Classic 'build your friend up, your friend finds new friends and you feel lonely' story. I think Konatsu is afraid Honami is friend-cheating on her. She knows I guess that Honami will eventually leave for college. I guess Konatsu wants to tell her that she'll:

A. Miss her?
B. Wants to stay longterm friends with her?

Konatsu is being unreasonably awkward. Maybe she thinks she has nothing more to give now that Honami has more friend juice these days (strength to be social, positive and friendly; outgoing). Konatsu awkwardly believes she shouldn't dabble with Honami anymore, after all she has Kaede and stuff now.

Yet we see that Honami is already losing her grip a little and isn't totally confident.

Since yuri is so shameful, I guess it will be a friends confession after all. "I want to be friends with you!" "Oh God, seriously!"

They sure don't act like friends right now, who knew the road to friendship was so rocky? Or they're both awkward as hell.

True for a story of understanding about friendship it still goes far in non-dialogue, they have just met each other which is obviously not the case...
But well we'll see how things will evolve already with the karaoke party or honami should not be super comfortable unless there too it unlocks, or the two friends meet singing a song at the same time!

Konatsu's issue right now is that she feels ashamed of herself for not being entirely happy about Koyuki managing to open up and find new friends and for desiring for Koyuki to stay the same so that she'll remain the only person Koyuki will open up with. This stems from her own loneliness and desire to be considered special by someone (either as a friend or romantically, this is what the author will likely never clarify and leave up to the reader's interpretation). Of course this is a contradiction since Konatsu herself was the one who pushed Koyuki to break out of her shell, so she thinks it would be wrong to talk to her about this, that the issue lies entirely with herself and she should bottle it up and pretend she's okay with the current situation for Koyuki's sake. There is no simple solution since Konatsu would have to admit to her selfishness and Koyuki might not respond positively to it. I think Konatsu will definitely have to learn to accept that Koyuki will have other people she can rely on from now on, but at the same time Koyuki will come to realize that she and Konatsu still need each other and that their bond and mutual understanding will always be deeper than what she could have with anybody else.

Kaede got herself into a real mess, but her method of indirectly prodding both of them is the most appropriate.

Konatsu's issue right now is that she feels ashamed of herself for not being entirely happy about Koyuki managing to open up and find new friends and for desiring for Koyuki to stay the same so that she'll remain the only person Koyuki will open up with. This stems from her own loneliness and desire to be considered special by someone (either as a friend or romantically, this is what the author will likely never clarify and leave up to the reader's interpretation). Of course this is a contradiction since Konatsu herself was the one who pushed Koyuki to break out of her shell, so she thinks it would be wrong to talk to her about this, that the issue lies entirely with herself and she should bottle it up and pretend she's okay with the current situation for Koyuki's sake. There is no simple solution since Konatsu would have to admit to her selfishness and Koyuki might not respond positively to it. I think Konatsu will definitely have to learn to accept that Koyuki will have other people she can rely on from now on, but at the same time Koyuki will come to realize that she and Konatsu still need each other and that their bond and mutual understanding will always be deeper than what she could have with anybody else.

Kaede got herself into a real mess, but her method of indirectly prodding both of them is the most appropriate.

Right but konatsu is playing a dangerous game because she wants to keep honami to herself selfishly and tries to avoid it but by moving away from honami she was creating an even bigger problem, it's more about self-destruction than anything else.
It's just this scenario that I find improbable, sabotaging a big friendship for trivia instead of trying to strengthen it, in short konatsu is still a hell of a caricature of everything you shouldn't do!
Moreover, the author uses the only possible solution to repair the damage, i.e. a mediator like kaede, otherwise everything would be ruined.
I can't even imagine if it was a love story!
On the other hand honami is also blind to not notice anything, I don't mind that they are shy characters but her closest friend behaves strangely and she acts as if nothing were wrong.

last edited at Sep 1, 2019 10:10PM

So is this worth picking up again or are they still just good friends?

So is this worth picking up again or are they still just good friends?

They have difficulties in terms of friendship at the moment but difficult to understand the essence of konatsu's thinking, jealous that honami is other friends? she doesn't know what her feelings are so to see in the next chapters if it's love jealousy or not.

Something is going to change? Is it the subtext tag? :3

No because this series got trademark as tourism symbol so no homo.

Dunno, if I knew this was the town where cute 2D lesbians got together, I'd just be more inclined to visit.

Let's do a math:
- Phrase 1: How many people living in the world? How many people has interesting in YURI (just yuri) like you, me, us? Make a ratio and moving to phrase 2.
- Phrase 2: How many people living in the world tends to go to Japan? The same second question like above? Make a ratio.
- Phrase 3: Compare the result from 2 phrases and answer the classic question? Which gains more benefit (be blunt, money)?

Something is going to change? Is it the subtext tag? :3

Here's to hoping: cheers!

@Senjougahara_sama: I'm interested in Konatsu's comment on page 9 about how she's been searching for that "something" that has been gradually changing around her. Right now she herself cannot define it and I want to see how she will figure it out. Not that it has to be romantic interest, but as of now, it would be the best bet as to how she'd realize something like that about herself.

@Star Light: I was just joking. Ultimately I don't think there's a huge correlation between marketing a series for tourism and what happens between the characters in it. Most people will just take an interest if the locations themselves are memorable.

Salamander Kampfgruppe, reporting for duty!

Lovely chapter, it's quite a struggle for Konatsu.

Have they forgot how to have normal discussion ? Like you know, talking face to face to each other ? When was even the last time they've done that ? With chapter length and release, it feel like an eternity since they had a proper discussion. Don't get me wrong it's good in itself but it's the path is more slower than a car without wheels.

You can see from Konatsu's reaction to Koyuki's text (and from all her reactions beforehand) that she feels very guilty about bringing her back to her now that she's been breaking out, that's going to be difficult to bring up and properly talk about although she will have to sooner or later. And in the short term, they weren't alone so they weren't going to have such a private talk with Kaede and Fuyuki around. But I get what you mean, I always try not to think of how much time it takes in the real world for manga chapters to come out, it can be grueling and deflate your enthusiasm, especially in monthly series. I like to think that once all of it is out, reading it again all at once will feel much better and reflect the work's actual pacing.

so who's the salamander and who's the frog?? im really confused

More like Komatsu Amano can't come out.

But seriously, I want them to honestly and openly talk about their feelings before any huge thing like graduation or exams hit their way. Can't say I'd be happy if they delay it voluntarily just to create conflict.

last edited at Sep 28, 2019 9:46PM

so who's the salamander and who's the frog?? im really confused

Amano was the frog at first and Honami the salamander but lately they switch out as Honami open up will Amano close herself.

No because this series got trademark as tourism symbol so no homo.

Dunno, if I knew this was the town where cute 2D lesbians got together, I'd just be more inclined to visit.

Let's do a math:

Heyyy, that's me, interested in yuri manga and went to Japan! And I don't know if it's useful to the discussion here, but I found (and bought) this manga in the yuri section in the most definitely biggest bookstore right in the center on Shibuya, Tokyo. I even got pictures of the place, there's no doubt that this is story is going to end with a lesbian couple, 'cause I'm pretty sure that was the intention from the beginning...

last edited at Sep 28, 2019 9:48PM

This story somehow manages to unhinge me. It must be because it hits me over and over again in my weakest spots with how relatable it is. I'm the type of person to get overly attached and overly dependent on another person. And then when the other person has a life of their own, I grow anxious. Meh it's such drama

More like Komatsu Amano can't come out.

Laughed harder than I should have.

This is honestly how I first read the chap title when I got the notification.

Those are some intense feelings of friendship.

Kidding aside, that's actually pretty believable.

Soren posted:

More like Komatsu Amano can't come out.

Laughed harder than I should have.

This is honestly how I first read the chap title when I got the notification.

Most of us did for sure.

Some people in mangadex were saying how Koyuki was wrong for ruining the mood for everyone else, well then I guess that wasn't a place for her after all, if what she think is right makes things wrong for everyone then what's the point? forcing herself to enjoy things she doesn't like (and don't get me wrong, things were fine but then they inevitably take it to the next level and is only getting more intense from there, we were all teenagers, we know what's gonna happen) and doesn't know ? stay quiet for the pressure of the group? surely leaving is not the "right thing" because that's considered social suicide and when you don't have a close friend there you're pretty much dragged by the flow of things.

I'm glad she was saved... I'm glad Konatsu realized and of course I know her motivation were obscure, she was doing the right thing but not entirely for Koyuki's sake.

BUT ANYWAY I HOOOOOOOOOPEEEEEEEEE that the next chapter they talk about it, they can't go on like this and there's only so much Kaede can do (or realize)... Specially if Konatsu doesn't speak!!!!

last edited at Sep 28, 2019 10:31PM

Yeah, I think Kaede's helped out as much as she could, just bringing Konatsu to the karaoke place and pointing out Koyuki was there was exactly what she needed to do, without interfering further. Something that hasn't been really addressed so far is how Koyuki seemingly lacks the social awareness to understand how Konatsu might feel about the situation. Kaede also tried to make her realize it on her own, but she couldn't do it. I wonder if the awkward situation Koyuki got herself in with her classmates during the karaoke party might help her realize Konatsu's point of view of not wanting her to fit in with others and leave her behind, but I feel like Koyuki just won't get it until Konatsu flat-out admits it to her because she's just that socially stunted.

last edited at Sep 28, 2019 10:40PM

Awesome chapter.
I mean, my kokoro was was drummin so hard while Konatsu was crashing the party lol.

Threesome! Okay, I'm a degenerate, I'll stop.

Where can I buy a brother like that and how much? Please lmk.

Good lord, the writing in this is sooo good! I relate with both of their shit so damn much. "Loners gotta loner but life waits for no one" and all that.