God, what an amazing series. I thought the tension would be abating at this point, while the series winds down, but no! The tension is still just as high as ever!

Spoiler

FINALLY we get the admittance of guilt from Makiko! The biggest point of tension we've all been waiting for since volume one. Though, apparently, there's more than meets the eye with that confession. Watching Makiko acting so frantic, trying to desperately cling to the husband was just...yikes. I'm glad both sons managed to leave the house, and the husband finally grew a bit of a spine. Though, the romance part really threw me off. I wasn't expecting that and least of all between those two characters. Honestly not sure how I feel about it. Aren't they legally step-siblings? Though I suppose since they never lived together as siblings, it would feel different to them. I don't know, it just strikes me as odd. The revelation about Satsuki honestly surprised me. I didn't think she would also be a player in the game of outsing Makiko.

The small side plot with the side character who kept trying to go out with Shinji was honestly hilarious in a terrifying way. She might be good at what she does, but against Makiko who is a master of the game, she looks like an amateur. It's like a shoplifter trying to say that they're as powerful as a mafia boss. The side characters' ambitions are also hilarious in a crazy way. Like, damn girl, THAT'S what you want your life to be? Very much one of those "I respect the hustle, get your coin, but holy shit that's a wild way to get it" types of moments. The plot twist at the end of the volume, once again, startled me. I didn't see it coming though it makes perfect sense in hindsight.