There's a BIG problem! Yurine still hasn't got the self-confidence to tell Ayaka how she truly feels and Ayaka doesn't even comprehend where she wants their relationship to go, even though her body seems to know pretty well. The fact that Yurine's response to Ayaka finally initiating a kiss with her was to maneuver her back against the fence, take control of the situation, kiss her a second time, then BOOP kiss her on the tip of the nose and say it's time to head back to class... because this is getting far to close to something like a real relationship and she's just not ready to admit that she's worthy of that yet...
Oh yeah, I agree, but that's like, the natural continuation, not a "new problem". Of course they weren't gonna fly off to Europe and marry the next day. :þ Which is also why I'm a bit surprised Ayaka went for the kill so quickly.
(And we need to be precise here—that was not just a kiss, but a good full pair, with at least one more interrupted by the bell.)
I actually had the impression their lips didn't touch during the first "kiss" − Yurine backed off slightly and changed to a more "comfortable" position for the big smooch. Whatever the case, she's still trying to be the "dominant" partner, probably because she's afraid of being on the receiving side (as seen in chap 35-36).
Totally just guessing the last one is Haine (aka The Surprisingly Small Age-Gap Incest one)
It's Izumi (and Chiharu behind her). I'm always surprised at how much trouble some people have remembering the couples, honestly. >.> Speaking of the chart, we can update it I guess? Or is it too early yet?
This chapter was very real, actually. Ayaka's realization that her parent is just another faulty human being, not unlike herself, is one that I haven't made until much, much later in life.
Indeed. You know, back in the early volumes, I thought the conclusion Ayaka would reach would be that being no. 1 doesn't matter and she'd throw the whole competition thing out the window when realizing she loved Yurine. Instead she kept on wanting to be no. 1, but her motivations simply changed from "defend my pride and forget about Yurine" and "fulfill my mom's wish" to "get that burden out of the way so that I can finally be honest with Yurine" and "break free from my mom." Both of which are much healthier and relatable.
Now I wonder how the end of this arc will connect to the end of the Mikaze/Asuka arc (if they do connect). There are some parallels there − on one side two girls who used to date but feel like they might not be made for each other, on the other two girls who realize they are made for each other but are still afraid to take that next step.
PS: Page 25, am I the only one who thinks Ayaka's slight cross-eyedness adds to her cuteness?