Now that his job has given him the money, Aoki can finally have presents of mind when it comes to Ida’s birthday. But what of Saionji, his coworker who’s crushing on him? Yes, what about her… Elsewhile, Aida pops the question to Hashimoto, but he might get popped in return if he isn’t careful.
The mix-ups continue in another volume of the little series that could. Despite my continued dislike of its concept of ‘face game’, this is one mighty good shojo series that knows to travel a path slightly less taken and is all the better for it.
Big props to the way the entire Saionji situation gets handled, with the hilarious revelation that Aoki’s sense of self is pretty inflated and Ida’s ability to read people extends beyond his blatant and obvious boyfriend.
Basically, this volume just nails it in the characterization department. Saionji isn’t a tsundere, she’s a classic hard-ass who means well. Aoki and Ida butt heads over kissing and Aoki rediscovers a dream that he’d been shamed into abandoning.
The boys are basically just flirty as all hell and that includes trying to figure out their approach to kissing, which involves revelations from Ida’s past and the two of them harassing the heck out of their poor, harried friend.
As for Hashimoto, she gets what she wants and just as quickly throws it aside, when Aida turns out to be one of those boys who can’t admit his own feelings with any forthrightness. His haughty demeanour hiding his bevy of insecurities is classic male machismo, just distilled down to its important bits.
Hashimoto’s quiet strength can’t be understated - she finally has everything, yet won’t accept it if it isn’t being given with a reasonable amount of sincerity. And that’s not quite Aida’s department. That’s such a good turn for Hashimoto as a character and really colours her in a new light that I really enjoyed.
So, when she breaks things off because she doesn’t feel like she’s been valued, believable. Of course, Aida’s attitude has been hiding how much he cares about Hashimoto and now he has to figure out how to express that properly.
This probably scores the biggest laugh of the volume when it becomes clear just how under thumb Aida is in a relationship and how he can’t stop being a posturing ninny around his guy friends (nor can he manage to say anything without being overheard).
It’s all strong all ‘round, from the looming romance struggles to plans for the future (Ida’s career path is ridiculously straightforward) and all the great character moments. It’s a really strong volume of something that’s really just grown on me a lot over time.
4.5 stars - oh, go on, have your full score, you silly series. Damn those faces, but everything else here was an absolute treat this time out. Maybe not outstanding, but consistent from top to bottom.