It wouldn't do justice to Yuzu if Mei stepped down inheriting the school because Shou would take the duty/Gramps would die/ the manager would cancel the engagement. The two last solutions are short-lived and don't solve anything for the future. The first one just erases Mei's responsibility to make her own choices or to realize the choice she did condemn her and Yuzu to pain.

So yeah, she has to decide herself. It's the best solution to make up for the break-up.

I wonder if it'll happen... I think Yuzu is way too much in love with Mei to ever giving her the cold shoulder. My bet is that the very second Mei says "I love you" or something similar, Yuzu will throw herself in Mei's arms. Perhaps I'm wrong though. What needs to be done for Mei is to accept her own desires and sort out her goals. Maybe after that, Mei will try to pursue Yuzu if the latter ever decided to erase Mei from her life.

Well, I would have thought that Yuzu would accept Mei back without hesitation. It's Yuzu. But our girl is too scarred I wonder how it is realistic (a little, even though in Citrus, is expected here). Yuzu is totally dead inside and traumatised. How can she have faith once again in Mei, the girl who told her four-time "yes", when Yuzu asked her if she could love her forever etc.

I wonder what the author planned to enable the make-up, of course, Mei will have first to figure her real path, but after that...

last edited at Feb 20, 2018 12:47PM

Mei must realize she deserves Yuzu's love. Question, will this epiphany, about erasing her self-hate, happen by herself or with the help of someone?

I highly doubt they would do it for NTR and minor series last year, and not Citrus. their flagship series.

chapter 35 ends with the last day of summer break before the second semester of 2nd year. Mei's BD is in September, she would have had 17 years.
chapter 36, we see the sakura petal and 3A for Yuzu's classroom. We are in April, some days/one week/2 weeks after the beginning of the new year of school.
So 7/8 months probably, sure : 6-8.

For the reactions, just look at twitter with #citrus and citrus 芽衣, you'll have plenty of reaction. They are very lucid, rationalize the situation but also there's many sadness. They are happy to have heard Mei's feelings and are looking forward the happy ending, they are mostlyYuri Hime buyers, so they know the way it works with mangas published here.

Let's not forget she has the bonus to do but also the chapter 33 to fix, and it's not only 2 or 3 pages like the other chapter she had to fix when it was bimonthly.

Proofs :

• the author never talked about the ending and the final in the chapter's promotion. Kodama did (NTR's author).
• no "to be continued", but no "fin" either
• the anime is airing, its purpose is to increase the manga's sells, the manga needs to continue during the anime
• a final chapter is always announced in the previous issue of YH with the word "climax": クライマツクス, it was the case for NTR, and other series which ended last year when they were listed on the preview page
• a final chapter is always listed as a climax in the issue where it is published on the final cover of the magazine. Citrus is listed on the ongoing series.
• the author promised happy ending in the last 4 volumes in the afterwords
• Yuri Hime policy: the most popular series and a series that help to sell the magazine would end so badly without any notice? -Volume 9 promotion incoming with a bonus card showing the OTP in a wedding dress ... to buy a volume ending the manga on the exact opposite note?
• another chapter was announced for March but has been put on hiatus since the volume 9 is released. Yuri Hime made an announcement, only to precise that the chapter was on break for Yuri hime n°5 (in March), not forever.

And more narrative reasons :
- We didn't see one of the MC. A series ending without seeing Mei...
- We didn't have any dialogues and speeches from the cast except Yuzu and Ume ... Will a manga end obliterating all their characters?
- too many loose ends. the father? the grandfather?

I think the lack of to be continued is a stylistic editorial choice. It's Mei's letter, hence Mei's words who is the narrator. On the graphics level, a to be continued would have ruined the impact of the "goodbye", visually but also on the meaning in Mei's mind. This goodbye is final for her.

last edited at Feb 18, 2018 12:40PM

That is it? What a fucking mess I followed this Manga 4 Years only to have this cruel ending? I cant put my Anger into words Im fucking shocked I thought Mei would be Standing on her own feets and follow her heart but she did not I thought Yuzu Cracked Meis shill but she did not Nah Im not going to read anything of this Artist anytime soon Im even going to FUCKING Burn the Volumes I have at home

It is not ending. A chapter has been announced in Yuri Hime preview initially in March, but with the volume 9 being released, it has been postponed in April.
Kodama announced the last chapter when she promoted it (final chapter), Yuri Hime always announces last chapter one volume before. Saburouta only announced it as the chapter 36.
So no, the chapter 36 is not the last, people should read the thread a little and stop over reacting.

last edited at Feb 18, 2018 3:38AM

I don't know how people affirm Saburouta is married with children. There isn't any proof and info. It doesn't matter though but no, no info. The person who stated to have discovered she was married probably mistakes with Merryhachi. some reader made a confusion above in the thread with her and Saburouta, and people bought it and the misinformation expanded itself.

Merryhachi writes lewd Yuri but yeah, there was a little fit of anger in fans in Japan when they learned she was happily married, because very unusual to expose this information for a yuri author. Concerning Saburouta, she never ever gives personal info except in an interview on her old school crush who was a girl. She doesn't even post anything personal related contrary to Kodama and other Yuri Hime mangakas. So if people could stop posting misinformed info without any sources, that would be better for this thread.

last edited at Feb 18, 2018 3:19AM

I don't think she let down her love. She's still wearing the ring. It is a sign, she's waiting for her. she probably couldn't intervene. Mei acted when she wasn't home. And deep down, Yuzu already understand that she's was the proactive one, sometimes too proactive she thought, and she cannot decides for Mei. Mei has to come back by her own will. If Yuzu strikes and fight, she knows Mei will cede, but will she have Mei's true desires? Maybe she'll strike in volume 10, after all, it's Yuzu.

For the time-skip: 6:7 months. Chapter 35, it was late summer, in September for the beginning of the second semester of 2nd year. Year, it's the third year, in April (sakura petals).

last edited at Feb 17, 2018 4:19PM by Nezchan

Not (really) surprised, still hurt a bit to see it happening. I mean it seemed obvious from the past chapters that the school and responsibilities is what Mei put first and foremost since the start of the story, so it seems "logical" for her to go down that route. I guess the point of the arc is either somebody (her Dad, Yuzu's mum?) or Mei herself making Mei realising that this may not be the best route for her after all.

There are two ways to follow your path. Mei chose that route because she firmly believes it's what she wants, but this path has been offered to her. She just embraced it. Is it really the path she has the strong will to follow (to quote Mitsuko in chapter 20)? I doubt it because she recognized she couldn't be in front of Yuzu without breaking down. So her will is challenged.

Mitsuko said someone who knows the difference between a path chosen with a strong will and path accepted because it's already given can build his/her own path.

Maybe that's what Mei will need to realize.

Mei and Yuzu just still think they are anonymous with their relationship. Did you expect Hamuri to start talking to Mei about in what position she fuck with Yuzu? C'mon. In my opinion girls just wait for Yuzu and Mei to tell everything about their love.

Nope of course, but her interactions with Mei could be different if she knew. I'm suspicious, guess we'll know in next chapter or two where Harumin stands in this situation. She could be a helping hand for Yuzu so, we'll know for sure what she's really aware of...

what bother me with the "Harumi knows it already but seems oblivious" is the extra story of volume 7 collector edition. When she's alone with Mei waiting for the rain to end. She really doesn't seem to be suspicious about Mei and Yuzu's real relationship. She just takes Mei as the usual cold president whose company isn't really her cup of tea. But, maybe another author's inconsistency, like Mei's scar on the thigh that was totally forgotten in volume 8 (bath scene).

Depends what you mean by "living with Yuzu". If you mean they live together, but keep the nature of their relationship a secret, then yes, it could work.

I was talking about living openly. For me, it is Yuzu's life philosophy that inspires other characters to try doing the same. I cannot imagine Yuzu stepping back on her views like that. Even for Mei, because loving Mei is somewhat freeing her from the rules, exactly what Yuzu told to Mei when she tried to convince her to come back at home in chapter 2.

If, however, you mean they actually openly display their relationship, then the answer is simple, no, that would not be possible. Dating your own step-sibling is generally heavily frowned upon even if it is a heterosexual relationship, and not just by the upper classes. There would probably not be a single family who would send their daughter there. At the end of the day, parents have the right to send their children to any school they choose, you can not force them to pick this specific one.

That's what I fear, Mei will have to sacrifice something along the road. Clear as crystal water. I was just wondering if the author could imagine a third solution instead of choosing. Except Shou coming back and maybe him having a child with Ume. He said that he would stop going visiting the world when he will have found his answer. Maybe that will be saving Mei from the school inheritance. But two obstacles: first, Mei wants to rule the school. Second, Shou flew because of the school, and he would come back to rule it again. Of course, Mei's personal happiness would be in the balance, but, it was already in it. By leaving, Shou knew Mei would be unhappy. Two much circumvolutions here.

I mean, on the one hand, Yuzu is a remarkably open person, and her envisioning a marriage with Mei certainly seems to imply she wants them to be open about it.
On the other hand, she has been keeping it a secret throughout the manga, and she actually got seriously worried when she thought Shirapon-senpai figured them out. Would it really be so out of character for her to agree to keep their relationship a secret, especially if it would enable Mei to not abandon her life's goal? What do you think about this?

Yuzu could sacrifice her own life view for Mei's safe, I am sure of that. But it questions the manga's message. During 8 volumes, Yuzu has been built as a shonen character, able to fight and win adversity that was more difficult to confront. She's a unique driving force, so letting down and living low key, I don"t think it's an improvement. An author wants her characters to progress. And I may add, Yuzu seems ready for the future now. Chapter 35 show that. Mei's speech in the library definitely decided Yuzu to be proud of her relationship and to be able to confront those who wouldn't be ok.

It was never shown how or when Momokino found out. I guess the only one now who is still in the dark about it is Harumin.

Harumi is definitely a special case. Sometimes she gives the vibe to know, sometimes not. I think she doesn't know but maybe she has her suspicions.

The author perfectly succeeds to let us wonder how it will be solved. It will be solved if we believe her promises to give Yuzu and Mei a happy ending, but how. How much will Mei lose? I like to think Mei will have an epiphany and will realize her goal life, professionally speaking, isn't ruling the school or inherit it.

But what if it was the other way around? Knowing how caring and kind Yuzu is, what's to say that, if she learned about it, she wouldn't probably try to step down, to distance herself from Mei just to let her pursue her life goal? What if Mei also thought about that and is keeping it all secret from Yuzu so she could keep being with her? Remember that in vol6, she said she wanted them to keep going on despite everything else.

Of course, she can't keep it secret forever, but she dreads what will happen when the cat's out. Poor Mei's getting torn between everything and everyone she loves..

Very interesting indeed. Maybe Mei wants to keep it a secret from each side (Grandfather/manager that she already have someone and Yuzu, that she has to make a step forward to achieve a goal life, professionally speaking) because she's afraid to lose one of the two things she desires when everything will be known to each party. She wants to find a third way, but time flies and earning time is less possible.

I totally see Yuzu saying she won't be an obstacle to Mei's life goals and accepting to suffer for Mei. But, is Mei's real happiness is linked to ruling the school? Is it really her life goal or does she think it is because it's been ingrained? What if Mei realizes that her life goal is Yuzu?

On the other hand, Yuzu, in the last chapter, isn't living the instant anymore, she projects herself in a shared future with Mei and is ready to take many steps forward to find her life goal. For Yuzu, Mei being the headmistress and her partner are almost acquired, so she'll be devasted, but it's her style to bear the pain on her shoulders for someone else's happiness, even if this happiness is really doubtful. It is also her style to be ready to embrace her future with her sometimes forced positivity. The scene where Mei is some steps back in chapter 35 is very symbolic as if Yuzu was slipping away because Yuzu is all turned to the future, Mei is caged in the past and the old-fashioned conventions. We almost saw Mei's terrified look to see Yuzu gets away.

Mei sure has to make a deep introspection. What will be the key? Yuzu could be the one breaking up (temporary) to free Mei from their relationship, as an ultimate act of love and maybe Mei will try to rebuild it when she'll accept to make a choice.

So many ways to resolve this drama, and only one chapter ... leading us to probably another volume to see everything solved.

last edited at Feb 1, 2018 10:44AM

I disagree.

Not saying it's not her fault, but do you always deserve the things you impose to yourself? Do self-loathing character deserve the suffering they impose on themselves? Most of the times, it's kind of unfair.. Although, I can understand the general incomprehension or disdain.

Otherwise, I agree completely that she is imposing it on herself, but what to do when your life goals clash with your love life...

That is indeed her dilemma. How to solve it. Make a choice and hurting some people and losing a part of her future she would like, living with Yuzu and ruling the school on her own terms.

Or, a Deus ex machina could help her to find a third path. But i doubt it, all the manga's message, trough Shou and Yuzu, is to follow your own path without any regret. Is it really her gold life? Maybe Mei will have to reconsider it and wonder if she wasn't mistaken in believing it was what she wanted. After all, when she was ill, she almost told Yuzu she didn't really like all these responsibilities.

Anyway, i conflicted on the solution the author will give, something evident like Shou coming back or a real surprise with something unexpected.

Marathoned the entire series just now. Darn that's just... man. Does anyone know what the release/translation schedule is?

(Or at least tell me when the next chapter's coming out... Please.)

Chapters are out every month, the 16/17th of the month when Yuri Hime comic is released. Of course, if the author did a pause when releasing a volume, you have to wait another month. Next chapter is the 16th of February, just wait for 4 days to one week for the translation from Chaosteam (or a little more when there are busy times). They try to be quick but they want quality too, so you just have to be a little more patient, it all worth it.

Usually, Saburouta creates a big drama that seems to expands to the point we feel everything will go to hell and she solves it very easily in an undramatic way.
Anyway, the problem is to find a way to maintain Aihara bloodline.

I will add that two characters foreshadowed maybe Mei's decision. Sho told in chapter 7 that Mei will understand she has to find her own path, meaning pursue her happiness, and Shiraho almost said the same thing in chapter 33. Too much echoes to be a coincidence on the plot's future.

Edit : i cannot imagine Mei taking the school as it is and maintaining the toxic rules there (toxic from an individualistic point of you), with all these girls attending it to be perfect heir to their family and being engaged in marriage without love. And at the same time, being with Yuzu. Or, the only way for her to be the school headmistress and living with Yuzu would be to revolution the school. I wonder if it's possible in regard to Japanese social conventions even in a fictional world.

last edited at Jan 27, 2018 1:12PM

I wonder how it will be solved. Because I cannot imagine Mei choosing to let down her family, she's so proud of it. A simple rejection of the engagement would totally be out of character even though it is what we want to have our happy ending. So, I try to find how Saburouta could assure a happy future for Mei and Yuzu together without making Aihara legacy crumbles, which would be something that will break Mei no matter what.

Of course, there is Shou coming back as a trump card, but that doesn't solve the problem of the heir. He would need to have another child which is totally impossible if we don't want to add complications. And imagining that the happy end would be Yuzu being Mei's secret mistress is to be excluded. Yuzu's nindo, life's conception is to live without hiding who she is, without barrier so she wouldn't agree.

last edited at Jan 27, 2018 10:27AM

@ klice : the grandfather’s quote from volume 1 is in fact a mistranslation. A japanese speaking anon on /u told that the japanese meant something like « you are free to do what you want for a time ». The grandfather seems to give a limited free time to Mei but also reminded her that she’ll have soon to be back to follow her duty.

Anyway, i think he lets her choose but at the same time she feels obligated to do so because she’s thankful to him. A part of him probably knows that she’s cannot dare reject it because she places following her family wishes above everything else.

Like Mei, the grandfather seems conflicted between Mei’s hapiness and the need to assure bloodline for business. Nothing is black or white here, and i like that the chapter 35 shows how different characters like the manager, Mei and the grandfather have to attune their dilemna.

Yes and i will add that the bride’s family can first adopt the groom and after that everything stays in the family. Expanding the family business and assuring the school being rules by an Aihara is the purpose. Especially if the groom is so nice and will go along with grandpa wish.
I will laugh my ass off if Yuzu former family name revealed to be an important one.

And if Mei is forced to choose by either/or principle, and she chooses Yuzu, that will effectively mean the academy will no longer be an Aihara business after the grandfather dies (unless Mei's father miraculously decides to take the role), which means new owners, new leadership.

I think that the only viable solution would be Shou coming back and taking the school. My crack theory would be that Yuzu is the heir of an old family herself through her deceased father. With the author's taste for soap opera-like plot, i would not be surprised with this kind of deus ex machina.

But anyway, Shou will probably have his role and could be the cliffhanger of chapter 36.

Let's not forget that the Japanese producer is Infinite Dayo. They are big and produced almost all P.A. works animes.

https://myanimelist.net/anime/producer/1386/Infinite

So, at least, hopefully, the quality won't drop.

You're a boss. And thank again to Chaosteam and Dynasty-Scan to allow us to have the full collection with one of the hardest chapters to translate completing the list. I will read it again before the anime.

Ah thank you. Pages 38/39 are inversed. ;)