But I like the first volume a lot more.
(Warning: Spoiler alert for plot points)
I get what this story is trying to do. On top of what the author is saying in the omake, I can see them trying to:
- make a jealousy plot from Yoshino to Rou, but healthy (to continue the character growth from the prequel, instead of undoing it)
- to make Rou grovel for forgiveness to Yoshino but without actually cheating
- to create that fuwafuwa mood of "omg Rou is a social charmer but HE LOVES YOSHINO FR FR FR"
But I join a lot of fandom sentiment both here and elsewhere, in that I don't think it completely works. And I think both the original readers and the author knows that too, judging from the remarks in the omake. That's why the last two chapters tries so hard to drive a HEA, and to reinforce the idea that "Rou has no plan to cheat, y'all! He's not interested in Niko romantically AT ALL! IN FACT LOOK WE ARE SHIPPING NIKO WITH SUI!"
I don't hate Niko at all, in fact he might be my favorite character in this volume, but reading this story feels like seeing someone who's overcompensating for their mistakes, and I really think that is not what the author intends.
The problem is twofold;
- The wrong vibes for me comes not from Rou being intentionally flirty ("I'd go for you if I'm single" remark aside, which is actually consistent with what we've seen of Rou so far). The wrong vibes comes because the story tries too hard to show Rou approaching Niko. In some ways Rou is even more intense in pursuing Niko than he was with Yoshino.
- The end result becomes, this is not a Yoshino and Rou story, this is a Niko and Rou story. Rou is always loyal with Yoshino, but the narrative itself is not. Yoshino is sidelined both in terms of appearance and role, and considering this story starts as Yoshino's story, it really leaves a sour taste.
With all this in mind, I actually am in awe by how much the story almost nails the tricky balance. I still enjoy reading this story, but as a romance I'd be much more happier if the jealousy plot is resolved much earlier. Or if instead of Rou accompanying Niko, it's Yoshino--and it's Rou who gets jealous.