Hana and Nanase are a couple! With a first date at an aquarium, the looming presence of a romantic rival, possible first kisses, and the all consuming spectre of Christmas Eve just around the corner... let’s just say that playing the Shojo Manga Drinking Game with this one would leave you pickled as a newt.
And, y’know, that’s okay. Tropes are tropes for a reason and when they work well it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it (or how many times I repeat this exact sentiment). This series is not totally dependent on them - it has made some interesting moves within its space - but it steals more than a few pages from its predecessors.
It’ll take a lot to top aquarium dates for me after Bloom Into You, but this one’s really good. Nanase’s a total goody-goody, but she’s not afraid to express herself and she genuinely enjoys Hana’s company. When they butt heads and are both in the wrong, it’s got a satisfying resolution.
It’s also very believable - no relationship gets by with no hiccups and no effort, even in the early going, and I like watching them figure out their arguments (I do sort of side with Hana, but I see Nanase’s point too).
The jealousy/rival thing is handled surprisingly well here and I might get angry if it rears its head again, but Nanase herself puts a pin in any possibly misunderstanding on that front. I appreciate a book that’s heading that off before it happens and it turns into a cute moment for our leads (Nanase’s own snit about another girl is so believably high school).
I should really keep an ongoing ranking system of first kisses in shojo series, but this one would be up there. I’m not going to say that Hana pulls off a move somewhere beyond cool, but he kinda does. Nice job, kids. Nanase really seizes the moment herself so it emphasizes the two of them meeting in the middle which is kind of the point of the series.
Nanase’s overprotective friend Nocchi has been a very prim prude of a presence of late so I was tickled pink to see the bonus manga devoted to her. She’s as close to a swooning ‘the vapours’ character as I’ve seen in a manga and I’ve really come to enjoy her starchiness (don’t ask me to explain why I like her walking into the door frame so much, but I do).
You can tell where her story is going from pretty much two panels in, but it’s still a really sweet little tale and fleshes her out much more as a character. It’s a perfect little morsel to see you out.
I mean, honestly, there’s not much for negatives here. It’s just a matter of fact that it isn’t doing anything terribly new. That doesn’t mean it’s bad by any means, just that it isn’t blowing me away. That’s totally fine though!
3 stars, arguably a 3.5 at points. It doesn’t showcase any amazing new ideas in shojo romance, but it warms up those leftovers real good. As always, some books you want comfort food from and this series is a consistent and stalwart performer in that regard.
Part 17: Hana-kun's Hands Part 18: Even Though I Love You Part 19: The Promised Day Part 20: My First Kiss * Special Short * When We're in Love (Extra) ~Nocchi~
Chapters 17 - 20: I really enjoyed Hana and Nanase's date at the aquarium as well as the Christmas chapter at the end of the volume. This volume also introduces an old classmate and possible rival for Hana-Kun so I am curious to see what happens with that.
Chapter 17: Hana-Kun's Hands Chapter 18: Even Though I Love You Chapter 19: The Promised Day 🎄 Chapter 20: My First Kiss
Special Short: When We're in Love (Extra) ~ Nocchi ~
Beh, mi sembra che la serie continui a mantenere il suo livello. Non un capolavoro ma qualcosa che si fa leggere con personaggi simpatici.
E poi, si possono dire tante cose dell'autrice, ma sicuramente sa chiudere un volume. Anche qui, le tavole precedenti alla chiusura (non parlo della storia bonus) sono tenerissime. Grande Hana!
Simpatica anche la storia bonus, dedicata a una delle amiche di Nanase.