Ten und Riku fahren weg, um sich endlich fernab vom beengten Wohnheim als Paar geben zu können. Doch wann immer Ten ihren Freund nach seinem Zuhause fragt, blockt dieser ab. Als ihr dann Reis Chauffeur plötzlich etwas über Rikus dunkle Vergangenheit verraten will, kann Ten seinem Angebot nicht widerstehen.
Updated Review 5/14/25: Rereading this volume deeply reminds me why I absolutely love this series and why I have several times randomly reread my favorite scenes! It may have the fluffy romance I love, but the heart in these pages is beautiful and heartbreaking, leaving me deeply invested in these character's lives. Learning more about Riku's backstory isn't as shocking as the first time I read it (because this time rereading, I saw more signs leading up to this reveal), but it's definitely no less devastating and hard to read. I'm thankful that Ten and Chiaki care so much for him and want to help make a positive difference in his life. <3
Original Review 6/19/22: Woooooooowwwww buddy!
This volume had ALL the things! Absolutely love the beginning, the Christmas parts, and events at New Year's! Ahh and the arcade! Some really moving and beautiful shojo moments!
However, this volume is "transitioning" where questions I've been asking earlier are going to be getting answered because we see a huge moment that was absolutely heartbreaking. And that ending points that things are going to be getting super heavy and with it a wholeeee bunch of heartbreak! *sobs*
I really enjoyed Chiaki is this volume even though he had such a small part! <3
The things that I felt while reading this volume!!
The character progression that we see in this volume was fantastic, and it really helps flush out some of the characters that we have been wanting to get to know better for a while. Also, there is date cuteness as Ten takes her boyfriend home for a day, and she shows him around. I love to see it, and am truly interested in how the rest of the series is going to play out.
This is a very digestible read for a series I do enjoy, minus the current situation between Ten and Riku, but I complain about that in every review of this series lately. He’s just not interesting.
With a little rumination, I have to say that I think my main problem with this series is that it’s not really selling me on this relationship. And since it’s a romance, there’s a problem there. I’ve rarely dinged a series because the romance irks me, but this one gets under my skin.
Ten can do better. Whether she will or not, we’ll see, but there’s a lot of heavy lifting required to make me care how she and Riku turn out.
Still not feeling the relationship between Ten and Riku, which seems to be very intense, but....it's just not there. Also, I'm not really fond of the plan for Chiaki and Ten to repair the relationship with Rei and Riku. First, it's not their business, and it's obviously a very serious issue. It's not their place, even if their relationships were a lot closer (seriously, Ten and Riku *just* started dating, and Chiaki...well, are they really friends??). They can talk to HIM about it, but this is going behind his back and seems to be doomed to failure. Also, Rei is a PITA. I don't see anything interesting about his character, so it's hard for me to care.
The pacing of this series is very abrupt, with major events (such as Riku liking Ten, then Ten liking Riku) coming out of nowhere and then just sort of rushing forward at an uneven pace. Ten randomly brings Riku home to meet her family (2 hours each way!), she gets off the bus to spend New Years with him....these things might be considered sweet, but instead of being shown the feelings between them, it's just told to us, if that makes sense. We're not seeing a transition or development of character, it's just bam, we're there. Out of nowhere, Ten wants to know more about Riku and starts aggressively pursuing the answers and planning to "fix" things. And dragging Chiaki into it for some reason. I still think Chiaki and Ten make a better pairing, and am weirded out by how Riku was a playboy character that has turned into a tragic guy devoted to one girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
To be honest, it shouldn't take 7 volumes until I become invested in the story. I like that this volume really delves into Riku's family situation with Rei. The scene at the grave was pretty good at setting up a scene.
The “big reveal” regarding Riku and his situation isn’t going to astound anyone, but the series remains high on aesthetics and mood to convey situations.
With this book, we are starting to see more into Riku's life, as Ten becomes more curious about his relationship with his family. The two of them have started dating, and Ten takes him to her hometown, to meet her family, to show him her life, and she also wants him to be comfortable enough in sharing his life with her. She and Chiaki can both sense that while he is all cheery, he is hiding some sadness. Family and relationships is quite a theme in this volume, as we see Ten's family, part of Chiaki's family (his overbearing and clingy older brother) and finally realize Riku's connection to Rei.
When Ten turns to Shiraoka to explain what is the source of the animosity between Rei and Riku, he agrees to a deal to let her know. So Chiaki and she both find out, and they each decide to help Riku be happy. Ten's feelings for Riku have grown, and it is quite adorable how cute the two of them are around each other (even if I was cheering for Chiaki in the earlier volumes) and there's plenty of romantic fluff in this book. Chiaki's adoration of Riku is also very cute, and I loved how he told off his brother for making snap judgments on Riku. Also, I generally love Chiaki being adorable around Riku, but I wish the latter wasn't so irritated by him (how can you say no to those puppy dog eyes, Riku, how?). But along with the fluff, the series is taking a turn into some painful places, with Riku's family troubles starting to come out in the open.
I did feel some slight changes in the art style, and I am not sure if I am imagining them? Like, there is some difference in the character design but I can't be sure because it has been a while since I read the last volume. Anyway, I love that Riku, too, is making those cat-eye Ten faces lol.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.
continues to be peppered with absolutely adorable blushing cuteness ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡ I loved seeing Ten’s childhood friends, her older brother (rawr), and her mom all meet Riku. I am also excited to finally be learning more about Riku, but I feel cheated that this character development and background is from Ten and Chiaki sneaking around behind his back..I really wanted to see him voluntarily open up, but it seems like he’ll be forced to now. bummer.
I was also really hoping for Riku to soften up a bit to Chiaki, who is so attached…hoping for more cute friendship moments between them.
loved seeing Ran at the party and her brief reunion with her ex…spicy! wonder if they’ll get back together?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was kind of bored at first, but now we're getting more into Riku's backstory and that's made me very interested. Ten is very cute and I like her and Riku and their romance. I also think Chiaki might be my favorite character. He's so funny and stupid and his friendship with Riku is so good. I just feel like it was a waste to make him have a crush on Ten. It just doesn't seem necessary or believable. Excited for this backstory, but I think the way they're telling it/revealing it seems unnecessarily drawn out and cheesy and weird so far.
Omg this volume!!! So many thoughts and feelings on this one. I was honestly beginning to worry that Riku was going to be an abusive boyfriend based on how he was handling Ten at times. And that worried me a bit, but I finally understand what this series is ACTUALLY about. It isn't actually a love triangle story. And I am very excited to learn more about Riku and his past. This story just keep getting better and sweeter.
first date as a couple and she brings him to meet her parents 🫣
chiaki’s brother is kinda right since riku is behaving like a jerk with chiaki 😶 like pls treat him well, he is your biggest supporter (sometimes he seems to be more in love with riku than ten 😭 maybe it’s a bit too much)
also, i thought everyone already knew that they were brothers, or something similar?? i thought they mentioned it before
Ich finde Riku und Ten immer noch zuckersüß zusammen, aber jetzt kommt auch endlich Mal Licht ins Dunkle, was Riku, seine Familie und diesem Typen, den Ten so schön als "Quälgeist" bezeichnet hat. Ich bin sehr auf den nächsten Band gespannt!
Solid 3.5 read for me was very nice to see Ten and Rikus relationship progress more and I’m glad we are finally getting to know more about what happened between the 2 brothers and why everything is so messed. Was honestly not expecting his parents to be dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had taken a bit of a break away from this series and I'm now back to it. There are 12 volumes. I'm happy Riku's past and his connection to Rei is being brought out to the open. He and Ten are very cute together. I hope there isn't any pointless drama or another love triangle issue.