[DeepL Translation - needs review] Introduction to Volume 1: ◆◇ 6th Kakuyom Web Novel Contest 《Love Comedy Category》 Special Prize◇◆
I, Maki Maehara, who didn't even know anyone before, made my first friend, Umi Asanagi.
Asanagi, who is rumored by the boys to be the "second cutest girl in the class" and follows the innocent No. 1 girl, Amami, around with great care, is...
She sneaks over to my house only after school on Fridays.
It's a fun time with her, who also shares my taste in movies, g...
This one felt a bit flat compared to the previous two. There wasn't really any tension or issues for the characters to overcome, just more of Maki & Umi being バカップル. The few times it did seem like there could be conflict, the author just kind of cliffhangered or glossed over it, and it turned out ok. I also found it hard to believe how Maki's mom was just totally absent, while Umi and Sora were taking care of him when he was really sick. That seemed out of character for her, and it would have been more believable for her to at least come check on him once or twice, in person.
The only really exciting part for me was the two epilogues. In the first, Maki & Umi finally talk about Umi's やんでれ issue, and her insecurity around the way Maki is growing and getting more attention. I really hope she works on that in the next volume, bc I feel like it's indirectly holding the narrative back. The second is actually written from Yuu's perspective. For me that was the most exciting moment of the book, and I'd really love it if we got more in the 4th volume.
In any case, it's nice watching Umi and Maki get closer, and it's nice seeing Maki grow, deepen relationships, get a job at his favorite pizza place, etc. I love the way Maki becomes so enmeshed with Umi's family, and yet Umi's mom still sets firm boundaries. The addition of Seki (a fellow 男 classmate) helps round things out as well. Curious to see where vol 4 goes.