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3.5 stars??? Maybe?
This volume starts off with a side-story touching on some adventures the Osaka students had previously. If you're familiar with the dramas, it's one of the many typical outlandish competitions between the dorms, of course with some absurdities and a humorous conclusion.
It was a bit jarring after the cliff-hanger of Sano's father being sent to the hospital ^^; But we do eventually return to the main plot, haha. Do Sano and his father reconcile? And what of the high jump competition?
Things seem to settle down for a while, as Sano's family returns home, and the competition is over. The kids discover Sekime is struggling with an important decision, along with having a budding relationship with a new girlfriend. Sano is struggling as well, but with his internal feelings for Ashiya. Seeing her together with Nakatsu, he can't help but feel a little jealous.
And speaking of Nakatsu, his mother spontaneously arrives with a lively and overwhelmingly energetic attitude. Just when you think she's there for a normal visit to see her son, it turns out she came to give an ultimatum.
It was a bit tough to rate this one. I think certain parts shine really well (like Sano and his brother's relationship, or Nakatsu and Ashiya), and other parts don't so much (how Sano and his father reconcile and Sano's takeaway on parenthood, and the dragging out Sano x Ashiya "will they won't they?" plot). And just to talk about Sano and his father, Sano mentions his father HITTING him? And in general, seemed extremely verbally abusive? I REALLY wish the father put like, infinitely more effort to prove to Sano he's changed, rather than Sano just being like, "He's stubborn, like me, but I can tell he really cares." Bro I'm sorry what?! Where? In what way?? WE know your dad cares, as an audience, and that he regrets his actions, but not ONCE did his father express that properly to Sano. I'm sure there are cultural differences of how Japan handles this topic, but it did make me quite irked to see how that played out. :/
In any case, we do finally reach the tension of Nakatsu with his mother, for anyone familiar with the TV dramas. We leave off on a cliffhanger. Just what will Nakatsu decide to do? And what does his mother really feel?
For Japanese Learners:
As this is a series, my thoughts are the same as volume one, which you can read more about that + my thoughts on the series as a whole here: https://learnnatively.com/review/b012ff0d41/