A review by bluehairedreads
Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 9 by Io Sakisaka

4.0

4 stars.

OOOOHHH SHIT. I'm actually really curious to see how Futaba and Toma will be as a couple. I feel really sad for Toma because he deserves so much better. It's honestly upsetting to see him settle for crumbs in the hopes that someday Futaba will like him back too. I wasn't expecting her to say yes but I'm not shocked that she did. I found their first kiss to be really sweet honestly. I also feel for Kou because he really missed his shot. The scene where he runs to the library and he and Futaba touch hands through the window.... oy. I'm happy that he finally told Narumi his true feelings. I didn't like that she purposefully meant for Futaba to cross paths with them. That felt unnecessarily cruel, especially towards the guy you claim to love.

I really liked seeing Yuri officially get together with Uchiyama and not settling when she thought he was asking her out on a whim. It's what she deserves and I like how headstrong she is about things that are important to her.

I also like how Murao and Kominato are the one ones who are more or less fully aware of the feelings of everyone in the love square. I wonder when Futaba will realize that Kou and Narumi aren't dating and that he had feelings for her.