I read another review that called this volume ‘transitional’ and I think that’s such a spot-on description that I’m going to abscond with it for my own use here.
There isn’t really much approaching a big arc, but there are lots of little things happening that do finally add up towards the end. It’s a bit of a walk to get there, however, enough that I initially felt a tug of tedium until I re-read it and took in the bigger picture.
Natsumi sort of makes good with some of her fellow students and may have a new friend. Her manga career still hasn’t quite got there, but she does at least make an important declaration (in her mind anyway; as usual, parents know way more than they let on).
Akarin struggles with feelings of academic and romantic inadequacy. Natsumi is such a good friend to her, but she doesn’t change much at all this volume. It’s all little bits of life like this and any one moment is fine, but as a whole they work pretty okay. More than I had realized, certainly.
Hiro turns out to be surprisingly responsible when he needs to be, which is nice. He obviously loves the path of least resistance, but he doesn’t to the point of letting things crumble around him. I like the little hints of change for him.
Of course, Yomogi is in the frame as well, except not really. Their relationship, not that one, remains interesting. Yomogi has what is essentially a date this volume, but not with Hiro, and the latter’s own offering is politely rebuked. It offers up some intriguing story possibilities for the future, at least.
Slice of life, but with some heart to it, is how this story goes. The flashback with Hiro and the elderly woman who bequeathed him the house is just sweet enough without being cloying. A nice little diversion.
4 stars - it’s definitely not the best volume yet, there’s a lot of smaller pieces here versus a strong feeling of moving forward, but it’s still very enjoyable.