The battle to go to Koshien is about to begin, and Shuko wants to do all she can to help Yamato in this critical time. Making big enough meals to fill his stomach is already a lot of work, but Shuko loves doing it. Still, trying to add some extra healthiness to his big dinners while grasping his likes and dislikes is a challenge even after all this time.
But perhaps the two of them growing closer will help Shuko craft their meals?
Beauty and the Feast‘s leads may or may or may not turn out to be a couple in the end, and I’m sure there are readers hoping for the ship to sink or swim. It has been hinted Yamato is crushing on his neighbor, but unlike a lot of other young men in manga, Yamato is a polite teen who doesn’t delight in awkward situations. He averts his eyes when the two are caught in an unexpected rain shower, and Yamato agonizes when he accidentally touches Shuko during a blackout. He’s a teen boy, but when he earnestly tries to suppress that and be a gentleman, it’s so easy to do well in baseball — and maybe with Shuko as well. Heck, it takes some encouraging from Shuko just to get him to say what food he likes and wants.
But Yamato is clear about wanting to go to Koshien, and a lot of the chapters in volume 4 relate to him prepping for the inter-high tournament or those around him giving him encouragement. Still, while we follow along with some of his agony, the story is mostly from Shuko’s perspective. For instance, she heads out to visit Yamato’s little sister, Sakura, and while it looks like this chapter is just an excuse for a picnic, it’s rather sweet since Sakura picks out a bunch of four-leaf clovers for her big bro. And Shuko proud she’s mostly managed to figure out Yamato’s thoughts only to be taken aback by a new reaction is rather humorous.
Still, while I had mostly enjoyed the chapters, by the end, I felt underwhelmed. First of all, the bonus story is centered around one of Rui’s schemes, and she goes 100% perverted after being tame in the main story. Even disregarding the extra chapter, I was hoping for a little more of group fun and Yamato’s emotion during the tournament. Volume 5 could add some flashbacks or more immediate in-the-moment feels (although unlikely based upon the added preview), as of now, it reads like the author wanted to get back to everyday life (i.e. Shuko and Yamato’s meals together) ASAP instead of switching things up for a bit. Which is a shame since it’s not like Beauty and the Beast has never done anything different.
It isn’t often that chapters before a big event are better than when the day arrives, but volume 4 is one of those cases. As much as I enjoy watching Shuko and Yamato interact, I was hoping for some group antics and sports drama to really seal my enjoyment.