The shipteasing continues in Beauty and the Feast volume 8. But while previous escapades may have focused on Yamato’s bewilderment, now we are getting more evidence Yamato is filling a spot in Shuko’s life not unlike her husband.
Of course, since volume 1, Yamato has helped reduce the void in Shuko’s heart. That’s why Shuko continues to search for healthy, filling meals for this teen boy with a stomach that can rival Scooby-Doo’s. One recipe she makes in volume 8 is her family’s signature dish, which she hopes Yamato will enjoy. Shuko is later thrown off her groove when she sees Yamato eating a schoolmate’s homemade lunch, and this later leads to Shuko needing to tell him something important — and it involves a spare key!
But while her feelings may be slowly turning romantic, the key word is slowly. Yamato is still harboring a one-sided crush on his neighbor, and he still is working on making it to Koshien. But if he ever manages to win her heart, well, his family will certainly welcome Shuko into the family with open arms. Shuko fills in for Papa Yamato in taking pictures at Sakura’s sports day, and of course, Sakura is delighted to spend the day with her idol.
Volume 8 is full of easygoing and relaxing chapters like this. It has a little about Shuko’s past, Yamato’s current hard work, a bit of the extended cast, and, of course, good food with good company. Laugh-out-loud moments? Not so much, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing when the manga has often relied on Rui’s pursuit (rather, harassment) of Yamato to elicit guffaws. But Beauty and the Feast here leans in more into its cooking slice-of-life side, even exploring how Shuko began cooking in the first place.
The only really frustrating part of the story is the “will they or won’t they” aspect. Fans supporting Shuko x Yamato will want to see some actual romantic progression besides the pair thinking about the other, and those who want them to stay as platonic friends/neighbors are not going to like the implications about Shuko finding similarities between Yamato and her late husband or admitting to herself seeing Yamato’s face as he eats is one of her favorite things. I have a feeling no matter which way the manga goes, the author is going to face some flack from readers. I know I’ve said this before, but volume 8 takes it up a notch.
So while that debate is going to distract from Beauty and the Feast. But if you can set your ship (or anti-ship) aside, volume 8 is as comforting as a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup.