Yus! This chapter made me quite happy.
Just as I hoped, the misunderstanding between Komi and Kishi was neatly resolved, and they became closer friends. Komi no longer even needs a notebook when talking to her now.
We got some more good expressions from Kishi too! We even got that extremely cool panel of her posing like a delinquent!! I love it! Especially the colored version. (Thanks again, SFTSmileTy!!)
There were a few moments where I felt things could have been changed for the better, such as Komi waiting until after consulting both Akako and Manbagi before going to Tadano, who obviously would have the best advice... I’ll forgive that, but only because of something else that happened right before, which also happened to annoy me.
I am of course referring to the whole thing with Yamai pouncing at and chasing Komi when she realized Kishi wasn’t going to lay down the law. Unfortunately Kishi took Komi’s words at face value when she said to stop protecting her.
Yamai really disappointed me this chapter. Or I should say that Oda disappointed me with how he wrote Yamai this chapter? I’m just going to ride this out, because I know in the end she will get purified for good. Maybe shack up with Nakanaka... A man can dream... A man can dream...
Akako was hella cute this chapter. I’m glad she showed up again. It’s another reason I’m not that mad Komi went to someone else for advice before Tadano. And it does make sense to a degree. Akako and Kishi are friends going back to the start of year 1, after all.
Why would she ask Manbagi before Tadano though??? Really, that didn’t make any sense to me at all. Has Manbagi even spoken to Kishi once? Tadano may not have spoken to her either, but we at least know he is the best at reading people.
So Komi finally asks for Tadano’s advice, and he naturally gave her the best advice out of everyone she consulted. Oda didn’t even bother showing Manbagi’s attempt. Just cut straight to them talking to Tadano. I loved that.
After hearing Tadano out, Komi goes and starts chatting with Kishi, just asking her random stuff. I still want to know Kishi’s favorite color... That her favorite animal is the kangaroo... I never would have imagined. But it fits her so well.
The casual mention of Shousuke in that conversation kind of came out of left field. I am both intrigued and worried that Kishi might get close to Shousuke, enough to put Ai’s odds at risk. Poor Ai already has to fight tooth and nail to get close to him without Hitomi being a pain in the ass.
All in all, a very good and satisfying chapter. I’m not so much looking forward to the next one because of the hint at the end of this one. But I will be cautiously optimistic that Ai will have her part to play. It only mentioned Hitomi and Shousuke.
Please, Oda. I want to see some Shousuke x Ai progress!!!