Sae once again sees Misao as her romantic rival, and, of course, Sae is ready to take the older woman down. But her plan involves Kairi, and with Momo already insecure with Misao’s return, will their relationship stay strong despite Sae’s selfish meddling?
While the cracks in the end couple of Peach Girl have been showing, the manga seems to be mostly putting spackle on them and preventing a do-over. Kairi and Momo vent about what happened at the end of Peach Girl, with both of them thinking that the other had chosen someone else. But they promise to work hard to not repeat the same mistakes, even shopping for an engagement ring. So between this and the cover, you would think their relationship is going to be fine.
Well, it probably would if Sae wasn’t around. Sae threatens Misao’s grandmother to get Misao to talk, and she learns Kairi used to like Misao. How did Sae the super spy not know this? Beats me. Heck, I still can’t understand why these people haven’t talked in 10 years, as it’s not like Momo has cut everyone off from their high school days. But whatever.
Anyway, for Sae the schemer, this tidbit is the perfect ammunition to get Misao out of the way and mess with Momo’s happy relationship. (A relationship, I might add, that only happened because of one Sae Kashiwagi.) Combined with the characters (including Toji) holding back information for one reason or another and their own personal insecurities, it’s prime time for misunderstandings and jealousy. Meanwhile, Toji is realizing this living arrangement with Sae is not working out. This factors into Sae’s behavior, as she knows her ideal happy marriage scenario is in jeopardy.
In an earlier conversation that Momo thinks back on here in this volume, Kairi compares Momo’s feelings to a flipped switch or coin. That applies to my feelings about volume 5. Yes, Kairi has a point that why shouldn’t he care about Misao when Momo still cares about Toji. But after having a conversation about honesty, why can’t he tell Momo that Sae is manipulating Misao? But then he recognizes a Sae scheme right away, and the happy look on his face as Momo gleefully picks out a ring…argh! Sae wants to be Miyu’s stepmom, and yet she threatens to push a wheelchair with a dementia patient onto the steps.
…Are we sure 10 years have passed since Peach Girl, or has it only been 10 days? Even Misao, who apologized for suddenly hitting on her former student, now seems to like like him?
Well, one thing’s for sure. I may be super frustrated with everyone, but I can’t say I’m bored.