Was waiting for this translation, thank you very much!
It always fills my heart with warmth, y'know? To see how each character grows in each other's lives. More than that, how they admire and, at the same time, are capable of inspiring one another. How they ignite a passion for change, so all-consuming it hurts to stay like the girls they used to be before they met. That it hurts not being able to show the world "this new me", the one who was fundamentally changed by the aspirations and hardships of so many people.
Akebi-chan had a rough start, with a lot of questionable things. Erika's importance though? It was always there, moving along the pages, lingering even when she wasn't more than a background character. The recent focus on Hebimori and Mai's relationship was a pleasant surprise as well, moving the plot towards (at least for me) the central theme of this story: self-discovery. What kind of person am I? What differentiates me from other people? What do I want to cherish? That's how it is? Well, maybe... screw that! I want to live a life of my own!
It might seem childish, but I think that's the point? To have the power to create something new, something so beautiful and so true to oneself that I'm sure they will not regret it. After five years waiting for each chapter, I'm still asking myself what awaits them in the future. I know that this manga will probably end soon after the cultural festival (thinking about Hiro's new work), but I want to see more of these girls experiencing life! Even a time skip with a handful of flashbacks would be cool, to see what happened in Roubai's High School or something.
Anyway, for those who have a problem with the "yuri path" in this work:
...when ya go all in on somethin' ya love, there's always gonna be people who disapprove or flat-out hate ya for it. A whole lot of 'em, too - Minakami, Riri. Ch. 83, p. 23.
Not the same context, but... why spread hate?