What is potato puré

Mashed potato, pretty much.

In any case, a good chapter. Yes, Kaoru, "...not like there's anything special about kissing, though", absolutely nothing special about it. I'm expecting Mei to feel guilt over that and end up "confessing her sins" to Karin, at which point it might be that the latter would maul the former.

Kinda feel bad for Riri, primarily because her biggest obstacle is herself, mainly lack of experience and naivete. Really want to see her open up more and get more brazen.

I can see a major Sensei chapter coming up... I can't wait to see it.

Same here. Teach is the only one with an "objective" obstacle between her and Mei, I personally would like to see an absolutely ridiculous loophole introduced.

last edited at Dec 23, 2022 7:19AM

I loved pretty much everything about this chapter. I loved that Uda confided in the two and asked for advice/support, Nagisa's genuine concern and opening up to Mashiro and then to Uda about it, and Uda's headstrong attitude. I personally do like the sort-of attention shift toward Uda, especially considering that it still maintains balance with Nagisa/Mashiro fluff. Page 3 is absurdly adorable, oh my fucking god.

Also, I did not expect them to be playing Overcooked, but I do love it. It looked very similar to how my friends and I play... for better or worse.

I'm a big fan of Hachiko's works, so I was ecstatic to see a new upload, and it did not disappoint. I expect to absolutely love this one.

Reading some of the comments brought up a memory - there was this one time where I was pretty much in the exact same position as Akari; a girl with whom I was very close during childhood moved away, and a good few years later I randomly encountered her when visiting another friend, and said girl had no clue who I was. Shit still kinda stings, not gonna lie. I definitely can understand why Akari's so upset.

Also I know how this sort of "upset" works in Hachiko's works, so I expect it to be very cute.

I assume you mean chapters? Heck, coming from Hachiko...

Same opinion here. The premise may have struck a dissonant chord for some, but I don't doubt that it'll be top-shelf fluff in a matter of chapters.

...but I am curious: has anyone actually forgotten a childhood friend?...

Like Cogito mentioned, and my example above, it works differently for different people.

This was fantastic. Beautifully written, well balanced and beautifully executed, and really hot when appropriate. I'm a huge, huge fan of the heartwarming ending. One of the all-time greats, far as I'm concerned.

The plot thickens! A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

On the one hand I'm actually kinda excited, since the whole thing seems really interesting. On the other hand... truth be told, I'm not the biggest fan of discovering the daughter was interested in Chloe, especially since I've already been firm in my mistress/maid pairing, and like the commenter above, I also thought the pairings are pretty much set, but I do understand where she's coming from, even feel kinda bad for her, really. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Some other thoughts:

When the mistress's divorce was first mentioned I was thinking her reason would be something like "well of course, did you see how cute my maid is?" but it seems a bit more similar to a "villainess" story style marriage annulment event, or something like that. Or more simply that the husband came around carrying his new flame and fucked everything up.

This chapter had Chloe coming to the strangest awakening in the strangest way ever, and I'm all here for it.

I'd usually be in the "go big or go home" camp of desired developments, but for this series, I'm actually really hoping for set pairings, particularly the Mistress with Chloe. Mysterious are the whims of man.

last edited at Dec 19, 2022 1:07PM

Chihiro almost got that critical hit in, and we're this early on. Page 22, positioning the "doesn't play fair" on that panel, the way I'm reading it, almost surely means to hint that Kaname is thinking the exact same. Honestly, I like that quite a bit; feels really clever and subtle.

As an aside, I really like the name Chihiro. That is all.

I'm enjoying this, I just want a chapter where there's a reverse...

This chapter had an inkling of a reversal, so I don't think the idea is off the table.

I'm not sure I understand the dynamic here. I can understand the mangaka not wanting to be exposed, but why would the stepsister not be like, "Yo, love your work!"?

I think because it's embarrassing to tell your step-sister that you love her romantic step-sister comics.

I'm reading her immediate reaction as like half fear and half utter excitement, expectancy, and hope of being ravaged. It's like, what are the odds that a prominent writer of primarily step-sister yuri is coincidentally heavily into step-sister yuri? I'd personally say pretty good odds. Goes the other way, too. It ain't a coincidence that she recognized her so quickly.

In any case, sign me the fuck up. This is bound to be an amusing one, regardless of what flavor of the story will be.

These four simple pages of the extra gave me such a deeply satisfying feeling and deep contentment. I'm not too sure how or why really. I can definitely say that seeing that the two live together now and seem content gave me a good dose of fuzzy warmth. I want more of this, goddamnit.

...I didn't understand why I felt so deeply about Moon... characters I'd come to resonate with so dearly through all the tumult, of giving them- and me- a place of respite, not distant and romantic and faraway, but in that most rare and glorious of spaces, in a mind at peace with itself...

I'll be honest, my circuits are fried having read your comment, but this specific paragraph really stood out to me. Very early on, the series has become something incredibly special to me as well, and those feelings you describe gave me a very vivid memory of exactly how I felt. The part of the paragraph I outlined specifically was something that I wasn't necessarily aware of, but definitely resonates with me. This series has been this sort of special to me, 'Haru and Midori' was as well. 'A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow' way back when as well. There isn't really a point to my writing, I'm just sharing.

last edited at Dec 17, 2022 8:12AM

Holy crap, this chapter was so fucking cute. Hit me with this good shit.

Not sure where the “overarching judgement” part comes from—all I’m saying is that at this point “uselessness” in yuri is becoming less simply a character type (like “tsundere”) that can be inserted almost anywhere (although it also remains that) and more like a story type that can ring any number of changes along the “awareness,” “self-awareness,” and “confession” trajectories (among others).

I honestly do not remember what my thought process was when I wrote that. I think I thought you were criticizing something and wanted to offer my perspective, but I do not think it matters much. I absolutely agree that "uselessness" is becoming much more than a "simple" character trait, and I'm wholly in favor of this, too.

My main point had to do with the audience reaction to that story type—since usually for much of the story readers are put in the position of being substantially more aware of the characters’ feelings than they are themselves (or are willing to admit to themselves or to others), some readers quickly get frustrated with the inherent delay and start scolding the characters for being “cowards” and telling them to “grow some ovaries,” etc. Which for these kinds of stories is basically wishing the story away.

Now I understand more clearly what you meant, and with this specific point I also agree wholeheartedly. I think that in general, it can sometimes be hard to distinguish that we as readers/meta-observers know far more than in-story/in-universe individuals, especially if one is really invested in a character or something similar. If I'm being honest, I also do this at times. It's usually less from a "grow some ovaries" place for me and more "this could have been such a great moment", but I'm no saint regardless.

In any case, about the chapter - I love the shift in perspective. It gives depth and context to Hinoka's behavior beforehand. She looked like she was aware, and there were points where it seemed like she was awkwardly trying to make moves, and it appears that she was awkwardly trying to make moves. I'm loving this.

Prior apologies for wall of text. While reading the chapter I was questioning what is it exactly that Aizawa is bound to. If it were the classroom, I wondered whether picking up a floor tile from the classroom and taking it outside would also allow her to move outside, kinda like a reverse ship of Theseus sort of thing. I sort of got an answer to it, I guess. I think it's fairly clear that the triple-A pentagram is either what she is bound to or what determines where she can manifest; near or around what she can be. I thought it couldn't be explained, but Aizawa not being able to leave school was probably because Michi specifically mentioned "...when I'm with you, just when we're at school...", so it may be that the pentagram is the symbol of a pact rather than a curse or a charm.

I also think it's fairly safe to assume that rather than a full-on dream, Michi was projected into the real-life classroom, and actually talked to Aizawa. All that would directly relate to, but not explain, why she was "marked" with the pentagram. That said, if it really is the symbol of a pact, then this lends an explanation to why Michi had it on her. The reason her younger image was projected is also a question that the chapter directly raises. I'd guess it has something to do with either a period in her life she was more comfortable talking to ghosts, or something that relates to the origins of her ability.

I am also still deeply curious as to why Aizawa is so attached to Michi. We still know pretty much nothing about Aizawa, so it could very well have been either a long-lasting attachment that for some reason was never tapped into or a post-death kind of thing.

I honestly think it's impressive how surprisingly good this series has been. The comedy on point, the questions raised wholeheartedly engaging, the characters are lovely, and the balance between fluff and this feeling that there is a lot more under the surface is fantastic. I'm surprisingly invested in the various questions this series has raised, and really look forward to further developments.

Other thoughts: assuming that I'm correct about the pentagram, if it wanted, the series could also play out a route where Aizawa is comatose rather than dead, and once either the pentagram is removed or whatever caused it is dealt with, she'd then wake up. Could make a cool moment if that was the first time she'd actually spoken in the series.

When I first saw the pentagram, the first thing that came to my mind was a barrage of AAAAAAAAA memes, and I wanted to dub it the AAAAAAAA pentagram. I do not know what it actually means, though. My thought was that usually, these things lead to babbling about Jewish mythos, but that pentagram doesn't correspond to anything I know about it so that probably isn't where the answer lies.

Well I got some ships after this chapter. MC's friend might have a crush on new girl since she was blushing after the compliment.

How wasn't this absolutely clear to everyone here the moment she mentioned where she got the hairclip from. How long have we all been reading yuri already?

Exactly

To me, it was still in the realm of possibilities that it was intense admiration more than romantic interest that she displayed toward her senpai. What cemented it as more than that was the interaction between the two. Part of me still really ships Kasumi with Michi, though.

last edited at Dec 16, 2022 8:10AM

This entire chapter felt like the author really wanted to do that one specific kink they've been particularly into in recent times, and then someone reminded them that they needed to move the plot somehow. Don't think I've seen any more bunny-out-of-the-hat development than this. Neither of these is a complaint.

That was beautiful. Part of me really wants to see this continue and get its happy ending, but a part of me is also very content with where and how things were wrapped up. Also, not gonna lie, Mama willing to "sacrifice" itself so willingly made me tear up a bit. Straight-up MVP there.

As an aside, the whole mask thing, especially after reading the comments, brought some unpleasant memories from my first time playing Metro 2033.

I personally think Sakuragi is too attached to their characters to let them have bad endings lol...

It may not have been what you meant, but I think it's safe to say you're 100 correct lol. Personally, I'm all in favor. Biases in favor of happy endings aside, I also don't feel particularly icky about this situation. Pres was aggressive, but didn't really overstep any boundaries, and Ms. Nurse also kept her distance until it was kinda-sorta "safe" to do so. It also seems like whatever she's feeling was a more recent development, so there's that. No foul play, no power imbalances abused, and all involved parties seem content. I am all in favor.

This is either going to be heavy subtext or heavy text, and it'll be highly amusing in either case. I'm strapped for this ride. Kaname is such a goddamn gremlin, I instantly fell in love. I'm inclined to assume her gremlin is absolutely true, but not the reason she specifically picked (on) Chihiro.

Question about the translation: on page 00096, is the word "inescapable" accurate? I do not know what's written in the source, but contextually, I feel that it should've been "inseparable".

I only wish Kiki would vocally ask if it's wrong that she (still) thinks Michiru is cute...

I commented this about the last chapter, and ayyy they did kinda-sorta do it. I actually really like the way it was done, especially Kiki's breakdown of "cute" as a notion rather than a word. I generally think that the entire sequence of their conversation was wonderful. Especially the last few pages, with the two holding hands. How very amiable.

Assuming that actually was her and all, there's something about Michiru wording out "our feelings..." that for some reason really caught my eye. Alongside her mentioning she "already likes" Kiki, as well as her previously saying she doesn't really get all that. I feel that Michiru's feelings for Kiki are, at this point, very much romantic in essence, but she doesn't quite get it, and I'm hoping to seeing this play out as well.

There's something about how romance is approached in this series that is really interesting to me. Like, it's got perfect amounts of clearly displayed and/or obviously paralleled romance and ambivalence regarding romance that is somehow both deeply satisfying yet also bizarrely not enough. I'm rambling at this point, but what I'm trying to say is that I hope that it goes into romance territory in no uncertain terms.

As an aside, the first page was thoroughly amusing and soul-crippling in equal measures. Good shit.

last edited at Dec 13, 2022 2:43PM

I am not particularly excited, and quite honestly fairly terrified. I might check up on this every once in a while, considering the first chapter was, uhh... lighter in tone, I guess. Though I guess I can also just as easily see this ending with some murder-suicide shit. I dunno.

I do not know why I've never heard of this series before, but I've sat and read volume 3 after randomly encountering the latest chapter's release and I absolutely loved it. I'm particularly impressed by how well the fluff and drama are executed and balanced. I'll eventually get around to reading from the beginning, but for now I'm looking forward to seeing more from this. I don't know if I'll watch the anime, though. Kinda fell off that train in recent times.

I feel safe to say that Yuu is very much in love at this point, but hasn't yet put the pieces of the puzzle together, perhaps she doesn't exactly know how to. Looking forward to see this develop.

Is her mom shipping them?

Oh absolutely. She was a hair's distance from throwing beans on the two or something.

I am in these credits and I do not like it. Still gonna ship it, though.

In any case, Ruriko was always as subtle as a rocket barrage, but I didn't necessarily think she'd straight up say it like that, and I'm a big fan of that. That whole exchange was simply cute. Now I want to hear Kurumi say the same. I honestly believed Kurumi would be completely oblivious, both about her own feelings and about Ruriko's but seeing that she actually does know about Ruriko's feelings is really interesting to me.

"I cried as I walked, with a doughnut in hand. Traveling down that same lonely, moonlit path... but this time, with her by my side."

I love every single thing about this outro line. I do not know how accurately it corresponds to the original text, but I feel like it could not have been phrased any better.

Thus falls the curtain on what is one of my favorite stories of all time. Incredibly heartwarming and butterflies inducing, and also Subaru's future plans gave some amusement.

My opinion on the series as a whole is, as said, this is one of my favorite stories. Be it the fluff or the more emotionally charged stuff, there was always something that resonated with me on the deepest levels in this series. Even in this chapter, Hinako questioning, "Can I really just be me...?" brought tears to my eyes. Hinako is one of the characters who resonated with me both the most and on the deepest of levels and seeing her develop throughout the series has been incredibly satisfying and particularly heartfelt to me. I'm incredibly sad to see this series go, but also incredibly glad to have read it and witnessed the way it developed.

I'm not without reservations, though. While I do not think the ending was abrupt, nor do I believe this is a case of the axe, I definitely think there was more room to develop. For instance, and that is solely based on my personal reading of the character, many of Hinako's questions, qualms, and aversions are matters of definitions and dosages. She mentioned "kissing, affection..." as things she is averse to (or incapable of), things I took as physical intimacy as a general concept, but holding hands with Asahi is one of her favorite things, and what is it if not a sign of affection and a form of physical intimacy? I guess it is also the ultimate sin, but that is a matter for another time. Point is, I quite simply really wanted the series to keep going, and I feel like there could be a lot of absolutely fantastic moments and developments to be had with those two characters, just like there have been from start to finish.

But I do feel like stressing that I'm more than content with how events unfurled and how the series ended. Once again, I'm sad to see it go but incredibly glad to have read it. Another comment above mentioned an idea of a continuation with the two as a couple, and I'd be absolutely ecstatic to see this as well. Please. Pretty please. In the meantime, I'm waiting till 'round February so I can get myself volumes 3 and 4, and I'm legit considering getting the series in its native esoteric moon rune form.

Also, thank you to the folks who have worked on translating this series. It isn't much, but do know that your efforts are appreciated.

last edited at Dec 8, 2022 6:43AM

The absolute catastrophe that this girl is is absurdly amusing to me, and part of me wishes it never ends. It's actually impressive since I'm thinking to myself that there will be a point where the novelty wears off, but it ain't here just yet. It helps that I'm actually interested in seeing where this story goes and how, though.

I have no clue where, how, or why Tsubasa came to the conclusion she did, and I'm mighty looking forward to finding out. If it comes out that all of them are one form or another of a disastrous force of nature I'll probably lose it.

At this point, I'm still chalking this up to prior comments on the thread having skewed my vision/read of the character, but there are some in which parts I can really see Hinori being in love with Minami, or at least feeling something toward her. Part of me is really interested to see the series actually develop this as a proper "route".

Her negativity level is... Is

IS OVER 9000!!!!

Unrelated, but I've been sitting on this for a while and you have given me an excuse to share: in the local dub of Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta's name was localized to be Makita (no fucking clue why, by the way. it doesn't even work out in Hebrew), so the meme is highly relevant, I feel.

Okay, so using logic, the only path from here is going in increments. Next girl suggests they go out for 3 months, the next one suggests let's say a year. The final one suggests marriage. In my mind the final one is Riri, I guess my mind has made up its favorite.

This is bound to be mighty interesting. I am 100% certain it'll be absolute torture for Karin to not absolutely maul Mei, I expect to see some amusing reactions from the other girls, and Mei will continue being the entertaining disaster she already is. I believe I've commented similarly before under a different context, but what Mei did to Minato was proper attempted murder. No two ways about it. And I fucking love this shit.

As not-exactly-but-still-sort-of an aside, I can actually see a story of Mei really learning about herself and actually finding a direction in life underneath the amusing shenanigans, and I'm a big fan of that.

last edited at Dec 5, 2022 7:55AM

"Kiss my ass" as a legitimate plot device that isn't played for laughs or "fan-service", and they actually did it. What a day to be alive.

What a random cliffhanger, we already know from the beginning of the chapter that her real body was asleep, so that had to be a dream body that was a result of the curse, haha.

I think they were going for something like it's her soul and trying to be a bit more ambiguous by her fading away, but yeah. A sidewalk-hanger if anything.

last edited at Dec 4, 2022 8:28AM

Does anyone else have to slow read these pages? I can’t handle all this fluff and sweetness

Yes. I just take the time and absorb the fluff, revel in it. Like breathing in some good air or noticing a nice scent and letting yourself take it in.

In any case, I love these chapters that are just pure feel-good bombardments of fluff. Big fan of the supportive mother, as well as Mashiro's reports of her father being similar, also big fan of the snowflake ring. It's just really cute.

I remember commenting that I'd love this series to never end, but more concretely I had the thought that I really wouldn't mind if the series just followed these two, maybe Uda and Riri as well, just throughout their lives. Futaribeya style.

last edited at Nov 26, 2022 5:50PM

...“Useless lesbians” stories open with (usually) a pair of characters in certain “positions” in regard to their own feelings and to their awareness of their own feelings and to the feelings of the other person.

The story then proceeds to play out a finite set of variations including, but not limited to:

• Character realizes that they love the other one

• Character realizes the other one loves them

• Character reveals or hides their feelings

• False rival appears to spur character to confess

And so on.

I think I can agree with the "finite set of variations" if we're thinking strictly in formulae and patterns, but more often than not what makes a series is its minutiae and execution, so I don't think it's all that productive to make an overarching judgment of the useless-lesbians trope, which by the way I'm more than in favor of cementing useless lesbians as a genre. I mean, you can't really compare "Sekai de Ichiban Oppai ga Suki!" to "Useless Princesses", right?

It's the same structure as an old episode of Columbo, basically.

That's one hell of a fucking reference there. Nice.