Very sweet BL manga about a driving instructor and his student falling in love. Love the artwork too and their relationship was sweet.

THIS WAS SO CUTE! A one-shot BL romance between driving instructor who has sworn off love and his client who is also known as the "Sharp Suited Prince". WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN? Ahh, this was so precious and I wish it was a little bit longer but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, art style and story. I can't wait to read more of this author's work. :-)

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with this digital arc in return for an honest review!

First off, happy book birthday to this manga!!!
Secondly, this manga was super cute, and I enjoyed it so much!! I wish it was longer than a oneshot!!
Alright, so Chiba is Mr. Wonderful at his job, pretty much at the dmv. Everyone wants him to be their driving instructor since he is the cutest thing! Then there is Yaotome, who is coming to get his license, and he shows up in a business suite. He wants to show how serious he is about getting his license, and you can tell that he is happy to have Chiba as his instructor.
This volume was paced amazingly, there was plenty of happy moments, a smattering of comedy, and my favorite a pinch of drama. At no moment did this volume feel rushed, or it needed more time to flesh out these characters. I feel that these two are going to be a couple that many will enjoy🩵

4.5 stars rounded up a bit.

A short and sweet love story between a cheerful and very handsome driving instructor Chiba and a cute and occasionally adorably awkward love-struck mangaka Yaotome, who becomes Chiba's student.

Both characters are super cute and both come with a bit of a backstory, so it is interesting to see how their relationship develops. The art is lovely (the crying panel was heartbreakingly beautiful) and the vibe of the story is light and fairy-tale(ish), which is perfect for a summer afternoon escape from our current reality (we are not in the best timeline right now, are we?)

The only downside for me was the length - too short. I really do love one-shots but with this one I would have liked to spend more time with the characters. I have seen it mentioned somewhere on soc media that it is not a one-shot in Japanese, but I have to admit that I did not check it. If it is true, then I would really really like to read more about these two adorable dorks.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants or needs a lovely love story with very pretty art!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dreamy instuctor meets princely mangaka?

🚙 What's it about?

Chiba is the driving instructor everyone dreams of: he’s kind, patient, and his guidance makes it easy for you to learn. And he’s gorgeous, but that’s icing on the cake.

While he deliberately does this to get good reviews by the flocks of students who come to the school hoping to drive with him, Chiba’s rule is not to get romantically involved with his students. That is, until the “Sharp-Suited Prince” who looks straight out of a shojo romance—because he’s a shojo mangaka—shows up for lessons.

And he's keeping a little secret, too.

🚙 Overall thoughts:

I adored this. I think it's my favorite August read so far.

You mean to tell me every single trope I adore was hiding behind an inconspicuous-looking manga about a driving school?

Yaotome? Goals. Perfect man. I love how he literally shows up to driving ed dressed to the high nines in a suit. And then you get to see what he's really like behind-the-scenes. This man is singlehandedly one of the sweetest semes I've seen and the manga-he-writes (can't tell you what it is!) influence in his personality really shows.

And Chiba? Swooning. It's no surprise people flock to the school in hopes to see him. He's the kind of person who has this sort of healing presense? But I also enjoyed how he's not a one-dimensional character. Man has beef, and he's not afraid to speak his mind. Which gave the series a touch of realism that helped immerse me more into the story.

And the romance here? It's so fitting that Yaotome is a mangaka because it feels very dreamy but also real. Their relationship has a few ups and downs, but when you get to the payoff? It's incredibly satisfying. Those kissy scenes shall live rent-free in my head, thank you very much.

Overall, this was fantastic, I adored it. It lost a point or two on character development and story depth, but even without them, this is still a 10 for me because everything else is done so well. Highly recommended, please give it a try!

My Instructor Won’t Yield is a runner-up in the BL Sommelier category of the 2025 ChillChill BL awards. And I’m bawling because I would’ve loved merch with these two, but alas…

🚙 Who is My Instructor Won’t Yield for?

This fun story is perfect for manga fans looking for a lighthearted story where the romance is almost lowkey but it hits you twice as hard.

"I can't make my foot come off the pedal! I'm paralyzed with dread. The horror! The horror!!" Mr. Yaotome


Chiba is THE driving instructor everyone wants to be paired with. The man has his own fan club! But behind office doors and away from students Chiba is less than interested in all the hype. Some instructors fall for their students, but he prefers to keep things separate. Putting on a front to help baby drivers feel at ease behind the wheel.


Until Mr. Yaotome walks in and he finds himself struggling to keep up the act and not get close to this odd man. Chiba finally meets someone interesting and gets ghosted after the first lesson! Luckily, fates are on both of their sides when a chance encounter at a convenience store helps to allow them to get to know one another more. But is this a good idea?


I loved the cover of this manga and when I dived in, I was just so engrossed until the very end! I couldn't stop grinning so wildly and feeling a warmth in my heart. I realized how big I was smiling when my face fell during certain turns in the story. This BL manga is so precious, and I loved it!


"What was I thinking, a thirty-year-old man learning to drive?" - Mr. Yaotome


Listen, no matter what age you are, learning to drive is scary. And I think driving instructors should get paid a ton for what they have to do. Trusting a baby driver behind a wheel and with their life. Yes, there is the instructor's brake pedal if needed but still! Chiba is brilliant, nice, patient, and kind as he helps Mr. Yaotome feel more confident behind the wheel. He isn't the sought-out driving instructor for nothing, though his female students may be a little more bias when it comes to the man's looks.


I did a quick Google search on how old one has to be to obtain a license in Japan for a car. It's eighteen, now I could be wrong because I'm an American who sadly has never been to Japan. I could completely understand why Chiba isn't interested in dating any of his students. Since most of his female clients seem to be eighteen. I really loved and got even more excited about this read when I found out both MMCs are thirty!


I adored the instant chemistry between the two leads! This was such a lighthearted and fun read! With comedy that had me chuckling and I just felt extremely happy and bubbly reading this manga! There wasn't any language that I picked up on. There are some sad moments and a horrible ex but nothing too heavy. I loved the twists with things and certain individuals who popped back up. Author gives us translation notes and details on driving school in Japan.


There is a bit of a slow burn and some bumps along the way. But we do get wonderful romance and on page kissing! There's the impression that more goes on between the two behind closed doors, fade to black/just jumping into the next scene. I loved how Mr. Yatome is the opposite of the first impression you get from him. A total klutz and just a sweet man you want to protect! Pretty sure his blushing and getting embarrassed easily sealed the deal for Chiba.


The art is beautiful, and I completely agree with Kingyobachi's note on drawing vehicles! They're difficult to draw and then when you add people in the picture?! Trying to get perspectives correct and ensure your people aren't giant compared to the car or vice versa! I loved how the characters were drawn and how you were able to understand their personalities and emotions. HEA for my two guys! Loved the side characters and all the support the main leads got even without knowing it!


Ugh this was such a good read! Do enjoy the lighthearted BL manga and don't forget to give the author some stars!


Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha!


shutupandbookup.com

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute read! Honestly, I got really invested once I started reading. It was short and sweet with really good artwork !

4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

ARRRRgg I love them!! These men are so cute. Yaotome is a capital L LOSER and I am obsessed with him. The romance is very sweet though it does progress pretty fast. I also really liked that the protagonists were older (they’re both 30) since a lot of the BLs I find tend to have college age characters.

Cute one-shot boylove romance between Mr Chiba and Mr Yaotome (no first names given.) Chiba is a popular driving instructor and Yaotome his student who at thirty has a sudden need for a license so he can take his new cat (not shown) to a vet. He’s terrified of driving at first, on top of which he constantly calls Chiba with a wrong name. When the two meet by chance later at a shop, Yaotome is flustered and clumsy, which Chiba finds cute.

But when Chiba learns Yaotome is a manga artist who has used Chiba’s face for his character, he’s upset. He’s still willing to travel with Yaotome on a research trip though, where the two talk things out. After a brief setback, caused by Chiba’s past, the two become a couple.

This wasn’t a terribly emotional or romantic romance, but it was sweet and cute. The dynamics of the pair felt a bit off—the introverted otaku was more active, and probably the top (there’s no spice to learn for sure), than the outgoing and self-confident Chiba—but they seemed good together. The story ends as the pair starts dating so the reader doesn’t really find out. All in all, while this is a satisfying one-shot, the story has plenty of room to continue.

I liked the art, but I had issues with the lettering, which had a lot of kerneling problems. And I really didn’t get the title of the manga. It gives to understand Chiba was against the dating, or that he would otherwise oppose Yaotome, but that’s not the case at all. Maybe it refers to Chiba not letting Yaotome not quit learning to drive? No idea.

*2.5 stars
This is a perfectly passable BL one-shot romance following two thirty-year-olds, one a driving instructor, and one a manga artist learning to drive for the first time (for the sake of his new cat). The premise of the love story is a little obsessive and over-the-top at times, but there are cute enough scenes, and it's nice that while this follows adults, it stays pretty PG throughout.

This was such a cute and enjoyable read! The cover itself speaks for this while hinting at the main premise.

Chiba is a favorite when it comes to driving instructors requested by women, however he’s sworn off love due to a previous relationship. I found his character honest but also slightly confusing. It was nice to see a character putting himself first and calling others out when they were in the wrong. However his feelings towards Yaotome, weren’t as evident or developed throughout this volume. I also didn’t like how he prioritized meeting his ex above Yaotome. That genuinely made me the more upset than my coworkers pulling excuses to not work!

The “Sharp-Suited Prince”, is an adorable character. Yaotome is so expressive but also knows himself very well. I loved how he didn’t force himself on Chiba or overstep his boundaries. He actually listens to Chiba, apologies and acts like a gentleman. It’s evident that Yaotome loves Chiba a lot but that doesn’t define his whole character in this story. And he keeps his advances outside of work hours which is perfect!

As with most one shot manga, there is a misunderstanding in this one too. It was short and not so much a misunderstanding as it was a lack of communication. That said, the communication fell a bit flat for me. Near the end, I felt like there was more to be said and should have been said. It just felt incomplete and rushed after a lot of buildup so it kind of, I don’t know felt unfulfilling? Like, the romance itself seems a bit rushed because we see Yaotome’s feelings evidently and although Chiba does like him, it just doesn’t connect at times. They are cute but it made me wonder how their relationship will turn out.

Luckily this story has no other drama, love interest, or chronic misunderstanding. It’s honestly quite peaceful and mature in a way that makes it stand out. There are a few supporting characters which I honestly don’t recall but they were all kind folks. They supported Chiba and Yaotome by clearing any miscommunications and encouraging them.

I awarded the extra star for the amazing artwork. I don’t do this often but the artwork is such a blessing on the eyes! It’s soft, detailed and magically lifts this story. I love the character designs because they were pretty; the facial and body expressions are on point; the backgrounds were well detailed and placed; as well as the overall layout felt perfect. Everything was in balance, especially the layout because the panels were well sized so I didn’t need to zoom in.

Overall this was an enjoyable read although a bit unsatisfying. It’s a cute and unique concept with amazing artwork so that puts it in my reread list automatically. I wish there was a volume two because I feel like this story has so much more to offer. I would definitely recommend giving it a read!

The artwork is very good and the romance between the MCs is simple and cute. I will be on the lookout for more of this mangaka's work in the future.

I received a digital ARC of this manga from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Instructor Won’t Yield is a BL manga about two men who meet at an adult driving school and find their relationship veering into something other than professional.

Mr. Chiba, a driving instructor made popular by his good looks, has been heartbroken in the past in a way which has left him jaded at the thought of any teacher entering into a romantic relationship with one of their students.

Mr. Yaotome, an introverted manga artist, has decided to take driving lessons in order to more easily ferry his beloved cat to and from vet appointments. Like many of the students who interact with Mr. Chiba at driving school, it’s seemingly love at first sight.

But when a secret Mr. Yaotome has been keeping is unraveled, the budding relationship is put to the test, revealing each character’s deeper insecurities and worries.

Though not much about the leads’ backgrounds aren’t revealed, both characters are enjoyable to read! Their chemistry together plus the humor of driving school was so fun!
I also found the story’s structure to be interesting. What I imagined to be the main conflict was addressed rather early on, which I appreciated. It left more room for developing the characters as opposed to unnecessarily drawing out drama.

My favorite thing about this manga was the art style!! I loved it! The nighttime scenes, particularly those in the last chapter, were drawn sooooo well! Very, very pretty.
This manga was funny and beautiful, and I’d recommend it to any BL lover looking for a fresh story with an interesting premise.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the arc!

I thought the premise of a driving instructor meeting with an adult student was such a cute concept. I really loved the art style… and the paneling was very easy on the eyes. But in particular how the characters were drawn stood out to me. I thought Chiba and Yaotome had a lot of chemistry and their relationship didn’t feel forced to me at all. Lastly, I really appreciated the translation notes at the end of the volume that discussed some Japanese terms. Some I was familiar with but there were car models and beverages mentioned in the manga that was new to me. This was sweet and fun overall, but too short to leave a lasting impression for me. It’s an ok, feel good quick read. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s been over 10 years since I got my driver’s license, and to this day, I still have nightmares about my experience with getting my license. I’m a great driver, but the anxiety of taking the test had me doing many retakes. All that to say, I wasn’t necessarily thrilled to read a BL about driving and driving tests, given my past trauma experience. However, there’s nothing I won’t do for love!

My Instructor Won’t Yield is by Deme Kingyobachi and is published by Kodansha. In it, Chiba is a driving instructor who is very popular with female students at the driving school. Aside from his looks, he’s kind and charming. Enter Yaotome – a driving student who comes to every lesson in a suit! While he looks mysterious and aloof, Yaotome is a total softie and comes undone during lessons with Chiba.

After driving school one day, Chiba encounters Yaotome at a convenience store wearing sweats and anime merch! He learns that Yaotome is a manga artist and the two hit it off. As the two get closer, we learn that Yaotome is hiding a lot more than just his feelings when it comes to Chiba.

My Instructor Won’t Yield takes an interesting premise and makes it whimsical. The entire story is fun and charming. It reads almost like a modern fairytale. Both Chiba and Yaotome are fun characters to follow. They both have interesting backstories that factor into their current-day mindsets.

I particularly enjoyed Yaotome. The fact that he goes to the driving school IN A SUIT but is a total clumsy mess around Chiba, contradicting his look, is too cute. He is adorable without even trying, and the more I learn about him, the more lovable he becomes. Kingyobachi also draws him in a way that makes my heart skip a beat!

I read the entire story in one sitting with a huge grin on my face. While there is a moment of conflict, it’s resolved quickly and gets back to the cuteness. Manga like this remind me why I love one-shots and short stories so much. They’re short but impactful in the way stories are told.

This was a great quick read! I was feeling down and looking for something quick and easy that would get my mood up and this definitely worked!
Is Yaotome slightly weird? Yep! That is kinda what it is not 5 star + the weird ex, who I just really disliked seeing here. But it was a great read otherwise!
I really enjoyed the art (the story is really short, seeing that it is a one-shot, but that is absolutely not an issue when you see how absolutely amazing the art style is. I would give up at least 10 volumes of a nothing plot line just to see art like this!) and I enjoyed how the characters worked together!
It was a great read!

𝓜𝔂 𝓘𝓷𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻 𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓽 𝓨𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓾 𝓓𝓮𝓶𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓰𝔂𝓲𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓱𝓲
𝐀𝐑𝐂: Thank you so much, NetGalley, for the EARC!
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - This was such a cute and easy read
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: K-I-S-S-I-N-G
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 19, 2025
𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥: 67/12

This manga was super cute and such a nice palette cleaner. When I saw that it was a BL, I applied super fast, and so glad that I did because it was so cute.

I was a little confused at the beginning, but it was later explained why that part happened. I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for volume 2 (fingers crossed there is one because I would love to see these characters again).

This book has:
🌑 BL
🌑 Manga
🌑teacher/student
🌑 Slight stalker vibes

I enjoyed reading this one-shot! It was short and sweet. The character design is also cute and adorable.

Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the e-arc of this manga! This was such a cute BL manga, and the premise of being between a driving instructor and their student is so unique. I was wondering if there would be an odd power dynamic, but the relationship seemed so natural and it progressed slowly (for a one-shot). This was such a well-rounded story and I love that while the angst was relationship-based, it wasn’t just because the two characters are queer. I highly recommend this manga to anyone who wants to read a heartwarming romance without having to wait for another volume.

4.5 ⭐️

This was a super cute and fun little read, i do wish there had been a bit more time for things to develop but I still enjoyed it.