"I'm sure he'll realize sooner or later. No man is an island, and if you expect one person to be your entire support network it won't work out for you."
Wow! This volume hit hard in the feels considering everything that happened in volume ten! I honestly didn't know what to expect, but I was very caught off guard by how focused it was on Hananoi!
There were many times I felt myself tearing up because the character growth in this volume alone was incredible! He has made baby steps in every single volume I think, but seeing how deeply he hurt Hotaru and taking people's words/advice to heart (even if it was hard for him) showed so much of who he REALLY is as Hotaru said at one point.
Yes, I think Hananoi is right that the young man who helps people AND can hurt people is the same person, but I feel we really see him as an individual, not just someone who at times feels completely obsessed with Hotaru. I adored seeing him ask for help and take HUGE strides in fixing the "wrongs" he's done because he could see that what he did was for himself and not Hotaru like he thought it was originally. Very very good storytelling!
And sweet Hotaru! I deeply missed her cute face, but I do think it was critical and very important to see Hananoi grow. When both of them reunited my heart felt so full and wanted to cry because they were going to be okay. Even with spoilers I've heard and the worry I've felt from hearing those spoilers, these two continue to show how important and beautiful communication is. Even if words are hard to hear and hard to say, they can grow together as individuals and as a couple. I love it!
Definitely one of the best volumes I've read in the series even though it's already been extremely good! I think there was just something very powerful in seeing so much of Hananoi's transformation in this volume that it made this one a step up from the previous volumes. Can't wait to read the next one!
"We might never see each other again but why don't we both promise to be thankful for the people in our lives from now on?"
Learning that part of an unhealthy relationship is your whole world revolving around that one person and that one person only makes it a big burden/roll/unfair unrealistic expectation for the other person to fill.
I am glad to see Hananoi-kun start to gain friends.
Ich konnte Band 10 nicht einfach weglegen, ohne Band 11 direkt im Anschluss zu lesen. Ich bin so so froh, dass sich die Dinge geklärt haben und für mich persönlich haben Hananoi und Hotaru extrem große Entwicklungsschritte im Hinblick auf ihre Persönlichkeit gemacht. Jetzt heißt es warten, dass bald der Folgeband rauskommt und ihre Geschichte weitergeht. 🙏🏻❤️
This series had a real rocky start and I almost DNF'd it-- Hananoi was just too obsessive, a real Edward Cullen type-- but the past couple volumes have impressed me. Instead of a romanticized toxic romance, this has turned into a story about an anxiously attached boy falling in love with a securely attached girl and through her, learning how to build healthier relationships and form a wider support network. Did not expect this of a shoujo manga in the year of our lord 2025 but I am here for it.
It actually feels like the author pulled a bait and switch, setting up the story to appeal to all the naive young girls with a taste for Edward Cullen types, only to show them how that dynamic is actually unhealthy and that your boyfriend needs a support network beyond just you. I stand impressed.
Also the artwork has really improved since the first few volumes which is always a plus.
Also also... I really ship Yao and Satomi. Let them have a happy ending!
Ugh, the communication and forgiveness in this volume!!! I was so happy to see some great steps in the right direction for the MCs! I look forward to seeing what happy new beginnings await our MCs and their friends in the next installment 💞
This book was more about Hanoi's growth and being open to friendship and hearing others, accepting that he needs more than Hotaru. Also learning to go to her and not acting on her behalf. Was needed but wanted to see Hanoi and Hotaru both work through the break on both sides.
I think I need a few minutes to sit and cry about this book. These characters are all so precious and must be protected at all costs. I love the relationships they all have, and I love seeing them grow and communicate and figure out what they want in life.
Hananoi is making progress! This volume has an evolution for their relationship, as Hananoi has to face some truths about himself and making Hotako his only support. He takes the criticism to heart and truly wants to do what is best for her - he’s really a good guy. Its like what the manager said, they’re young and will make mistakes, but they’ll figure it out and move on, that’s part of the charm of young people.
Sakura…hmm. TBH, I personally don’t share Hotako’s fear of being friends with her again, that she might repeat her betrayal. But I understand that Hotako was deeply traumatized and agree that she could never have the same level of trust and friendship as before. So for people who feel that they must be able to 100% trust their friends and won’t consider someone a friend if they can’t be that close, that makes sense. Lol. That makes it sound like my friends aren’t trustworthy…It’s more like I understand that they have their faults (as do we all!) and may act in a manner that I see as a betrayal but they do not. If that makes sense. So while they *should* act in a rational manner at all times, when strong emotions are involved that’s not what actually happens. So from Sakura’s POV, Hotako was betraying her first - that didn’t make what she did right, but she acted on an impulse and regretted it later. If she didn’t feel guilt, *that* would make her a person that couldn’t be trusted in my book.
Anyway, I do think she was dead wrong to say that Hotako’s first love was Yao. If she wasn’t aware of it, it wasn’t her first love. At that age, Hotako didn’t seem interested in that sort of thing yet, which is totally understandable. She didn’t seem to have any awareness or self consciousness about hugging him or anything, so its pretty clear he was just a friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It is not perfect. The characters don't always make good decisions, and many readers have been scared off by Hananoi's personality. However, I would argue the best part of this series is the enormous growth Hananoi experiences from the first volume to now. That frightening intensity he has regarding romance is finally ripped wide open as he is forced to see his thoughts and actions through the eyes of others. His selfishness, his refusal to let anyone in besides Hotaru, his aggressive behavior towards those who want to care for her too - this volume doesn't shy away from calling out his abuses and excuses.
At last, Hananoi realizes he has to change.
I know for many, it's too little too late to love this series. I, however, cannot wait for volume 12.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This volume is a bit more focused on Hananoi and how he’s trying to change for the better. I’m so glad he started to think about other people and not only himself. His friendship with Keigo is so precious! Keigo is really outgoing and he never gave up on Hananoi, I also liked that Hananoi asked Keigo for advice and followed through with it, even if Sakura ran away every time she saw him! And we saw Hananoi asking Yao for help, even if they’re not friends, I think they’re on better terms. Finally, we got to see Hananoi and Hotaru talking again and getting back together!! I’m so happy about that. They both grew so much and I think this will make their relationship stronger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Un volum amb evolució de personatges en què valoro molt positivament la comunicació i la calma després d'una discussió de parella. És poc habitual veure exemples sans i madurs d'adolescents fent les paus i m'ha agradat, sobretot perquè el noi entén que la seva actitud és sovint tòxica amb la qual cosa ha de créixer si vol que la relació progressi. De totes maneres, em falta un pèl d'intensitat i versemblança en les reaccions de la noia, que la veig molt bleda innocentota i fa ràbia...
This volume mainly focused on giving Hananoi-kun some character development, that was very much needed after the chaos involved with Non-chan. It was nice seeing Hananoi-kun have some difficult conversations because even though he ultimately did what he did for Hotaru, he needed to truly understand that what he did was wrong and he was putting an unhealthy amount of his social/emotional health into Hotaru’s hands; unbeknownst to sweet Hotaru.
Man, I am so happy for Hananoi right now! All the experiences that he had throughout the series led to him turning over a new leaf and welcoming other individuals into his life instead of just Hotaru. I literally cheered for him when he asked Kurata to be his first friend ever. I can't wait to see all the new experiences that they will try to share now that his relationship with Hotaru is stronger than ever before.
Hanananoi seems to have a bit of a breakthrough after the fight following meeting Non-chan and Yao laying into him a bit, even outright admitting he likes Hotaru. Yao and Kei rally with him to try and set things right, though Hanananoi still really does not do well when Hotaru isn't by his side. At least he finally was able to give her his friendship card, though it may be a bit surprising he still has something that old that he's held on to still with the intent of giving it to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hananoi making a friend. Yessss and he and Hotaru having a mature conversation about everything… perfect!!! This mangaka did soooooo good. Just like Wake Up Sleeping Beauty. I’m glad I gave this a chance, even after reading some of the bad reviews for vol one. I can’t wait to see how this ends. Everything is wrapped up so I bet the next volume is the last?
El drama se ha puesto bueno. Nuestra pareja favorita está distanciada. Cada uno tratando de superar esta situación a su manera. Hananoi-kun se disculpó con Sakura y finalmente pidió ayuda para hacerlo. Me ha hecho muy feliz ver cómo nuestro protagonistas se reconcilian, fueron capítulos llenos de tensión y lágrimas.
I’m tired of hearing about the damn hair. And non-Chan. Please choose Hananoi, Hotaru!!! Both of them are trying but honestly I think Hotaru could not get herself in the kind of situations that she could say no to. But won’t say no to. Ever. Even if it upsets Hananoi. Don’t hate. I’m looking for some resolution here!
The drama seems so over the top but I still enjoyed the volume, it’s nice to see Hananoi realizing that he can’t put all of his social and emotional needs on Hotaru.
Cap 42 - 45. Hananoi... my lil boy. *sobs* Hananoi si que es un personaje bastante complejo, es bueno que por fin se enfrentara con algunas realidades sobre si mismo y sus miedos, y mirar en retrospectiva para mejorar como persona.
what an emotional and cathartic volume!!! we see some HUGE growth in hananoi and some really meaningful conversations/apologies/etc. now that hananoi and hotaru are reunited, I can't wait to see some cuteness in the next volume (PLEASE...they deserve some happiness and an emotional break lol)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hananoi is great in this volume! He has really come a long way and the story is better as a result. The art is so good in this volume. I enjoyed the attention that the male side characters got in this volume.