A review by bluehairedreads
Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 11 by Io Sakisaka

4.0

4 stars.

I honestly thought that Futaba and Kikuchi would break up in this volume, especially since Futaba went with Kou to his old home during the school trip. I feel sad for everyone, to be honest, but especially Kikuchi. I really feel like he is settling when he deserves someone who is crazy for him and only him. I think he deserves more and I wish that he would realize that too. Seeing how insecure he feels to the point where he will avoid asking Futaba about Kou even when he knew they went off together was just sad to me. I still hope that he will be the one to break off their relationship. I think that they are cute and if Futaba didn't have feelings for Kou, they would probably be in love, but that's just not the case and it's obvious it won't last very long.

I really liked the moments when Kou and Kikuchi interacted, mainly because I love drama :). I like how both of them are aware of the others' feelings but refused to back down. I also liked that Kou said that in the end, the choice is up to Futaba and who she chooses to be with. I think Futaba and Kou's trip around his old neighborhood was really sweet honestly. I liked that Kou didn't have as hard of a time revisiting, and how a large part of it was because Futaba was there. I was hoping that they would get together by now but it will probably happen in the last volume, which sucks for me tbh because I like seeing how couples are when they finally get together, but so many stories end without showing how they are when they are actually in a relationship. (also the scene of them on the bus/train and Futaba falling asleep and Kou quietly kissing her forehead was cute)

I also liked the subtle development for Kominato and Murao. I feel like they will be a sweet couple together and that they both see really great qualities in the other person, which is endearing. The story about Kominato's grandmother was really sad and tugged at my heart.