This is honestly one of my favorites. I read it a couple years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. I think I can just relate a lot to the comfort of solitude being replaced by the comfort of another person when that solitude is broken. This gets everything that one manga/LN that's about skipping class in the 2nd story of a gym is about, and does it better (and with an order of magnitude fewer pages).
You could also make a comparison to Hino-san no Baka, but honestly that doesn't feel more than superficially accurate. This has that lonely atmosphere where just "having friends" doesn't satisfy the need for social connection, where maybe one wants to be alone because one actually wants to be with someone.

I disagree with people saying the ending felt rushed. I think as others said, that just had to do with the upload schedule (maybe chapter structure too). Having just read the series, start-to-finish, tonight, it seemed fine to me. The progression from having to pay rent to realizing her love made sense to me, especially since that genuine love was already built up through many chapters beforehand. All it took was framing the question as "how would I feel if they left me?" for her to understand her feelings. In my life, I've experienced that type of epiphany a number of times.

Maybe the time skip epilogue isn't to many people's tastes as well. I'm alright with it. It's got a certain charm to it when it's done like this... Now, a time skip leading to the conclusion! Those I'm more weary of.

Low-key gonna start making my hair into cat ears like Takahashi now.

It is not even attempted rape. Being pushy but ultimately stopping when someone says no is, like, the opposite of rape. Can we stop misusing the word? We don't need to go around branding people who stop when told to stop as rapists.

You don't have to say "no" or "stop" for it to be rape! Rape is consensual sex, consent has to be given. You need explicit, specific, enthusiastic (uncoerced) consent. All types of media portray this poorly, and sadly that's had an effect on how people understand it (and vice versa ofc, media isn't made in a vacuum). I mean this less as an attack on the manga, and more an expression of my frustration with people not understanding what real world consent is.

Now, since that wasn't sex, nor did it seem like it was going toward sex (bc MC doesn't know what lesbian sex entails), so I would categorize it under the more broad "sexual assault." I think the way this manga handled it wasn't too bad though, but I agree with saltyslug, shador, and the immaculate. The characters seem to be resolving the issue; I'm happy they're both coming out of it alright (in a believable way), and I'm excited to see how this story ends.

last edited at Aug 3, 2022 12:34AM

I feel as emotionally teased as the couple with how many times their forays into sexuality have been blocked! I don't need it depicted explicitly, just let them do it! Aside from that, I really like this story. I think I had read the first chapter or two years ago, and I'm glad the author made it a full series. Hopefully there's another volume to come

The way Ayane encourages Micchan! At that point if I was Micchan, I'd be seriously wondering if Ayane's hinting at a potentially open relationship. Might have to write some fanfic to explore that, since I doubt that's where the author is going (despite that being the clear conclusion imo). I did think it was odd when the author wrote that Micchan "dislikes" Ayane in one of the pre-chapter relationship diagrams, since that's not how I saw it as early as the public bath chapter.

solidarity with my fellow pathetic catgirl senpai

Considering both the genre and the "5 girls 5 senses!" thing, I don't have much hope for my dual Karen+Riri endgame.
ASMR girl is alright, but Karen and Riri seem like the best matches. Opposites in a lot of ways, very similar in others. And they both get along well, sharing Mei's affection! Since it won't be both, I hope one of them (Karin plz, I can hope...) is the real endgame.

Uda is a treasure, favorite side character in a long time. UdaxRiri is wonderful, I think they're great for each other. I think it'll be interesting when Riri has the situation flipped back on her: now she's the one choosing an impossible one-sided love over someone close that cares about her. A fun story to read :)

I'm always glad when stories progress past the characters figuring out what love is, and that they share it. I think this'll be end up a longtime favorite.

Christ! I was upset by the rapey shit in this chapter, it gets that much worse?

This story could've gone in so many other directions. Directions that are sexual too! When Aya laid out how she wouldn't force MC into anything she wasn't comfortable with, I was reassured things would progress in a nice direction despite the premise's inherent danger. I continued after the groping stuff she clearly wasn't comfortable with because I enjoyed the conclusion "eh, I'm tired of all this porn. It's a product to be sold, what good is it for opening my mind about how people feel" and how it was received by Aya, but I should've taken that as a sign the series wasn't gonna turn out how I'd hoped.

The way MC adapted to the lesbian bar so as not to offend them was cute tho; what a polite girl.

last edited at Aug 3, 2022 12:45AM

Second read, appreciate it just as much as my first time. Kinda wanna bookmark this one for the future; maybe as I age it'll age too, like wine

Guess tropes never change that much, haha. 2 decades on and we still see this same story.

this is nice. even just from this short one-shot i can tell that these characters are very sensible and communicate well and have healthy relationships, even if their relationships aren't all unicorns and rainbows all the time. a breath of fresh air from the rest of the yuri genre

Ditto. It's a more relaxed story than many others, and I like it for that.

This is a really good magazine. Guess I like the older stuff; wish there was more of it and more of it was translated.

last edited at Jul 16, 2022 2:56AM

I like this story. Feels very grounded in ways a lot of Yuri stuff, both new and old, often doesn't. I love real lesbian stories, and I think this is a good example. Meeting a nice queer friend, the talking, crushing, and attracting admiration you frankly don't care about. All these elements are present in other stories that don't execute on them in a way that connects with me quite as much. That is to say, I feel it, this story.

I also really enjoy non-moe manga art.

Typically steer away from "wtf am I reading" tagged things, but so glad I did not today! This manga is amazing! Saying the art is beautiful doesn't begin to cover it, and the philosophy of the manga strikes me. The art is just as evocative, provactive, as dance is to the characters.
I loved this most recent chapter too, the third member joining the contact dance... beautiful. Truly taking a step forward into more wonderful expression

Only thing I can complain about it the unsurprising, worn out, fatphobic narrative.

The ending would've been worse if the author tried to tie everything up in the end. Better it be axed and end with the love lost, but declared, than rushing a happy conclusion where they're reunited. I find a rushed resolution more unsatisfying. Keiko's contemplations, and her final uncertain daydream feel much more in line with the rest of the manga.
Good post Armitage444. I appreciate this manga too

Initially I felt satisfied with how the filming and final product were depicted, but I see the potential there that's been missed.

Personally though, I really enjoy the ending. Handholding, that squeeze... That was good. I don't need to see the confession, I know it's gonna happen; what I loved seeing instead was that affectionate moment as the two left the station.
When both characters and the audience know the confession is coming, and roughly how it'll be received, do we really need to end on that? Maybe sometimes it's a nice bow to wrap up the series, but in this instance I prefer the smaller moment of connection between Hajime and Kei. The reconnection that assures both of them that everything between them is alright, and it's gonna be alright.

Ahhhh this can't be over! Just one more chapter plz.
Beautiful

Also, interesting analysis Temp. If getting a gender studies degree gives me the ability to make forum posts like that, maybe I should consider it lol. I too find myself rejecting labels in favor of "Me," or despising any labelling more specific than "lesbian" or "trans woman," while in many ways being on a strange edge of those terms. They both clearly describe me, but in many people's minds (and I don't mean those that are transphobic) "lesbian" would exclude me, and "woman" would be entirely accurate. In reality, lesbian feels fully accurate (thanks to its lack of precision) while "woman" is a strange but convenient social imposition. Who am I? Well, I'm Me, I am who I am; though I may go by a specific name, it is but a name.
I got a little off-topic from the manga here, but oh well :3

last edited at Jun 28, 2022 10:31AM

I sort of hope that this won't be too long of a series. Mostly because this gimmick, while cute, can get a bit tiring, or the only way to prolong it is to introduce unnecessary drama. There's also a chance that the author will skillfully drag this out in an entertaining way. Which I'll happily accept.

I think there are a lot of good ways to prolong a story with this premise past the point of mutual love and a steady relationship, but at least half of them don't fit with the tone of this manga lol.

I remember feeling a little mixed about last chapter, but this one has re-excited me! Hurray for dates, delicious and nutritious oasis fruit.

What a tease... My heart skipped a beat when I opened the chapter. Before I read on, I checked what ended the last chapter, and came back to see it wasn't a confession...

Good development this chapter though; more heart beats were skipped! I do wonder though, are there actually bed-style seats in any Japanese planetariums? All the American ones I've been in just had reclining row seats. Either way, it's a bit corny.

I saw this new release and immediately went to read all of the main series. So good! Really hope a kind and wealthy benefactor appears to get the rest translated, but this sequel one-shot is good for now :)

Gotta agree with the "ok, a plot device sure...please never do that to your partner to teach them a lesson." I'm excited to see the story that leads up to this one!

I'm just surprised that the breakup at the start was with a girl, I feel like pretty much every adult life Yuri I've read with a breakup at the start is always a straight relationship.

Yeah, it's half the reason I read past the first chapter. It signaled to me the author wasn't just going to pussyfoot around a cliche story. Now I'm hoping that I'm not proven wrong, and they get the courtship phase over with sooner rather than later.

Sidenote: I'm firmly in the "all landlords are bastards" camp, but... I'm a sucker for a pretty face just like Suga.

In 11 chapters, each time there was a hint of drama, it was resolved in at most a chapter and it turned out to be no real drama.

Yeah this worries me, for the type of story I was hoping for.

last edited at Jun 1, 2022 11:20AM

Beautiful writing, Temp. I too am looking forward to where this series goes, though with a less poetic internal monologue, heh :)

I don't think the poly ending came out of no where (even if I was expecting it the whole time bc I found this through the tag), but Amane's love for Kou did come out of no where. Without letting the story finish things properly with another volume (as is what should have happened), it makes more sense for it to be Kou x Nene + Nene x Amane, more than the triad it ended up as. The story didn't really develop kou x amane at all, but it did portray how the three of them would be open to a poly relationship (more so Kou and Nene, the length of the story left Amane's end a little more fuzzy, only to be dictated to us in the last few pages).

Overall, I liked the story a lot. Maybe it's just because I've read a lot more monogamous yuri and gotten used to it, but a poly angle opens up a lot of options for unique, interesting, beautiful stories. I think the story used that to its advantage. Not to mention thats the exgirlfriend and manipulator plots were done quite well imo (aside from a rushed conclusion)!

last edited at May 26, 2022 12:07AM

Like um... I need a sequel.

A sequel for people who can accept Haru and Midori's romantic relationship without labeling it as pedophilia....because it's not.

Kinda the reason why Haru moved in with her aunt, cause she knew she would need to become an adult in order to live together with Midori, rather than be treated as a child that needs to be taken care of by the person she has come to love.

Oh my god, you put this so well, I'm convinced! If I were in charge, there'd only need to be 2 more chapters for this to feel resolved in a much more satisfying way.

Anyway, I've sort of been on a non-romantic partnership kick lately, with "Lillie's, Voice, Wear Wind" as my last stop (I won't get into my slight gripes here). I'd like to say that I think the urge for people to place their love firmly in mother-daughter or romantic is misplaced. It's a love that with age may very well sprout into romantic love, but is definitely separate. The characters don't label it for a reason: it's a deeper love than mere friendship, it's more equal than parent-child, but it's not (yet?) a shared romance.

I think one way to take the story is that the younger Haru may have felt the need to grow up—especially apart from Midori—because she understood that while they both held each other close, Midori could not think of her in a romantic way because of her age.

Another way is that Haru felt she had to grow up to get past what you describe: Midori feeling obligated to distance their relationship behind a parental/mentor lens, on display in her inability to ask Haru to stay. In this scenario not because of a crush, but because of the aforementioned unlabeled partnership love.

I've had similar experiences myself as a kid who matured quickly. Entirely on the friendship side to be clear, not romantic.