The cute roadrunner continues to one-up the long-suffering coyote, who is basically talking himself out of his feelings at this point.
There’s nothing new left to do with this story, but that doesn’t stop it from trying, it seems. Takagi and Nishikata’s ongoing match-ups are feeling particularly well-worn by this point.
The first story tries to do something novel, being told only by the art and some pictograms, but it isn’t really any different than the usual back-and-forth, just presented in a new way. It’s not enough, basically.
All the other stories are variants of earlier volunes, although the story has slid even further towards our two leads being flirty with one another, or at least Takagi is. Nishikata still isn’t there yet, but the two of them palling around is almost enough to distract from the treadmill-like structure of most chapters.
The mangaka’s take on middle school boys is bang-on in the beach chapter, credit where it’s due, as they are frequently caught out staring at the girls and denying it vehemently. I did like that touch, as it reinforces the general innocence that hangs over the manga. It’s just very same-y, and while I was very much enjoying the series’ earlier chapters these later ones aren’t offering enough variety for my own tastes.
It doesn’t help that I’m reading this volume while another volume of When Will Ayumu Make His Move? waits for me, which is by the same author and exploring a very similar premise. However, I prefer that title because it’s a bit sharper than the purity of this series (this is a plus or a minus depending on your disposition).
3 stars - it’s never a bad time, but it’s not exactly setting my reading time on fire either. The premise has genuinely run its course in this iteration and it’s shocking to think we have another four volumes to go.