Starting V2. Will add some thoughts here later.
So Shimamura is dealing with both parents in the intro, hers and Adachi's. I feel like their home life and social interactions were such an integral part of who they were as characters last volume, but only hinted at mostly, so it's good to see these parental figures in a more full view this time. Adachi's absent mother is painted negatively, but the forced half-assed change Shimamura seeks is also painted negatively. Shimamura can't put into words what the ideal mother is because it's something more intrinsic, and once you put words to it, it feels hollow. I wonder where they'll go with all this.
Shimamura's mother on the other hand is a piece of work. She likes to tell her little sister not to be like Shimamura, and one of the values she tried to instill in Shima was "don't embarrass the family". I can see how she and Shima are going to come at odds should Shima start dating Adachi at any point. Shima's mom also physically assaults her in anime fashion (bonk to the head; pushes her in the pool)... Yeah, not a fan of this character.
Little alien chick and little sis of Shima meeting is cute. More of that wholesome friendship could be fun. I do wonder what the alien's deal is (I feel like they're going to do something cheesy later and say that the bond of Adachi and Shima birthed her or something... I don't know). Her alien companion is also still out there apparently, curious who or what that is (watch it be a dog or something).
Now we're on to Adachi struggling to ask Shima out... On a date... On Christmas. Good luck my in
denial friend. x)
