Their game of cat and mouse is one of my favorites. Watching her fall in love, kicking and screaming along the way and watching how the "little devil" playfully and confidently pokes and prodes her--their little game is so lovely. They both know what's happening and it's like they have no choice but to fall in slow motion. Her life has left her guarded but unable to withstand someone who clearly loves her so deeply. I've said this elsewhere but I also adore how this series shows all the different varieties of affection, all the small things, the touches, glances, gifts and favors. All of them are there, even when they're not in focus.

last edited at Oct 20, 2023 8:13AM

This series is a favorite right from the get go and only gets better as it continues (up to current chapters). So playful and endearing. Enemies to lovers. Plus Director Shen is hilarious and Jiang is a little puppy desiring cuddles and not knowing why. Truly a cat and dog fighting and getting along--plus a snake, occasionally. Goes to some great places.

last edited at Oct 15, 2023 11:51PM

People seriously arguing whether there's anything romantic going on when Aya once again calls Mitsuki her crush.

Well, we're reading in translation, so 'crush' may be the translator's choice...

This came up earlier in the series since she also views herself as a fan. They also put crush in quotes, here. I'm assuming she used "oshi" and the quotes are the translators' way of communicating that she didn't necessarily use romantic language there. But maybe someone will correct me.

As Doctor_Hoot said, even if she's using oshi that doesn't say much about where the series will go. Translating "oshi" as crush can sometimes be complicated but its normally not a big deal. What I was concerned about for this series is that it can make people think she's using crush in the romantic sense when she may not think she's doing that yet (and leading to Bean's comment that started this train). That could be an issue but I really like the quote-approach that they took (if it was indeed oshi).

last edited at Oct 15, 2023 10:25PM

Super lovely, and very happy that it seems we still have a ways to go.

Now she's at her house!

The more I read the forum, the more I get frustrated with this comic. First, the author says it's not Yuri then the uploader says it's not romance. So then, why is it even here? I feel so heart broken now and lost all hope towards this series. I wanna cry like totally.

I get it, as I've said before. But I really wouldn't worry too much about that. It's given enough clear hints at where it's going. It's just not focused on doing the typical romantic beats and is focused more on other things. I also wouldn't overreact to the resistance over the term "yuri." That was likely more about the all important step of setting up proper expectations--expectations which I've felt for a while has gotten lost a bit based on how people were discussing things earlier and maybe needs some resetting. So some of these reactions are expected. Also the uploader didn't really say there wouldn't be romance? That was just about their opinion of what the term "yuri" implied.

last edited at Oct 15, 2023 9:39AM

Well, this sure was something, although I doubt she can just seduce her like that...

Yeah that's probably not where it's going. She did it right when she noticed Kawase approaching. This is right after we learned how Kawase would break down if she felt her sister was taking someone was being taken from her. Big sis is either trying to provoke a reaction in her sister for some reason, or genuinely tries to take her sisters crushes for some other reason. Their relationship is intriguing and Kawase's reaction will be interesting to put it mildly.

last edited at Oct 13, 2023 3:04PM

To make an analogy, something like My Dress Up Darling clearly has a main couple that will get together by the end of the story, which is why it's often labeled a romcom/romance even though the two leads aren't dating yet after several volumes.

To be clear, I'd personally consider this romance but the Dress Up Darling example doesn't work as well. That series very clearly had Marin think of Gojo in obvious and directly romantic ways. She thought about the potential of dating him, and crushed over him, wanted to kiss him. They were in undeniably romantic scenes, the bed scene etc. So while it was a slow burn, the audience knew early on what her sexuality was and that she viewed him specifically as a romantic partner and not just a very close friend.

The issue some have with this is they feel there is still wiggle room. These folks are looking for more concrete pinning (a toned down version of Marin's, for example) that signals clear, and obvious romantic interest that can't be second guessed as a close female bond or explained as admiration for an oshi. So there's a bit of difference between how the two series present their slow burn. Personally I think it's been direct enough and is clearly moving at its own pace.

last edited at Oct 13, 2023 2:38PM

Did you peoples miss the part where they said they were exes ? I don't think they will go back together.

They might have forgot? I guess it was mentioned a while back. She realized our MC has actually (and maybe unknowingly) fallen for this girl and gave our MC love advice. She warned her not to repeat whatever happened that ended their original relationship. MC doesn't seem to consider her ex as anything but a friend now. Her friend has some hinted at lingering feelings though, and we haven't yet seen exactly what happened back then and it keeps being alluded to; so it'll probably come up and be "settled" eventually, one way or the other.

With the way she refered to the MC as someone that turns into something very important for someone and then quickly shifts her attention to something else. I think its safe to assume they broke bc our Mc just wasnt paying attention to her gf bc she just found something else to be interested in which honestly sounds kinda cruel xd

Could be--or the friend just assumes that as a way of coping with their breakup; maybe there were other reasons. Guess we'll see which it is, if we learn what really happened. Either way I don't see her losing interest in, or feelings for, Aoyama. But it won't be an easy road regardless, since Aoyama has her own stuff to sort through too.

last edited at Oct 13, 2023 1:52AM

Did you peoples miss the part where they said they were exes ? I don't think they will go back together.

They might have forgot? I guess it was mentioned a while back. She realized our MC has actually (and maybe unknowingly) fallen for this girl and gave our MC love advice. She warned her not to repeat whatever happened that ended their original relationship. MC doesn't seem to consider her ex as anything but a friend now. Her friend has some hinted at lingering feelings though, and we haven't yet seen exactly what happened back then and it keeps being alluded to; so it'll probably come up and be "settled" eventually, one way or the other.

last edited at Oct 12, 2023 2:47PM

AW COME ON THEY SHOULDVE JUST DATED RIGHT THEN AND THERE, SHE’S SO CUTE

If you mean the flashback, those two already dated and broke up back then. They were probably dating or just about to be during that flashback. She's an ex who is now a best friend and support, with some lingering feelings probably.

last edited at Oct 12, 2023 12:12PM

Such a lovely chapter. I'm a huge fan of the way Usui Shio does fluff; it hits just perfectly for me.

While I really would have wanted this to keep going for at least 300 chapters, at the same time, I feel that ending with a "proper" wedding ceremony for the two is as perfect as could be. I feel that it's going to be fantastic and incredibly satisfying, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

...The only thing they didn't do is get very physical...

I don't know, dude, that butt smack was very physical.

You're right. I stand corrected!

So they'll end it with like three chapters of them as a couple. Sorry, but this mangas pacing is not good. It was too slow before, but now it's way too fast.

They've been acting like a married couple for ages, though. Like sure, Kurumi didn't acknowledge it properly, but that didn't change that she acted progressively more wifely. It's not like they're only just now getting together just before the end. ┐⁠(⁠´⁠ー⁠｀⁠)⁠┌

Like, don't get me wrong, I'd love a bit more! But I don't it's necessary.

Yeah they've been trying out marriage with their female friend. This has been more about how they navigate the smaller things. The only thing they didn't do is get very physical but that's not necessary for a relationship.

last edited at Oct 12, 2023 8:21AM

This ones gonna be a hard read. Not because its bad or anything though. You know how when you read you can "hear" the characters voice in your head? Like what you think they'd sound like? Well I've only got a few up in the ol' braincase and this manga has so many characters to keep track of that some are just gonna have to share a "voice." Its gonna be real bad for my brain when they eventually talk to each other and "sound" identical.

Yes! Run into the same issue all the time. Sometimes I need to hear people again so I can vary things a bit. It's worse in manga because for whatever reason I can't envision these younger characters having varied voices in the way I can in other genres. Thought I was a lunatic and maybe I still am.

last edited at Oct 11, 2023 11:27AM

She's slapping ass and proposing to her wife. Doing it all. Fun, chill series. She's good at those.

last edited at Oct 11, 2023 7:25AM

I really was enjoying the hell out of this until the last couple chapters. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Maybe the mangaka just suddenly developed an obsession with idols or something?

Not sure why so many do this whole "time to add more characters" thing around this point, it goes well so seldom.

A major theme of this manga is the way Hinata hides a part of herself from most of the world, how that effects her, and how she wants to change it. The idol industry involves a lot of similar themes, even in normal settings, so introducing an Oni character who's an idol allows the author to explore that theme through a different lens, while also drawing stronger parallels to the real world.

And they explored that really well in this chapter already. The way Aju uses her profession as an opportunity for release and to be in her original form is already a great commentary on the various approaches to the situation, especially when compared to Hinata.

last edited at Oct 10, 2023 7:45PM

Really enjoyed this chapter. Aju did let Hinata know that shes just borrowing Naori for the moment and Hinata didn't seem to care or worry. Aju even said she'd explain after. Plus she knows Naori is Hinata's crush and has shown no romantic interest of her own. The rest was just Naori getting caught up in what seems like an amazing concert and watching a professional go to work. Plus there's the added awe of witnessing an oni struggle in her own way to be seen and the mixed emotions that led to excitement but also tears.

The real question is whether Hinata is a bit unsettled by seeing Aju with her horns out at the concert. That stare at the end after Aju showed her horns on stage suggests something in that direction. Their different approaches to the oni issue (and the issue itself) seems to be the actual thing coming into focus here and not what people were worrying over.

last edited at Oct 10, 2023 7:11PM

When there is multiple series, with similar plots, on the site, and long gaps between chapter updates, it gets hard to remember what's going on in each story. And I don't really want to waste time going through the previous chapters, for a recap.

EDIT: It helps if the uploaders posts a brief sysopsis on the the story's chapter page. But it seems that hardly anybody does that.

Besides being a villainess story, what other series is like this one right now?

last edited at Oct 10, 2023 7:22AM

Uncle doing what must be done! Although it's not like Aya was being subtle lol.

last edited at Oct 8, 2023 1:32PM

Can we not with the third parties?

I agree but where else would it go? It felt inevitable that a third party would show up. I was actually thinking of that as I went through the chapter. There's not much else that's been established unless they just got together officially and the series went fully into fluff. She'll likely crush on Shun and the rest writes itself.

last edited at Oct 7, 2023 5:01PM

Always nice when a series focuses on the small moments that make a relationship work rather than just the standard flashy big kisses or confessions. That conversation is one they'll have countless times together. While individually it might have been full of "forgettable" info, their ability to have and enjoy those small conversations is one of the most important things.

last edited at Oct 6, 2023 11:42AM

Sasameki Koto was a SLOW burn but the main character was in love from the very first chapter. That was the difference. Not ambiguous or oblivious. They knew and were okay with not saying anything cause they didn't wanna ruin their friendship.

Sasameki is great too. And yeah there's a bunch of ways to make their preferences clear without making this a "romance heavy" series, focusing on typical romance plotlines, or focusing on if they get together--they don't even have to get together. Right now it's not yet been clearly established that they're gay (or questioning), that's the difference and I think where some of the worry comes from. I'm personally confident that these two are gay but that comes largely from assumptions (based on the author's previous works), character bios and story clues that we can assume are hinting at eventual revelations. The story has been relatively ambiguous, for now: many previous hints could be debatably viewed as a close friendship kind of love. I'd disagree but I'd admit there's nothing concrete yet.

For me this is all fine (I love it! and it moves at its own pace) but again I can understand the unique worry some might have as the chapters start to pile up and we get teased a bit, especially since the story got tagged as Yuri (romance) and has moved away from the blushy earlier chapters' "guy crush" premise into a fully music focused one. I think that worry will be shortlived but still. These are 4 page chapters but lots of manga that release like this accommodate plot progression rates around the unique release schedule. So it doesn't always work to say, "well if this were a normal release this would only be chapter 12."

last edited at Oct 6, 2023 8:01AM

Love this. It doubles down on the themes of their love's perseverance through hardships. They really are still fighting together and finding their own happiness within. Also makes their intent to maybe try again at traveling even clearer than the last chapter made it. Honestly this extra is just reiterating the last chapter but being slightly less subtle about it. Still nice to see them again and a lovely series with a unique tone compared to most manga in this genre.

last edited at Oct 5, 2023 2:12PM

Love most of the series I've read from this anthology. This was sweet. The setup kind of reminded me of "Talk Dirty to Me" without...everything else lol.

last edited at Oct 5, 2023 7:51AM

My point isn’t that they’re actually engaged. Maybe I should’ve put fiancé in quotes. My point is that so long as he thinks they’re engaged, he’s going to be an issue, and once he finds out that they’re not engaged, he might start looking for ways to change that. Plus, the perception that they are engaged could be just as problematic as Makino actually having accepted the engagement.

Yeah I thought you might also mean that and mentioned that it might cause some issues. The last part of what I said applies here still:

He can tell people he's her fiance but he'd be wrong. The misunderstanding can cause issues, sure but he's not her fiance. I agree that his role is up in the air. He seems too obviously antagonistic to me but he could team up with the mom.

I could see him teaming with the mother. For some reason I still have a slight feeling of him ending up a friend though.

last edited at Oct 5, 2023 6:23AM

Happy ending doesn't change the super sour feeling left by the queen-focused chapter. Momo gets to be married happily, but the author still decided that another character was forced to break up with her girlfriend and marry some dude she didn't know.

But hey, it's okay because "look, she's happy now anyway". It's what's annoying me the most (and making me very uncomfortable), that it was shown very positively and the forced break-up didn't matter. I guess it was just a phase.

No one was forced to do everything. Stop projecting. The chapter is so long passed, it's silly of you to bring up now. We had this argument long ago.
Following your traditional and familial responsibilities is not being forced. She chose to do it, it even showed that in the chapter in question.
If anything, the only 'forcing' happening around here is you trying to force your cultural preferences onto the author and the characters in their story.

I'm not sure how you read that chapter and got the impression that she was making a willing choice. Maybe this is so old that I shouldn't reopen an argument but here I go. I'd also hope that the entire argument isn't hanging on the use of the word "forced" because that would be semantics.

Had our current princess' parents been different and they'd actually chosen her a marriage partner against her will to be with Aki, you would also call that not "forced," or if we're sensitive to that word, how about "pressured" etc? That would be a happy ending, after she's protested and ended up broken down crying behind the door like her mother did? You would describe that in the history books as just a child who chose to follow her familial responsibilities? Simply, her choice?

It's funny because that's a documented phenomena Japan has dealt with in its recent past (decades ago) with these kinds of young (especially pre college) sapphic relationships and arranged marriages and likely is part of the allusion this story is making. But I guess all those women also just "chose to follow familial responsibilities too?" How would you characterize that?

The mother lucked out that her husband ended up a fine person but she did not hold her head high and break up with her love on her own, "for duty." She and her dressmaker went along with expectations, being powerless to do otherwise (just as our princess would have had to do). They have lingering feelings, clearly but have ended up alright, all things considered. It's pretty straightforward that the mother and daughter's stories run parallel, are meant to comment on each other but also to contrast the "old times" from the "new age," after lessons had been learned. It's a super cute story but it's cute because of how the mistakes of its past are rejected on the second go around precisely by those who felt the pressures of these imposed decisions "chosen by our parents" on their own childhood (the great art and all the funny, helps too).

Maybe I'll go reread these arguments to understand the logic. Edit: read them and they don't make much sense to me, logically, and certainly not narratively. So I'm glad I missed that discussion here then. Just wanted to add my piece so I get it out of my head.

last edited at Oct 5, 2023 8:04AM