Today I managed to read volumes 12 and 13 of Megami no Cafe Terrace, which continues with the seaside resort chapter and further develops the romantic storyline. I feel like we are getting very near the time when the protagonist will finally decide who the girl is that "wins" the race.

I am kind of conflicted here because, to be honest, I really love when the stories are in the "common route" phase. When things get to the final stages, they usually become a sort of elimination game and the fun comedy stops. That breaks one of the most important parts of the experience for me.

Either way, we are at the summer resort and everyone is ready to use their charm to take Hayato. That isn't limited to the three that already declared their feelings to him, but also Ouka and some of the girls from the other establishment are joining the fray for more pure chaos. Of course, nothing hugely important happens to the main heroines yet. We only manage to get a rejection for one of the side girls which was kind of expected, but it still put some additional pressure on the main cast as they now realize what happens to the ones that don't win.

We also get to know more about the past of the antagonist, Shigehisa Fuwa, and his history with the previous owner of the cafe. It basically mirrors the situation they are currently in. The composition was basically the same with lots of girls and one cafe owner, but it didn't end well as the café was burned down and the owner lost his arm.

Everyone seems to suspect Fuwa as the cause of the fire, but at this stage I can't be sure that is the case. He seems to be hateful and ready to do anything, but he had multiple opportunities to do it in the past volumes and didn't act. So what is he waiting for? Is there any other reason?

And of course, there is the finale in the 13th volume with Akane getting a job with her band to perform as an opening act at a concert. The issue is that she didn't consult the other girls in her band before agreeing, and now she is left alone as the other two are occupied with events they cannot delay.

Naturally, the other members of the cafe want to help, but they have nearly zero knowledge of musical instruments. One of the girls proposed to do an idol show instead. This met with approval from the company, but with lots of "mood" from Akane. What will happen there? Will they manage to set up a proper idol show? Will this move the Hayato romantic angle too?

These volumes confirm to me that I really like Akane as a character and she is the one I am rooting for the most to win the romantic race in this manga. Ouka and the other girls are all great, and I don't think I dislike a single heroine in this series, but Akane is just one step ahead of them for me in terms of personality.

Now, next volume I guess we will see the idol show. I am looking forward to reading it in the coming days and I will make a new post once I do.