Even Ten can’t penetrate the darkness that lies within Riku. Chiaki invites Riku to his home in hopes that Riku will share more of himself. And later that night, Riku suddenly lets it all out…
Updated Review 5/20/25: "I know our circumstances aren't the same. But I want to prove even if it's been bad for a long time that brothers can resolve their differences."
Absolutely incredible and heartbreaking volume! I love the chapter with Chiaki and Riku and how determined he was to really help Riku. Ten's too because my heart was going out to her as she grieved, but also that she was equally determined to do something for Riku and his situation. I appreciated seeing Rei finally be honest and get to know the REAL him.
Still one of my favorite covers, but goodness, I hope the smiles on the next cover actually reflect the inside content because I would prefer not to sad cry anymore. LOL!
Original Review 6/19/22: This cover is my favorite of the series, but man it wrecked me with the inside content! *laugh sobs*
Don't be deceived by this super cute cover because when I picked it up I was hoping we have a nice reprieve or turn of events where things started looking up for Riku, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
Well, maybe not SUPER wrong because this volume did have a turning moment and Chiaki was at the center of it. His love and his care for Riku is absolutely beautiful and think this has to be one of the most profound friendships I've seen between two guys in manga before. I was deeply moved how Chiaki acts and what he says. He is truly a "worthy" best friend.
But honestly from there, it's like I couldn't hold back tears anymore. LOL! I cried in this volume from two different events (one initiated by Riku) and never imagined the fullness of all Rei has felt these years. Hurrah to Ten for stepping in and pushing that young man into action!
Look, I’m going to forego my current practice of a brief plot summary because I read this book and then I ruminated. I pondered and pondered why this series is excruciating for me to get through when I liked it so much at the start.
And after thinking it through, I finally found my answer. While I remain distasteful of the relationship between Riku and Ten, having never bought any of this, that’s actually not the reason. No, it’s actually much simpler and made me realize the real trouble I’d been having with the storytelling.
This is supposed to be Ten’s book and it was stolen from her. This is a story about a girl growing up and living in a boarding house and all the change it brings to her life, including, yes, romance. It went from mellow drama right to melodrama. Seriously, I have an Io Sakisaka book in this week’s pile and I can’t imagine it being as overwrought as parts of this volume.
The story this series is telling now orbits wholly around Riku. Ten’s existence is in subservience to his story and anything she does is for it - her actions in this volume never deviate from being Riku-centric. He has become a Poochie character writ large - whenever he is not on the page, all the characters are doing something to further his story and nothing else.
Even Chiaki’s reluctant homecoming is done to help Riku. It’s absolutely crazy and it’s driving me nuts. I’ll finish this series, it doesn’t have many more volumes left, but I doubt I will like what it has to say. It’s gone completely overboard in leaning into this storyline to the rejection of all else.
Remember Ten’s, you know, good friend who told her about the house? Lives there with her still? Good for you, you’re one up on this book where she doesn’t even make a speaking cameo. A couple of glimpses, including one where she is facing away from the reader, which pretty much says it all.
2 stars; I was going to give 2.5 and round up, but after realizing the fatal flaws of this series I am pretty done with it. If this storyline has been to your liking, add on an extra star or two.
Lots more depth and character development for Riku and Rei. Some humor. I did really enjoy this one though it felt very similarly to book 9 to me. (A touch repetitive)
There’s such a difference between Riku of the beginning of this story and the Riku we are seeing now. Honestly, it’s breaking my heart. I’m worried about him. He barely makes eye contact and seems so sad. :(
I’m glad to see that Rei is acting out of sadness and anger. He doesn’t hate Riku. He was trying to make himself hate Riku so if Riku decided to leave forever, he wouldn’t be as heartbroken...
Oh and that ending! I didn’t expect less from Rei. Haha He’s an aggressive character!
Wtf is this series even about anymore? I started reading this to learn about Ten's life and romance in a boarding house but for several volumes all we've gotten is Riku's Family Trauma: The Series. And there's two more volumes to go????? HELP.
The FRIENDSHIP FEELS in this volume are SO GOOD! Ten definitely takes a backseat to Chiaki in this volume, but...Riku needs him too, even if he won't admit it. <3
I am still liking the series, but I'm not sure if I'm honestly enjoying it. I know that sounds a little strange.
The series started off strong, and I think towards the middle, it kind of went off a different way that was okay, but I'm not sure if I care anymore.
Riku's past is taking up a lot of screentime and everything, and everyone is revolving around it so much. The reveals are too dramatic for what they are, and I don't think it needed to be that way. I already knew part of the reveal between Riku and Rei a few volumes back. The arc is taking too long and feels stretched out.
Oh, and the friend who recommended the boarding house to Ten is not even in the series anymore. I kind of wish that wasn't the case.
I'm going to continue the series because there's only 2 volumes left but I don't think this is one I'll re-read.
Amazing. This is the same manga that was as stale and brittle as burnt toast before this arc. The artwork has even improved more though it was already beautiful. Riku has come to some realizations about his family and even his friends. The (not) friendship between Riku and Chiaki is honestly touching. I can’t remember ever seeing two male friends cry and hug each other outside of someone dying, and one of the two comfort the other. Wholesome.
Oh yeah, Ten is still cardboard. Like, girl, what do you even do? All these volumes and you still have no character growth, interests, or motivations outside your boyfriend. Her entire purpose is to help Riku get his family drama together. But whatever.
well frick. makiro (the author in the ‘suu morishita’ duo) making me eat my words from vol 9’s review. still think Rei is kind of an asshole and WAY too rude for my tastes, but damn if this volume didn’t shed some light on his past. what an absolutely terrible grandfather. how traumatizing for a young child…
not surprising that this may be my favorite volume though, because we get a whole CHUNK of this focused on Riku and Chiaki’s friendship - and Riku actually acknowledging how amazing Chiaki is!!!!!!! the sleepover is ADORABLE and their heart-to-heart is so emotional. I absolutely loved it!!
really need Riku to open up to Ten soon though. I know he’s going through something but I am impatient as heck and growing tired of him keeping her at a distance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
at this point i’m more interested in the story because of chiaki and riku than because of the female lead 😶
i understand how rei feels left behind, not being worthy of riku’s love, and how riku seemed to choose “his other family” while he was also mourning and needed his brother’s love and support. also riku’s need of being the best at everything and proving himself worthy of the love he receives is so heart breaking.
Well, here’s the saddest thing: I really, really dislike Riku now after loving him as a character in the early volumes. He has a Sad Boi past, yeah, but he’s awful to those around him. This series has become a major disappointment in its latter half.
The reason or the estrangement is so ridiculous...seriously, you were inseparable and then for years you couldn’t just have a 5 minute conversation to clear things up?
Once again, loving this series! Super cute characters and the art is magnificent. I love the direction it is going, but I did almost cry at one point from the proclamation that one of our characters makes to their love interest...and it killed my heart! BUT, I do hope things work out in the end, I cannot wait to see what the next book holds! So excited! Must pre-order!