Finally, some background stuff on Akari. I don't remember ever having even seen her mother before, so this is nice. They seem to live in a not so good neighborhood, huh.
Minami saving her from a mistaken accusation by a strict teacher was the start of her infatuation with him. So there really is more depth to her past feelings than just "popular hot guy" after all.
Honestly, I actually liked this chapter, but IMO this should've been shown a long time ago. Like when Akari was still crushing hard on him. Just don't come back reviving this "ship" in the present, it already sank years ago...
But I suppose the point of this flashback is to show what challenges Akari had to face, and we're still not yet done. I want to know what the deal is with them living in a seemingly unsafe neighborhood, and how it forced Akari to toughen up. Like, her fingers don't seem fine in those close up shots. Scuffles with neighbors, maybe...?
Anyway, Akari is getting developed further as a character after so long and I welcome it.