Population GO is now covering Ao Haru Ride. Find out why Futaba is wearing a maid outfit after the break!

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The school is preparing for the cultural festival and that means that the class reps have a lot to do. Futaba is still worried about Kou’s distracted state and constant texting; but he won’t tell her what’s wrong. As the two plan the festival, Futaba finds out that Kikuchi is also a class rep, although we know that he only volunteered because he likes her. During the day, Kou gets angry at another student for asking him who he likes and Kominato saves him and offers help since Kou seems off. After a long day, Futaba is the only one left at school and decides to try on one of the maid cafe uniforms. Kikuchi comes in and tells her that she looks cute even though she doesn’t think she looks feminine enough. After Kikuchi leaves, Kou enters and tells Futaba she looks bad. She decides to fake crying to make him feel bad and he apologizes profusely before finding out that she was faking. The two almost kiss but are interrupted by another untimely call on Kou’s phone.

I’m really curious about who Kou has been calling and texting. We have been getting some small hints, but nothing consequential. I suspect it probably has something to do with his family problems and I hope it doesn’t keep him distant for much longer. I am also wondering what Kou is going to do about Kikuchi’s constant flirting. He is being really nice to Futaba and I think that this quality might win her over since Kou is usually pretty mean. He may have to step up his game a bit, which would only make me more interested in the drama. I actually like Kikuchi quite a bit, so I hope that things go well for him despite his being the new competition.

The addition of the cultural festival means that Kou and Futaba will be spending more time together, so I hope that it can resolve some of the issues about distance. The day of the festival itself should cause some nice drama and will hopefully move the plot forward a bit. Kominato might also play a more important part in this arc because he has been shown several times. He may be able to give Kou some helpful advice about his obvious feelings for Futaba or about his phone troubles. This arc makes me quite curious because I’m not sure where it is going. I’m looking forward to how it progresses.

The next chapter should be quite good, especially if the cultural festival begins within it. Kou needs to start being truthful with Futaba if he wants to win against Kikuchi and stay with her. He also needs to stop trying to do things by himself. You have plenty of friends now Kou, use them!

GO Rating: 3.5/5

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