I'm not disappointed with the chapter, just annoyed that they haven't resolved the issue with Mitsuki and Aya yet, and now they've decided to focus on yet another character? Ahhughghggghhh, with each passing chapter I can't help but think the series has lost its way. I'm sorry. I keep reading it out of obligation, but I don't even know if I like the characters anymore. The reason I was staying was to see the main couple's problem resolved, because it's already problematic enough. Well, I'll have to wait another week...

I'm not disappointed with the chapter, just annoyed that they haven't resolved the issue with Mitsuki and Aya yet, and now they've decided to focus on yet another character? Ahhughghggghhh, with each passing chapter I can't help but think the series has lost its way. I'm sorry. I keep reading it out of obligation, but I don't even know if I like the characters anymore. The reason I was staying was to see the main couple's problem resolved, because it's already problematic enough. Well, I'll have to wait another week...

I think this chapter has things to explore…which is why I also feel like unless it ties into the main couple’s current situation it should have come after the resolution there.

Oh boy...I think Aki bout to come how with bruises for getting into a fist fight over his big sisters...YOU SHOW 'EM BOO.

Time to throw hands!

Also I was wondering if we’d see more from the series delving into the sexuality of it, and potentially tackle homophobia, looks like this chapter answers that question.

Nah. While I approve of, Hell I'll agree with the sentiment of defending his sister and her girlfriend, but he'll get more mileage from just quietly withdrawing from their friendship. Not cutting ties but just putting distance between them. 'Cause the question will come up as to why, and he says "You think my sister is weird for dating a girl, if I don't mind it that means I'm weird too. You really want to hang out with a weirdo?"

Yeah, it's wishful thinking a kid would understand social dynamics like that, but I can hope.

last edited at Jul 19, 2026 2:51AM

Finally we have homophobes showing up in the manga.

"Awhile back I have Mimtuki playing the opening theme on the guitar..." I wonder if that means Mitsuki is actually toying about the guitar once and awhile quietly for awhile (Aki probably has no idea Mitsuki has stopped performing, asked, and Mitsuki played seeing no harm done to herself). Another clue is now given about the central problem of the arc.

last edited at Jul 19, 2026 3:00AM

Time to throw hands!

Also I was wondering if we’d see more from the series delving into the sexuality of it, and potentially tackle homophobia, looks like this chapter answers that question.

Nah. While I approve of, Hell I'll agree with the sentiment of defending his sister and her girlfriend, but he'll get more mileage from just quietly withdrawing from their friendship. Not cutting ties but just putting distance between them. 'Cause the question will come up as to why, and he says "You think my sister is weird for dating a girl, if I don't mind it that means I'm weird too. You really want to hang out with a weirdo?"

Yeah, it's wishful thinking a kid would understand social dynamics like that, but I can hope.

I feel like that's a bit of an immature way to handle relationships and friendships. Why put distance instead of communicating first?

Also, kids are at the peak where they're learning more about the world and, more often than not, the things they see as "weird" are a reflection of what they hear in their households. The worldview can be a bit limited but that doesn't make them immediately bad.

it's like a mini version of Aya and mitsuki
never mind just got to page 4...

unless...
you can't tell me that boy's got featured thus and there won't be some character development for him.

could be though that all the other kids' reactions are solely for Aki to have a moment defending his sis and think about the challenges he didn't know she'd be facing

No,,, not the kid...

I will be the first to try and be positive, but I actually want to drop an honest prediction before the next chapter. Aki is being exposed to homophobia, which in turn will lead to him asking Aya if she should be with Mitsuki even though it's weird. From that point, we either get an honest-to-god conversation about their relationship that ends with them reaffirming their affection, or we get Good Luck, Babe. I don't like my own thoughts

I love this. Aya and Mitsuki have kind of established a haven of positivity around them but this is still modern Japan and people are pretty casually homophobic. I'm curious if Aki will be influenced by the kids at school, if he'll pretend to agree with them to have an easier time, or if he'll get ostracized for standing up for his sister. No matter which way it goes, the girls will find out since they spend a fair amount of time together. I'm also curious how his brother will react.

it's like a mini version of Aya and mitsuki
never mind just got to page 4...

unless...
you can't tell me that boy's got featured thus and there won't be some character development for him.

could be though that all the other kids' reactions are solely for Aki to have a moment defending his sis and think about the challenges he didn't know she'd be facing

Indeed unless
Maybe just maybe if Aki will stand up for his sister in the next chapter, the boy who said, "I guess it's not normal," would realize how serious this is to him and eventually become more understanding.

No one else thinking Aki is a bit gay for Riku?

No one else thinking Aki is a bit gay for Riku?

I did think that. That's why he was a bit distraught by his reaction.

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

I think we have ... sort of ... maybe ...

The symbology of the Vega And Altair chapter shows them apart on separate islands, trying and failing to reach each other (Aya's broken ladder/bridge) and then them coming together via the Zebra and music.

Thus it can be implied that they have resolved their issues, but have left the details out of exactly how.

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

I think we have ... sort of ... maybe ...

The symbology of the Vega And Altair chapter shows them apart on separate islands, trying and failing to reach each other (Aya's broken ladder/bridge) and then them coming together via the Zebra and music.

Thus it can be implied that they have resolved their issues, but have left the details out of exactly how.

aren't they depicted quite young compared to their college selves in that one? I personally interpreted it as a cute callback to how they first got together via their shared love of music, then flash-forwarded to them together in the morning. the juxtaposition is used to imply that the love is still there in their currently slightly troubled relationship. bottom line is I don't think that chapter says "they have resolved their issues"

I love this. Aya and Mitsuki have kind of established a haven of positivity around them but this is still modern Japan and people are pretty casually homophobic. I'm curious if Aki will be influenced by the kids at school, if he'll pretend to agree with them to have an easier time, or if he'll get ostracized for standing up for his sister. No matter which way it goes, the girls will find out since they spend a fair amount of time together. I'm also curious how his brother will react.

Yeah and whether this will come back to Aya and Mitsuki. How would they react to something like this?

No one else thinking Aki is a bit gay for Riku?

I was thinking that too lol

I also think maybe Riku agreed with the other boys to fit in / not get teased himself. He said "Who is Mitsuki, AGAIN", which seems like Aki has mentioned Mitsuki to him before. And Riku himself wasn't shocked when Aki explained Aya was dating Mitsuki.

My wild guess is that Riku is aware of and OK with Mitsuaya and is just trying to fit in with homophobes despite it meaning his friend is thrown under the bus.

And my extra wild guess is there are subtle feelings between Aki and Riku and those feelings are low key mutual lol.

At that age, that definitely checks out. Sadly, it doesn't get much better for a while, and it only gets worse in junior high (^^) I'm in my early forties now and I still carry more of that psychological trauma than I'm willing to admit... The innate social homophobia is just a very real part of life; it's nice that this tries to tackle it.

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

Because that's the way the author wants to handle it? It's a very normal thing in writing. Just because an issue is brought up doesn't mean it needs to be addressed immediately. And as someone else said, maybe on a different site?, sometimes life comes at you fast and lots of issues pop up at once. It's a normal thing in real life too.

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

The chapter title is literally "Catalyst", just be patient and wait for the coming reaction

And this is how the closet acquired two new inhabitants...

I do think its a little funny that the main couple never faced this but now we get homophobia by proxy. Which most likely is because the author doesn’t want to expand to much about that and in fact it being by proxy means its going to be very short to add insight to Aya and Mitsuki character and relationship.
Which I appreciate, I don’t really like the “winning againts homophobia” type of arcs

last edited at Jul 19, 2026 5:43PM

Why are we tackling another issue when we still haven't wrapped up the other issue that's been dragging on for months at this point smh

The chapter title is literally "Catalyst", just be patient and wait for the coming reaction

That's a damn fine answer. \chemistry/

AKI DONT LISTEN TO THEM AKI DONT FALL INTO THAT MINDSET