Keiichi’s always had a tendency for S&M, but Nozomi’s pursuit of him has taken a turn that means he might be the one getting whipped. Elsewhere, big things brew in the background while the real best couple gets a massive bonus chapter.
The serialization of this series, with its bonus chapters and side stories and everything else, is one of the most confusing timelines I’ve seen since Higurashi When They Cry. It has minimal main story progress this time and bookends with two unrelated ones to boot.
Which is probably telling when I say this is one of the most enjoyable volumes of this story to date. Focusing on what it does well far more than what it does not, it really nails it and also manages to have a cracking ending.
Normally I’d have a grump about the large chapter flashing back to how Tsuyupon and Yukirin got together, but they’re so dang wholesome and easily the best pairing in the series that it was a treat seeing them come together.
Sure, it’s total nerd wish fulfillment that the otaku dweeb gets the cosplay girl, but that’s just described a dozen manga and Tsuyupon is far more interesting than most potato protagonists. It’s really pure pleasure watching them.
Keiichi has been a constant source of friction for me with his half-assed BDSM stuff, but that’s pretty much sidelined this time as he comes to realize that Nozomi is actually pretty cute.
Except he doesn’t realize he’s realizing it, despite his eye clearly being caught when she’s practicing volleyball (one of the best moments of the book) and after the sports day events. His slowly being forced to take this seriously and coming to terms with what ‘this’ entails is pretty solid.
We see very little of Natsuki and Anna, but Mari is about to unload on her with whatever she has going on. Thankfully that gets put on hold until next time because I have my sincere doubts that it’ll be anywhere close to well considered.
So, yeah, by jettisoning so much of its baggage, the ride becomes that much smoother. What we’re left with is a group of friends and their love lives and it’s pretty dang enjoyable.
3.5 stars - rounded up because a well realized and an enjoyable volume. Far less caveats than the typical entry in the series and less exhausting because of it.
3,75/5 Las escenas de Nozomi y Keiichi no han estado mal peeeero como que no he terminado de pillar el por qué de los celos de él... osea la pareja me gusta pero hay veces que lo siento un poco forzado idk La historia extra de Tsuyopon y Yukirin muy cuqui pero lo más importante es lo que se viene en el siguiente tomo aaaaa
Un volume molto carino che vede per protagonisti Keiichi e Nozomi che esplorano loro stessi e come il loro rapporto li abbia cambiati. Sul finale poi Anna e Mari tornano ad essere protagoniste e Mari decide che deve essere sincera con la sua più cara amica. Bello l'episodio che apre il volume dedicato al quartetto della squadra di basket, ma sopratutto il finale con un episodio dedicato a Tsuyopon e Yukirin e a come si sono conosciuti, molto carini e dolci.
So I wonder why Mari thinks it’s a good idea to confess her love when Anna is already depressed about rejecting Mochi???? Let’s give her another person to reject!!!! Woooo LOL
Keiichi and Nozomi are adorable. It’s nice to see him falling now…
And that bonus chapter at the end, about how Tsuyopon and his girlfriend met was too cute too. Why is it so hard being an otaku?. I totally get that slightly embarrassed to love it feeling too. But it’s nice when you find a person who likes that kind of stuff as much as you do!
We finally got the story of how Naoe and Yukirin met at the last chapter of this volume and it was really interesting. The previous chapters were little dull. Anna is still feeling anxious and after what happend with Mucchi she is more fragile and distant. Adding to all of that, Mari has confessed to her too but we still haven't known how did that go.
I never thought I'd say this: Keiichi and Nozomi are cute. It's a nice change of pace to see him in a more realistic and serious light as certain feelings hit him. Also feel like Mari's picture is getting clearer. The bonus chapter is just adorable. Good volume.
ok why did this volume kind of make me like the “age gap” (idk what to call them) couple. they are lowkey growing in me. i feel like lately these volumes have been pretty intense, which honestly is a nice change of pace. seeing the origin if the otaku couple was nice too
I accidentally read this one without reading volume 10 and didn't really feel like I missed anything. Not sure how that makes me feel. Still a cute series, though.