It's been a while since a manga I liked as much as this one betrayed me like this, and burned all my goodwill in a single chapter.
The previous chapter finally gave Saku, the least developed of our main quartet, some much needed focus. The chapter before that set up Tsumugu and Tao working together to make Saku's new outfit. Maybe this chapter we could follow up on either or both of those threads? Maybe start the costume design collab? Maybe flesh out Saku some more while we're at it so she might feel even half as interesting as Tao? No? Instead we're going sideline all our existing characters and plot threads to spend the chapter focused on an incredibly obnoxious new character who adds nothing of worth to the story? Gee, thanks, you shouldn't have.
And not to make this all about shipping, but hey, remember how we've spent the past ten chapters slowly building up the relationship between Tao and Tsumugu, with Tao slowly pulling away from the impulsive and self-destructive worst girl manager Miki? Remember how two chapters ago Miki was shown doubting herself and her place in the cafe, like maybe she's going to get some character development sometime soon? Yeah, what if we torpedoed all that by making it clear that not only is Miki still in the running for the Taobowl without having to change anything about herself, but also she's clearly the frontrunner? We were supposed to find Miki's gambling addiction and alcoholism and general scumbaggery endearing, apparently.
Maybe this manga can still pull out of this nosedive before the end, but after a chapter like this, I'm losing hope.