Title: Love and Heart Vol. 7
Author: Chitose Kaidou
Publisher: Yen Press
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 160
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Publication Date: April 18, 2023
The Story
Last time, the truth was exposed to everyone except for Yoh… or at least, she didn’t want to believe it. This time, things get really complicated! After having a friendship-ending argument with Touya, Yoh feels really dejected. Then, Sawako goes off the deep end and tells Yoh that she never wanted to be her friend, alienating her even more. Behind it all, Madoka is having the time of her life watching all of it unfold. In fact, she enjoyed herself too much and Haruma steps in and asks her what she’s doing. He said that he had a carefully laid plan to separate Yoh from her friends and that she ruined all of it. Because as such, Haruma decides to cut ties with Madoka but she doesn’t exactly take that too well.
In the end, though, it was what Haruma wanted. Yoh, all alone, can only see Haruma as the one person she can trust. He, once again, asks her if she wants to move to America with him. Having felt that she has lost everything dear to her in Japan, she agrees! As they are preparing, Haruma soon learns that there is no fury more so than a woman scorned! Madoka puts a plan into action… a plan that looks to enact her revenge and turn the tables on Haruma!
Characters
Poor Yoh. Because of the actions of two scheming individuals, she’s now lost two people she thought of as friends… one of which she knew had a crush on her. You get to see her mental state deteriorate in this volume and it truly represents the grip that Haruma has over her. The fact that she believes that he is the only one she can trust and turn to plays exactly into Haruma’s hands. He couldn’t ask for a better situation. It’s almost like a form of Stockholm Syndrome… except that she doesn’t truly realize she’s being held captive. The happy-go-lucky Yoh that we know and love is slipping away bit by bit and this volume does a great job of orchestrating that and playing it out!
Haruma is still as sleazy as ever. This volume, though… I didn’t touch upon it in the story section but we see a dramatic shift in his character that you’ll have to experience for yourself. He’s coming along nicely and I can’t wait to see where this goes in the next volume!
Even though Touya barely had any time in this volume, he gets some indirect development. After being crushed by Yoh, it’s through Sawako that we get a sense of what things are like. Although none of these things are truly confirmed, she asks Yoh what she thinks if going through Touya’s head right now. Yoh only thinks that she cast aside a friend but when Sawako tells her that he had a crush on her and that her words would probably destroy his heart, you can just envision Touya in your mind and the things he’s going through right now!
Madoka has gone off the deep end and she didn’t even have to make a wish with a Kyuubey to do it! As I said… hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Haruma is at the top of the graph where one axis says F around and the other axis says find out. I believe the two of them will end up together at the end of this series, though. They’ll be leaning on one another, trying to keep each other propped up. No, seriously… it’s because they’ll be in straightjackets sharing a padded cell together with three full meals per day which they can wash down with an arm jab cocktail.
Final Thoughts
There were definitely a lot of developments in this volume and rightfully so. We are three away from the conclusion of this story and things have to start heating up in order to get to the big finale. However, there is an event that takes place that kind of sets up the way out for Yoh… although, the plot point that they are using is a little convoluted and doesn’t make much sense from a common logic standpoint but I will reserve judgment until it fully plays out. If and when it does play out. I really hope they give a good reason for it… otherwise, I’ll have to do what everybody does in 2023… come on the internet and complain about it!
I say that because this little “way out” is set up in such a way that it will be brilliantly written or it’s just going to come off as a nonsensical plot device. I truly don’t think that there is a middle ground for this one. It’s either going to be one or the other. Until that day comes, though, let’s enjoy psycho Madoka just a little bit more and Haruma’s new (foreseen?) direction as a character! Plus, I believe that Yoh has reached her breaking point, too, so this is all leading to one big psycho circus and we’re all strapped in for the ride!
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This item was provided for review by Yen Press
