彩香ちゃんは弘子先輩に恋してる 2

彩香ちゃんは弘子先輩に恋してる [Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru] #2

by Sal Jiang

「…弘子先輩も女の人が好きだから、あの店に来たんですか?」
OLの彩香ちゃんは同じ職場の弘子先輩のことが大好き。
猛アピールも、なかなか想いは伝わらない毎日。
そんな中、初めて入ったレズビアンバーに常連の弘子先輩が現れて…!?
迫る彩香ちゃんに対し、弘子先輩は…!?
急展開の嵐、すれ違いオフィスラブ第2巻!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Yuri, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Lesbian, LGBT

160 pages, Comic

First published July 21, 2022

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume takes a turn for the better, but my overall impression is that of a story where the mangaka’s reach exceeds their grasp. Now, I am all for the reaching, I think it makes for a better story this way, but it doesn’t quite make it.

There’s also something weird about the art in this one. For the most part it’s serviceable, but lacks a certain something that would make it really hum. Ayaka’s depiction never quite feels right, but Hiroko does okay (there’s a great scene of Hiroko and a coworker talking that I wish was emblematic of the whole thing).

Anyway, it’s another volume of near misses, with a bit more of a lesbian bent, which I always appreciate. Ayaka comes out to Hiroko, but Hiroko remains very closeted around the office. Risa continues to chase Ayaka.

We get flashbacks aplenty this volume, which is normally a big sigh from me, but they’re employed to good effect. The more minor one shows how Ayaka came to fall for Hiroko, which is inessential yet okay.

Where the rubber hits the road is with Hiroko’s backstory, a brutal tale of office politics and forbidden (for the wrong reasons) love that destroys at least one person’s career and nearly totals another.

This explains so much of Hiroko and in a surprisingly compelling way. Young Hiroko learned a painful, painful lesson about what coming out at work would do to her and it’s one she’s lived with ever since. When she whiffs it at even being a good ally for Ayaka, this is why.

The whole thing becomes a shambles when Ayaka gets rejected due to Hiroko’s hangups and then Risa steps in with the ‘why not give me a shot’ strategy. And, in a change from the usual, Ayaka says yes.

While the overall destination of the story is pretty set, I do wish this had been explored a bit more than just with a montage of them dating. It also undercuts itself with the reveal that this plethora of dates takes place over a whole week.

I like the trajectory of Risa’s story, honestly, as she lets Hiroko really have it for being the one Ayaka wants, yet doing nothing with that information. Risa’s frustration is believable, but I also appreciated how Hiroko steps in to be a good senpai. Ironically, her keeping work and personal life separate give her a leg up here.

Basically, better than before, but not great. The closing scene sure looks like Ayaka is going for a massive boundary violation, so that’s a thing. And I was glad to see the lesbian bar come back, but it spends way too much time focusing on the one woman with huge breasts for the purpose of boob jokes. It detracts from what I felt that group added in volume one.

3 stars - I wish this had a bit more consistency to it, but this works better than it previously did, at least. Still too uneven for my liking, but it has enough to keep me on the line for the next volume.

[Heather’s Reading Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this volume much more enjoyable than the first volume. The deep dive into Hiroko’s backstory really helped with my frustrations with her. The age gap between her and Ayaka is a very big issue. People will say it’s not but it is. I’m not saying I have an issue with this kind of age gap I’m saying it needs to be brought up as they are at different stages of life. I also think what happened with Hiroko’s senpai needed to be shown because it’s a realistic situation in workplaces, unfortunately, and is the reason for her hiding who she is.

What I didn’t like Risa went from being understanding to trying to force Ayaka into a relationship. The boob jokes they got old really quick and the ending which looks like Ayaka outting Hiroko to the entire workplace.

One more volume to wrap this series up I believe I really hope it’s not a rush job but I’m looking forward to it.

[pears ✧ ☽ ☼ ଳ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.75⭐️

[Mehsi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can we just stop assuming peeps are straight, for crying out loud. Geez. And then even lying about not being gay while there is a cute girl who wants to get it on with you, what the actual fuck is wrong with this senpai.... Hiroko is SO unlikeable I just want to punch her. It wasn't til chapter 13 that she finally understood and then she still burned it all down. WTF. And we do learn a bit more about Hiroko, but I still want to punch her for being so horrible.
I feel for Risa, who really loves Ayaka.. but knows that she and her won't be together as Ayaka only has eyes for Hiroko (yes despite all the heartache).
I love what Ayaka did at the end, haha, that is one way to solve that problem I guess? I am still not sure if I will ship these two. But one more volume to go. Let's hope it is less depressing/frustrating. And yes, I know I should just DNF, but I want Ayaka to find happiness. Plus, you know what they say about trainwrecks. XD

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: vomit (mentioned), sexism, misogyny, lesbophobia

For the most part, this was a pretty good sequel. More drama-filled and less comedic than the first book in the series, Jiang makes up for it providing more background to Hiroko and why she's so hesitant to pursue a relationship with Ayaka. While I don't think the love triangle element was necessary when I was reading the first book, Jiang does make use of it in this book and I honestly feel bad for Risa because it is so obvious she does not have a chance with Ayaka. Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but it does make a good cliffhanger if you need motivation to read the last book in the series.

[Lavonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say that I am rooting for any of these characters at this point. Hiroko has a lot of trauma that she needs to get through which is far considering what she has been through. However lying to Ayaka about her own sexuality was not the move, and repeating toxic homophobic phases to Ayaka was not the move. And Ayaka basically trying to force Hiroko to come out at the end in the work place was very much not okay. It was such a breaking of boundaries that I do no think they will ever be able to come back from that and have a health relationship. And as I type this review it makes me not want to read the next volume of this manga.

[Loki Wylde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute and a little frustrating how oblivious Hiroko can be. Ayaka literally throwing herself at her and she’s still talkin herself down. Still an interesting story of self discovery, love, acceptance of yourself and others. Definitely some triggers to with age gap, boss and subordinate as well as possibly not respecting a boundary of no? But then there’d be no story so… *shrugs* 8/10

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it's nice we got why Ayaka is acting the way she is, I'm still annoyed by the development here. Again, the ending is making me want to read the final volume. But, if I have to deal with false hope for another time, I swear....

[Ada]

Less silly. Still cute. Do not read if you have a low angst tolerance 😭

[Hannah Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as volume 1 but i have a feeling vol three will be really good!

[Linda]

Kinda okay, like I was a tad annoyed at the older female lead, for what she did in this volume. I'll continue to read.

[Audrey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

consider me hooked on Sal Jiang