Kisu Yori mo Hayaku (Faster Than a Kiss) by Meca Tanaka
Published by Hakusensha from July 5, 2007 to October 5, 2012
Genre: Romance, Shojo
12 Volumes/book series
Format: eBook
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (MAL 8/10)
Find on Goodreads
Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ct4F8N
Losing their parents, Fumiko and her brother hop from one relative to another. Getting tired of all those movings, she finally decides to quit school and work to support her brother on her own. As they sat on a park bench, her teacher appears in front of her and agrees to her demanding of marrying and supporting both her and her brother!! Is he serious or just playing around…!?
Review
If you love classic shojo manga packed with secret romance, wholesome family bonds, and plenty of swoon-worthy comedic moments, Faster Than a Kiss is an absolute gem!
The Premise: A Secret Marriage of Convenience
After losing their parents, high school student Fumino Kaji and her little brother Teppei find themselves homeless and bouncing between unsupportive relatives. Desperate to protect her brother, Fumino impulsively declares she will marry anyone who takes them in. Her high school homeroom teacher, Kazuma Ogame, steps up to accept the proposal—taking them into his home under one condition: their marriage must remain an absolute secret from the school and the public.
Endearing Leads & Heartwarming Dynamics
What starts as a desperate arrangement quickly evolves into a sweet, supportive household:
- Fumino (The FL): Fiercely protective, emotional, and hardworking. Her main motivation is always her little brother’s happiness, which makes her growth into a confident young woman deeply endearing.
- Kazuma Sensei (The ML): Responsible, gentle, and surprisingly goofy behind closed doors. He maintains strict boundaries as her teacher while providing the safety and care Fumino and Teppei desperately need.
- Teppei (The Little Brother): Teppei steals the show in almost every chapter, serving as the adorable glue that brings Fumino and Kazuma together as a real family.
Nostalgic Shojo Art & Humor
Meca Tanaka’s artwork represents 2000s shojo at its finest—expressive chibi reactions, dramatic comedy panels, and soft, romantic moments. The story balances lighthearted domestic comedy with genuine emotional growth as both leads navigate their feelings while respecting their boundaries.
Final Verdict
Faster Than a Kiss is a nostalgic, heartwarming shojo romance that delivers great humor, wholesome family dynamics, and a deeply satisfying happy ending.
Check out my book shelf for book suggestions and recommendations!
I was a little squicked out by the student/sensei thing but it doesn’t seem like a huge age gap so I’ll take your word for it lol
i’m glad it ended on a high note for you!
For What It’s Worth
Hehe, that was my reaction at first too. I failed to mention in my review, their age gap is 8 years. I guess in Japan it’s common to marry someone who’s older than you.
Yep, the ending was just so romantic. My! That was really my favorite <3
it’s been a while since I haven’t tried a manga
If you have time and you love YA, this one isn’t bad to try 😉
Well, there’s still time to go back hehe 😉
I haven’t read any Manga but I did enjoy your review.
Thanks Mary 🙂
I need to read more manga 😀
Hehe, me too. I actually have a ton in my TBR, the only thing I’m lacking is time. I wish I could borrow the reading glasses in the manga/anime Fairy Tail so I could read more books in just a day or even a minute.
Thanks for inspiring me to read mangas. This one has me super curious. I love high school romances too, especially in Jdrama 🙂
That’s great to hear Shane 🙂 I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this one, it’s very sweet yet entertaining at the same time.
I love Manga. I’m currently reading the Sailor Moon series. 🙂 Great review on this one. I need to keep my eye out for other Manga’s to read.
Ohh, high five! Hehe, I love manga as much as I love books too and my! This one is pretty cute and I’m sure you’ll love this one if you adore shojo anime 🙂