Tears streaming down my cheeks. Ahh, what a perfect ending.

I wish we had more, but, I feel like... any more would have been its own story, or its own arc. I think the overall theme was very well explored, and I think the narrative was very grounded and surprisingly relatable. We certainly could have beaten up the characters more - seen more bullying directed at Akane, Miwa's family rejecting her after finding out about her condition, kids at school bullying An for having two moms... but what purpose would that serve other than to reinforce what was already said? Just because the three of them don't fit societal expectations doesn't mean they aren't real people deserving of love and respect, and it doesn't mean they can't find their own happiness... even if it looks a bit different from the norm.

Also, I agree that this is yuri; it's not sexual, and it would be difficult to make a case that it's even romantic... but it is familial. Like it or not, Akane, Miwa, and An do love each other: the parent-and-child bonds are so transparent that Miwa literally called them out in this chapter. And even if Akane and Miwa never develop a romantic love between them, tell me they aren't at least siblings: the way they get on each others' nerves, but are always ready to support and defend the other without hesitation... that's big sibling energy, that is. So yeah, I think it's yuri, it's just ... a different shape.

Reading this chapter a second time... I noticed a few things (there were fewer tears this time around).

A bit subtle but actually very powerful: Miwa's mother doesn't react very quickly. She's a very thoughtful person. She didn't do anything when she heard Akane's name for the first time, and she barely said anything when Miwa dropped the bombshell about her infertility. When she finally did speak, she had all her ducks in their proper rows: regardless of whether or not she understood Akane's situation, she accepted it as being good for both An and Miwa (and that that was the most important thing), and though she still wanted grandchildren, that desire - that tradition that she undoubtedly has been taught and clinging to all her life - paled in comparison to the love she had for her daughter. She got (admittedly shocking) news, took the time to process it, and got to a healthy place. That demonstrates the sort of maturity that we should all strive for.

A blink-and-you-miss-it moment: throughout the previous chapters, we see Miwa, Akane, even An stealing glances at other people: couples in love, families with children... people who are living the sort of "normal" lives that they all want but can't have. Here, when Miwa and her mom are sitting on the bench, we see a Miwa's mom take a turn: she sees the happy families out and about, which include grandparents and their grandchildren. I feel like these moments are very poignant. Comparing them to 'The Wizard of Oz': recall that the Scarecrow bemoaned his "head all full of stuffing" and desired a brain; recall also that he was the one who tricked the apple trees into throwing their apples, thus providing Dorothy a meal. Recall that the Tin Woodsman desired a heart, and yet, he was the kindest and most soft-spoken of them all, and always the first to come to their aid. Recall that the Cowardly Lion desired courage, and - albeit with a little help - confronted both the Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West. Just like Dorothy and the slippers, these three had what they wanted all along: they just didn't realize it. Miwa, Akane, An... and now Miwa's mother... in a very meaningful way, they have what they want. It's messy - real life often is - but ... they have it. And I think Miwa's mother seeing those happy families at the zoo is a way to show us that she is now on the same path as the other three: the yellow brick road that leads them to realizing they had their way home all along.

And I know it's a bit more on the nose but I can finally see this panel without tears in my eyes so I wanted to shout it out: the last panel in the chapter, showing the happy family, and Miwa's mother saying "that face is more like it". In context she's talking about Miwa, having previously bemoaned the other picture of them at the zoo. But comparing that one to this newer one... well, Miwa is definitely her old self again, so there's that. But I'm sure Miwa's mother remembers what An (and Shiori) looked like when they suffered their traumatic moments, and seeing An with that big smile on her face... ... but then you have the other one: Akane. This may very well be the first time Miwa's mother has seen Akane as her true self. ... "That face is more like it". 'Nuff said.

Hokay, sorry about the rant. Just needed to get that out of my system. Looking forward to the next chapter <3

Add me to the list of those crying... I wasn't sure what to expect from Miwa's mom; the fact that we didn't see any negative aftermath after An-chan revealed the name hinted that things would be okay, but... damn. She hit it out of the park. It could not have been better.

Three great moms in this chapter.

I'm sure that was tough for Miwa, but that was the right decision; if she didn't opt out of it now, eventually they would have to face the decision about having children. Both of them want kids, their families are going to be demanding it... and it's either going to be adopt (which the families definitely won't accept, no matter how cute An is) or ... the child is going to be his but not hers. Will all the good times she spends with him be worth having to carry that burden? Those risks? ... especially when she has a family, a child, someone she is enjoying life with right now...?

And yeah, I think it'll suck coming out with this information to her mother, but... Miwa's mom seems fairly decent, all things considered; traditional, yes, but not blindly so. I'm sure it'll work out.

Ahh, what a good story, though...

last edited at Jul 16, 2026 6:59PM

Ah yes, the tragedy of "but they were both bottoms".

It's so good to see An-chan with light in her eyes... I know there's still a long road ahead of her, but the fact that this family got to this point is just ... it tells you how much a child needs love. Genuine love. Not "love from a mommy and daddy" specifically; An-chan only had her mother before, and now she has two mothers... none of this is "typical" and yet... she is a healthy girl who is moving through a horrible trauma in a healthy way, and all of that is because she has been loved.

... I mean, and also that those wonderful women are busting their asses for her. Massive shout out to parents who put in the time. It's a tough gig.

Also, I wonder if An-chan's proclivity toward puzzles and getting distracted is a hint at possible neurodivergence. As someone on the spectrum I would appreciate the representation, but this narrative already has a lot of heavy stuff going on so I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the case.

I've been waiting for that since Chapter 1. I knew it was only a matter of time before the realization hit home for An, and I knew it would ... wreck me when it did. I'm a sobbing mess over here...

... but this was a necessary step. It hurt so much, and there's so much pain left to process, but it's good that this happened. It would be far worse if it didn't. And An is very lucky to have people there who love her unconditionally, and who also loved her mother, and who will help her and protect her and comfort her the rest of the way.

Akane's ex is what I'd call a "solvable problem." Miwa's got a solution.

Also, good on Akane and Miwa for asking An instead of deciding for her. While she needs closure, she should still be a participant in the decision. Good parents.

And I love how no one wants to stop Miwa from enacting her solution. ... they just don't want her to waste good booze.

Love the premise. I can totally see the Monster of the Week being a fairly routine nuisance to the team, and the younger lasses getting all "We've got to keep hope alive!" dramatic about it... meanwhile the forged-in-fire OL is like, "bitch, I have a deadline" and just nonchalantly keeps working the problem.

And now I have a mental image of Aika from "Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want To Be A Magical Girl" crossing over with the team... she handles a problem with Incredible Violence, such that all the young girls are shocked and horrified... meanwhile the OL is putting a post-it note on her magical scepter...

Maybe I just want to see some expectations to be subverted and tropes twisted, and this concept is fertile ground.

I found it very interesting when Akane smacked Miwa...

Hear me out.

It's very rare in Japanese media - anime and manga - for a male to strike a female. Culturally, females are treated as physically weaker than males, so that sort of physical contact has major narrative significance. Consider most shonen anime and try to pick out how often a female protagonist had a physical brawl with a male antagonist. And while, in this specific instance, it was played for comedy - a sort of "nandeyanen" karate chop - that's still not something you typically see.

As trope-laden as this medium is... the fact that this happened laid it out with no uncertainty that this story is treating Akane as a woman. They aren't just saying that she is; they are showing it, all the way down to the level of the tropes that are used to characterize her.

I dunno... I guess that just struck me as nice to see, like... the fact that that trope was used somehow normalized the character beyond the construction of the narrative.

I hope I'm making sense...

Also, I really loved this chapter, and I'm so eager for the rest.

Fuck me, this one hit hard... I hope there's more to come.

Characters only die if they are forgotten. In memories, in fanart, in the collective imaginations of those care, they will live on, and so will their love. The author has done his part; now it's up to us to give them their happily ever after.

"Yuri Crush" tag has been replaced by "Yuri" tag just in time for Tsukino to say unequivocally that she's straight.

Then again, they always say to marry your best friend, so... I guess it works out for both of them in the end.

And you know what's super cute? You just know Hinami is never going to forget their anniversary.

I sincerely hope these two find love and peace and happiness... ... but my goodness, the subtext. Or is it just "the text" at this point, since I've seen it in so many manga? Sacrificing your life for a job... and it's not even so you can support a family; these two were barely supporting themselves! There is so much that is wrong with that... no one should have to live like that.

What's worse is that they place the blame mostly on themselves. "If we only had the goals, dreams, determination, bravery". No mention of "if our culture didn't demand we do this" or "if the fruits of our labor came back to us".

These girls did the right thing, and my heart weeps for anyone who is stuck in a position like this.

... I really hope this story doesn't end with "whelp, that was fun, but we're out of money and societal pressure is too much, so it's time to grow up for real and do the right thing... by heroically sacrificing our lives for a 'greater good' that never seems to include us."

Not the chicken with the reindeer antlers.

Also, even though I can't read Japanese, I noticed the onomotopoea in the last two panels was identical, so I managed to pick up on the auditory punchline, which was nice.

Even her text bubbles have frozen solid. I should not be surprised.

A story will live on in the hearts and minds of those who love it, long after the final page is turned.

With all the rom-com style stories of people who are obviously in love but can't ever get to the point where they express it (very often due to a complete failure of communication, which is especially frustrating!), I enjoyed this breath of fresh air.

I'm glad these two took their feelings seriously. Love (and yuri) is no joke!

Less than a day spent baking sweets, and she already nailed the "here's one I prepared earlier". Bravo, Hinami. Chef's kiss.

I... was honestly expecting more Greek mythology in this one, but this route is fine too.

On reflection, I guess Hinami wouldn't have gone out to cavort with Amazons when she's already got the girl of her dreams.

Always nice to see proper knolling.

Of all the holes to squirt milk out of, I'm glad they erred on the side of "cartoonish" and chose those, rather than note that the tear ducts are connected to the sinuses...

And I take that after an admision that she's getting excited for wearing Tsukino's underwear, right after the acknowleging that Himami has actually propossed to her several times, the staff here will STILL insist that this work doesn't deserve the yuri tag for her blatant, even if unrequited, afection.for Tsukino. Oh, look, what a beautiful and perfectly heterosexual friendship!

They're clearly roommates. ......... cough

Leave it to Hinami to also buy the mannequin...

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last edited at Mar 6, 2026 8:32AM