A review by rereader33
Honey So Sweet, Vol. 07 by Amu Meguro

3.0

All right, I have to take off a star for this volume because of Miyabi's character and the confrontation between her and Nao. Miyabi's whole issue is that it takes longer for her to respond to people, but since people don't give her a chance to collect her thoughts before pressing her to talk, they think she's stuck up. I was completely down for this concept because I know there are people who have this problem and are ostracized because of it. Then she starts making friends, and since Tai has been so nice to her, she falls in love with him despite him having a girlfriend (which she is aware of). The resulting conflict centers around her doing everything Nao does in an attempt to get Tai to like her. There are two problems I have with this whole conflict. First, it takes Nao way too long for her to confront Miyabi. I understand that Nao is non-confrontational and considering how easily everyone's actions are forgiven (more on that later) it's easier for her to brush it off, but this is someone miming her to get her boyfriend's attention. The fact that she knows that's what's going on and yet waits until it is almost too late is maddening, never mind the fact that nobody else calls Miyabi out on her behavior. Second, when Nao does tell Miyabi off (albeit very politely and way too nicely) the scene is framed as if Nao is in the wrong. Miyabi starts crying, saying she doesn't know what she was supposed to do since she's never fallen in love before, but the scene is framed as is readers should feel sorry for Miyabi because she "didn't know what else to do". I have a huge problem with this because it is effectively excusing Miyabi's actions when they were inexcusable. I don't care how social awkward/introverted you are, if you try to get a girl's boyfriend's attention when you are aware that he is taken, that is inexcusable. The worse part is that both Nao and Tai feel like they have to apologize, and almost everyone agrees with them! Thankfully Miyabi approaches them to apologize and insists that they don't have to, but that whole conflict really bothered me. Anyway, the rest of the volume was fine, artwork was strong, still love the charaters (for the most part), can't wait for the concluding volume!