My New Friend Wasn't What I Expected - Ch. 36

[generalJET]

Sad that it's over, but it was super fun while it lasted! Thanks for translating!!

 

[Salfaro]

This is one of those epilogues where people might've left off more satisfied without it, imagining them together rather than getting the "10 years later, it's been a while" treatment.

 

[SrNevik]

my yuri allies, I have an important question. Sure it was fluffy, sure it was a good story ssuuuuuree they are still in contact after how many years but... can we categorize this one as yuri bait?

I'd say yes, for sure. This chapter felt almost purposefully so. The writer can't be that dense, not to understand what they're doing.

This is exactly the kind of ending people have been anxious about for "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All." I don't expect that one to pull this crap though.

 

[JKTV]

Ah well ok…

 

[jackjack9]

Glad that I read this manga.

 

[xXPenisXx]

let them be gay wtf

 

[CrowIsAsleep123]

Wow... that was just disappointing. This was one of my favorites based on art style alone but that end just spoils the whole series a bit. Turns a heavy subtext series into practically pure bait. I only say practically because you could say that Yuzu still falls under subtext due to the ring and stuff but that is pretty light now too.

It would have been better with no epilogue. I can't even enjoy the cross over between the other series as now I can't help but feel that will be bait too.

I am not going to say the series is bad as it was a great fluff series but it definitely lost points in my mind. Was going to order a physical copy (literally have it in a cart in an old tab) but now I think I have higher priorities. Sad day.

 

[anideki]

yuribaited till the end, thanks for uploading.

 

[crate90]

I'd say yes, for sure. This chapter felt almost purposefully so. The writer can't be that dense, not to understand what they're doing.

This is exactly the kind of ending people have been anxious about for "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All." I don't expect that one to pull this crap though.

Siiiiiggghhh that one is pissing me off too as of recent but we rode the wave might as well ride it till the end. I am also now worried with the Idol and Manager one.

And little Lanlan profile pic waaahh

 

[SrNevik]

Siiiiiggghhh that one is pissing me off too as of recent but we rode the wave might as well ride it till the end. I am also now worried with the Idol and Manager one.

And little Lanlan profile pic waaahh

Her from is unreasonably cute. I had to save it.

 

[shemper]

Damn it's been a while I haven't been baited like that...
Thank you for your work!

 

[Sunspawn]

What a disappointment.

 

[Kurro]

Meh not the end I wanted but whatever. BOOOHOOO! BoooHOOOO! Get out the pitch, straw and pitchforks!

 

[GalacticPig21]

It really was just gals being pals this time.

This doesn't even really feel like it could be subtext Yuri. Like the author almost seemingly goes out of their way to make it clear they aren't dating. 10 years later, "long time no see", "wow you're still wearing that ring?", Hina no longer wearing her ring.

It really seems like Hina is just a clueless straight protagonist in a Yuri Harem. Both of the other girls clearly like her, but they're just "important friends" to her.

It's not really that big a deal, but I just don't really understand why Yuri bait still exists as a genre. I agree with the other commenter in this thread, is there really anyone who was reading this that would've been upset if it ended with Yuri? Or is this just another example of behind the times Japanese culture thinking being gay is just a phase girls go through in high school like the director of Liz and the Blue Bird thinks?

I think I'm going to start avoiding "Yuri" where the women aren't incredibly upfront about wanting to date the other woman. That seems to be the biggest "tell" for Yuri bait nowadays, is everything is just "subtext" and "you're important to me" and using extremely ambiguous "I like you" with an unsaid "(as a friend)". If they're aren't upfront about wanting to date, kiss, or bone other women, then it's probably bait. By this criteria, it's not looking good for "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All".

 

[dkamar]

Lol, they look similar enough that I was wondering if she was the manager from Wild Idol, which would be especially weird, but I double checked and they have different names, so I guess she's a previous manager.

 

[FionaWitch]

Ok, I'm happy for all the hard work of the team who works to translate this, clean and typesetting, fairly I enjoyed it til 36th chapter but just like that ended up in friend zone for Yuzu. Anyways, I'm thankful for the months of works and patience that you shared to us, I really, really appreciate it with all my heart!

 

[dkamar]

Actually thinking about it, is there a single actual couple in anything by this author, or did everyone just assume they'd get there eventually because none of them were finished?

fake edit after checking: They have a single one-shot out of everything they've written with a confession, everything else maxes out at subtext. I'd skip them in the future if you're going to be annoyed by this kind of ending.

 

[Nuwanda1313]

i really wanted them to end as girlfriends, but oh well, it didn't have the romance tag and the journey was great so I can't complain

 

[Roodypatooti]

Eh I thought it was cute enough

 

[Valkiryademon]