Subtext my ass, she missed her hot girlfriend.

Haha yeah, not really subtext. I guess because she didn't verbalize it outright.

last edited at Jul 10, 2023 8:20AM

I don’t dislike this story, but I don’t understand its message! Is the character mourning over the loss of a beloved one? I know that I am not hungry when depressed! Is she feeling great loss too?

She couldn't eat and didn't understand why her appetite had dried up. She met who was likely her crush for lunch, after having not seen her for a bit. It seems they'd had a habit of eating together but couldn't for a while. Afterwards, she realized that she'd eaten her entire plate of food while talking with that crush (who seemed to be flirting with her as well). It ends with her planning a meetup (or date) with that crush and she's now feeling better. The idea is that her loss of appetite was either caused by not seeing her loved one or cured by reconnecting with her loved one. Simply being with her crush allowed her to eat an entire meal, without even realizing it, like time passing with someone you care about.

There's other touches: such as her talking about how "eating your favorite food should make you feel better", which implies she had been feeling down; the two panels where she has dog ears and wags her tail sadly, after seeing her crush from afar, then happily, when her crush is there; her friend noticing that she's now "back to normal" after the cafeteria, etc. Her crush also seems to have an inkling of the affect she has, and teases her with it--hence the title (kind of dual meanings). Seems pretty wholesome on first read.

last edited at Jul 9, 2023 8:42PM

Sometimes it really is like that.

...And I feel like you really do need to assess what kind of yuri you're reading sometimes in order to be able to read it with the correct lens, differentiating between Class-S, Old-School Yuri, and Modern Yuri.

You're 100% right, in a way; although, I'm honestly a little uncomfortable classifying things by "old school yuri" and "new school yuri," even though I understand your point, generally agree with it and am not criticizing you at all! The reality is that there are still many people going through this very thing everyday all across the world. There will likely never be a time where there aren't people questioning their place in the world, based on societal expectations and norms. Then, as a result, making confused, capricious choices. It's not really an outdated or old concept; and this story in particular has done a lot, I think, to show that neither Eri, Kyou or Fuyuki are really "bad people" or intending any harm. They're all confused and trying to muddle through complex emotions but still all genuinely love each other and mean well for each other. So, seeing a character(s) struggling with these issues and classifying them as a bitch (etc., etc.) just always seems odd to me.

eri is the poster child for comphet.

She really might be. Also agree about the writing!

last edited at Jul 9, 2023 8:29AM

People will really see a girl who due to growing up in a heteronormative environment doesn't realise there's really an option beyond having a boyfriend or not having a boyfriend and think to themselves wow what a bitch.

Like yeah she's not being a good friend or partner right now, and yes she is stringing him along but like Eri herself is saying "I'll fall fall in love eventually please just wait until then" like she genuinely believes this is it, that this is what she is meant to do and like yes that means she's a bad partner but no it does not mean she's being bad partner on purpose.

100%. Fully agreed. It's hard to discuss, so I normally avoid it but it's always interesting seeing so much of what I'd describe as lacking empathy about issues I'd have thought people would be more sensitive to. But I agree, she seems to be unaware that her entire focus is locked to Fuyuki. Even her reason for trying with Kyou is "maybe this will keep Fuyuki with me now." Kyou clearly picks up on it (and is jealous), and Fuyuki, as well; but, Eri does not understand herself very well. She has a dependence on Fuyuki that she's likely rationalized as simply "best friend/saviour" dependence but might be more than that. This could be why a crossroads set by Fuyuki's getting a girlfriend (and seemingly trying to move on) might serve as a catalyst for a change, whether good or bad.

I could also piggyback off something Cogito mentioned. This chapter again hints at Fuyuki's over protection of Eri and possibly Fuyuki's wrong reading of Eri. I couldn't help but think of that earlier comment, when Kyou mentioned how much Fuyuki protects Eri, and how upset Eri was that Fuyuki wasn't honest about her discomfort with the new "boyfriend." I don't know that Fuyuki has as good a grasp on Eri and what she needs, as much as she wants to believe she does. Which leads into what happens in chapter 5 and 6, with the "keeping feelings from her" idea.

last edited at Jul 9, 2023 9:04AM

On another subject, I can't recall if this was discussed before: I was just today rereading some older works by Sal Jiang and I was surprised to find that this one is like a oneshot version of Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! Even the name of the main character is Ayaka, and she's an obvious prototype of the blonde we know and love. The senpai she likes is not really Hiroko, though. (She's much better.)

Oh right, had forgotten that one. Yeah that was a precursor one shot. I don't know if that was discussed in this thread though. I liked that one too, when I read it a while ago! It summarizes all the shenanigans that happens in this manga.

That version of Ayaka also talks about all her attempts to get her senpai to realize her flirting. The oneshot's events seem like her last straw (guess that version of Ayaka never busted down the office doors and declared her love). She even mentions the off the shoulder dress, which got mentioned in this recent newer chapter! Senpai still caring but not picking up on it. So, same two people but really cool to see Sal blow that up into a piece with more going on. You can see the intended natures of the characters there.

Forgot to mention this one is also about them (or early versions of them). Same dynamics: I Drew Some Yuri

last edited at Jul 8, 2023 3:57PM

Incredible sociological insight. Discussing LGBTQ identities in Japan (in my experience) has been exactly like this, and it’s incredibly validating to see each of the layers so clearly laid out. The subtle but suffocating heteronormativity that permeated all conversations used to make me feel like I was going slightly insane, like maybe it actually WAS rude of me to assert that I was not straight. And this manga is just crushing it. Quickly flying to the top of my favorites list.

Basically, professional gaslighting.

Also shows that trauma is a not a pathology, but an adaptive survival mechanism that turns maladaptive over time, as the situation and the environment change, but the survival behaviors don't.

Yeah, great observation! I enjoy that this manga touches on these issues rather directly and can spark these discussions and observations--all the while still being comedic. Dramedy for sure.

last edited at Jul 8, 2023 8:22AM

Might be my favorite chapter. Really love that it deals with the aftershocks of Ayaka's decision, but also deals with the fakeness of some of the coworkers. Risa especially has a good eye, but Ayaka also recognized how superficial and nonspecific they were all being. That office isn't as accepting as they would like to be seen as. And we get to Hiroko's fears. Those guys suck and are already starting to breathe down her neck a bit. Not so bad, yet, though. At the same time, Ayaka's outburst allowed Hiroko to recognize that she has more allies around her than she thought. So there's some give and take and maybe something for Hiroko to take away as a positive.

After that dinner meeting, I don't know if Hiroko's views on remaining in the closet at work will be ready to change just yet. The office likes the gossip (and to seem progressive) but I don't know how they would react if they actually saw a real couple, and I definitely don't expect a good response from management. She's in a precarious position as a team leader, but now knowing she has two more allies than before (+Risa and Ayaka), the needle might continue to move. It's of course unfortunate that her environment makes these decisions so potentially ruinous.

last edited at Jul 7, 2023 4:07PM

Not gonna lie I'm really tired by now that we get close to zero information about Yuzu's perspective in all this :P A few chapters ago I thought we'll start getting more of that but it very quickly reverted to usual joke about how Minami is obsessed and Yuzu is oblivious, and I'm getting slowly and surely disappointed in how this is developing.

Exactly, my thoughts. I'm so desperate that I'm actually begging for a jealousy arc and I almost want to slap myself for thinking that. Someone's gotta shake something up and if the author can't do that with 6 characters, than sure add another one.

last edited at Jul 5, 2023 8:48AM

In case anyone else wants to purchase vol. 1 through Kobo: if you don't already have a separate account for the Japanese store (available in English), you can create one. Then just log in, put the item in the cart, and check out. My EU based debit card was accepted through Google Pay, so I recommend that method if you don't have a Japan based card.

That and you can also get a physical copy, too.

last edited at Jul 3, 2023 1:08PM

No chapter today, should be a new chapter tomorrow. Blame Elon.

Yeah, not the first mangaka I've seen panic recently since so much of their marketing and self publishing is done through Twitter.

last edited at Jul 3, 2023 1:02PM

On another subject, I can't recall if this was discussed before: I was just today rereading some older works by Sal Jiang and I was surprised to find that this one is like a oneshot version of Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! Even the name of the main character is Ayaka, and she's an obvious prototype of the blonde we know and love. The senpai she likes is not really Hiroko, though. (She's much better.)

Oh right, had forgotten that one. Yeah that was a precursor one shot. I don't know if that was discussed in this thread though. I liked that one too, when I read it a while ago! It summarizes all the shenanigans that happens in this manga.

That version of Ayaka also talks about all her attempts to get her senpai to realize her flirting. The oneshot's events seem like her last straw (guess that version of Ayaka never busted down the office doors and declared her love). She even mentions the off the shoulder dress, which got mentioned in this recent newer chapter! Senpai still caring but not picking up on it. So, same two people but really cool to see Sal blow that up into a piece with more going on. You can see the intended natures of the characters there.

As for Black & White: fully agree! That series is also great and I too am miserable dealing with the current releases and schedule.

last edited at Jul 3, 2023 11:25AM

So ... has the author given up on making it all join up together? It's not that huge of an issue if they don't, plotholes schmotholes. But it is making the chapters less enjoyable as all this plays out in the back of my mind.

Yeah, just gotta trust the author and let it all play out. There's not much to say without knowing how it ends. We're just going to pull all our hair out and ruin enjoyment with bullet lists and spreadsheets, which can be a bit unnatural to the experience. Once it's done and we see the intentions and resolution, we can have a better idea of the logic. The nature of this situation is very open and fluid at the moment.

Adorable. ^_^

And did you see her face when Elsa showed her aptitude? So smug.

last edited at Jul 3, 2023 8:22AM

That definitely can't be done where I work. Of 8 people in management 6 are homophobic.

Yeah, we haven't seen how management will react. These were just coworkers and it just happened.

i know this isnt based in America but damn from what ive seen irl is that people really dont care about some someone elses life like this

Depends on where you're at. Plenty of places I've been, it would create issues. Besides most of the political mess happening in our country right now is a result of people caring about other people's lives that much.

last edited at Jul 2, 2023 8:04AM

The little creature that looks like Goomy from Pokemon reminds me of Rei's pet from I Favor the Villainess, not that I mind though, I could always get behind seeing more cute mystical creatures in yuri manga

Thought the exact same thing! Looks like Relaire(?).

last edited at Jul 2, 2023 7:59AM

is there no teacher oversight in the club-making process?

What do you mean? Teacher's part of the club.

The game is afoot. Hiroko better watch her back from now on or a wild, provocatively dressed Ayaka might snatch her into a kabedon.

Seriously though, they addressed both positions well, here. Hiroko is still not comfortable but Ayaka is now unleashed to be as flirty as humanly possible. The confidence in this woman lol. She knows Hiroko liked that dress and the skipping her way out. She's literally threatening Hiroko with a good time.

last edited at Jul 1, 2023 1:58PM

Hmm, can't say I agree. I don't think I ever felt that Mai was deliberately using her uncanny seductive charm at the start, or was even aware of it.
I'd chalk a lot of the reduction in that behavior up to her becoming at least partly aware of what she's doing, especially in the later progression. Though that might just be me retconning my headcanon.

No that's the way it went, I'd say. The story was pretty clear about that and that's a huge part of the joke of the manga (Tae being an unreliable narrator who took simple gestures and interpreted them romantically because of Mai's physical development), but I guess at least a few disagree, here. There's never a point where Mai ever says she's aware, implies she's aware or acts as though she's aware and what's most relevant is that it never happens outside of Tae's skewed POV. Tae interprets something sexually, and afterwards Mai is nearly always shown just being a kid again, like normal, to reinforce the contrast. Then, of course we do see when Mai does finally realize her feelings, and that's much after these events. Haven't heard this interpretation elsewhere, really, outside of earlier chapters, so I'm also a bit surprised. We could bring in the author and publisher's words (where Mai's actions are described as totally "innocent" etc.) but that shouldn't be necessary, since I do think the story makes that clear enough but who knows.

the mangaka was tired of this story and had started another series she wanted to focus on. So she just gave this manga a whatever ending that left two thirds of the characters hanging and didn't properly end anything. That's all there is to this.

This is also not what happened. The author has already talked about this. There's nothing to suggest that this ending wasn't what was always planned. There are other reasons for why it had to end earlier (which they've implied they wish to discuss later and seem more a result of changed management after the closure last year).

last edited at Jun 30, 2023 6:27PM

Needs moar supervillain voice.

Add a maniacal laugh too.

“Disagreed” is not the same as “refuted.”

Agreed. "Refuted," because they know they're objectively "right;" so it's a refutation rather than normal discussion and disagreement. Unfortunate, because there wasn't even a real response to the other poster (or mine, I guess). Still interested in hearing a real explanation of how Mai's been retconned because I'm still genuinely confused by that idea. Either way discussion or disagreement isn't something to get ruffled about.

last edited at Jun 29, 2023 2:00PM

I have also seen absolutely nothing in this series that would in any way constitute a retcon; nothing of what has happened has been in any way changed by the later chapters.

First chapters Mai is a completely different character from final arc Mai.

Mai changing due to her experiences, whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, does not make it a retcon. It does in no way invalidate the events of the early chapters. Do you even actually know what the word retcon means?

For that matter, I don't even see that much difference between the first chapters and the Mai from Christmas or the very last chapter, so it's beyond me why you would call her a completely different character...

Agreed. She's the same. Earlier chapters, she was always unaware of her effects. It was played for laughs and from the mind of Tae who interpreted everything romantically. Mai didn't know what she was doing until near the end. Definitely not a retcon or even a change, unless some people actually thought Mai was actively flirting earlier? That was the joke though. We see the exact moment when Mai finally realizes her feelings and actually decides to act on them. Before that it's not there and explains why she could be so carefree: she just didn't know what she was doing. Completely unintentional. We were following an unreliable narrator.

last edited at Jun 29, 2023 2:25PM

I get the feeling Kamejiro is pessimistic in general; the original had some powerful moments. There's a specific scene that comes to mind for pillar of my heart's payoff which will be devastating even if it's simply copy-pasted.

I get that same idea and I share her feeling. I can only really speak for writers but you never feel like you're doing enough. Your stuck reading the things you wrote over and over again. Eventually it always sounds terrible even if everyone else says it's good, even if it's published. You're trying to evoke a certain thing that only you can know if you've achieved. I've found her thoughts on Twitter to be really relatable and they're a large reason for my increased interest in the series, honestly. Become a fan of the author maybe more than the work. I look forward to the moment you mentioned!

last edited at Jun 29, 2023 2:30PM

Anyone know where I can read the webmanga? I'm super curious because ppl keep mentioning it here ;_;

She has them on her twitter, for one.

This is the prologue? Like, there's a whole entire rest of the story after this that we get to see? They're not just going to run off into the sunset?

The original web manga covered what the author calls Arc 1: The Capital Incident. Everything so far in the serialized version is likely prologue for that; it's gone well out of its way to flesh out the beginnings of Sara and Natalia's relationship in a way the original mostly sped through. The drip-feed of lore we're getting does seem to be setting things in place for the same incident to occur. And it ended with some consequences that necessitated the two going on a journey.

Kamejiro started this serialization with the intent of getting past that point and exploring more of the world. By now everyone could guess there's an earth nation and fire nation in addition to the wind and water nations, and there's even a decent amount of art for what the princesses of those nations are like—some very minor spoilers here—despite them never appearing in the original story. It's one of those stories the author has been brainstorming for a long time.

Which is all assuming the manga is successful enough to get there and other fun things to worry about, but yeah. While it's not set in stone or anything, Kamejiro wants this to be a sprawling fantasy adventure.

Awesome. Really looking forward to whatever they do. They also said they don't think they handle emotional scenes well but I think they've done a wonderful job.

Author: “I’m going to make an age gap that will fuck with the readers’ heads.”

Readers: “Wah! Our heads!”

Lol at the last chapter as well. Like it's suddenly a surprise. "What!? I've been reading an age gap this entire time! 32 chapters of it!! I've been bamboozled."

last edited at Jun 28, 2023 7:03AM

wait are we sure it got axed? like is there a source on that? would certainly explain this godawful ending but it sucks that a series that was so good up to this point had to rush like this

Not sure, but I think the magazine it was printed in is going out of business. That could potentially speed up an ending, but someone can correct me on that. I don't fully remember.

last edited at Jun 27, 2023 5:12PM