This is one of the very, very few times that I will seriously recommend a yaoi manga to people who aren't into yaoi. Anyone who has the stomach for mercilessly blunt romantic drama should at least consider reading these.
Vol.1: Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru
Vol.2: Sojou no Koi wa Nido Haneru
Admittedly, the premise is pretty ridiculous. When I read the summary of the first volume on MAL, I thought, "Yeah, that would be the plot of a yaoi manga." But what makes this manga really stick out is its brutally honest depiction of its two lead characters.
I've once heard these two described as "too realistic to be likable." The emotions certainly feel real. I will not pretend to understand the tribulations of being a closeted gay man, but there were many other things that hit uncomfortably close to home: feeling the constant pangs of jealousy, trying to be considerate to the other person while secretly wanting to keep them to yourself, realizing that your behavior is pathetic and that you're only causing problems for the other person and on and on and on.
I actually first read this series three years ago, at the end of my freshman year. Back then, I remember the harsh depiction of the characters making a strong impression on me, but that was about it. I couldn't sympathize with the characters on anything more than an intellectual level. But my experiences the past few years have made a big difference. Upon rereading this, there were so many instances in which I found myself thinking, "They're making a terrible decision, but I totally understand how they feel."
And in the last few pages, the main characters realize something that very few romantic works of any medium have the guts or self-awareness to acknowledge:
read: left <--- right
In the end, the two come to a very Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-esque conclusion: it's gonna be rough, and their relationship could quite literally fall apart at any moment. But love isn't meant to be simple and easy, nor does life end with one's romantic relationships. And this lesson, in itself, is a very happy ending for these characters. :)
