3.5/5 Stars

I love how we finally get to see Tsugumi actively pursuing and fighting for her own passion and ambition. So far in the series she has put the wants and needs of others before her, and she still is, but it's great to see her come more into her own and take charge of her journey. I also loved the somewhat bitter-sweet moments Tsugumi and Itsuki shared while working together.

This series seems to be building up to Tsugumi standing up to her family about how they want her to have a "normal relationship" that's not with Itsuki so I'm looking foward to that because her family is getting on my nerves with their back-handed comments. Even if it's with genuine intentions.

However what brings this volume down from a 4/5 star read for me is how I cannot stand Tsugumi and Itsuki's current relationships. I was on board and find with Tsugumi dating Koreda at the start, but as I keep moving on from volume to volume i'm growing more tired of it. He seems like a fine guy, but the chemistry isn't even there to support this relationship that we know isn't going to last. I found myself hoping that the earthquake at the end of the vlume would take Koreda out of the equation, even if that would be a poor writing choice. Then there's Nagasawa (is that her name), and I don't care that much for whatever the author is doing with her and Itsuki either. We seemingly settled that they would stay platonic friends as it's a one sided crush from Nagasawa, and yet her and Koreda are taking up page time that I wish was allocated else where.

Hopefully volume 7 will finally free me from Koreda and Nagasawa.