I'm conflicted, one part of me find too simple Aki ask Shiho out so soon after she found out about Shiho's feelings but the other part is glad that she acknowledge that she doesn't have romantics feelings and that they will work on those feelings.

That's one genre savvy Shiho. :D

I'm kinda disappointed that Aki asked her out so fast, but I do like that she's up front about the current state of her feelings. Dunno why they couldn't just stay as friends while Aki figured out her feelings. I mean, I know why they did it this way because they acknowledged that Shiho would most likely run away again if Aki got into a relationship with someone else, but ugh I really don't like this ball chain situation they got going on. Which is funny since I normally really enjoy toxic codependent relationships like this, but I think since this story always inserts some realistic, healthy portrayals of relationships, it's a bit harder to turn the brain off.

I think I just have to accept that they won't ever address everything that's wrong with Shiho in a way I'd like and just enjoy whatever fluff the author has for the couple going forward.

When will someone investigate the ties between aquarium companies and the yuri industry?

I guess it wouldn't be a Yuri manga without the main couple (just kidding) going on a date at the aquarium.

I really don't like the position Shiho currently is in this relationship. It does makes sense for Aki to not have romantic feelings for her yet, so I can't complain about that, but I don't think anyone deserves to be with someone in the hope that maybe one day their love will be repaid. Also, considering Shiho's personality, it could lead to something bad. I guess it'll depend on how much the author wants to extend the story (and if they want to insert even more drama into the story), but it wouldn't be hard for me to imagine a situation where Shiho sees Aki and Yori getting along, laughing together or whatever (like Hima did at the beginning of the manga), and her insecurities and jealousy make her think "What would happen if Yori suddenly fell in love with Aki? Would Aki leave me for her?", or things like that.

Honestly, the most unrealistic thing in this series is the fact that Aki felt in love with Yori instead of Shiho. I wonder what kind of thought process went through her head to make that happen.

last edited at Dec 23, 2023 6:32AM

They finally became a couple, and Shiho became more and more subordinate with each chapter

I guess it wouldn't be a Yuri manga without the main couple (just kidding) going on a date at the aquarium.

Yet there is a manga that even though both are in the aquarium club, in the end they are both still just senpai-kouhai

Now this is a great thing to wake up to in the morning. Love them both and Aki is right, that was smooth and Shiho knows it.

They're at different stages but that's normal and fine. You literally don't need to be madly in love with someone to start dating, despite what manga would have you believe. This also respects Aki's character progress.

She'll need a bit more time to feel exactly as passionate as Shiho but she recognizes how important Shiho is to her and can clearly see Shiho as her girlfriend.

Reminds me of the start to "Love is Hard for Otaku," and of course that ended up fine and normal. Actually Aki is in a better place than he was, because at least her GF isn't doing it just for show (at the start).

Aki really thought about it, and waited until their first date to settle on how she felt. This means there's room for even more progress between them. It also gives Shiho something to continue working towards, and the big kiss will happen down the line. This was what I would have wanted. Looking forward to all of it!

last edited at Dec 23, 2023 7:02AM

I can't stop grinning:)

Honestly, the most unrealistic thing in this series is the fact that Aki felt in love with Yori instead of Shiho. I wonder what kind of thought process went through her head to make that happen.

One was a cool mysterious tomboy with a good voice, the other was an insufferable girl who just seem to hate her (with a good voice). I don't know if the statement is ironic or you genuinly think that Aki would fall for Shiho before they speak things out.

Honestly, the most unrealistic thing in this series is the fact that Aki felt in love with Yori instead of Shiho. I wonder what kind of thought process went through her head to make that happen.

One was a cool mysterious tomboy with a good voice, the other was an insufferable girl who just seem to hate her (with a good voice). I don't know if the statement is ironic or you genuinly think that Aki would fall for Shiho before they speak things out.

I think they might be referring to the time prior to the falling out. Before Shiho put on her bitch act to distance herself from Aki they were super close, arguably more so than Aki and Yori were at the "height" of their closeness after the latter became the new vocalist.
So I can totally see where OP is coming from, though of course "the heart wants what the heart wants" and there's no rhyme or reason to who one falls for so it's kind of a moot point either way xD

As for this chapter, Aki asking Shiho out is a great sign imo. Aki has been incredibly passive when it comes to her own love life so far. I doubt she ever had the intention to confess to Yori, maybe bc she was just scared to or bc she knew Yori wasn't into her. But even if she could've been pushed to do so, as soon as Hima entered the picture there was no chance she'd ever tell.
So her finally taking the initiative to pursue Shiho, not just to get her friend back but to honestly pursue her with the intention/hope to eventually reciprocate her feelings, clearly shows her intimacy of feelings for and commitment to Shiho as a person, romantic or not.

last edited at Dec 23, 2023 8:25AM

I think this chapter lays bare/continues to crystalize why Shiho is the way she is. She's remarkably insecure, lmao. In no small part of course because she's still carrying the death of Kyou with her, as well as the fact that like anything except for the absolute best is failure to her. She's insecure because if she's not number one then she's nothing and she wasn't Aki's number one.

2023 is almost over and we still don't have the Aquarium tag? smh

@TctyaDDK

Bro, you meant this tag: Yuri ?

Well I've been in the "hating shiho" bandwagon for a long time and also believe that it's definitely too little too late, buck heck even if she's doing it out of obligation at least she said sorry and acknowledged (to herself) that she was antagonizing Yori and being a complete asshole to her. Like she's still an asshole but at least she's aware of it and is in character for her to not give a damn, so at least she's being consistent.
If this starts an upward trend of her realising how much of an ass she's been to everyone and apologize, even begrudgingly, it'll be a small W in my book. At least is way more enjoyable than her being an oblivious asshole to everyone, even if she's still far from being likable if handled well her "redemption arc" can at least be entertaining

Alas, looks like last chapter was all we are gonna get as far as redemption is concerned, if this chapter is anything to go by.

Calling it now, I am pointing my bat at the audience, we are never gonna get another apology from Shiho for her past behaviour for the rest of the series.

Funnily enough, I never got the feeling that Shiho was oblivious about being an asshole. There were scenes like her getting mildly criticized by her bandmates for antagonising Hima and Yori, where she acknowledges that it was not a nice thing to do. The story tries to justify her actions, which would be my main point of contention, but Shiho is aware what she is doing before her talk with Yori. That also why her apology fell flat to me, since that makes it more calculating.

What the, how they got a Clione on an aquarium?

I really don't like the position Shiho currently is in this relationship. It does makes sense for Aki to not have romantic feelings for her yet, so I can't complain about that, but I don't think anyone deserves to be with someone in the hope that maybe one day their love will be repaid.

I think it kinda works because Aki truly is trying to view Shiho romantically, which would be good for both of them. It's a very down-to-earth approach of building a romantic relationship, rather than the common manga versions of love at first sight and/or romance just happens.

The current situation is not ideal (in the literal sense of the term), but with Shiho unable to give up her feelings for Aki, and Aki who doesn't want to be apart from Shiho (both things that have been present in the story since long before their arc), their choice to meet in the middle makes sense, with Shiho accepting to wait and stay with Aki patiently despite her feelings not getting returned so that they can truly be together later, while Aki gets to be with Shiho but tries to get used to more a more romantic relationship.

WHOA HOLDING HANDS BEFORE KISSING?!?! Aren’t you skipping a few steps?

What the, how they got a Clione on an aquarium?

There are quite a few aquariums that have cliones, especially in Japan, where cliones are very popular

One was a cool mysterious tomboy with a good voice, the other was an insufferable girl who just seem to hate her (with a good voice). I don't know if the statement is ironic or you genuinly think that Aki would fall for Shiho before they speak things out.

As Giftnova said, I was referring to the time when they played together in the band. Not only did they have great chemistry and were very close, but Shiho is arguably the most attractive character in the series.

She had everything back then to make Aki fall in love with her, but yeah, "the heart wants what the heart wants". I can definitely understand why Shiho started acting the way she did after that.

I mean, even here Aki doesn't have romantic feelings yet despise them dating so you can imagine back then.

I can definitely understand why Shiho started acting the way she did after that.

Shiho acting on impulse about something Aki have no way of knowning ?

its crazy to me, how much damage a single character can do to a story.

Yay finally "dating", even tho "it's not love yet", I want Shiho and Aki loving each other ASAP!

Yay finally "dating", even tho "it's not love yet", I want Shiho and Aki loving each other ASAP!

The build up should be fun though and it'll make the kiss that much more meaningful, whenever Aki does decide to initiate it. It's a smart way to give the audience half of what they want, with the promise of the rest later. Gives her more stuff to work with moving forward. Plus they get to do the normal thing and fall in love through dating.

last edited at Dec 23, 2023 4:04PM

It funny how there're so much Shiho hater on this site and western viewer in general. While when i read it on other site or translation group, Asian viewers absolutely love Shiho and don't take her rudeness that serious at all LOL. We just see her as a stundere and go with it. And the writing in my opinion is still as good as the start, i don't see anything went down like a lot of people said. More like where the story goes just don't fit their personal tatse so they're upset and hating LOL. Can clearly see they don't grow up watching drama series on television like the rest of us Asian.

Let just say, Shiho is the most interesting character for me. Yori and Hima has nothing interesting plot for me at their stage. What a romance story without some drama in it. Full Fluff story is the most boring thing to read for me.

Shiho acting on impulse about something Aki have no way of knowning ?

I mean being frustrated with the situation. Feeling like there's a connection between the two and manage to be happy again with someone after Kyou's death only for Aki to end up falling in love with a random girl Shiho didn't even know about.

The build up should be fun though and it'll make the kiss that much more meaningful, whenever Aki does decide to initiate it. It's a smart way to give the audience half of what they want, with the promise of the rest later. Gives her more stuff to work with moving forward.

Which should mean that the series still has a couple of volumes left, since, as you said, it's implied that there will be a kiss, but Aki has to develop romantic feelings for Shiho first.