I didn't enjoy this one as much, probably because the last half of it was devoted to Umeda's backstory. I love Umeda, but his story just didn't interest me.

I did like Sano's and Mizuki's guest though. Kadoma is adorable. And of course, Sano and Mizuki are getting eeever closer... ( )

The manga author is using the long stretch in the middle of her series to deliver back stories on some of the minor characters. In the last volume, we had two shorter pieces that revealed more on Kayashima's character; this time, we get an in-depth look at Dr. Umeda's high school days. Hokuto Umeda was as aloof and sarcastic as a teenager as he is as the school's resident doctor. Yet despite his prickly exterior, he reveals his good heart by never letting people down, and his commitment to his own group of loyal friends. Umeda at first dislikes Ryoichi Kijima, who is one of the most popular boys in school, until he realizes that the nice front is all an act. He reveals his knowledge to Kijima, who exacts revenge by nominating Umeda as his assistant for the school festival. As Umeda works with Kijima, he falls in love with him. Although they eventually kiss, the stories indicates that it is possibly a one time thing for Ryoichi, while Hokuto remains in love with him for the rest of his life. These three special chapters occupy the second half of the volume. The first part is much lighter, with boys from Dorm 1 moving in with the other two dorms until their pipes can be repaired. Each younger level boy has to take in an extra roommate. Sano and Ashiya are fortunate to be assigned to Kadoma, while Nakatsu suffers through his close acquaintance with Kujo. The ensuing hijinks are funny and silly, with only one serious moment, and it is a great scene. Kadoma nearly walks in on Ashiya while she is showering, only to be stopped by Sano at the last minute. Both of them are relieved, and irritated by Ashiya's casual nature that nearly allowed a catastrophe, and get into a fight where Ashiya declares that she kisses everybody. (Who says things like that, seriously? But who cares? This is manga and I love it!) Sano angrily demands if she would let him kiss her, and leans in close, before pulling back at the last moment. Very romantic. I really liked this collection. Dr. Umeda is a great character, I always like the complicated interactions between the boys in Dorms 1 and 2, and we had an intense near-kiss between Sano and Ashiya. Fun stuff here. ( )