This author has made the plot progress then immediately say fuck you and toss it the trash multiple times
My guess is we're getting a volume that'll focus on Miyuki figuring out her life and what it is she has passion for/wants to do after high school. The issue, is I worry that Sorata's just going to get pushed to the wayside, at least in part--
his central character conflict is entirely wrapped up in his (at least very seemingly) one-sided feelings for his "betrothed", and he's technically cleared it by telling her he loved her at the end of last chapter/start of this one. It's the first time he's said those words specifically to her, though he's made it clear his feelings and his intentions about them as a couple from the very beginning of the series.
But if we focus on Miyuki and
her character conflict of "I am emotionally stunted and don't even know what I find enjoyable in life or what I want to do when I'm an adult next year", I don't really see how Sorata comes in, at least in any way that's distinct from what he's been trying to do up to this point. He's timid, he's put-upon and more than a little beaten down by nearly everyone else in the series--including Miyuki herself on occasion--and he's already committed to trying to "get on Miyuki's level" and attend the same school as her. Specifically one that he thinks is worthy of her level of competence, which exceeds his.
So he'll be running himself ragged studying to get his grades up, and Miyuki will be ...I guess trying out a bunch of club stuff looking for hobbies and things that catch her interest, and I kinda suspect Merry will be the one at her side more than Sorata will. So this is just putting their relationship problems fully on-hold, as a result.
That said--I would be okay with this, if during their being physically separated by the pursuits in front of them, a new character is introduced specifically aimed at Sorata, like I mentioned initially. Someone he runs into at cram school who he knew way back when, or something, and who he immediately hits it off with
in a platonic manner. He means nothing by it, but Miyuki seems him with this girl from afar at some point, and gets suspicious and starts following them around...only to see how that girl acts around Sorata, and how 'receptive' he is to her genuine nature, type thing. And it freaks Miyuki out and sends her spiralling and effectively forces her to do something proactive for once, and admit that she cares about Sorata to someone other than herself and spend time
being the pursuer, six volumes in.
If that's the author's plan...........then I guess fine. I kinda doubt it, but, we'll have to wait and see. But I
do know that if a rival character gets introduced and it's a rival for
Sorata, then I'm dropping this series and never touching anything from the author again.