Stay By My Side After the Rain, Vol. 4

雨上がりの僕らについて #4

by Shoko Rakuta

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Boys Love

170 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE’S A VOLUME 4 COMING? RAKUTA-SENSEI I LOVE YOU SO MUCH ARIGATOU!!! 😭😭❤️

[dusiulka · Rating 5 out of 5]

moi cudowni:(((((((

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A surprise sequel to a surprise sequel??" The author's note pretty much sums up how I felt when new books kept popping up to preorder, when I thought the whole thing was wrapped up in two...

Don't be fooled by the back cover's attempt to make this sound dramatic. "A birthday - where everything goes wrong!" (It doesn't. It unfolds seamlessly and adorably.) "What does Mashiro do to tick Kanade off??" (Well okay they did have a minor disagreement after Mashiro got too drunk at a work event, but they smoothed it over quickly.) "Their first trip together is going to be rough!" (It wasn't. It was the world's fluffiest couple's trip.)

This was meant to be a sweet slice-of-life glimpse at the two of them once their relationship was fully established, and it accomplishes what it's meant to. It doesn't have the incredible depth of the previous volume, which may be my favorite of the four, but it is lovely to see the two of them planning out their future and being so incredibly happy in the present.

There are still a few barriers, like Mashiro telling his grandparents and other relatives about their relationship, but he's ready to do that the next time his dad's death anniversary brings them all together. He's continuing to work on repairing his relationship with his mother, who is never going to stop frustrating him, because that's how family is, but he's working on both his patience and on learning when to put himself first, instead of just smiling and going along with everything.

My favorite moment in this whole volume was actually when Kanade and Mashiro hold hands, laughing and smiling and enjoying themselves, on public streets during their Kyoto holiday. There's a little glimpse of a high school boy on a school trip seeing them...as a nod to when Kanade spent his own school trip feeling incredibly alone because he was the only gay kid in a group of people who just weren't like him.

Little things like that can give the next generation hope that the world will be a better place for them. And that's pretty beautiful.

I think this story is concluded for now, but I'll keep an eye out in case another surprise sequel to a surprise sequel's sequel shows up. Although I'd be interested in new stories from this mangaka, too.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kanade and Mashiro continue to have their ups and downs as they navigate living together, but fortunately mostly seem to be up. Kanade's family seems to have warmed up, not that he's talked to his father directly it seems, but he does get a little worked up when Mashiro doesn't come home and stays over with a friend one night. They get to make even more memories together though as Kanade's friends help set him up unintentionally at the start for Mashiro to be his knight in shining armor. Add that to their first trip together, and it's an adorable bit of fluff with just enough of real life conflict to keep it interesting.

[Katerine CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐

Cuando leo un manga, suelo olvidar parte de la historia porque es super corta, sin embargo, en Stay By My Side After the Rain tenemos 4 tomos que refuerzan la relación de esta parejita.

Como este es el tomo final (creo), la autora nos da un día a día de ellos y conflictos súper soft que los protagonistas superan fácilmente y con mucha ternura.

En general los personajes me siguen gustando y su relación es super bella. En este tomo simplemente están ellos dos siendo cute all over again and I loved that.

Supongo que si encuentro algo más de esta autora lo leeré porque me fascina.

[Zian B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 star rating;
It was adorable seeing Kanade and Mashiro again, and seeing them spending their days together. It was interesting to see them navigating a argument/misunderstanding that centered around jealousy, and, I’m really happy that there wasn’t a real romantic rival involved. Also, I liked that we got to see a bit more of Mashiro’s family when he went to visit his father’s grave, along with, seeing Kanade and Mashiro being adorable on their first trip together.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing really heavy happens in this volume. It was just a nice, wholesome, exploration of Kanade and Mashiro's life together now that they are more comfortable with one another. I wish these guys all the happiness in the world, and if another surprise volume drops in the future, I will happily read it.

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. I love this couple.
“Maybe we could get married for real one day.”
Awww Japan ain’t fair.

[Swathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first two of this series but now it seems like it is lagging. I think it's cute but I don't know how much more I want to read of the two of them.

[J-Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing significant happens in this volume, but I will always be happy to read about these two guys. It’s such a wholesome and lovely story about accepting oneself and others.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing too much going on, which is fine if people prefer less drama and more lighthearted stuff.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5*

Idk wtf Shoko Rakuta puts in her books that make me want to cry?? I didn't cry with this one, but I definitely teared up in a few parts because they're just so happy and in love.

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kanade is so me getting mad when people don’t know why I’m mad in the first place 😍

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute ending to Mashiro and Kanade's story! I love these two to no end, and I loved watching them grow together <3