This was a cute chapter and it was fun to see Hinata get some focus. She's such a cheery and straightforward girl who is easy to like. Although, it does feel like this was a bit of a one-off chapter that won't be all that significant in the long run. But I don't think that's really necessarily a bad thing.

I like it. I think it reinforces the weight of Sakura's issue with getting members for the club, it's been a big struggle for her. rather than the miracle of "someone finally joined and everything is wonderful yay" we get to directly see the impact of the network of friends she's gained through Takamine. while Sakura was inspired to not give up on the club, we also have Hinata genuinely caring about her and supplying the gentle nudge this new member needed to stick with it. left alone she may have lost the member, it's a beautiful theme of support

I'm confident Hinata's the best character in this series

In which Hinata snatches up a girlfriend. Also, she totally knows what's up between our main pair; she's a bit dummy but she has good instincts.

The first panel they interacted I was practically contractually obligated to ship Hinata and Hoshino and I'm glad I am not the only one.

I like how Hinata saw parallels between Hoshino and Takamine, and I love how much she cares for them all. Especially for one who looks to be so flimsily attached to the ground, showing that she's actually very present and attentive despite her "stereotypical" airheadedness is something I very much appreciate. She's such a good egg, too, it's hard to dislike her. I will call her out for absolutely selling Hoshino out, in the best way possible, with the art thing, though.

I don't think I remember seeing a cast of side characters as whole (or fleshed out?) and involved in the story as this one in recent times. Genuinely a huge fan of that, with how organically they're incorporated into the overall tapestry, and especially how, for lack of a better term, normal they are, or perhaps well proportioned would describe it better.

Also Hoshino going "I... think I get it now...?" is just utterly amusing to me. Took her like 4 pages to catch up. Love this sort of stuff.

Blue Star has a bunch of intriguing side characters, but they don't get camera focus the same way. Anemone in Heat does have side focus.

Those friends are a supremely focused and well trained gang of wing women and I respect their craft. That was a sweet little book date for the two. She did indeed write about her crush and it seems like they might have both done the same.

last edited at May 6, 2025 7:30AM

This chapter was so cute that I want someone to stab my stomach.

Just get married already.

Just get married already.

They’re going to be married without ever saying, “I like you” or kissing, aren’t they?

Not that I really mind—they’re just too adorable as it is.

Poor clueless Takamine needs 4 wingwomen working full time to get anything done XP

Books connect their pasions

G-dangit Hinata, you living steamroller, I wanted to see Takamine react to Sakura's outfit.

This chapter was so goddamn sweet it nearly put me into a diabetic coma. When these two eventually kiss though, could be tomorrow, could be 3 years from now, hope you guys bring flowers to my grave cause that WILL kill my ass.

last edited at May 6, 2025 10:40AM

Those friends are a supremely focused and well trained gang of wing women and I respect their craft.

Two out of three are that. Hinata is just Hinata.

Poor Hoshino-chan can't keep up with her. It feels like Hatori and Hirose now have two kids to take care of while Sakura and Takamine are spending time together.

Sigh... I'll start by saying that I had a random ass black out while I wrote my initial comment. When the thing came back up, the comment was still there, and I was a happy boy. Then I hit submit, the site prompted me to log in, and it sent me to a blank page with no comment to be found. I am no longer a happy boy.

In any case, so I know we're joking about Takamine's wing-crew, but the girl has grown as well. Both key initiatives in the chapter were hers, she just needed the opportunity and timing, then the god-tier support was there to round things up. She's got what it takes, but also has her own rhythm and approach to things, is all. I did wish she could response to Sakura's look, but it is what it is.

I love how subtle and casual the buildup to the revelation that Takamine did write about Sakura was, but also, the fact we're not shown explicitly what she wrote is absolutely maddening. In a good way. Like, this contrasts/juxtaposes the satisfaction from concretely knowing Takamine did write about Sakura, and creates a yearning, a sense of mystery — to put crassly, I'm being blueballed here, I'm dying to know what she wrote. If that makes any sense, it's like "imply, don't tell" rather than "show, don't tell", from a writing perspective, I love that. As a reader, I want to kick a newborn. And then the immediate transition into Takamine's "vengeance" reading what Sakura wrote was hilarious.

I'll take a step back and gush again about how casual and grounded the whole interaction was. It was clearly a very intimate moment, but there were no bells and whistles, no blaring sirens, no upsetting interruptions. Just their two voices. It's so serene and soothing, sweet, and touching. It's also simply fresh. It's always like that tang of zesty lemon in a flavorful cake. And, I mean, this is pretty much a key component of the series, has been from the start, and I'd say of Kon themselves as an author in general, but I'm a huge fan of this particular thing.

With all the above said, I'll also echo a sentiment from the comments: there's a genuine chance if and when these two get together, that I'll actually melt. Please marry already.

I think Takamine single-handedly turned a few, if not more, students gay with just this one visit to Sakura's school. And Hoshino deserves more screen time.

"Everyone can, except you". Girl just got dunked on LOL

I want things to get physical

Lovely and heatfelt as always. Thank you for the TL.

That was wholesome holy moly

This chapter was so sweet, AAAAA

As a reader, I want to kick a newborn

Same here brother, this chapter made me want to bully an infant out of frustration and curiosity. That’s how good it is, it made me feel things.

Poor Hoshino was NOT ready to endure the full force of Hinata long enough for Sakura and Takamine to be tooth-rottingly sweet on each other.

that shi was so beautiful ToT

Pure warm fuzzy feelings.