Mashiro has just shared a devastating secret with Sumire. Aki and Iroha have been forced through a ceremony that historically guarantees the participants will be married. Meanwhile, Sumire is on the brink of freedom—but just what will she choose to do with it? With the Alliance being pulled in all directions, will it even last the summer, or will it sink down into the depths of the ocean?
It is strange for me to continuously give a series five stars but I have to say I'm constantly pleased with this author's work. In the fourth volume of the series there are quite a bit of shenanigans but more than that I can begin to understand or I should assume he's starting to get feelings for other characters. Aki and Sumire are a majority of the focus in this book however the introduction of Mashiro's editor was a nice addition to the story and without giving any spoilers Aki and Iroha have a special moment that establishes a better connection.
Volume 4 picks up right where Volume 3 dropped the characters. Mashiro and Sumire are dealing with the secret that Mashiro had just dropped while trying to find evidence to use as blackmail against Sumire's grandfather. But that did not succeed since they got caught by the grandfather in the act. In the end, Akiteru's plan worked, but the outcome was not quite what he had predicted. Meanwhile, Akiteru and Iroha were all alone in a shrine made up to resemble a "love hotel." So what happens? Not what you expect, instead Iroha manages to get her foot injured in a wildlife encounter and Akiteru has to carry her down the mountain until Oz comes to their rescue. Talking about a rescue, when Mashiro manages to finish her book before the deadline, Canary, the scary editor, invites the whole group to her private beach. A two day stay turns into a week stay while the Alliance adds a new character provided by Canary to their game and writes an update. And then there are the interesting developments provided in the Epilogues. The next volume should be interesting!