Osananajimi to wa Rom-Com ni Naranai Vol 17,18 - Harem test time? That's great!
Volumes 17 and 18 of Osananajimi to wa Rom-Com ni Naranai (幼馴染とはラブコメにならない) continue with interesting developments that suggest we are nearing the end of the series. As you might recall from the previous volumes, Yonosuke confessed his feelings to Akari, and the feeling is mutual.
While this may seem like a final resolution, things are actually more complicated. The girls are studying together, and Shio is trying to push Yonosuke and Akari to be closer despite her own feelings for him. This tension escalates until Yonosuke is forced to admit that he has liked Shio since middle school, starting on the same day he first fell for Akari.
This leads Shio to propose a "test period" where the three of them act as a couple. After some initial resistance, the plan is set, and they begin this unique three-way relationship. There is a lot of cute back-and-forth as the trio tries to hide the situation from Runa and Oriana, who are also studying with them.
Eventually, they are discovered and have no choice but to let the others join in the fun. Haru, who was absent at first, eventually joins the group as well, marking the start of the "harem test period" arc. During this time, all the girls act as Yonosuke’s girlfriends while trying to win him over.
This arc features many fun hijinks, which is where this series really shines. Each girl makes a wish that Yonosuke does his best to fulfill, leading to a hilariously cute "marriage proposal" scene for Akari and later for the others. The misunderstanding with Kozue from the last volume is also cleared up, leaving her a bit dejected, but I suspect her story is not quite over.
Once the test period concludes, Yonosuke asks the girls to go on one-on-one dates with him to help him understand his own heart. The order is Runa, Akari, Haru, Oriana, and finally Shio. We only saw the dates for Runa and Akari in these two volumes, so I expect the remaining three will be featured in volume 19. The cover of volume 19 shows both Haru and Kozue, which makes me think Kozue might get a date of her own in between.
The girls are slowly warming up to the idea of a harem, with Oriana particularly rejoicing at the prospect. I am not entirely sure if Yonosuke will actually end up choosing one girl over the others. Personally, I am still rooting for Akari; she has always been the cutest, and she is the one I feel most strongly about.
Haru seems the most reluctant, as she wants to monopolize Yonosuke at all costs. However, I feel this is a poor choice because she has never really seemed like a top contender in the romantic race. From the beginning, she has felt more like a supporting heroine. At least Oriana understands her position and is pursuing the harem route seriously.
It appears the story will proceed through the remaining dates for Haru, Oriana, Shio, and possibly Kozue, likely concluding the series in the 20th volume. That volume is expected to be released soon, perhaps around May or June 2026. Depending on the events, the finale might be delayed by a volume or two, but the end feels very close.