What on earth is wrong with these girls at the mixer? "Oh, hey, it's a woman with huge breasts who's dressed like Agent Scully. CLEARLY that means it's a man!"

I'm with you on that one. Kase-san was wearing a skirt for pete's sake. It's like saying these girls are so desperate for a guy they'll throw themselves at anyone who's remotely masculine.

Not sure, what you're getting at. The girls were taken in by Kase's handsome face :P
Also, they were sitting, bars can be tight and in this case additionally crowded, furniture and people obstructing line of sight. So there's a good chance they didn't properly see her full body (and we know, Kase's well-toned / muscular and rather tall for a girl). And the two upper left panels on page 3 make it obvious they are disappointed that the cool newcomer is a girl. And once again for her name being clearly a girl's name in the first panel of p5. They are not throwing themselves at Kase. But with those nonomo-faced dudes as competition, gorgeous Kase caught their eyes, aaaand she offers them free drinks ;)

This manga treats 'innocence' really, really weirdly. It's seems, like, literally unthinkable for the author that Yamada's friend just assumed Yamada had picked up a girl to go home with. It's somehow more plausible that she'd perceive an obvious girl as a boy.

1) Let's not forget, we're talking about Japan, in public no less. It's a far too complex topic to get into detail here, but half-blind Hana assuming Kase's gender being male for being close with Yamada at a mixer, is simply her judging by default. Especially since 2) Hana's been apparently only been a little less socially / socio-culturally inactive than Yamada - and that's not innocence but ignorance = "lack of knowledge or information". And in Hana's additional defense: 3) Kase was mostly standing half behind Yamada who at least partially covered her up to include her legs, chest and name-tag.

I mean, I'm pretty sure that Hanna-chan met Kase-san before, and Hanna-chan didn't recognise her.

...if we are to take the chapters chronological - and take the flashback, booty-call one-shot and valentine's special out:
Ch4 had Yamada meet Hana and befriend her, Kase learns about her when out with Yamada and Mikawacchi. At the end of the chapter Hana shows Yamada the mixer add. The next chapter (7) picks up with the phone call; Yamada telling Kase about said mixer. The very next day Kase went on her one week long trip, which she basically just returned from minutes before entering the mixer. That and Kase being all "she's a good girl" & "she's kinda like Yamada" about Hana in ch 8 seem like her digesting a first impression.
So... no, I am positive Kase has not met Hana before this.

I think the very weird innocence themes (which have been an issue from the beginning: Yamada acts like she doesn't know what sex is even after they've had sex) is part of why people are squicked out by this chapter.

Ignorance of one may give another a chance to "educate" them on... stuff. So, it's an ..."interesting" and rather ..."versatile" trope. ehem
But I'd argue, that it's not Yamada not knowing what sex is (by now), but having had sex didn't suddenly cure her from being shy, self-conscious, insecure and overthinking. It's her remaining in-character. IMO there is a learning curve, however. A slow, but steady one. (Yamada wasn't against the kissing itself nor shocked by Kase's declaration of love, but weirded out by the "here!?" aka "in a public restroom" factor of it.)

1) Kase does trust Yamada.
She doesnt, however, trust drunk guys at mixers. Or guys in general, possibly.

2) Kase went to bars before. Not mixers.
But she knows about almost any social event, at least a lot more than Yamada. Because Kase's social and has social contacts. Wherever she hasn't gone herself, I'm positive one of the chicks from her trackteam ranted on about to another in the locker rooms.

3) Kase knows people, the good and the bad.
See 2. I'm positive, Kase has heard her fair share of horror stories regarding uni-mixers (which may or may not be different from adult / workers' mixers).

4) Kase's pretty bad at sharing her own life and life's event with Yamada.
I'm sure, I recall her having mentioned herself having siblings at some point. Did Yamada ever meet them?
Also, recall the ex-debacle, which again was caused because both of them are bad at communicating.

5) They are both still learning, but for sure need to learn how to share and ask questions.
Communication is very important, girls!

6) The mixer was basically a rehash of the apron.
In both cases Kase seemed unreasonable. Being strongly against something. Yamada did it nevertheless. Guys were involved. Things went wrong for Yamada and Kase rescued her.
What do these two events have in common:

7) Sometimes Kase thinks two steps ahead.
She's really bad at communicating that, however. But 1 and 3 apply. It's not Yamada she's worried about, but Yamada she's worried for. Because she knew the apron would cause boys to notice Yamada in a (bad) way she wasn't ready for, just as Yamada going to a mixer did.
While Kase's not perfect herself, she's aware of things Yamada isn't. Especially when it comes to people, and especially when it comes to (the worst kind of) guys. (Because, let's face it, Kase's thirst levels equal those of a horny teenage boy She literally knows how guys will perceive Yamada..)

8) I really don't get the Hana-to-the-rescue arguement.
Hana was in such a rush to get to her food, she didn't bat an eye over her perception of A FLUSTERED YAMADA HAVING JUST EXITED A BATHROOM STALL WITH A GUY SHE JUST MET. She barely gave Yamada the chance to speak, Yamada didn't have a calm / happy expression in any of these panels.... just saying, that she wouldn't have been able to tell if Yamada was in distress if she actually was, or would react accordingly. Heck, she even advertised Yamada to 'the guy'.
(I gotta admit, Kase's quite handsome and that may have given Hana a much better / cleaner impression than any drunk dude could have. But that's just visuals, which isn't Hana's strongest suit anyhow; Kase never uttered a sound.)

I can't tell if Kase-san is dangerously possessive, or just a bit overprotective. At first I thought Kase-san forbidding Yamada-san from going to the mixer, was definitely boardering on psycho clingly territory. However, once I really thought it over, I realised that I wouldn't be comfortable with my girlfriend going to a party, set up specifically for hooking guys and girls up together. Although, I would NEVER forbid my girlfriend from going. That seems a bit to "I'm in charge"-ish for my liking.

Since we westerners clearly have a lacking understanding of the concept of mixers...
Maybe, it's like your partner telling you they are intent on creating a tinder account, with their relationship status as single (since Yamada is far from coming out of the closet in rl)... and with real people... drunk people... who'd make her drunk as well... and a lot more peer pressure... and a lot less anonymity / escape routes...

People generallly don't react well, if they learn their beloved are having an active profile on a dating site, even if their lovers claim that it's just for casual social contacts. Crank that up to 11 because mixers are not virtual.
It's the intent behind the thing (dating-site / mixer) itself, not what the person joining it may actually want that's offending. So Kase was offended and did react as strongly the way she did. "Forbidding" may be too strong, still, but IMO it's easy to understand Kase reacting in the sense of "us being in a relationship =/= you doing that".

@kickap00: ...did you read the rest that I wrote? Or are you the kind that pushes unprepared non-swimmers into the ocean, because "at some point they have to learn on their own"?
Again, I'd argue that Kase does trust Yamada and would encourage Yamada to grow and learn, but also knows Yamada's (in the story well-established) limits.

I'm having quite the fun reading this whole manga from Kase's perspective and here's my take on the lastest chapter:
1) Kase was in a sullen mood, because her last interaction with Yamada had her worried, they were breaking up (which, since the manga is narrated from Yamada's POV gets depicted as her being unreasonably grumpy / pissed). ...Not being able to get Yamada to call her by her first name may or may not add to Kase's frustration (..and it was such a good opportunity!)
2) She ran to the event because - based on their aforementioned phonecall - she knew that Yamada was in over her head.
3) Kase tried to keep the pretent up to not be affilliated with Yamada; possibly to see how the scene would play out / if her worries were justified. She keeps going to insert herself into the situation the way she's used to (e.g. being outwardly friendly, overall social and casual)
4) One of the first questions the guys asked was checking that Yamada attended an all-girls uni. And Kase may have picked up on the implication the guys were picking up on her uni's name because they considered it great hunting grounds and Yamada their way in - cue Kase calling first strike.
5) When Yamada mistakes Ginger ale for an alcoholic beverage, the guys laugh at and make fun of her (incidentally someone finds Yamada's ignorance charming enough to ask for her contact) - cue Kase calling second strike.
6) Kase still tries to play nice, extending her order to include the guys. Who immediately out themselves to not play by the rules (and laws!) but rather play into Kase's preconceptions, by prefering beer and even calling Kase out for her 'outrageous' offer - Three strikes, and out!
7) Kase can't help herself any longer and drags Yamada away, intent on taking her home (despite worrying their relationship may be over), but falters when Yamada calls her "Tomoka-chan". ...<3
8) In the stall, Kase's back to quiet, but now tries to understand Yamada and her thoughts, and still a bit rattled herself, brings them into context with her own worries. The events from a few minutes ago had confirmed what she had tried to warn Yamada about, who she's still not sure either didn't listen or put herself into this despite knowing, for the sake of some stranger-friend.
9) Yamada doesn't respond, eventually Kase gives in to her thir-- longing and pulls Yamada into a hug.
10) FINALLY Yamada explains why she hung up. Kase flushes, because while she never thought or will think of her roomie like that, Yamada's jealousy is a confession of sorts (and is a sign of passion). The relief, that all her last week's worries were due to something this 'silly', eventually wins, though.
11) Happy (and potentially turned on) Kase wants to kiss Yamada, confesses her love to her sweet 'Yui' aaaaand - knock knock.
12) Kase's a bit miffed, Hana-chan mistook her for a guy ... or that Hana's not in the least concerned/interested in the fact that Yamada supposedly just exited a bathroom stall(!) with 'a guy she just met'. But Hana being upset about the guys' underage drinking has her on her good side.
[cutscene, Kase gets out of these uncomfy heels]
13) Kase is honestly perplexed when Yamada calls her strong. Because she's insecure, hopelessly devoted and totally clueless to how to react when it comes to Yamada. Yamada makes her her weakest, most vulnerable self... Yamada may think she caught the grand prize that's supposedly out of her league, but for Kase Yamada is just as precious and mysterious, and feels / worries of being inadequate / insufficient / unsatisfactory.
14) Kase even puts the lipstick on, despite being a tomboy and this not being quite her style (the suit having been sort of a stretch for her already?), because Yamada insists and gets excited and Kase just wants her beloved plant to be happy (with her).

I get that she doesn't trust men around Yamada but it just seemed really off. She should have a little more faith in Yamada after all this time.

Question: Why?
There has so far been no instance in which Yamada handled any encounter with men well. Everytime the men saw her as a cute toy/kitten to fool around with. If I get the timeline correct, it's only been a few months since some guys cornered Yamada and took pantyshots of her (until Kase showed up and had every single one deleted).
Yamada's even insecure with her few friends. She still can't say no to Mikawacchi (who almost to the end of their school-arc kept putting the fake ex-gf story into Yamada's head) - her closest and longest friend. Yamada had admitted, she didn't want to go out into an unfamiliar situation but felt like she had to, because Hana simply asked her to come.

Since you (and others) are so avid in calling Kase's worrying possessiveness and toxic, I'd really like to know where you get the notion from that Yamada was fully aware of what she was getting herself into and would not have been overwhelmed as in any other previous instance.
Or paint me an in-character picture, of how freaked out Yamada from the ending of the previous chapter was to suddenly overcome her inadequateness and come out of that evening without having been harrassed, talked into drinking alcohol / getting drunk or handing out her contact information to total strangers. Not even Hana's early exit may have saved her much, because that girl was in such a hurry to get dinner, she may have left Yamada at the table with guys asking her to stay - and once again, Yamada is very very bad at saying 'no'.

Kase is not stopping Yamada from learning and evolving - but she'd rather Yamada take the baby-steps she needs instead of... well, this. Kase does have faith in Yamada, BUT she's also very much aware of where Yamada's shortcomings lie and what's simply too much for her to handle.

Or let ME draw you a picture:
Kase trusts in Yamada to not drown, but dog paddle to stay afloat while occassionally managing a stroke that takes her forward, while Kase effortlessly dives around. But when the tides roll in, Kase plucks Yamada out of the water and carries her to the beach (bridal-style :P ). Because, for now, Yamada just can't swim that well.

1) Gotta love the side-glance to Kase's oppai - oo <.<

2) Geez, ppl. Kase's possessive and Yamada dependent. They are both clingy in their own right, and just starting to figure out how to relationship. Bottom line: they love each other, madly. So far neither's attitude has hurt the other and, actually, so far their attitudes are complementing the other's flaws.
- Kase watches over socially inapt Yamada as she learns to become more outgoing.
- Yamada and her insecurities keep aloof and fickle Kase attentive and grounded.

3) ...did Kase really order all that stuff and ran of without paying?

4) Gotta love the little details, like how Kase changed out of the heels as soon they left the bar XD

Something just struck me about the zombie genre. Even if you've already established a working civilization, if you go for an excursion into infested areas, all it takes is a little bad luck to die. Beyond the fear of being a part of the undying horde, there is the fear that you might not make it back. Any and all trips run the risk of failure. Any promises you make to make it back are hollow, because the threat of dying is always present. In a lot of ways, I guess it's like Final Destination. For all you try to fight fate, in the end, you're still just one bad move away from dying. I think the sheer force that random chance has in their lives is where a lot of the horror comes from: one slip up, and they're gone, forever.

Just my two cents though.

Interesting points... but, that's life, isn't it? Every time you get into a car and onto the highway, you are in a similar place - one mistake, be it yours or someone else's, and you might die. Raise a toddler and look away for a second and they put something in their mouth and choke on it. In every day life, we have plenty automated security mechanisms (#) - but leave the stove on, slip on the sidewalk or in the bathtub, lean an inch too far over your balcony, even a sudden event like a heart attack (or some other sudden failure within the body) all go to show how fragile life is, how we are indeed 'one slip up' away from dying, constantly. (# routine, balance, automated coordinated locomotor system, laws and restrictions, signs, conditioning, hygiene... - and even technology, both to warn us as well as to self-check in case of failure, neglect or mishandling, e.g. fuses)

A few thousand years ago, and even in some areas today, humans evolutionary hardly any different from us physically, are/were constantly threatened by whatever nature threw at them - going out for a hunt while easily turning into someone else's prey, settling near a river for water supply while having no protection against occuring floods...

Constantly worrying about "if I mess up / something goes wrong, I might die" would massively decrease quality of life, though. So we go about and trust in the above mentioned security measures, or in case of more dangerous living situations focus on what we might gain in exchange for some (arguably reasonable) risk. Otherwise we might stagnate or even degenerate - and that seems to be against human nature. We "want" things. We want more than to survive - we want to (or we want our beloved to) "live" to the fullest potential available. And for that we may even risk our own lives, all with the optimism that we will succeed - because without that positive attitude we might just curl up and wither away....

The point being, that it's not only about survival, but also about living. Of course those apocalypse survivours could hide inside a closed enviroment, hoping their resources will last indefinitetly. But resources may need replenishment. And if not that, one may or may not strive for diversity or even some sort of bettering of the status quo; so they go out, scavange and salvage and if possible conquer additional area to both increase quality of life as well as acquire an increased sense of security (with the monsters being pushed further and further away) - even if that means risking ones very life in the process.
So, in a nutshell, it's less about seeking adventure or some secret death wish, but about "quality [of life] over quantity [of lifetime, in case things go wrong]".

In that sense, the zombie and alien genres have long moved away from splatter action moster horror and into sociological character studies. The focus is less about the monsters and surviving or even beating them, but (re-)learning to live despite their looming presence. ...so, basically what Yuki represents, I'd think.

When Shiiko was bitten? o.O Don't remember it. And why her?! She was so cool! Q.Q

She wasn't. It's airborne.

So the soldiers aren't wearing hazmat suits or any sort of masks... because they figured they are all infected anyway already? (TWD-vibes?)

Dang, Miki hit a low there... time for Kurumi to wake up and emerge like a butterfly. And yes, I am keeping my fingers crossed like hell here, probably will suffer permanent damage on my hands before this series is over XD

Then they hug and kiss.

...here's me hoping Kase will introduce the concept of "makeup sex" to their relationship x^.^x

Yamada is totally capable of saying, “NO” on her own [..]

Lemme quote Yamada herself here ^^:
"W-well, we're not exactly that close yet... so it's kinda hard to turn her down. I'd rather not go if I could, though..."

While I fully appreciate what you mean, especially the learning curve Yamada has to go through on her own, Yamada put herself into a situation she couldn't control from the start, due to her pre-existing inabilities to properly socialize.

Kase says “you haven’t been thinking about me at all” even though Yamada asked Kase first about going.

I'm not sure if that's a translation issue or if it's Kase's own inability to express her thoughts... but I kinda had a different take-away from her saying that. Yes, it's implied from Kase's response ("The answer is no!") that Yamada did ask for permission (although, Yamada later worded it as "asking for advice" - whatever that's supposed to mean), but it's also rather implied, that Yamada already sorta made up her mind in going either way - her reasoning already firm and steady. Secondly... It's a mixer. From what I know about japanese culture and mixers, well, I can understand how Kase is like "So, you want to go to a dating-event of all things. Did you think about the fact that we are dating? Or are we not dating... how am I supposed to feel about you dropping information on me?"
It's not about "asking Kase first", but doing so without reflecting on the concept of "mixer"; basically telling her girlfriend that she's planning to go to such an event. (In that regard, I found at least Kase's suggestion to "just go someplace else" rather reasonable.)
Also, I'm not sure where you got that Yamada considers herself a 'wingman'..? At least, in the bit of conversation portrayed, Yamada didn't express that idea towards Kase. Even if that was the plan. But if that were true - at least in my mind, Yamada and the definition of "wingman" just. won't. match. XD (How is one to mingle when the person next to you is a gibbering mess because of all the strangers trying to get close and comfy?)
Not to mention, Hana-chan appears to be just as much out of her comfort zone in the end, and likely didn't think the whole thing through - the way Kase automatically did, because Kase is much more informed in social matters.

That aside, yes. Kase's just as wound up in her own day-to-day life and rather inconsiderate herself, by neglecting to tell her girlfriend about her school-activities that will separate them for a whole friggin week until a single days's notice!!
Kase laughing off information about her roomy ("Not that you need to know about that kinda stuff, Yamada.") very much did come across as patronizing. (Not to mention Kase 'apologizing' for her absence / late information sharing by offering Yamada to buy her souvenir... that really rubbed me wrong. Yamada's not a child nor a dog.)

They most certainly both have a lot to learn. Communication is very important, girls! Use words!

But, I adore this manga. Because, while we can see the characters' flaws and mistakes, it's rather relatable. Learning how to relationship is a thing. When you're in it, it's easy to not notice one owns missteps.
And I don't even think the reasons for the "drama" are in any way unrealistic or exaggerated. It's the small things we have to learn. Every day.
A couple still has two heads.

And lastly: WE NEED MORE KASE-POV! STAT! ^^;;;;; Pretty please!? ö.ö

last edited at Dec 16, 2018 5:19PM

And is it just me being influenced by the sharper tone of recent chapters, or is Kase looking both sharp and a bit sinister in that last panel?

Hnn, from context and knowing how Kase's drawn, I would say, she's having a very confident and slightly predetory moment there.
Her gf is vulnerable and scared as hell, she taps her shoulder and reveals herself as her deus-ex-machina. She goes as far as acknowledging how horrified Yamada is about the situation she managed to put herself in. Based on the argeument they had before, Kase has the upper hand right now. And she plays with it. While, most certainly, ready to lash out at anyone who even so much as lays a finger on her lover.

Given the argument they had before, from Kase's side of things:

• Yamada didn't think mixers to be a big deal; she's dating Kase but is too ignorant in such matters to even comprehend the "date" aspect of mixers.
  = Kase shows up at her gloriest, present herself as the perfect date, the one and only and most desirable option in the whole room (or whole universe).

• Yamada wanted to hang out with a friend at a 'social event', underestimating her own disabilty to handle even smaller, more private social gatherings (just hanging with schoolmates other than her protective/possessive bff) especially when there are men invoved (e.g. the school festival).
  = Kase rushed and comes to the rescue, offering comfort and protection at the same time.

And, BOI, SHE LOOKS STUNNING!

I'm not saying Yamada is totally in the wrong nor Kase's right in just popping up to something Yamada wanted to do on her own / for herself.
But this is another instance proving how Kase leaps to take the initiative and is fully aware of Yamada's weaknesses, going the extra mile, which in case of her relationship with (always passive) Yamada is not to be simplificated as obsessive behaviour, but going out and borderline indulging Yamada, in the sense that Yamada can't really screw up because Kase will come to her rescue, no matter what.
Kase's not without flaws; the two of them are adorkable logs. They work because, while Kase is on the surface portrayed to not be much better than Yamada (who's POV and insecurity, devotion and awkward thoughts we get to witness most of the time) in regards to being attentive and observant or apparant insensitivity, but I'd think this particular argument and especially that last panel very much proves just how observant, sensitive and caring Kase really is, how much she actually knows and cares for what Yamada really wants and who/ how she really is. Not to undermine Yamada's strive to become more than she is, but being aware of Yamda's limits.

With that, I'd be horribly disappointed if Kase fell that low in the continuing chapter and had a "told you so" moment.
I wouldn't be surprised, tho, if she managed to undermine any male's ego in the room by her sheer presence and attitude (and at that, pretty much on purpose, because how DARED they prey on girls/women like that, ESPECIALLY her Yamada)..

Love the blame-talk here, but...

...can we talk about the fact that Kase-san ran straight from coming back from her busy, taxing week, in spite of her limited wardrobe still managed to dress up in the most handsome way and rushed to that mixer, managing that right-on-cue cinematic entrance?

In my head-canon, Kase spent the past week offline and disconnected (from her life-line), drifting from shocked to jealous to sorta angry to worried and at some point having a panic-attack (at both Yamada's mood shift at the end of the call as well as the thought of her widdle potted flower ending up in the midsts of a pack of wolves) until her roommate smacked her up the back of her head and told her "Then DO something about it." possibly even allowing Kase to use her wardrobe again, just to get that puddle of a mess out of the room. And Kase remained panicked, rushing at top speeds through the city (on foot, because public transportation was too slow for her liking) picturing a lover's worst nightmares until she came through the doors and spotted her sweet but halpless girlfriend - and the wolves, but decided to calm her lover first before marking her territory... (although, why not kill two birds with one stone... ;) )

Oh, dear Gods, I hope the continuing chapter won't under-deliver. This setting has SO much potential on so many levels!

last edited at Dec 13, 2018 3:54PM

Wait, I thought kissing while one was asleep didn't cause a swap ? Now I'm confused.

Don't over-anayze the 4-koma.
She was probably just dozing, tho.

For a minute I was worried, they were introducing new characters (like kiss & white lily) but then I was very happy they showed already introduced ones some backstory :)

(But I do keep wondering how or if that obviously intimate couple kiss -and swap?- when making out. How would that work?)

The credits page is so unfitting for the translated source is extremely unsettling.
Like we are on drugs reading the chapter then we glimpse the true nature of our existence and it's empty.

This is yuri.

This. Is why I love these forums. XD

@KueKyuuQ 1. I TOTALLY agree with you.
2. Your writte it's amazing!
3. Did you put lesbian films on purpose? Because I read at least five names xDDDDD (DEBS ♥)

Thanks :P ...I think there were (quicky counts) 34 TV and movie title references? :P

Sooo, isnt' this the first time this manga has ever flipped to Kase's POV? No "My cool girlfriend that sometimes seems like a boy" here.

Not at all—the first one that jumps to mind is the flashback chapter where Kase first noticed Yamada, and I’m sure there are others, even if you don’t count the “Kase and Mikawacchi Go Shopping” or “Kase and Rival”-type specials.

Since I totally love-love-love all Kase-san POV chapters and bits, I HAD do go back and check and this should be the full list:

In Kase-san [3-4/28?]

Present and Kase-san (4-koma)
17 Crepe and Kase-san (pt3) (kinda mostly her POV)
18 Plant Appointee and Kase-san (flashback)
Going to Tokyo and Kase-san (4-koma)
(me not counting the rival one because it seems to be the rival's pov)

In Yamada to Kase-san [3/7]

Straw Hat and Kase-san (flashback)
Phone and Kase-san (the send-nudes one~)
Valentine and Kase-san (extra)

You are both kinda right, as not counting 4-koma, extra and flashbacks, this was the first actual Kase-san chapter we get to assume was in chronological order (unless Takashima decides to swirl the timeline and continues with the mixer-thing where it left off turning the booty call into a devotedly drawn extra).

Please note the statistical increase of Kase-san POV in the new releases <3 I love that trend. Now, please, more plot moving forward and more smexy bits and less passive Yamada, kthxbye~

last edited at Aug 13, 2018 5:15PM

While (relatively) explicit depictions of Kase/Yamada sexytimes are always purest gold, on a less personally greedy level I would at least like some more awareness on Yamada’s part of Kase’s avidity for the physical side of the relationship and (here’s the big part) some more reciprocity.

Which led me to suddenly visualize a scene of Yamada pinching Kase’s butt in public, a scene I now want more than mere words can express.

Word.

Yes, we all (more or less) love the sweet innocent Yamada. Kase-san loves her adorkably innocent rosebud to death - albeit, so much she wants to mount her, which in itself is sorta paradox.
Yes, part of the couple's charm is the divide, the contradiction, the ying-yang dynamic. But also part of their charm is that they are every so often both thick as logs and total dorks, flailing around helplessly until they stumble into each another's arms agan - because after all's been said and done, they are just the same.

Also, but: Kase-san is a horny teenage boy on steroids, while Yamada is a frail little flower - innocent and just as immobile.

The truth about lost girl Kase-san is that she's all over her sugar rush inducing girlfriend and wants to be as close to her as possible, tip her velvet until night is falling and they are both lost and delirious.
Meantime, green tomato Yamada clenches her fists in front of her chest instead of letting her hands roam all over the heavenly creature that's starving for her touch; walking around with a goldfish memory of how she already bared herself to her tru love.

Imagine, me and you, all of us, being in Kase-san's position (literally if you like) when the girl below her mouth appears to be more interested in saving face than to dig in to the feat of love and the high art of reaching for the moon.

If we're simply looking for two girls in love, the kids are alright. But we're dealing with almost adults and lip service will only get us this far, because when women love women we want more than girls in uniforms, no desert hearts, no faking it, we want the world unseen, a perfect ending. (Truthfully, yeah, all we want to see is Yamada to grab that firm, better than chocolate bum and never let go.)

But I'm a cheerleader for this couple, so I am bound to believe that our savage gymnast-..darn, athlete evntually will unlock her butterfly's desires till she's PROUD of it! Boys, don't cry, I'll bet my last DEBS on it!

...I'm outta breath now.

The thirst is so very real. (ppl who didn't check this forum in a while need to go two pages back and check out a certain link)

So, why is it we now have two chapters in a row that kinda sorta end on a cliff-hanger? I mean, we will get a conclusion to Kase-san's booty-call, right? RIGHT!?
Not to mention the filler or extra -which I don't mind, because it's a quick fix and we'll still eventually get well crafted and lovingly drawn chapters again- and the flashback -which I also don't really mind because it's more of Kase's POV which was missing so much in ye olden days.
...
...
...
We love you, Takashima-sama, but PLEASE give us something substantial!!! mo_om

PS: Dear uploaders/admins, Ch05 is a tiny bit out of order. You might wanna check that out..?

I suddenly need a bondage doujin of Yamada to Kase-san.

I'm dying to see another steamy makeout scene like in earlier chapters. Hopefully Kase's birthday has that!

You're thinking what we're all thinking and most importantly what Kase's thinking XD

Kase should just get with Mikawacchi and buy Yamada a shade of lipstick that suits her.

I was thinking, Kase thought about something amongst those lines, when she asked Yamada if receiving 'this kinda stuff' made her happy. Kase wasn't jealous of the reaction Yamada had on Mikawa's gift. She was pondering if she could make her happy like that herself.
Kase really tries to do the right thing for Yamada's sake and happiness, without dubious intent.

But, honestly, if she did, I can already picture the comments on how Kase was controlling Yamada by chosing her lipstick for her... (...as if such might lead to "50 Shades of Kase" :P)

On a semi-related point: Kase wasn't jealous or reacted in any way weird about Yamada having a new friend. I don't even think, she was bothered by them instantly being close buds [pun intended]. She was jusst hung up on the fact, that Yamada was okay with using first names with someone else but still refuses such with her.
Gladly we knew the context, but to any outsider of the scene, that may have appeared like an overly strong, possessive reaction as well. ...I hope, we'll soon be blessed with more Kase-POV chapters ^.^

Anyhow, I'm glad, the author used the scene to explain the girls' reasons (being afraid of too much change), otherwise one may have implied that Yamada was still idolizing her girlfriend or, in the arguably worse interpretation, distance herself from her. ...But let's not forget, Yamada seemed just fine when Kase called her by her first name when they were alone and Santana cued in their heads. So my take is, when it comes to Kase, being called "Yui" is just so intimate for Yamada (and by association might make her legs go all jelly anytime Kase says "Yui") she rather be called Yamada by her in public or during casual conversation. ...I'd think, if my interpretation was anywhere close to being right, that could explain Yamada's take on sexuality or which level it plays out for her. And so it would be okay for her to casually be called Yui by anyone she doesn't have erotic associations with / anyone who isn't Kase.

I think Kase's reaction to the lipstick and Yamada's refusal to use her given name might actually be the same reaction: A fear of change.

They both like what they currently have and are generally comfortable with it, but they're also at a stage in their lives where things are changing and, with the choices they've made, they're facing some pretty drastic changes. What's worse, they aren't really there for each other to go through those changes together and, on some level, they know they're both facing a different set of changes and they're afraid of what those changes will do to their relationship. In Yamada's case it was not wanting to move to a closer form of address, because she's used to calling Kase Kase. Similarly, Kase is used to Yamada being innocent not particularly worldly, but here she is looking at other people and learning about adult things, like caring about make up. That is a large change for her and Kase is probably worried about what that means for their relationship and how Yamada views her. After all, she doesn't really use makeup or dress fancy herself and it was the innocent Yamada that fell in love with her, so would a more adult Yamada, with more refined tastes, still have feelings for the tomboy?

If the were living together, or could even meetup and hangout more, these worries would probably be much less of an issue, because they could see how gradual the change is, that it's not really effecting who they are as a person, and are still madly in love with each other, but that's not the case. They're separated most of the time and, while change is always scary, it's much scarier when the people you care about are changing without you.

QFT. They are both torn between wanting some stability throughout all these changes but also wanting to move forward to reassure themselves.
That's why Kase started calling her Yui and why Yamada feels the urge to at least try some more adult / culturally expected things... Each making the other uncomfortable (and in Yamada's case even herself).

But I honestly agree with Kase, that the lipstick doesn't suit Yamada. Yamada's the more natural type, she'll certainly can and will grow into some direction or the other, but bright lipstick really isn't a match to her (at least, not yet). And Mikawa should know so too - which makes me wonder if she tried to help Yamada test it out herself, was pushing her own preferences on Yamada, wanted to get rid of a lipstick-color she bought by mistake or just tried to meddle... again.

On another note, Kase was okay with the concept of Yamada wearing or at least trying out lipstick. Her opinion only changed while she was watching Yamada applying it. So either she felt the action (a somewhat sexy scene; Kase started to - albeit uncomfortably - blush looking on) unfitting - perhaps feeling reminded of the girls at her uni she had mentioned, that are very much not like Yamada - or she may have felt jealous of something (unfamiliar) getting into contact with Yamada's lips :P ((My headcanon is, that when Yamada had issues getting it off, Kase was like "I'll take care of that for you...(and also reassure you that you're the smexiest thing alive to me~)"))

For those implying an unhealthy dynamic here, I really don't think we're anywhere near such.
It would appear and evolve much differently if they spent more time together. Still, Kase's possessiveness never went past a point of what Yamada wanted/needed her to be. Yamada's very innocent and often still rather naive, having a hard time finding her own place and discovering new things. More often than stopping her, Kase encourages her, nudges Yamada to just go and try things. But Kase's also there to stop Yamada if she blindly stumbles into a wrong direction, steadying her and then lets her move on. Kase's not a stalker, nor a clingy person. She's often blunt and direct, but also gentle, and as insecure herself and shows it often enough. She would like to spend more time with Yamada, most certainly would spend more time quenching her thirst, but besides lotsa things to do she hardly ever pushes for anything, lets Yamada live her new life and only ever so rarely nudges that topic (rly, off memory counting all those close-ups of Kase in heat versus the amount of times she actually 'did' or said something, she's got quite the restraints to not push her precious widdle flower into anything she wouldn't want).
What I'm saying is, their characters complement each another, and where the differences are too big, they both compromise. Again, it would play out differently and IMO much more obvious what good of a match they are, if time and distance wouldn't keep them apart and from actual interactions. They do learn from another and resond to another, they let another grow and do their best to not grow apart, but would have a much easier time if they had more time to just hang out, interact and talk.

Good old subtext.
https://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/she_gets_girls_everyday_ch02#18

Which makes me wonder about today's use of the term "subtext".
To borrow from wiki: "Subtext or undertone is any content of a creative work which is not announced explicitly by the characters or author, but is implicit or becomes something understood by the observer of the work as the production unfolds. Subtext can also refer to the thoughts and motives of the characters which are only covered in an aside. Subtext can also be used to imply controversial subjects without specifically alienating people from the fiction, often through use of metaphor."

...*looks at title of story* ... Uhm... I think, this is actually text. Nothing between the lines, even if she didn't finish the sentence properly, between Iku's possessiveness of Kyouko and her dokidoki-reaction to Kasumi, it's pretty much out there.

"Conquest 3: The yuri queen appears."

...

I'm Listening.

"Conquest 5: In the empty nurse's office."

...

You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.

Def. their first time. However, the author could have taken more time showing it.
As I said before, I don't even mean them "doing the do", but rather the lead-in could have had more panels; when did Kase's tracksuit jacket come off, how did she take over Yamada in terms of nekkidness, who undressed Kase (if we would have been shown Yamada tentatively lending a hand, that could have made a huge impact on how to read this scene)... As is, it feels as if a page or two were cut out before 'print'.

Sometimes less is more, but clearly we have these questions and differing interpretations, so in this case a little more elaboration (while still remaining tasteful) may have solved this discrepancy in advance. It is an artist's choice however. It's her characters and in the end we have to assume she knows them best.

However, from a narrative POV, at least to me, it's clear that this is their first time, that Yamada's devoted gazes are her non-verbally giving permission. ...and possibly Yamada's non-cotton-bloomers underwear are implication she was, in fact, ready :P

So, her tutor is female with short hair - and that makes it okay? While she's totally a girl herself and very much channelling YuuHaru with the "seal of friendship" stuff... I'm just a tad confused about the rules here XD

Different cultures work differently. Affirmative consent is a very western concept, and even in the west is a very very recent concept. Many cultures even in the west still don't practice it. I wouldn't be so judging about it.

I do think, it's executed in a way that does imply the consent nevertheless.
Kase keeps asking, pausing, testing, moving on - giving "Yui" (gosh, that's so strange) the chance each step to withdraw.
We (and Kase) know how Yamada reacts when she's unsure on physical contact, but there's a lot of eye contact, Yamada giving in instead of jerking back, freezing up and such... Rather passive and bottom, yes, but that's in character - aaaand I'd like to point out that Yamada's panties were NOT exactly cotton bloomers - yeah, she was ready :D

I still wished, we got a few panels more, not even necessarily for the lewd parts. Did Yamada take off Kase's tracksuit jacket? If so, showing it may already have resolved the consent question...