Even if they still can't say it to each other's faces, they're definitely getting married.

Also like... Yuzu's behavior isn't even that unrealistic? That's how I behave anyway, as far as being completely stonefaced until it sets in

Yeah but it's more of an execution issue rather than an "is this possible" kind of issue. It's good that we're here now, anyway.

last edited at Jan 11, 2024 11:01AM

so how come yuzu didn't mind extreme skinship in the past and now that it's revealed that she was in love since ages ago she's so self-conscious? it's like her character has changed tremendously in only 2 chapters, no consistency at all

It's certainly done a flip. Most importantly, we're now finally getting her thoughts and inner-monologues. That's the biggest narrative change. Gonna miss the stone-faced expressionless thing she used to have going, now that she's decided to actually react to things. Since both parties are responding and thinking, these scenes have more energy. Probably the best chapter so far because of that. So I'll take it, no matter how sharp a shift it is or how late the shift came.

last edited at Jan 10, 2024 9:50PM

Each new character expands Naori's understanding of the world: Family Head's fears, Aju's double-life, Mikage's duty, Doctor's contradictions, Slayer's violence, this Guy's (?). All different perspectives and ways of handling the world they live in.

Naori clearly absorbs these lessens and thinks about how she can help Hinata and herself and that's one of my favorite aspects of her character. She's finally got another human bartender to confide in, who also seems to have a unique view of the status quo.

Meanwhile, Hinata continues her "introduce and show-off my (soon to be) gf to literally everyone I've ever known" tour. You can't be a prouder gf than her, so it sucks that Naori still feels inadequate in many ways.

With the introduction of Takimiya I'm now suddenly torn because, damn girl you should date your cool coworker who is more than enough the successful career woman to make up for your inability to be that lmao.

I think Takimiya's late introduction is more to clearly hint at Kazuha and Haruka's potential romantic future. Since the story likely won't commit to that at this time, her inclusion can help imply things without anyone saying it directly. She does seem relatively nice, though I do agree with the other commenter. She quietly put Haruka down there and doesn't seem to view her well, even if she means to be nice.

last edited at Jan 10, 2024 1:54PM

I dont think tag "Dubious consent" fits, It was clear they both wanted it

Funny that's just what I was thinking and then I see your comment lol. Maybe they're referring to her losing the company? Because by now they both seem completely down and she seems to enjoy the game that was played by her "Babe." She came already confidently assuming what happened and expecting to be wisked away by her lover. They both seem to like these games between themselves. They'd be fun to follow for a bit longer.

last edited at Jan 10, 2024 8:16AM

I really loved this. Some real depth to their interactions, the dialogue and their inner thoughts. Stands out from similar premises.

last edited at Jan 10, 2024 8:06AM

This was fun. Loved the twist and reveal. There was a lot of defiance and power in her black "As if," which hinted that she didn't see herself as a victim or powerless. Her whole demeanor shifted then (to what we now know is her natural state), compared to how she was with her never-to-be mother-in-law. She was completely unfazed by the meeting. So, as the memories came in, I wondered where that confident, defiant personality had gone and when it would return. It returned in an interesting way. They did good to seed in hints of her real personality earlier in the story before bringing it back at the end.

last edited at Jan 9, 2024 2:15PM

All the friends around Hinata and Naori are great and we just got a bunch of new ones. Hinata called her there, so she's introducing Naori to her old friend. Plus he also serves alcohol to oni, and Naori mentioned wanting someone else to confide in about her situation.

It's lovely seeing Naori continue trying to defend Hinata and the oni but it's also sad that she's still viewing herself as ill quipped or lacking. She's always wishing she did more for Hinata and friends, even when she's already doing so much and Hinata clearly appreciates her enough.

last edited at Jan 6, 2024 12:34PM

I'm starting to hate Hirose, a lot, she thinks she is supposed to be better because she liked volleyball fist but then when someone is better without much effort she resent that person, she didn't like the sport, she like the sense of superiority it gives to her and the audacity to like Takamine, what the hell is wrong with her? the self-importance is huge.

It's like some people can't read anything without having to pick a girl to hate... I mean, Hirose, of all characters? lol

Everybody is so sweet in this too. The rest of us are doomed, I guess.

last edited at Jan 6, 2024 7:05AM

That's perfectly fine. After that the ball is in Aki's court and she decides what she wants: she wants a date and afterwards, she wants to try dating Shiho. She's making her own decisions based on her own thoughts, on her own timeline and they're both communicating. That's perfectly healthy.

Don't you really think Aki could have handled the situation a little better? I thought we agreed that she carried out things too quickly, given the context. I don't know, I just believed Aki was emotionally mature enough to do better than this.

No, I don't think she acted too quickly and I'm not sure how we're measuring speed either. She spent a few days thinking about it, as she said. Then, she had a successful mock date and afterwards finalized her decision. She then talked through her thought process with Shiho. Shiho was willingly involved in this and was allowed to respond with her own honest feelings.

Then, with everything laid out, they both agreed to date. People date others for less and falling for your partner as you date is the standard. So, I have no issue with either of them currently. They're both communicating, which they did not do well in the past and from there, they are making educated decisions. That's solid and better than many real relationships. What about that process is not emotionally mature? What else should they be doing?

last edited at Jan 5, 2024 2:47AM

now after shiho pretty much forced a confession out of her, she acts insulted?

Aki definitely doesn't deserve any blame for anything but Shiho also does not force any confession out of her. We're starting to strip Aki of her agency. She thinks about what she wants, comes to certain realizations and makes a decision, all on her own.

Wanting to distance oneself from an unrequited love is not an unreasonable or rare desire, nor is it manipulative. Neither the story or Aki treats Shiho's past (or future) desire for distance as wrong and they shouldn't. Instead, the story treats her headspace and methods, the way in which she goes about separating herself from Aki, as the negatives that needed improvement and caused lasting issues. Those have both mostly been dealt with from a character standpoint. She's learned the wrongs of her methods and she's not in the same headspace as before.

Current Shiho does not pressure Aki into anything. She simply confesses and expresses her desire to be with Aki. She communicates where she is at mentally and waits for an answer. That's perfectly fine. After that the ball is in Aki's court and she decides what she wants: she wants a date and afterwards, she wants to try dating Shiho. She's making her own decisions based on her own thoughts, on her own timeline and they're both communicating. That's perfectly healthy.

last edited at Jan 4, 2024 4:16PM

Time for fun times at the festival. Each of our girls looks like they'll be on their own semi-adventure. Although with the "threat" of free flowing alcohol, Hinata will have to watch her back. We also got to see some of the prejudice against oni, with Hinata's friends. Unfortunate.

Then our new guy is here, Tsukasa. Another friend to add to the pile and this one seems to know Hinata and likely Aju, since he was introduced sitting in front of an Aju poster. I wonder what his relationship with Aju is like. Hinata seemed surprised to be seeing him at all ("long time no see"). Plus he knows about and seems ok with oni.

last edited at Dec 31, 2023 8:46AM

EDIT: I really hate it when the story is a side chapter centered on the mom(s) of the main character(s). It just makes me feel the main story is just history repeating itself, and the daughter(s) relationship is doomed.

It’ll almost always be the opposite.

I feel like this conclusion requires more reading between the lines than I'm comfortable with. The explanations in your comment feel like assumptions based on context that wasn't provided in text.

I'd disagree with this quite a bit. I don't want to get into the weeds of going back through all the moments of the manga but in my view, all of this context and characterization was provided "in-text," this chapter and those before it. I also think that quote is being made to suggest more than it actually does. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

I'm only quoting this part but I completely agree with everything you wrote. After Chapter 44, once the festival was finally over, it was the perfect opportunity to focus on other characters for a while (like Aki's sister and her senpai, perhaps) for a while and put Aki and Shiho's relationship on hold, so that both of them can sort their feelings in a more natural way instead of this rushed development. Something like what happened in Yuri is My Job! with Hime and Yano after Volume 7, for example.

Shiho doesn't deserve to be in this uncomfortable and uncertain situation. It's entirely Aki's fault, and this time she has no excuse.

They are sorting their feelings out in a natural way: by dating. That's natural. I'm sure they'll be among the cast now as they date and we'll follow everyone. They'll never be fully in the background, since they are part of the 4 person main ensemble. Nothing bad has happened and figuring out your feelings for someone as you date is normal. Aki communicated where she's at mentally and both of them can move forward honestly. They're not in a bad place, as of yet, nor are they "together" yet. So it's doing what you want, except it's treating dating as it should be treated: as part of the process.

last edited at Dec 29, 2023 10:09AM

Maybe just sad she's not getting to see OL more.

Easy. Just spend your nights together.

Seems like that's what she was hoping for before it got rescheduled. Tough scenes.

I dont know if the dynamic of older woman trying to resist tentation and behave accordingly, and younger one been the persistent and pushing force to getting in a romantic relationship was already made into a series, and even uploaded here, but I really would like one like that, the potencial for something deep and romantic, or just comedy and light drama/slice of life could also be great material with that kind of dynamic.

May I direct you to this lil gem
https://dynasty-scans.com/series/jk_chan_and_her_male_classmates_mom

Recommended!

Doubly recommend. Kusanagi Sensei as well.

last edited at Dec 29, 2023 7:34AM

I am not affiliated with any of the parties so take this cum grano salis, but I wanted to mention that on mangadex this goes up to chapter 14, and in the comments there it is mentioned that there is someone supposedly working on this series.

Also, I do not wish to spoil much, or anything, but do know that milf ship is a thing. Also insanely fucking hot.

Pretty sure these are the people who originally worked on it and are still working on it.

Yeah, Shiho is carrying this manga so hard

I'm actually a bigger fan of Aki! Shiho has been interesting and sympathetic but for me, she's gotten a bit too much credit and focus, partly since those who dislike her can be pretty vocal. Her and Aki both played off each other well; and Aki was the one pushing much of the action, while Shiho was often reactive first, active second.

Himari was really prevalent too, pushing the action. The events gave her a lot more to do than just pine, crush and blush around Yori for 4 straight volumes, which I worried was where things were headed. She showcased more of herself, independently from Yori and now she's got a separate goal to work towards.

I'd say it's been the 3 of them together that have led things but Shiho was certainly at the center. The only person who got a bit left out at times was Yori, though that isn't so different from how she's always been. Certainly not perfect but it's been a fun time.

last edited at Dec 28, 2023 7:14PM

Is this gonna be some weird thing where college girl doesn’t WANT the OL to improve as a person because she likes taking care of her/feeling wanted/useful?

Maybe. Maybe jealous of OL hanging out with juniors (closer to CG's age.) Maybe just sad she's not getting to see OL more.

Last one, most likely. Pretty normal reaction.

Xingyuan putting on a master class in how to defuse the situation for Xiaoen. Creates blunt and obvious distance between this "friend." Then communicates before she's even asked to share. Clearly, she still doesn't like this "old friend," who is also clearly barking up the wrong tree now.

Oh no the volume 2 cover, they're looking at the reader! That means it's not real yuri! (jk) I do find the tone change of the cover from volume 1 interesting though. Both are conveying a real part of the series but volume 1 looks tender and volume 2 looks like they're keeping secrets and looking kinda sensual lol. Given the general direction the story is going based on the twitter version that more dark tone of the second cover might be better to grab an audience who will stick with this.

Here's to hoping!

Limits are being reached for sure.

Aju tried poking fun at Naori & Hinata but Naori genuinely seems not to care and Hinata had couple's glasses on her mind. She never wastes any chance to reaffirm her relationship with Naori, even if that means showing off to a random cashier lol. "Boyfriend," she says? Funny.

We also noticed you gazing into Hinata's eyes, Naori. New guy also seems to be sitting in front of an Aju poster?

I'm still a bit worried about Mikage's intentions. What she said last chapter doesn't give me a lot of confidence. And as the authors said, I'm looking forward to more Naori and Hinata adventures!

last edited at Dec 25, 2023 6:22PM

also its funny how it's the classic love triangle with the sweet bean heroic protag girl and the cool, aloof, can't think about love soldier type

No triangles here, just a very intoxicated Oni.

You had Mikage literally going "to blazes with the plan", drawing and trying to hack the monster into little pieces for what it did, all while telling how what it had done WAS violence of the worst kind, of the kind that justifies use of deadly force to prevent it from happening - which is depicted as she acting heroically (as in, is what she should do) and not as she overreacting - yet you call it "downplaying" it, "without negative consequences"? Think again,my dear.

Agreed. Only Naori downplayed it and Mikage clearly reprimanded her for taking it so lightly. It focuses on her whole negative thought process and does so by using serious rectangular thought bubbles surrounded by a dark, swirling screen. Then it has her final thought bubble bled into by that dark background, and has Mikage immediately reject that final thought. It's a very clear rejection in my opinion. Mikage's "this is obviously violence too, and you should recognize that" quote is just the cherry on top. Underated is her "this katana is still pure" quote. Says a lot about how that whole thing should be viewed.

last edited at Dec 25, 2023 2:10PM

She's gonna have a rough time walking that off, for sure but good self control. Can't touch Hinata's lady, even while drunk and under an aphrodisiac. They've all sort of packaged Hinata and Naori together as couple already and Mikage referred to that a bunch here.

Loved her protecting Naori for Hinata's sake and it was nice hearing her refer to and thank Hinata throughout the adventure. Hopefully Mikage will continue to be an ally. Sometimes her plans and allegiance have seemed iffy.

last edited at Dec 25, 2023 9:01AM