth Reading?
I have been a long time fan of Red-chan’s visual novels which range from serious character explorations to hilarious comedic hijinks. And after reading Just 69cm Between Us, I feel like it is the perfect mix of the two distinctive tones. It’s fun and lighthearted while delving in to the complicated emotions both Xander and Luka face navigating their “situationship”. I love where the story of Just 69cm Between Us ends. The LN takes place over just two days and even under the best circumstances, that’s not a lot of time to work out everything between Xander and Luka. So expecting a perfect fairytale romantic ending is unrealistic and I like that we leave them in a place that feels natural for them.
There are no easy answers or clean endings, but that doesn’t make the journey any less worthwhile. And even where things leave off between the pair, you kind of know that the boys are going to be alright wherever the future takes them. So, yes, y’all need to read Just 69cm Between Us, like yesterday (and check out the other in universe side stories too).
This review was sponsored by WitPOP, but all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Want me to review your work? Send a message via the Blerdy Otome contact page.
