Osananajimi to wa Rom-Com ni Naranai Vol 11,12 - Runa goes where?! Oriana is the new challenger
I just finished reading volumes 11 and 12 of Osananajimi to wa Rom-Com ni Naranai (幼馴染とはラブコメにならない), which features some heavy story developments, including the addition of a completely new heroine and the temporary removal of another.
Runa is going abroad for a while as part of a volunteer nursing program, which effectively takes her out of the race for Yonosuke. However, I am not sure she is completely out of the picture yet, as she still appears in some scenes showing her progress in helping the people there.
Just as Runa left, a new character named Oriana Marygold appeared. Unsurprisingly, she is another one of Yonosuke's childhood friends from elementary school. Apparently, he broke a ring that was a memento of her grandmother and ended up promising to marry her back then.
Of course, everyone knows that it was just a promise between kids (she even admits this after a few scenes), but Oriana is happy to use it as a way to get closer to him and establish a new connection. This is especially useful considering it is quite late for a new heroine to join the fray. Everything helps! I mean, she is even okay with being the "second wife" in a polygamous marriage as long as she gets to be with him.
Oh, and we got some much-needed development for Kozure Kozue, Yonosuke's second cousin and a teacher at his school. Her mother, the owner of a big ryokan, wants her to marry already and even prepared a rather interesting candidate. This man was even ready to let her do nothing and simply pamper her because, according to him, he just wanted someone like his cats.
She was almost ready to accept the offer, but she kept thinking of Yonosuke, and in the end, she turned down the proposal. It is unlikely for her to become a main heroine considering the age difference, but she has an incredibly fun personality, so keeping her in the loop is great for comedy.
Volume 12 finishes with Shio trying and failing to declare her love to Yonosuke. This, however, takes an unexpected turn; as the girls are talking about it, Yonosuke is actually listening from afar. This means he is now fully aware of her feelings for him. It kind of works out for Shio, considering this means he knows without her risking a direct rejection.
Judging from the preview panel near the end, the next volume will be focused on Akari's thoughts and troubles. Both Akari and Shio do not want to hurt each other as they are close friends. Haru is determined to get her answer, while Oriana is asking, "What if we just all marry him?" What will Yonosuke do?
I look forward to reading more of this. I am getting closer to catching up with the existing content (18 volumes so far), and then I will go volume by volume as they get released.
