Gazing at the Star Next Door, Vol. 3

隣のステラ [Tonari no Stella] #3

by Ammitsu

What do you do when your best friend (and secret crush) becomes a national sweetheart? This story of unrequited love between a girl and her best friend, whose acting career is pulling him further and further away, is perfect for fans of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk and Kimi ni Todoke.

Chiaki is a pretty normal teenage girl. Since they were kids, she’s had a thing for her best friend Subaru–who’s fast becoming the hottest young actor in Japan! With Subaru threatening to slip away, Chiaki has a decision to make: Will she finally take her shot, or give Subaru up to his adoring public?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Contemporary, Young Adult, Ebooks, Graphic Novels

Paperback

First published March 13, 2023

Reviews

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ *]

this would’ve literally broken me if i read this when i was in high school… hell im almost broken now

[Mark]

Chiaki reaches out hard to Subaru and retreats just as quickly. Just as it looks like tropes are doomed to repeat themselves, a stunning change of pace occurs. And everything is solved and wonderful. For… five seconds.

This bides its time a little at the beginning, going through the expected motions of walking back Chiaki’s sudden urge to tell Subaru that she can’t be without him and all the backpedaling you’d expect.

Then it’s time to study for tests and Chiaki’s cover story to walk things back sends Subaru into a pouty strop that starts to suggest that things might not be as cut and dried as Chiaki thinks.

But, oh, hopes do exist to be dashed, don’t they? And not in the way you’re probably thinking with near misses and misunderstandings. No, this goes a whole other direction and makes for a more interesting story as a consequence.

And let’s talk consequences, shall we? As if I wasn’t rooting for Chiaki before, this volume makes me feel genuinely sad as all get out for her and that’s not an emotion that’s easy for manga to just conjure up for me.

There is a skill to the way all the small things sprinkled through this volume, like a goofy autograph and another almost connection, combine to twist the knife even harder when it all falls apart. This has one of the most loaded arm washings since a high school production of MacBeth.

Most characters in stories like this don’t have very far to fall and not for long; Chiaki aims so high and crashes back down to earth in a way that’s almost cruel except for the fact that you just can’t force other people’s feelings.

Now, presumably this won’t last - this has one of the meanest shojo cliffhangers I’ve seen in months - but it absolutely sells the sadness of the moment and that’s not an easy thing to do when you kind of know what will happen.

This really felt like it would be mired in the not as good side of the second volume, the first section is very by-the-numbers, but a little originality, combined with the strong writing I expect from this mangaka, sets the latter portion on fire.

And that’s not even mentioning the other great stuff like Ha-chan being such a great friend AND her hilarious fascination with older men (or historic DILFs) and the fashion, which I never, ever notice but is pretty dang good.

4.5 stars - if the first part wasn’t so traditional I think I would have given this 5 stars based on how crazy good the last parts are. Still, an unequivocal recommendation for this one.

[Jess | jadecanread]

Gah, I love childhood friends to lovers!

I do wish we progressed a touch more in this volume (why is it so short?!) but that ending panel!! SQUEEEE.

Thank goodness I didn't read this when I was in high school, I'd be incorrigible lol.

RECAP: basically a lot of Chi wanting to reach out and confess and then second guessing. She asks for his male costar's autograph and he gives her the cold shoulder. Later, he tells her he was sad she didn't ask for his own autograph. Then he signs her arm and she wears long sleeves in the summer to preserve it. When he's napping, she brushes his hair away from his face while he's holding her arm. He's actually awake and hears her say "I need you" and then she runs away. He's more playful, cooks for her, implies that cooking isn't the only thing he loves about her, etc. She actually confesses her feelings and he rejects her. She runs away and they avoid each other. Premiere of drama's first ep, she attends and he sees her. A few days later, he's outside their apt and he has a fever. She takes care of him as usual and then at the end he kisses her.

[jo]

'she's my brightest star.'

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels)]

Chi and Subaru are still super adorable! Chi is still so awkward but yet so endearing. Subaru is mysterious and just gives these little hints of what he feels and wants - but you just don't know for sure. And that is what I love about stories like this - that uncertainty and the need to be vulnerable with each other but the fear of doing so. You might be screaming in this one for them to just talk to each other - but I still love it!

[zaza ᥫ᭡]

oh young high school teenage minds & drama & thinking

[Chaela]

They are so cute!!! I'm screaming!!!

[peepoo]

GASP

[mi]

omg i literally FLEW through this volume. something about the art style really draws me in emotionally, and even though im reading in black and white, i feel like i can see the colors and the emotions written out on the pages. so props to the artist for sure!! i’m really interested to see more of subaru’s perspective and feelings, since as a reader we’re still mostly in the dark like chi, and can thus feel for her a lot more. i’m really appreciative of chi’s friend who supports her when things are going well AND when things are going poorly. i have to admit that i’m definitely hooked on this series now, i just hope it doesn’t break my heart 😭

[Vicky]

The unrequited love is breaking my heart and it made me emotional, because I empathize with the emotions associated with it.

Chiaki keeps denying her feelings for Subaru as she feels hopeless for a romantic relationship to develop between them. She attempts to ignore her feelings to stop liking him, but every time he does something heart fluttering, that increases the difficulty.

I can tell that he likes her too but there’s something holding him back!

[Laura A. Grace]

I read this several days ago and absolutely loved it! If I thought love triangles can bring angst, childhood friends-to-lovers bring a whole other level of angst!!

So much happiness and excitement and then total sadness and upset!! WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS THIS VOLUME WAS!! From the beginning, to the middle, to the end, all of it was an up down rollercoaster!

I would say more but not sure what else I COULD say without spoilers, but goodness this series is GOOD!

[Mimi]

Chiaki has realized that she can't maintain their old friendship and knows she has to talk to him about her feelings.
-------------------
AHH ADORABLE!
More jealousy moments and finally the confession???

Though I'm confused about why he rejected her?? It looked at first that he was going to say yes but then had a conversation with someone who ultimately led to him rejecting her??

Still so cute, and I can't wait to read the next one.

[Katharine]

I don't even know if I can say this is full of miscommunication because the issue is that they're not communicating at all. Chiiaki finally gets the courage to commit, only to chicken out again. Her mentality behind not allowing herself to like him openly is understandable, but she really can't stop waffling about it. Also, ouch that cliffhanger.

[Jessica]

omg my heart literally ached for chiaki, i felt every emotion she felt and it’s so understandable why she pulls away. ugh these are such basic tropes but gets me every time!!! the art is so well done, so much emotion in the eyes. i eat it up. and what is that cliffhanger i’m definitely going to volume 4 now bye

[MouseyMouse]

I do have volume 4 but I am conflicted about continuing this series because the MC seems to be wayyyyyyy more into the MMC than the other way around.
Idk not the biggest fan of nonchalant love interests.

[Sabrina]

GAAAAAAAH

angst angst angst AND THEN?!?@?@,$,

[Hisgirl85]

4.5 stars

[nibha ⋆˚꩜｡]

saw that rejection coming but god this is breaking my heart 😭

[mel]

who laughed at that note about the character subaru's playing being into maternal women in the bonus lmao

[-moonprismpower-]

Ugh wasn’t expecting her to confess!!!! And his answer?!? Omg. But then the ending is confusing? But it’s got me flustered lol.

[bea 🪴]

giggling so hard

[Risa (Clazzi)]

Oh maaaaan I love this shit 😭😭😭

[Sarah]

Adorable and relatable in Chi's hesitance and fears.

[Emylia]

Not the damn cliffhanger

[Manderz♡]

I just love the art in these books and the story! My only complaint would be that I wish they were longer😭😭😍

And that cliffhanger!! I need the next volume immediately!

[em!]

missing junhui hours

[Kristin ✨]

I'm not screaming, you are.

This volume was emotion packed. The angst is on an all time high.

[georgiaotaku]

Now I have to wait for what feels like forever for the next one…

[Jess]

I wanna know where his head’s at

[Kimberlee]

This cliff hanger was cruel and unusual punishment.