Hi guys, I'm new here!! it's getting intense in here xD

I just want to ask any Citrus expert in here, if the Citrus Anthology has any relevance to the main Citrus manga? Because the Citrus Anthology is hinting that Harumin has feelings for Yuzu. (...)

First of all, welcome! Second of all, I can't say this for sure but I think the anthologies function more as fan-service than anything else really. Nothing that is written or said in the anthologies gives any additional confirmation/information about what's going on in the manga, and if they supposedly do it's based on the artist's opinion/impressions of the plot, not direct-source stuff from Saburo Uta. So no, just because the artist implied that Harumin has feelings for Yuzu doesn't mean that actually is the case.

Hope this helps a bit.

I still find Mei's development throughout the series amazing. It'd be great if Mei will stand for herself this time.

become her own person instead of becoming someone that everyone else expects her to be

Student council presidents sure have this problem a lot, huh.

I love you for this

It's frustrating to watch Mei be so reserved because we're spectators to her story, but she's just a regular teenage girl who grew up without a proper mother figure and a flaky father. She was raised by her grandfather, who she probably feels deeply indebted to having taken her in during her time of need. She thinks she owes this to him, and she's just a kid, but it's precisely because she's a kid that she feels like she's invincible and that she can handle it. She fears confrontation, but I mean, don't we all? :P

Although, I'm not gonna deny that there was too much over-the-top drama in the beginning of the story, LOL.

+1 to this.

Amen indeed.

Ah so if I understand this right she isn't engaged right now but her family is searching for someone new. Makes sense earlier I wondered whether she already had gotten a new engagement of screen which would have been weird. Denying the match making is hard when a strategic marriage is expected by your family and you care about duty and your grandfather. Plus the reason you are opposed is that you are a lesbian in love with your step sister which is rather awkward to announce.

Rereading Citrus again for like the third time after sobbing all over the latest chapter.

Just noticed this but in Chapter 27 (festival arc) the reason why Mei so desperately wanted to win the Yuzubocchi piggy bank was that she wanted to give it to Yuzu; since Onee-sama was so distant towards Mei that night (even though the reason was Shirapon lol). We learn from the volume 7 special/leaflet that Yuzu's room has a collection of weird plush and trinkets, so I think Mei wanted to give Yuzu a make-up gift. It's even implied that Mei doesn't want it for herself because after Yuzu wins it for her, she regifts it to Momokino. This scene may have been more obvious to you guys but I'm as dense as a brick so here you go. It's what you can infer from the subtle actions of the Citrus cast that makes me really respect Saburo Uta sensei as a mangaka.

If anything, I believe this attests to the tender and caring side of Mei despite all the comments depicting her as heartless due to the whole arranged marriage deal. Rather, I think time and time again we have seen that Mei is just more reserved about her emotions and she likes to shoulder all of the responsibilities in the world instead of seeking help.

This is why Mei x Yuzu is my favourite yuri OTP.

Yaaass, slay queens.

last edited at Jan 22, 2018 6:08AM

I just want to ask any Citrus expert in here, if the Citrus Anthology has any relevance to the main Citrus manga?

No, the anthology is not canon. Think of it as officially sanctioned doujinshi.

Because the Citrus Anthology is hinting that Harumin has feelings for Yuzu.

Because the manga hints it as well. See the Volume 3 omake with Harumin and Matsuri.

Just noticed this but in Chapter 27 (festival arc) the reason why Mei so desperately wanted to win the Yuzubocchi piggy bank was that she wanted to give it to Yuzu

Nice catch!

last edited at Jan 22, 2018 8:56AM

War is over, if you want it.

And I want it. Want it bad.

War is over, if you want it.

And I want it. Want it bad.

Me too. I learned my lesson after the latest comments.

Hai. Nothing more to say.

Student council presidents sure have this problem a lot, huh.

oh my fucking god

listen, dem two yuzu and mei just needa munch each other's carpets and there'll be a happy ending

AHHHHH HOLY THE ART WORK WAS SO AMZING!! IT REALLY SHOWED ALL THE EMOTIONS AND THE POWER OF WHAT THEY ARE REALLY FEELING!

I swear I saw the lastest chapter and I lost my shit. I never thought that Mei was going to cry; do you think that she really is in love with Yuzu. Also who saw that it was going to be the manager that Mei was going to the meeting with I lost all self control when I saw that.

I still find Mei's development throughout the series amazing. It'd be great if Mei will stand for herself this time.

become her own person instead of becoming someone that everyone else expects her to be

Student council presidents sure have this problem a lot, huh.

I know, right? We still love them, though.

Just imagine how short this story would be if the main characters were all normal people who talked about their problems and personal lives with their friends.

very very short and mundane.

As would almost ALL stories! That isn't really a valid criticism of ANY story that involves interpersonal drama as a main aspect of the plot. Of course, it's amazing how much better regular people's lives would be if they just acted like grown ups and talked about their problems with each other as well. I bet the divorce rate would be significantly lower! Art imitates life, people!

That's quite the character development (sort of) for Mei. I think it's quite amazing how much her facial expressions increased/varied since the first volume.

So like, on a side note, here are the things I think will happen next:

• Udagawa-san, being a mutual acquaintance of Yuzu and Matsuri may have a slip of tongue. Matsuri being aware of Mei's pending engagement may assume what's going on.
• Somehow I just feel like Matsuri will tell Yuzu. Anyway, one way or another the truth will most likely not come from Mei. Just so the story will give Yuzu the feeling of being betrayed.
• Udagawa-san might see Mei's ring-necklace and recognize it as the one Yuzu bought, iirc he saw the pair of rings previously. Since he encouraged Yuzu before, he just might be a key cog that will help the two of them get over this engagement arc, ironically.

Anyway, in light of this all, I am incredibly curious how Yuzu will react. I actually want to see her mad/angry for real because she's always such a goofball. :)

I kind of thought he actually already knew who Yuzu was giving the ring to because of Matsuri... I guess I could be wrong? Maybe I should re-read that section...

Something that people are glossing over is the fact that is not that Mei is afraid of her grandfather, she actually loves him and is going through all of this for his sake. The man is dying and for better or worse he was the only real family Mei had for years. The conflict right now comes from Mei having to choose the love of her life or her family (keep in mind how she emphasized Yuzu and her were just step sisters). Or what is the same -and it has been the entire theme of the series- she has to pick her wishes or her duty.

While this arc could work as the end of the series, I don't think it necessarily has to be. It will complete Mei's character arc but there's still things to sort out for them to achieve the happy ending Saburota has promised for years, mainly, coming clean to society about their relationship. Being how prominent the situation with Yuzu's friends was, I don't think is something Saburota would simply hand-wave.

Now if there's one character in the series that deserves hate is Shou. The guy is an selfish ass that has no excuse for all the bullshit he has pulled.

Good point about Mei's actual motivation for following her grandfather's wishes. The real test will come when her grandfather kicks the bucket. Will she CONTINUE to follow his wishes at that point or will she make the decision to live her life on her own terms and NOT agree to marry the person he arranged for her to marry? (Which I expect will be accomplished shortly before his death or somehow part of his will that she must comply with the the arranged marriage agreement in order to inherit or something like that.)

Reading the chapter again, I get the feeling that this isn't something Mei's grandfather is happy with either. But that is something they're forced to do if the family business will continue.

I never thought that Mei was going to cry; do you think that she really is in love with Yuzu.

She already cried numerous time, but not that profusely and with that much intensity. That was Yuzu's thing until now, so I guess Mei is at least as much in love Yuzu than Yuzu was in love with her in the first volumes.

On that subject, I think Mei started to fall in love with Yuzu in the middle of volume 2, during that scene at the cemetery. I think what sealed the deal was the ordeal with the father and their first (loving) kiss. Then came the rings, but the moment she admitted her love and how intense it was, was when she talked with Shirapon, I guess. So yeah, I think Mei is really in love with Yuzu!

Reading the chapter again, I get the feeling that this isn't something Mei's grandfather is happy with either. But that is something they're forced to do if the family business will continue.

I would love to see how that could possibly be explained. What? If she doesn't have a husband before 25 she forfeits all assets to the highest bidder?

last edited at Jan 25, 2018 9:49AM

Something that people are glossing over is the fact that is not that Mei is afraid of her grandfather, she actually loves him and is going through all of this for his sake. The man is dying and for better or worse he was the only real family Mei had for years. The conflict right now comes from Mei having to choose the love of her life or her family (keep in mind how she emphasized Yuzu and her were just step sisters). Or what is the same -and it has been the entire theme of the series- she has to pick her wishes or her duty.

I agree, this very much fits her character. I just wished she told something to Yuzu, it is not fair, considering her decision will impact her as well. Then again, Mei keeping it all in is also typical for her, as others have pointed out, but it still makes me angry.

Reading the chapter again, I get the feeling that this isn't something Mei's grandfather is happy with either. But that is something they're forced to do if the family business will continue.

I would love to see how that could possibly be explained. What? If she doesn't have a husband before 25 she forfeits all assets to the highest bidder?

I think you misunderstood this, it is not that Tzitzimine was saying Mei needs to marry before a specific age, I think they meant continuing the family business in a more general sense, since the marriage would also produce children, who could then carry the torch later.

For many Japanese family-owned larger businesses this is seen as quite important. Some of them have managed to keep such companies within their families for centuries. I have no idea whether or not the Aihara family is one of the old guard, but they very well could be, considering that founding an elite academy is something that requires quite a bit of capital, which Mei's grandfather obviously had.

In that light, Mei's decision will have consequences beyond just her private life, and will impact many others as well. For all intents and purposes, the society in this series has not been established as much different than in real life, which means that a lesbian CEO who is dating her stepsister (something that would be heavily frowned upon even if it was het) is a no-no. Of course, there are many factors that will impact the final outcome, what will Mei actually choose; if she chooses Yuzu, will the grandfather accept this after the initial (and basically certain) rejection; will Mei try to combine the two, by leading the academy while maintaining her relationship with Yuzu (which will then have to be kept secret, for reasons already stated, a lesbian CEO who dates her stepsister at the head of a girls' academy would be the death sentence for the school, this is not "Strawberry Panic").
And if Mei is forced to choose by either/or principle, and she chooses Yuzu, that will effectively mean the academy will no longer be an Aihara business after the grandfather dies (unless Mei's father miraculously decides to take the role), which means new owners, new leadership. They could just continue with what the Aiharas have been doing, or they could choose to lead the school in completely new directions, which would impact both the teachers, and the students. People tend to forget, Mei's obligations are not something that impacts just her grandfather, there is the entire teaching staff and the student body of the school as well.

last edited at Jan 25, 2018 11:34AM

This chapter maybe one of the saddest and most frustrating chapters of Citrus so far. Please Saburouta-sensei, don't toy with my feelings.

And I know Mei has cried before, but almost every time Yuzu was with her to comfort her. But seeing her crying like that in that situation (wedding dress and all) in a corner, all by herself, breaks my heart. No matter how she is/was, she doesn't deserve it. I understand grandpa's perspective, but still. She needs to tell Yuzu everything ASAP.

I would love to see how that could possibly be explained. What? If she doesn't have a husband before 25 she forfeits all assets to the highest bidder?

I think that's because the old man thinks Mei can't handle the business by herself or she needs to maintain the prestige of her family...basically her grandpa wants her to to be the medium for a business deal between Aihara's and other elite families...or something (idk just guessing sorry if I'm wrong)

And if Mei is forced to choose by either/or principle, and she chooses Yuzu, that will effectively mean the academy will no longer be an Aihara business after the grandfather dies (unless Mei's father miraculously decides to take the role), which means new owners, new leadership.

I think that the only viable solution would be Shou coming back and taking the school. My crack theory would be that Yuzu is the heir of an old family herself through her deceased father. With the author's taste for soap opera-like plot, i would not be surprised with this kind of deus ex machina.

But anyway, Shou will probably have his role and could be the cliffhanger of chapter 36.

And if Mei is forced to choose by either/or principle, and she chooses Yuzu, that will effectively mean the academy will no longer be an Aihara business after the grandfather dies (unless Mei's father miraculously decides to take the role), which means new owners, new leadership. They could just continue with what the Aiharas have been doing, or they could choose to lead the school in completely new directions, which would impact both the teachers, and the students. People tend to forget, Mei's obligations are not something that impacts just her grandfather, there is the entire teaching staff and the student body of the school as well.

If Mei gets married it will no longer be an Aihara business anymore anyways. She would get a new name and her husband's family will essentially gain ownership. And seeing as how grandpa tried whoring Mei out to the previous shitty teacher, who was in it purely for the cash, it seems grandpa isn't putting any significant forethought into who he is giving new ownership. I wish Yuzu never saved the old meat bag.

I'm just going to chalk this whole thing up to shitty melodrama writing and wait for it to get explained because trying to apply logic is futile from what we have seen in the last few dozen chapters.

If Mei gets married it will no longer be an Aihara business anymore anyways.

In Japan (and in China, dunno where else), it's possible for the groom to take on the bride's name upon marrying if the wife has a more influential family.

last edited at Jan 25, 2018 1:41PM

Yes and i will add that the bride’s family can first adopt the groom and after that everything stays in the family. Expanding the family business and assuring the school being rules by an Aihara is the purpose. Especially if the groom is so nice and will go along with grandpa wish.
I will laugh my ass off if Yuzu former family name revealed to be an important one.