When I saw the chapter titles in this volume, I was really afraid that something truly bad might happen, regarding the love rival thingy. Well, there still was drama, but not as bad as I feared! 

Surprisingly, there generally didn't happen anything major in this volume, considering the "cliffhanger" at the end of the last volume was pretty scary! 
And then this turned out rather mature, actually.
Well, the reason why there was a "storm" on their school trip, wasn't mature at all, but everything else...
The love rival actually ended up helping them, even if that's not what she was planning. 

There were some moments, where, if Mai weren't so eager to tear them apart, I could see them as a poly. Like, the scene in the train, or Mai wanting to tease Chidori (which made it seem like she's crushing on her actually)... so, yea, pretty sad the author had to make Mai so annoying, 'cause otherwise I'd have my fun enjoying them together.

The whole school trip did bring back memories from my own school trips, particularly one in 10th grade... not gonna spoiler, but it was pretty similar for me and a close friend, just like what Chidori & Nanoha were going through. Well, the specific reason was different, but overall... something I'd definitely change, if I could turn back time. :/

But considering I'm a sucker for melancholy, I did kinda enjoyed it, so I'm giving this volume 1 star more (planned to rate it 3 stars at first). 

-04.01.24