Jan. 2023 Reread: I take it back, this is a great volume. I still think Volume 16 is a great volume, but I recognize how great this one is as well. I'm also currently reading a book by bell hooks about men and masculinity, and I was viewing this volume through what I've been reading from hooks, which was very fascinating.
My take on Shiro from this reread is that he is a great example of a man trying to change emotionally. He is pushing past his patriarchal views and becoming more emotionally available to Kenji and the people around him. He still isn't vocal about his emotions in the same way Kenji is, but he is taking more steps to being a different kind of man. I don't know, bell hooks is just on the mind.
First Read: Okay, I'm not sure how I totally feel about this volume. It was a little bit weaker than the previous one, but I did find myself chuckling more than usual.
Also, they finally addressed something I've been thinking about: does Shiro love Kenji? I never really got the vibes and I was not sure if it was a relationship of convenience or of love. It definitely is a loving relationship, but Shiro shows his love in a different way and we saw that. I'm just glad that it was addressed.