Kyotaro and Anna continue their dance, nearly getting to where they both want to be, except for their idiosyncrasies getting in the way. From karaoke to stalkers to overnight visits, plus some jealousy besides, things keep changing as the core remains the same.
The basic premise of this story works very well because the reason these two are so good together is exactly what keeps the two of them apart at the same time. Trust me, this makes sense.
Kyotaro is over-analytical to the point of causing himself anxiety (feeling seen right here) and that leads him to overthink and worry endlessly about scenarios that won’t even remotely happen. Whereas Anna, who is a legitimate burgeoning actor, doesn’t worry about a thing and has no clue about her image or how she should act.
The karaoke chapter expresses everything here just so perfectly - Anna ends up going with the basketball team. Wait, teams, of both genders, and when he finds out, Kyotaro just cannot help but follow along rather than say anything. The delicious awkward here, along with Anna’s hilarious final moment (plus a great snort at that omake), get things moving on a high note.
White Day winds up as a double date, but poor Kyotaro cannot seem to stop finding himself around girls who aren’t Anna and the amount of jealousy he causes here and with Moeko later is some hilarious torture. The secret of White Day, when revealed, is another one of those brilliant gestures that makes this series what it is.
That’s after Kyotaro delivers a really good message about accepting people, but also accepting that they’ll change if they are so inclined. And then him ramming his foot down his mouth when he gets super-possessive, not that the person who isn’t meant to hear it (and does anyway) seems to mind.
Change is certainly in the air - the odiously hormonal and very male Adachi tries to repay Moeko for the chocolate and achieves something suspiciously close to being a decent human being. With a little nudge from a higher power.
Good timing, since Kyotaro’s libido shows up in this volume and if his imaginary shojo boy ideal was enough of a hoot, stand back for his wild imagination plus his hormones.
This all ties in to his wild birthday and Anna spending the night, which is surprisingly touching amidst all the hi-jinx, as Kyotaro reveals a little more of himself and the two grow closer.
I think that’s why this series does the ‘just bloody confess already’ better than almost any other - it’s down to the nature of these characters why they won’t and they also make lots and lots of little bits of progression on the way.
It’s not a chore when everything is still entertaining and so much change is happening. There are so many moments and things that truly are changing that make for such a great narrative - it absolutely gets the nature of coming of age and all the pains that come with it.
And it doesn’t hurt that these two are so great together. Anna’s plan, after Kyotaro’s admonishments, to maintain an appropriate distance after the somewhat lame ‘stalker’ chapter goes flying out the window in a great gag to end the volume on.
I just absolutely loved this volume. It’s everything that makes this fun and, save that one plot line, the whole thing just captures so much teenage awkward and all its highs and lows and cringe so well.
And that moment with the parents? Come on, that’s just amazing.
4.5 stars - minor ding for the rare storyline that doesn’t quite do it for me (although parts of it are solid), but the rest of it just kills it, same as always.
loved the tension (which doesn't last longer and i appreciate it) and all the sweet moments this volume has. you naturally get attached to Ichikawa and Yamada and start rooting even more for them to actually confess.
As the series progresses, the characters mature and become part of a story that makes you want to keep reading. Seriously, with each installment, these characters get better and better, and it truly makes you want to start the next volume immediately
The slow burn of love continues with a bit of suspense. Who’s the stalker? I saw the anime episode before reading this volume so it was a buzzkill, but this is still the best romantic comedy manga being published today.
Hara is so dang cute. So glad they push body positivity but also okay to want to change for yourself. All around important messages. I also loved the sister sleepover craziness in this volume.
I think the stalker plotline is a little odd, but I like what it’s trying to say. This volume continues to be very good otherwise. I thought Yamada wearing a shirt that just says “butter” was pretty funny.