Reviews

alrighty, lets get one thing straight. this manga isn't about bullying. sure, sometimes it takes the gag a bit far but what we are looking at here is simply an over exaggeration of a girl who has no idea how to express her emotions. now you might be saying "well, that sounds like a bully to me" and while you aren't wrong, its also important to note that senpai likes having her around despite this, whether he's into being degraded or is just happy to have made a friend. (slight spoilers ahead, but i wont reveal and explicit details though, just general information) all of that being said, Nagatoro as a character and the manga itself are much like a sour patch kid. what starts out as relentless bullying and teasing slowly begins to unfold into friendship and even something more as the manga progresses. the first 5 volumes have the same formula for each chapter: senpai is drawing in the art room and Nagatoro comes barging in to mess with him. occasionally though, we get to see her true colors through the smug face and sour exterior. a bit of sweetness oozes out and the two are left at a standstill until she regathers her composure and really goes in for the kill. this goes on pretty much unchanged until the culture festival arc in 6th volume. This is when the story truly begins to take its shape as a rom-com. There are some high stakes and the two are able to work through their interesting relationship to achieve their shared goals, understand each other more, and also grow a lot closer. After this, everything changes. at first i was not happy. i missed the simple comedy routine with subtle romantic undertones. But i kept reading. And oh boy am I glad i did! the 7th volume seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, but from volume 8 and on this manga is sweetness overload. i cant say much as im only on volume 9 myself but i can say its totally worth the read if you are into slow burn "romance". i put romance in quotes because everything about this manga is unconventional when compared to other works in the genre. I don't expect the two to kiss any time soon lol but we are definitely working towards a mutual respect and understanding, which is honestly the strongest kind of love there is.