Volume 10 of My Boy in Blue ended with Heisuke and Yui’s connection revealed: they’re brother and sister! Usually in these sorts of situations in manga, with siblings having different names, their parents got divorced and each got custody of one child.
Usually. But not here.
Before I talk about that, though, let me say this: Kako acts like a brat for much of volume 11. However, at least her friends — particularly Jiro — try to tell her that Heisuke and Yui are trying to protect her in their own awkward way, and basically, just drop it. Kako, however, is upset when she realizes she was the only one who didn’t know and whines until Jiro reluctantly tells the story. I get feeling being left out is never fun, and Yui hasn’t been exactly nice to her. But man, Kako was annoying in acting like her not knowing is some sort of massive personal rejection of her.
At least their story was good. In fact, it’s the best part of the volume. Heisuke’s mom married Yui’s dad. We never get specific confirmation of what exactly her dad did (and Yui denies that she was physically abused, at least at that point), but we do know he neglected her and was taking her to shady locations. Jiro and Yui eventually ran away, but he agrees to go back home after realizing there’s not much he can do. Heisuke’s mom says Yui can’t come since she’s not her daughter, and Yui (wrongfully but understandably) resents Heisuke for abandoning her. We don’t know much about her life after that, but her dad is currently stalking her. That’s why Heisuke has been asking Kota for help and Yui is reluctant to say anything.
So Kako and the others beg her for the opportunity to help protect her in a long, drawn out sequence, and she ends up at Kako’s house. Yui is clearly not used to a friendly, affectionate parent like Kako’s mom and tries to be as unobtrusive as possible. The girls, however, keep squabbling, each saying they don’t like the other one. Mom and Kota think this is a sign the girls are growing closer. It’s mostly the same as before, but I think their interactions were best when they involved Kota. Yui calling Kako a masochist in regards to Kota or Kota dying in shame when Yui cracks up after learning the married couple haven’t gotten very far — that’s funny. Kako’s “I don’t like you but I want to help/get to know you” was just trying to balance out her immature side prevalent in the first half.
In addition, the focus on the former stepsiblings means there’s only room for one Kota x Kako scene. I really liked Kota’s teasing of his wife, but since Yui’s situation is still dicey, the fluff will probably be limited in volume 12 as well. This manga has had serious moments right from the start, but this arc is really dragging. Yui’s situation may be interesting, but between Kako’s annoying behavior and the lack of focus on the main couple, I’m so ready for it to be over.