This is possibly my favorite manga on the site, and I've been here a while! And while we are making predictions, I'm surprised no one is talking about the graffiti rose that so conveniently happened to be at their new meeting point. I keep thinking, are the odds really so low that someone else saw their letter exchange in that book? Maybe they've got an ally, could even be painting girl. But of course, that's just speculation for now

last edited at Aug 15, 2025 3:33PM

This is possibly my favorite manga on the site, and I've been here a while! And while we are making predictions, I'm surprised no one is talking about the graffiti rose that so conveniently happened to be at their new meeting point. I keep thinking, are the odds really so low that someone else saw their letter exchange in that book? Maybe they've got an ally, could even be painting girl. But of course, that's just speculation for now

Good point. I certainly noticed it and wondered, but I don’t know what to link it to except the MC’s name and her use of rose-themed stationery.

As you say, the art girl almost can’t be just a random detail, but at this point what she’s about is totally unknown.

I thought the fact that the hidden letter was in volume 2 of the collection was a nice little touch—it’s unlikely that anyone who didn’t care for the S-class theme would have picked up that specific book. (Library books notoriously can have years or even decades between one checkout and the next.)

this is insanely romantic. i'm sold. like, i'm already a sucker for class S-inspired stories (marimite, anyone?) as well as the rose/candy yuri dynamic (rose being the older girl who's mature, reserved, probably has some kind of emotional baggage that closes her off, and candy being the younger girl who's naive and sincere). huge thank you to the scanlator, i'm bookmarking this one

I am more or less familiar with class S, but I hadn't heard of the rose/candy dynamic. That's a good label for part of the depth and nuance in their relationship. Kasumi is essentially a rose who plays at being a candy as a form of escapism while Haruyo is the opposite, a candy playing as a rose.

It ties really well into their underlying reasons behind seeking out this class S relationship. Haruyo is infantilized by being the youngest sibling and casually by the way her friends treat her and sought to become more mature, being in control and relied on by others was her fantasy when writing these letters. Kasumi is burdened by the death of her friend, and feels an acute lack of support, probably tied into her identity as the eldest sibling in her family. She seeks out the class S relationship because she wants a space where she doesn't have to be the strong/resilient person, she desperately needs a place to be openly weak and express all those emotions she's been bottling up.

That was a hard "love" by the way.

Kasumi's trauma gets clearer. There's the self-loathing expressed in self-sabotage. The belief that she has no value, offering nothing to Haruyo and that Haruyo might only be with her out of pity. She's said this before, "why do you always give me what I want." It makes Kasumi uncomfortable. There's the return of fearing becoming dependent on another, that Onee-sama could disappear from her life and she needs to be ready. The fear of intimacy is stronger than ever. That the greatest love she can offer is to step out of the way. She didn't want to taint Onee-sama with her ugliness, was afraid she's the only one getting turned on by this.

Haruyo is still on that fantasy Onee-sama pedestal. From this chapter it's like Kasumi doesn't even believe Haruyo shares those feelings, that she angelically overlooks and accepts that part of her. But considering Haruyo is so innocent she didn't notice the way she was touching Kasumi, she'd never have thought Kasumi was after a faceful of boobs. Kasumi takes one soft comment and twists it into Haruyo obsessing over the letter's sender. She assumes Haruyo would be happy with someone else. And in doing so, she's giving up their secret.

Since we haven't seen in Haruyo's head in a while, it's easy to get caught up in some lesser misconceptions. She's straining herself as much as Kasumi is to keep their relationship going. Trying hard to work off the guilt she felt for abandoning Kasumi. She doesn't understand the times Kasumi's self-loathing slips through. She isn't intentionally being a gay nightmare for her repressed little sister (older). Haruyo is a confused middle schooler wearing a mask. And if Kasumi keeps this up that mask is going to crack.

I won't spoil much but if you don't trust this manga yet: If you're seriously concerned about Sayori, don't be.

The manga practically always uses the Japanese translation of sub rosa, literally "under the rose." This is just as obvious in Japanese as in English so yeah, let's just say Haruyo was distracted by her cute imouto. But sub rosa sounds cooler so I'm not going to deny Sayori her moment.

The dual nature of cold is back: it's both pretense for the invitation to warm herself under Haruyo's coat and the pretext Kasumi uses to be distant. Kasumi is purposefully choosing the cold in a way that explores the old themes of repressed, forbidden sexuality in Class S but through a repurposed angle. The manga's also expanding on rose symbolism, between constricting thorns and hanging roses you've seen in the past but might not have noticed.

The concept of "the greatest love you can offer" being to step away came up in both the protagonists of Igarashi's previous manga, Dominant. I'll have more to say on that when I get around to translating AriSaku's Bluesky extras, but Igarashi seems to like exploring twisted outlets for love.

We're now .5 chapters away from being caught up. I'm going to be working on Sylph and Aizawa's latest chapters now so don't expect 10 until after the 28th, when the second half releases. After that I'll likely start uploading half chapters bimonthly going forward.

In other recent news, Igarashi was going to draw a "violent" doujinshi for November's COMITIA event, but currently only has lewd yuri thoughts on the brain and will likely do that instead.
It is a mystery why Igarashi now has lewd yuri thoughts on the brain.

last edited at Aug 19, 2025 12:46AM

well, this is interesting, I guess, it's nice we see the character that showed up in just a few panels of the previous chapter. I mean, what's nice is that nothing the author chooses to do is innocent. Everything is planned and that's good.

Still, I ask myself will this be something good? Not for them but for the story itself. I think a third wheel was unnecessary really. Some stories have a use for it, this one didn't seem like it.

And Sumi-chan's reasoning is also something that bothers me a bit. Of course, she's been shown to be "insecure" and not feeling enough before, but to think she's doesn't deserve her Onee-sama and that she should rather hand her to someone else?? Why would she think that? Mental gymnastics at its finest. Haruyo's shown to have a deep appreciation for her, even if I don't think Sumire's love and Haruyo's love are "the same". But why would she go so far as to distance herself from her? It doesn't make sense to me

This is possibly my favorite manga on the site, and I've been here a while! And while we are making predictions, I'm surprised no one is talking about the graffiti rose that so conveniently happened to be at their new meeting point. I keep thinking, are the odds really so low that someone else saw their letter exchange in that book? Maybe they've got an ally, could even be painting girl. But of course, that's just speculation for now

bro you can see the future

This is possibly my favorite manga on the site, and I've been here a while! And while we are making predictions, I'm surprised no one is talking about the graffiti rose that so conveniently happened to be at their new meeting point. I keep thinking, are the odds really so low that someone else saw their letter exchange in that book? Maybe they've got an ally, could even be painting girl. But of course, that's just speculation for now

bro you can see the future

I know, I can't believe it, I wanna do a victory dance!! And about your previous comment, I agree I'm skeptical about this new development. Still, I don't think painting girl will get in the way all that much, these two are too gay for each other now! Hopefully it's more about Kasumi working through her self-loathing and it doesn't take too long. But it's cute to see Onee-sama desperate to spoil her little sister, the feeling is definitely mutual! (Even if Haruyo might need some time to ahem catch up to Kasumi's "maturity")

We're now .5 chapters away from being caught up. I'm going to be working on Sylph and Aizawa's latest chapters now so don't expect 10 until after the 28th, when the second half releases. After that I'll likely start uploading half chapters bimonthly going forward.

In other recent news, Igarashi was going to draw a "violent" doujinshi for November's COMITIA event, but currently only has lewd yuri thoughts on the brain and will likely do that instead.
It is a mystery why Igarashi now has lewd yuri thoughts on the brain.

Thank you for the translation. I also really like ready about your take on the story as well.

About the remaining chapters, would you mind telling where to find them? I've been reading them on comic walker, but they are only available until chapter 10. And the ebook for the second volume is not available yet.

Pages 25-26 are incredibly lewd. Also, did they kiss on page 26?

Namyks posted:
Also, did they kiss on page 26?

Doubt it, it wouldn't be Class S anymore.

And Sumi-chan's reasoning is also something that bothers me a bit. Of course, she's been shown to be "insecure" and not feeling enough before, but to think she's doesn't deserve her Onee-sama and that she should rather hand her to someone else?? Why would she think that? Mental gymnastics at its finest. Haruyo's shown to have a deep appreciation for her, even if I don't think Sumire's love and Haruyo's love are "the same". But why would she go so far as to distance herself from her? It doesn't make sense to me

I think the pacing was perhaps a little fast, but the reasons are clear: Kasumi hates herself, has since the beginning, and thinks she doesn't deserve Haruyo and Haruyo would be better off without her.

Aww Kasumi. Such a sad panda...

The plot thickens. In hindsight, it should be obvious that Haruyo couldn't have come up with letter exchange herself (rude, I know). I wonder if the art girl is the originator or she too is a link in the chain, and the custom goes way back to the era of actual Class-S (hence the tittle). Would be cool if we discover other pairs of sisters along the way.

While I understand Kasumi's self loathing drives her to find someone more worthy of her oneesama (and she is scared of being this enamored with Haruyo and probably disgusted by her own lust), I can't help but fear that Haruyo would be hurt by this. Hopefully Sayori (I bet this is also the name of a rose) can talk some sense to her.

About the remaining chapters, would you mind telling where to find them? I've been reading them on comic walker, but they are only available until chapter 10. And the ebook for the second volume is not available yet.

You've caught up. Chapter 10 (first half) is the latest. Did you misread 0.5 chapters as 5 by any chance?

last edited at Aug 19, 2025 6:07AM

this is adorable

im assuming painter sempai is the younger half of another pair

INCOMING TRAINWRECK!

This is going very fast! Too fast!

Wow this is one of the very few times where the I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT energy i'm feeling is off the charts!

This is really a great story, it is going bit fast (I hope it doesn't end too soon!) but I really appreciate how relatable the MCs self doubt is.

Thanks for the TL!

About the remaining chapters, would you mind telling where to find them? I've been reading them on comic walker, but they are only available until chapter 10. And the ebook for the second volume is not available yet.

You've caught up. Chapter 10 (first half) is the latest. Did you misread 0.5 chapters as 5 by any chance?

I did T_T too bad it would have been nice to read a few more chapters today. I have to say, I haven't been that engaged in a manga since How to break the triangle.. I'll probably buy both digital and physical version of this one.

Im honestly not sure how I feel about this plot development. Feels a bit convoluted to me. But we'll see.

INCOMING TRAINWRECK!

Or an abrupt transition onto a smooth line of tracks laid down by their new biggest supporter.
At least I hope so since we already have enough conflict in the story from Kasumi fighting her inner demons.

I really do like the way the tone here varies from Kasumi just being a thirsty little unaware baby lesbian to a significantly damaged self-loathing depressive. To me it doesn’t read as an erratic or uncertain tone, because the story makes both aspects of her character quite convincing. (That image of the “Dark Kasumi” with her negative self-talk was pretty chilling.)

And some top-notch lewd chin-tilting in this chapter too—Haruyo may look cute and be a bit naive about how their skinship is affecting Kasumi, but she’s got some real top energy too.

Insane levels of trauma and self sabotage.
I'm super invested in where this goes lmao.

I AM LOVING THIS MORE MORE I NEED MORE

And Sumi-chan's reasoning is also something that bothers me a bit. Of course, she's been shown to be "insecure" and not feeling enough before, but to think she's doesn't deserve her Onee-sama and that she should rather hand her to someone else?? Why would she think that? Mental gymnastics at its finest. Haruyo's shown to have a deep appreciation for her, even if I don't think Sumire's love and Haruyo's love are "the same". But why would she go so far as to distance herself from her? It doesn't make sense to me

I think the pacing was perhaps a little fast, but the reasons are clear: Kasumi hates herself, has since the beginning, and thinks she doesn't deserve Haruyo and Haruyo would be better off without her.

I think there could be another layer to this as well. On some level, she might even view this as preferable for her to be the one to "end the relationship" of her own volition before Haruyo (in Kasumi's mind) gets bored with her and leaves.

It's bad. Hurry. Have to hurry. Have to find who sent the letter. Before I melt away.

^This line on page 26 and Kasumi's behavior on the pages before feel like she's trying to preventatively "wean herself off" of Haruyo, in order to protect herself from the supposedly inevitable parting they're going to have soon. She wants to end the relationship before it's too late for her to go back to what life was like before Haruyo.

Thanks for the TL notes! Though maybe some of that should be at the ends of the actual chapters, not lost in a forum discussion?

Pages 25-26 are incredibly lewd. Also, did they kiss on page 26?

I dunno. I feel that's too big a moment, plus the TL's comment about Hanuyo being too innocent still, but the posture and missing heads sure suggest that.