The hunter, now the hunted. One more chapter. Wish there were more.

last edited at Jun 4, 2023 4:33PM

According to mangadex, next chapter is supposed to be the last. I can't even speculate how the author will wrap up the story in a single chapter.

It says 23 on Mangadex, unless you count from 9 > 10 > 23. I don't think the next chapter will be the last.

Next is the last. It's free to read on pixiv if you can read Japanese. Where did you see 23?

last edited at Jun 4, 2023 11:39AM

There are two different girls in cover of next volume, so this story might not be just what lot of people are assuming right now.

yeah to early to say how it will be, i did had the shity luck of reading a good story only for the middel part to ruin everything THEN the author decided to correct cours and end up failing :/ that is the nature of the beast when you read stories

This story is about the entire band of girls and the one boy who happens to be around. So it'll jump to different people. That's why there's a shift in the next cover to two other people, they're a different couple/different band mates.

last edited at Jun 4, 2023 5:22AM

Het? Love Triangle? Heh, the last one of those that started being posted here didn't went as everyone expected and was banned lmao

What was that?

I think what I like most about this story is how deftly it shows the process whereby the MC falls for Aikawa... So it's not just that Aikawa is someone who can finally appreciate her efforts, and it's not just that the MC respects Aikawa's talent; Aikawa's talent itself represents a greater whole the MC can finally find her place among, not to mention rekindling her love of music. All these emotions flow together with her romantic crush to make Aikawa's "betrayal" (air quotes) all the harder for the MC to stand. It's great stuff!

I agree. It's been well done so far. Hopefully it keeps the consistency, especially when it shifts to all the other band mates' stories n

Only 3 chapters so far and I'm already full with the feeling that the stupid worthless boy who is macking on Aikawa shall DIE.

The title is more like a question (at least it's a question in Japanese). Something like "Boys Who Get Between Yuri Are Better Off Dead?!" Or " It's ok for boys who get caught in/between Yuri to die!?" Meaning nothing is going to actually happen to him and he hasn't mocked her.

last edited at Jun 3, 2023 5:32PM

1st chapter and I already seeing something I don't like. It's not like I hate the dude or sth but the art makes me feel like he's gonna have an asshole-ly personality. And I wonder if the dude will die or sth. Not really the most fun beginning but I'll stay around

If he's the boy from the title, he won't be an asshole.

last edited at Jun 3, 2023 11:39AM

It is hard for me to actually read Lapis as a ruthless, calculated villain, especially after very she's clearly been softening up in front of and thanks to Natori.

I agree. I think she might still be planning something villainous but, no matter what Lapis is doing, it's hard to imagine Neko writing a truly villainous (with a capitol V) character, especially with how she talks about the series. So idk.

last edited at Jun 3, 2023 9:20AM

Now these were some very interesting events.
1. The villainess' plan is some what revealing, maybe
2. The villainess is showing affection, or is she?

Yeah, good question. Her affection for Diana is probably forced, at least somewhat. For Natalie, it's real since we've seen her show affection in her private moments. She's tried to hide her face when she blushes, or thought about Natalie in the carriage car, or here when she's lost in her own train of thought while trying to explain why she can't stop thinking about Natalie etc. In comparison, Lapis has only shown affection for Diana and the Prince in public, so it's hard to know how much of that is fake. The Prince alluded to being privy of her plans though.

last edited at Jun 2, 2023 9:37AM

Really interesting chapter, as usual. We're back on the Lapis train and Natalie is continuing her journey to recognizing that her feelings for Lapis are different from her feelings for everyone else. She finally says that exactly (that the good feeling she gets from Lapis is different than what she gets from The Prince and Diana). The two of them are in different kinds of denial about their attraction to each other. Lapis clearly cares for Natalie, as much as she tries to hide it and seems to deny it (terribly). She's a tsundere in that sense. Natalie's self-worth issues also rear their heads again. She really can't imagine that Lapis would care for her compared to her grand plans but hopefully, she eventually gets over that (and notices the obvious signs, that yes, she can and likely already does).

I also wonder about Lapis' true intentions and background in this version. The author is being too clear, with everyone assuming certain intentions, but there are many hints suggesting more to that story and it feels like we're being set up for something. I don't expect a full subversion--Lapis is likely still planning something bad or at least controversial--but why and how much will Natori be able to change her? She's changed her a lot already (got her blushing and thinking of her all day) but what will that lead to? And what sides will everyone take once things start? Really enjoy this manga a lot. Neko is great. I'm still eager to see these plans in motion, though. How long does this series intend to be?

last edited at Jun 1, 2023 8:30PM

Kabedon't fuck with me, senpai!

Perfection…bravo

Yeah that lines hilarious.

I wonder what happened in Hiroko's past that makes her this way. She seems frightened of the possibility that this girl is serious about her. I think she;s a womanizer because she doesn't do relationships.

Yeah, she seemed a bit apprehensive, for sure. She's not a womanizer anymore though, they mentioned that earlier in the series during an off hand coversation. That was something she was more known for in the past and at the bar.

last edited at Jun 1, 2023 1:34PM

And it's here! Love Hiroko's uncomfortable/scared face on page 3, once she realizes what this all might end up implying. She's in active denial more than she is dense. Literally running from the convo. Can't be more straightforward than that.

She also really underestimates Ayaka's ability to hunt her down (and probably doesn't know how much Ayaka watches her in the office). That bar seems like happy chaos everytime it's shown.

last edited at Jun 1, 2023 12:48PM

I don't really think Eri is that childish, honestly. She is very clingy with Fuyuki but that's not the same thing. She acts very differently when she's alone with Kyou in chapter 1, which suggests to me that how Eri is with Fuyuki may partly be an act she puts on for (what she thinks is) Fuyuki's sake. And only having a few friends is not necessarily unhealthy either. I admit I haven't read chapter 4 though so that may change my opinions.

If anything chapter 4 is more in your favor since the unease she shows about her relationship with Kyou (and the idea of it's continuing) doesn't make as much sense if it's just about a friendship with Fuyuki, who by that point has mostly been fine with their relationship at least pubclicly. Unless I'm just confused about what issue we're debating about when it comes to Eri. But who knows. We'll hopefully find out next chapter.

last edited at May 30, 2023 4:43PM

The major upshot of the chapter, to me, is actually about Fuyuki; the lesson she took from Eri's past is that if she confesses her feelings, she'd destroy their friendship. But we don't know if that's how Eri sees things. That's why I think the chapter is consistent with a number of different interpretations of Eri's character.

That's my impression as well. More of a Fuyuki chapter than anything. Much is still possible either way.

last edited at May 30, 2023 4:18PM

I gotta say, Eri is my favorite character in this manga. It's fascinating to me how she hasn't really done anything wrong, but the story is framed to encourage the audience to hate her because Fuyuki is the protagonist and everything Eri's done -- perhaps most especially the nice things she's done -- have hurt Fuyuki deeply.

What I find most interesting about Eri, though, is how emotionally intuitive she is in (seemingly) almost all areas. She knew Fuyuki liked the movie the other club member was trashing; she instantly noticed that Kurosawa was more than just Fuyuki's senpai; and I'm pretty sure she also knows Kyou's in love with Fuyuki and not her. Which all raises the question...does she really not know that Fuyuki's been in love with her since forever? Does she really not see how much she's been hurting Fuyuki?

Here's my guess. The story is structured to make you think Eri is some evil manipulator -- even Kurosawa seems to believe this -- but I don't think so. I think the fundamental irony of Eri is that she understands others very well but she understands herself not at all. She's terrified to face the prospect that Fuyuki loves her because it would mean she'd have to admit to her own love too. So she lies to herself, pretends like she doesn't see it, forces herself to take Fuyuki's words at face value, because admitting to the truth would result in a flood of guilt, shame, and fear she's not able to hold up against.

God I love Murasakino lol

Very well put. I was thinking this exact same thing. She doesn't seem to understand her connection to Fuyuki yet, or has an inkling of understanding but is currently too scared or hesitant to truly investigate them. She just seems behind Fuyuki when it comes to understanding (or accepting) their desires. But she is earnest.

last edited at May 30, 2023 12:37PM

I think some people are putting too much emphasis on Asumi's goal of finding Mai through having sex with a bunch of other women... Like don't get me wrong, consensual non-monogamy would be cool, but this isn't exactly typical romantic development (Asumi is not chasing Mai because she's madly in love with her). From a storytelling perspective, finding Mai is primarily an excuse for Asumi's lesbian brothel adventures, not the main point of the story.

I also don't get the criticism that these chapters are straying too far from the premise. Why is it a bad thing that Asumi found someone she wants to do it with without paying for it? Was she supposed to limit herself to buying sex for the whole series? And both her and Nanao's experience with paid-for sex gave them a bit of extra courage to cross the line with each other, so the development is not random at all. I for one can't wait to see where it all goes, regardless of which ship (if any) sails in the end.

I agree 100% except for this part

Asumi is not chasing Mai because she's madly in love with her.

It's been a while but when they were showing the two of them the series ticked nearly every box for childhood crushes who can't forget each other.

LETS FUCKING GO NANAO!!! AT THIS POINT THERE'S NO EVEN SENSE IN FINDING MAI LOOOL GO FOR IT NANAO TOP NEXT CHAPTER!!!

I wish but this is feeling like the end of her story arc. No matter what, I just hope she doesn't end up hurt and finds someone else that isn't caught up in a goose chase.

last edited at May 30, 2023 6:52AM

"How Do We Relationship," is a favorite of mine.

I have been interested in reading this one for a long time.

Yeah HDWR is great, has lovely writing and well written character dynamics. I think it's the best, honestly. Just remember that it really means what it's english title implies. Some criticized the name but it sets up the reader properly for what to expect from the series' focus. It's targeting a whole different audience compared to a lot of the stuff here (so I can't imagine what the response to it, here is, considering the general tastes I've seen). It's honest about actual relationship issues (both good and bad). It's always fun and developed though; but, that's a heads up. Give it a try when you get the chance.

If I had to pick 3 more to recommended based on this:
"Even Though We're Adults" (which is ending), "Kill me Now," (more abstract) and "Hana ni Arashi" (also ending). + "Miss Angel and Miss Devil," just because that's lovely and literally no one seems to mention it. Maybe also "Adachi and Shimumara," but the LNs.

Perhaps we would already know it if that was the case? I think the magazine would have announced that the series, and not the "school festival" as they stated, was entering its climax on the color page of the previous chapter. But who knows, it's already quite a long manga by this genre's standards.

Yeah I agree. I feel this way mainly because from a narrative standpoint there's not much else to pull from. Having said that she could just introduce a new issue after this one is over. Like you said it's gone on long enough that when it reaches points of natural rest, I start wondering whether it might be setting up an end.

last edited at May 30, 2023 7:21AM

One way or another, Shiho should have a relevant role in the next Arc. And I would like more chapters from Aki's perspective.

"How Do We Relationship," is a favorite of mine. I'd love it if this series tried to navigate both relationships in a similar-ish fashion. Not in the same way Tamifull's series does (the audiences are different and that kind of mature writing might not work for a series like this) but Shiho and Aki for example could have interesting issues to slowly work around and birth lessons from. I'm still not sure what Yori and Hima would do though. I feel like, for them, the author would have to create a sudden new issue in order to shake them up, or just continue doing fluff. Their core desires and character make-ups don't really lend themselves to natural dramatic potential. But we'll see. They could just be the standard necessary romance compared to the other main couple where the dramatic work is executed. That's already been the strategy up to this point anyway so she could just continue that.

Me too. I'm a bit anxious to get a confirmation whether the manga is close to its ending or not.

Yeah I've long suspected that it might end after this. It's reached a hard conclusion to all storylines and character desires. So it would need to reset, like seasons in a webtoon. It's already followed some webtoon/Korean/Chinese type "couple A gets together now focus on couple B" stuff so maybe it'll continue that and do a reset.

last edited at May 29, 2023 7:44AM

It's gonna be a slow burn innit?

I think it's focus is just going to be about more than their getting together.

we stan a problematic queen

The only problematic thing here is the slavers are still alive.

Right? I'd have been fine with a "Kill me, Now" kind of punishment.

We started this exchange by me categorically rejecting your oh-so-solicitous advice about what I should and shouldn’t read, and we are ending it in exactly the same place.

I'm not in this one but I think you've mixed me and Kabu up. You were having that discussion with me. Kabu shouldn't get that ire. And "oh so solicitous?" I guess maybe? If that's how you want to take it. I thought I explained my intent but ok.

The plot for the next couple of volumes: Shiho rejects Aki because she doesn't want her "love" out of pity, then Aki tries to convince her that's not the case, while genuinely falling in love more and more with Shiho in the process. How does it sound? I'm half-kidding, but honestly I would find out of character for Shiho to accept whatever Aki is going to say to her in the next chapter, although everything seems to indicate that it will be the case.

It wouldn't surprise me if that happened. But like you said, I'd rather we move on from these events by now. I'm genuinely more interested in the resolution and what comes next. There's basically a clean slate afterwards. I also feel like Shiho is a glass cannon. She could just as easily breakdown and accept what Aki says. A lot of how she acts is empty bravado. She's a chihuahua and everyone knows it.

last edited at May 28, 2023 8:50PM

johnb posted:

Seriously, is there any real possibility for Hibiki and Chihaya getting together, romantically, or is it just going to a one sided thing. I'm looking for spoilers hear. I'm not really interested in reading a long heart wrenching yuri series just to see the guy walk away with girl in the end.

The manga is ongoing. How could anyone spoil you? And besides, I think the title spells pretty clearly the guy won't walk away with the girl.

The alternative translation of the title is phrased as a question: "Boys Who Get Between Yuri Are Better Off Dead?!" (The original title ends with an exclamation mark and question mark: 「百合にはさまる男は死ねばいい！？」/ "Yuri ni Hasamaru Otoko wa Shineba Ii!?")

I would answer that question with a yes, but I don't know if the author agrees with me...

I would emphatically agree withe your yes. If I want to see the guy end up with the girl, I could read, pretty much any other genre of manga. Well except yaoi, of course.

I posted the line editorial staff's blurb about the series earlier in these comments. They should give you a better idea of the series' intentions.

Another cute (mini) chapter.

Look, if you think a story that spends its first 15 chapters developing a romance between one pair of characters before the “actual” protagonist whose story was “meant” to be told appears and pushes those first characters to the sidelines is well-structured, we clearly don’t share enough critical premises to have a productive conversation.

I would change a few things about it's opening for sure. I think they could have served the same purposes while prepping some readers better for the intended flow of the series. Never said it was perfect. But once Shiho did enter at around chapter (14-18?) it's been fine for what it's trying to do.

Many others besides me have argued that this author’s “Shiho strategy,” while pleasing those who find the character “relatable” or “fascinating” or whatever, has come at a significant cost in overall focus and coherence, and we need no reminders that we are free to abandon reading the series should we so desire.

You don't have to abandon it. The discussions are interesting. Just genuinely curious about the reasons people who dislike the story are staying on. I've heard from some who say they stay because this is an arc that will pass and so I don't know how many still think that. The arc might pass but I'd be surprised if Shiho goes anywhere. Although who knows.

The art is very very good, I honestly think this is like 60% of the reason behind this series continued success at this point (the other 40% being the original story of the actual main characters). Certainly it is the case for me, I would probably drop it a long time ago if the art was average. I'm obviously in the camp "Shiho is shit and nothing about her is well written" but that discussion is boring that this point :P I just want literally anything else than battle of the bands.

I agree, the art is nice although I don't personally think it's anything that I'd stay for alone. I do agree that this ending to the battle should come soon (preferably next chapter). This recent chapter was too much setup for a monthly. As for the original couple, that holding power still stands strong after all this time? Himari is great but I feel Yori has barely had anything to do for a very long time. By now I don't think it's reasonable to assume the audience doesn't largely like Shiho and Aki's story so I wouldn't agree to the exact percentages you mentioned. I get that you don't like them as much though.

last edited at May 28, 2023 2:01PM