Aoki and Ida haven’t been terribly open about their relationship, but is that cool for the two of them going forward? While Aoki’s college plans are in jeopardy, there are also looming parents and cranky dogs thrown into the mix. Also other characters are in the story.
Provided you are here for the confiden-yet-fumbling romance of Aoki and Ida, this volume is a belter. I like that, having leaned into that skid real hard, the story has opted to follow their relationship through not just the regular parts but the homophobia and questions of acceptance as well.
Ida is almost too low-key, compared to how high-strung Aoki is, so for him to rankle over not telling people they’re dating is a big deal. Then again, Aoki is the one who got judged for his orientation already so it’s easier for Ida to say.
Once school starts again the whole thing becomes moot as Aoki’s practice exams are not going well, so he has to bury himself in his books again. Conflict arises, as usual, but the boys talk through it and get cozy again. If you’re here for these two getting close, you’ll be very well served this volume.
The parent section is also very fun, as Aoki constantly screws up with Ida’s mom (at least to his mind) and the moms may be a little shrewder than their sons give them credit for, although that could go either way. Given how he comports himself, it’s pretty obvious Aoki’s given the game away to Ida’s mom at least.
Honestly, the mom stuff is almost too wholesome, but in a good way. Aoki’s parents are the super supportive type that can be proper hellish when all you want is some independence. Poor Aoki is consistently his own worst enemy and I think that’s been true for the entire series. He assumes too much and says too little, or too much, at any given moment.
Then we have Mio and Aida, who are supposedly co-stars in this series though you wouldn’t know it given how little they have to do. Which is unfortunate because Aida drops a bomb on Mio this volume that shatters the poor girl’s dream of Aida being close by after high school.
And it’s in service to Aida’s goal of becoming a hairdresser and taking over his grandmother’s business, which is a great pivot that I wish the story was exploring at all. Ida and Aoki are the clear focus here, but that means a lot of good stuff with their friends is just being left to the side, sadly.
We’ll end with a special shout-out to Mametaro, Ida’s dog, whose antics might make this volume for me. Aida versus Mametaro for Ida’s affection has been a ridiculous subplot and that combination steals more than a couple scenes this volume.
4 stars - this is really good and very wholesome stuff. I still think the art is borderline hideous at points (yet also very good when it isn’t going for the galloping uglies) and it’s a shame the writing can’t seem to support two couples, but the main pairing is admittedly strong and interesting enough that it mostly gets away with it.