Slice-of-life series truly are my favorites. I love getting to know a cast of characters through their daily routines and small, often mundane interactions with one another. Maybe it's because series like this, with their gentle pace, are soothing to me, or maybe I just like the idea that the stuff of regular people's lives is meaningful.

In this volume, we get more of Sayaka, a character whose yearning and decision to suppress her own emotions I find relatable. Her conversation with the barista reminded me of my own resolve not to "burden" my girlfriend with confessions of my feelings for her back when we were just friends. Well, we've been together for almost six months now, so perhaps something good is in store for Sayaka, too.

Yuu continues to be an interesting character. Although it's not confirmed where I am in the series--and I'm unsure if it ever becomes canon--she reads as aromantic. In this volume, she has a nice moment of connection with Maki (who appears to be aromantic and asexual) which leaves them both feeling a bit less isolated, even though their experiences are not identical. I'm interested to see how this influences Yuu's relationship(?) with Nanami, who clearly wants more of a physical connection, even if she doesn't expect Yuu to reciprocate her love.