The main story is the 3 chapter-long Ojousama no Himitsu, and it's fitting that it's the best one of the lot. It sounds like a stereotypical description for a shoujo manga, but there's really no other way to describe this other than so, so cute. I had expected Haru's "countryside girl" mode to be the usual tough girl side, but it's really just a problem with her accent and manner of speaking. Unfortunately this didn't translate that well onto paper, but it was a sufficient starting point for the burgeoning friendship between her and Nagase, a sleepy and usually distant boy who finds her pretty hilarious rather than weird. I just wish this was longer (perhaps taking up the full volume?) so that there was more time spent on how their relationship developed into love, as well as a short extra to show us how Nagase and Haru kept in touch after her transfer, but I was satisfied with what we were given regardless. Really cute, heartwarming stuff and definitely worth a read!
Ultimate Boyfriend and Addicted Girlfriend (and the following chapter)
I groaned at the beginning of this when it seemed like Chisako was going to be the usual ex-yankee-with-a-secret-past who went "normal" because she's ga-ga over a boy at school. She's the one who's enthusiastic about their relationship and he's going to be the cold, unemotional type, right? Not so, thankfully! Akiomi might not be as expressive, but his affection for Chisako matches hers for him, and he's just... rather shy. I loved the little twist about his reasons for acting withdrawn around her, too. They make a perfect pair to wreak havoc.
Junjou Strange
The final oneshot was nowhere near as good as the previous two stories, but it's not bad; just rather forgettable. Misaki's girl who's been repeatedly rejected by the guy she likes, but has epic determination. She bumps into Doumoto, a senpai with a bad (read: scary) reputation, and he not only reveals that he has the ability to get "drunk" on girls' sex appeal, but tells her that she has none. Cue wackiness as Misaki blackmails Doumoto into helping her "find her pheromones." It's pretty obvious what follows. Funny idea, but everything happened a little too quickly.
(-26)
