I wonder, how many people were there on this planet right now? How many people would I never have an opportunity to meet? The one person I had met was Adachi. It was almost as if it had been meant to happen. In this world, there were so many people I’d never meet, but I had met her.
There is something incredibly...solemn about the way Iruma writes Adachi to Shimamura. There isn't any bombastic explosions set off in front of our faces, nor is there no seasoning in it at all. It is effectively moderate?, idk how else to say it. Like, the energy he exhibits through Adachi and Shimamura's interactions (especially the early parts) is the same tone in which he writes bringing to life the calm stream within us. And when he decides to drop these lines, well I just can't help but relax and think. The story is incredibly personal, with the pacing of our two protagonists' relationship alone. It does not rush. It can be encapsulated through the sound of water as it swallows up a dropped stone, and leaves nature as it wills in its tranquil state.
Of course, there is an occasional firework through Adachi. She is just force-incarnate after being pulled back for a whole youth's lifetime. So it makes Shimamura wonder, why such a solitary, force-to-be-reckoned-with individual decides to intrude in her presence.
This inevitably got me thinking about my life, as is the usual trend when I experience works of art. And, to add, in the Art I love itself :'))
After an eventful summer and an especially eventful festival, a lot was said between Adachi and Shimamura. And finally, (finally!) they're a couple. But what, exactly, does that mean? And while they're reckoning with that, they'll both be grappling with the fact that, on paper, this isn't necessarily the greatest idea...
From humble, somewhat fraught beginnings came this series that started rough, but then turned into a ball of endless angst and charm that is definitely out to appeal to a certain audience (hello!) but doesn’t forget to be interesting along the way.
On the one hand, this feels like an immediate payoff to six previous volumes of simmering tension (at least on Adachi’s part) and subtle hints and exasperated conversations and heartfelt declarations. If that was all the book was, it wouldn’t need to proceed any further than its first chapter, where reflections on the previous evening are had and phone calls are made and words, oh yes, words, are said (the series could have ended there and I’d have been set).
But this series is more than that and its characters are more than that and it’s why this series constantly feels like something special. There is no question that the laser-focused Adachi is obsessive about her relationship with Shimamura to an unhealthy degree.
There is a big question, however, about why Shimamura is putting up with this to the extent that she does - she says things that have a weight to them that she may not even fully appreciate, but also realizes that Adachi’s got nothing else in her life except for her love for Shimamura and that can’t be good for either of them.
Or can it? There are a lot of ways to take what happens in this instalment (one of my favourite aspects of the series), which is full of Adachi being as disastrously lesbian as she’s ever been and Shimamura just accepting her, but realizing that her new girlfriend might go way, way too far.
What any good relationship can do, no matter its romantic inclinations, is change the people involved for the better and, well, Adachi is not oblivious to her own failings any more than Shimamura is unaware that she’s emotionally shallow and is now faced with somebody who can fill that pool up and then some.
I can’t explain what’s so fascinating about these two, but they never fail to be interesting and watching them wrestle with this issue, whether consciously or not, is compelling. Adachi ends up paired with a surprising conspirator while planning a date that brings back one of the oddest running bits in the whole series.
It’s a subtle nod that, yeah, Adachi only has eyes for Shimamura, but finally having that acceptance in her life is making her open to the idea of other people. Further, Adachi acknowledges that she can’t push too hard or it will shove Shimamura away. There’s growth here, slowly.
Shimamura’s subconscious, meanwhile, makes an extensive appearance during the last chapter and provides a valuable piece of her puzzle - we get a much better idea of who she was in junior high and why accepting Adachi might just make sense for her. At the very least she sees something to admire in her new partner.
Despite all this introspection and analysis, the book doesn't forget to be fun either. It isn't hilarious, but there are more than a few chuckles throughout. Shimamura is absolutely vicious (playfully!) in knowing how to push Adachi's buttons and she leans hard into doing so with gleeful abandon at times.
There are also great separate moments where BOTH girls mention how Nagafuji and Hino have to be more than just friends at this point, which is pretty great (doubly so since… not so much…)
I would be remiss if I did not single out the interlude that ends this novel as being absolutely freaking adorable. Destiny is normally a bit of an eye-roller, but this digression kind of goes the extra mile and it's an oddly reassuring thing to know that no matter what alternate reality one might visit, there's an Adachi and a Shimamura and they will figure out a way to make it work.
You could argue this strips some of the narrative tension, and you'd be right, but we had tension for six light novels; it's okay for things to just be fluffy - you can't say that it wasn't earned. This is comfort food that eats like a meal.
5 stars - these two don't necessarily need to go anywhere else, but they will, and it'll definitely be fun seeing how things develop and what kind of mischief they get up to. Certainly imperfect, but no less lovable for it. Now where have I heard that before?
I will be honest I forget what happens in this one but I think I found it cute enough... they are girl friends now theyre still really awkward about it though slay guys love wins
A leitura é leve (claro, é uma light novel), e como a escrita é em primeira pessoa pelo ponto de vista de garotas que estão prestes a terminar a escola, e rápida e simples. Mas já adianto que este não é ponto forte da leitura, e não é a base do livro, o escritor consegue usar um "simples" relacionamento para passar muitas mensagens, e muitas reflexões sobre nossas vidas e nossas decisões.
É uma bela história de amor, trabalhada pura e lentamente através de confiança e conquistas. Me fez inclusive pensar, em alguns momentos, que talvez eu desconheça um amor como esses, ou talvez tenha esquecido de como é. Boa parte do livro se passa contado por Adachi ou Shimamura, por isso temos tempo de ver a evolução de cada uma e a construção de suas personalidades, medos, inseguranças e traumas de uma forma bem clara.
O "eu de ontem" nunca acreditaria que estaria lendo uma light novel... Pois então, neste sétimo volume continuo me divertindo e também refletindo junto com as personagens sobre a vida e os relacionamentos que vamos formando enquanto caminhamos nessa jornada, que um dia vai acabar. Costumo dizer (até muito) que a vida é feita de fases, o que estamos consumindo e interagindo exatamente agora é um reflexo dessa fase, tanto nas músicas, livros, relacionamentos e etc. O ser humano é assim.
Noooooo, not the destiny stuff! I can only accept them being together in parallel universes if it's only in some of them, not all. If there are infinite chances for things to go both ways, sure. Very unlikely, but possible. But if you are saying that there's a "Shimamura essence" and an "Adachi essence" bound to be connected like it's a fundamental property of the universe, that's way too much fluff. Refer to "If I Didn't Have You", by Tim Minchin. Still, enjoyable read overall. The main couple is aware of their imperfections, trying their best in their own way to slowly change.
Also, the author is really flippant in his afterwords. I think being relaxed and casual could give a positive impression, but in his case, it feels like he really isn't putting much effort into the series. And that changes my outlook on his writing, how deep the characters' thoughts and actions should be taken.
Slow and repetitive descriptions. Mellow at times, boring at times...
I love every single novel in this series so far. This one is no exception. I love watching Adachi be as she says a terminal case in her love for Shimamura. I think Shimamura is slowly falling in love with her too. I think Adachi's love is very easy to spot. I think Shimamura is slowly falling in love. You can tell that by the joy she takes in embarrassing and getting emotions out of Adachi. Similar to a little boy pulling on the pigtails of the girl that he likes. Kind of reminds me of my love mix up manga. A boys love manga I love.
Slightly uneven volume, though I really like what it does with 'fate'. These girls still have a long way to go, but Adachi in particular finally started to show signs of wanting to address her flaws here.
4 stars. Adachi and Shimamura are dating now and they’re so awkward and cute together. This one wasn’t all that interesting plot wise but I’m just so glad that their relationship is developing.
I do not think it is a spoiler by any means but warning, I will not spoil beats of this story (Vol. 7) but Vol. 1-6 is assumed knowledge at this point.
The destiny stuff in this is interesting. It will either turn people off or endear them to the namesake duo more. I personally like how it could be taken as dreams, parallel dimensions, or some other weird Sci-Fi thing. I also think it is generally just sweet.
I mentioned in a previous entry about the series how the relatablity and nostalgia made me very... invested and accepting of these characters. This book REALLY took me back though. I thought it was relatable before but now that they are navigating a first relationship... it is almost uncomfortably familiar.
I wonder, I know people read this series because it is currently on Vol. 10, who is enjoying this. One thing I like about it, which I feel might be one of the more challenging aspects, is how immature they are.
It is warts and all, flawed people who often think and do very unlikeable things. To me it feels like an age and experience thing. But easily the thing that might turn people off? Nevertheless, it feels well written to me in the sense that I understand why they choose and tolerate each other and why they stay together even though it does not always make sense.
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Only tangentially related but I have been listening to a LOT of Minami while reading. She writes the perfect lyrics and music for angsty, dark moodiness and her voice is incredible. For an example here is a link (be sure to turn on English [CC])...
(Sample Lyric: Just a little bit, just a little bit, just a little bit, just a little bit I wanted even a square meter where I belonged Only me, only me, only me, only me I wanted to be someone’s number one)
another book that i was able to finish (or rather, consume) in one sitting. makes you think, i must have enjoyed reading it so why not give it 5 stars, right? you see, even if that's true (and yes, it is) i just can't pinpoint exactly what it was that made me enjoyed it.
that despite everything it made me feel and all the screams (borderline, shriek) i've let out for every single exchange of i love you's and minor PDAs--this 7th edition just didn't leave as much impression (to me) as all the other ones that came before it did. it almost felt like we were back at the very beginning.
excited to read the next one. hopefully, i finish all of it this year and if not, i'm just happy to even still have the time to read books like this.
edit: grammar (still bad but i think this is much better)
Realmente este volumen da mucho que pensar, no estoy segura ni por donde comenzar... Bueno una de las cosas que más destacó es como Shimamura se sentía respecto de la situación realmente me dolió un poco nos estoy segura de cómo explicarlo. Otra cosa que realmente me llamó la atención es las diferentes situaciones o realidades alternas de cómo se conocen Adachi y Shimamura, y como a causa de una fuerza desconocida estaban destinadas a conocerce. En fin este volumen me dejó con emociones contradictorias realmente no sé cómo sentirme todo esto de una buena manera, por que de hecho me gustó que mostrará más de la perspectiva de Shimamura ñ, un poco más de su ser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.