Ko is a snack, literally, so it makes sense that he can draw the interest of other vampires besides Nazuna. Turns out his turning might take a turn, as Nazuna left a wee detail out. Then Ko takes dating advice, which goes about as well as expected, and tries to fix a relationship, which might show where his true talents lie.
I still don’t know what the intent of this book is, nor necessarily its genre. Obliquely it’s about the slow-burning affection between Nazuna and Ko. But it’s about Ko’s school life and his abandonment thereof. And also a fight book. And a comedy.
Whatever the heck it is, I still find it darn enjoyable. There is something compelling about this book that I can never quite put my finger on, but love nonetheless. There’s something about strange people in odd circumstances finding one another that I like.
There is no question that the best part of this book comes when Ko gets abducted by a cadre of vampire women who basically run the spectrum of every possible female trope in manga/anime (there’s probably an unintentional commentary there on how these types are timeless).
In addition to some interesting plot advancement - we learn that Ko’s under a strict time limit if he actually wants to be turned - we get a really fun sequence of him fending off various advances just by being, well, Ko, while also enduring a lot of tea being spilled about poor Nazuna. Her dramatic entrance being wrecked by a case of the feels is excellent.
I like that Nazuna and Ko are both loners, but they’re loners who enjoy one another’s company and while others might look down on them, they themselves and the book proper do not. They have a valid, perfectly fine relationship (within the context of a vampiric age gap, Ko’s lack of insight on romance, and Nazuna’s ridiculous outfit that I somehow barely even notice any more).
I cannot pin down what I love about this series, really, but it never fails to fascinate me. Ko’s ridiculous attempts at a date (after Nazuna’s hilarious initial refusal), prompted by somebody he should know better than to have asked, end on a really sweet note and a proper lesson about just being yourself.
Better still, Ko manages to help out his advisor later, which is an interesting through line the series appears to be following, as Ko tries to assist the people he comes across. I’m not sure karaoke is a suitable celebration for the events in question, but whatever.
This section does take some odd looks at mental illness that aren’t the best take I’ve ever seen, but it’s also not the worst either. Its terminology and use thereof is part of the problem, but it does get explained a bit better (and possibly tied into the vampirism or maybe just some serious communication issues) than I expected. I’ve done some stupid crap for love and also have a few mental health concerns, but I didn’t feel super offended myself. It is a little weird if you are easily ticked by that sort of thing, mind, so be warned.
4 stars, almost bumped up higher because of that great chapter with the female vampire brood. As long as I’m enjoying this as much as I have been I don’t particularly care if I ever figure out exactly why.