While I did purchase this manga quite a while ago, for some reason I waited forever to read it! It was such a good continuation to volume 1, and it even ended on a kind of cliffhanger! I will be reading volume 3 the second I can get my hands on it.
Haven’t read my review of volume 1 yet? You can read it here!
- Info about the manga
- Why I like this manga
- Is there drama? (we’re generally not a fan of drama)
- Maddies Ratings
Info about the manga
If the title was in English…
The title of this manga could be translated as “the goldfish store’s contractual couple”. The title also perfectly describes what the manga is about!
I borrowed a description from Seishun about volume 1:
“I’m sorry. I know this is our first time meeting, but will you marry me?” Asahi and Nana are newlyweds who run a goldfish shop. At first glance, they seem to be a normal couple, but in fact, they’re a contractual couple who got married because of their mutual interests! They’re not true husband and wive, let alone lovers; and yet, Asahi gets easily flustered by Nana! She even has delusions about him naked?! At this rate, will they be able to keep their contract marriage intact?!
How many volumes, and other manga by the author
As of right now, there are 2 volumes released in Japanese! Volume 3 is set to be released in June.
There is currently no official English translation sadly.
Another notable manga by the same author is Heroine Hajimemashita.
If you want to try it out before buying, you can download a free sample of volume 1 from Amazon here.
Why I like this manga
I think volume 2 of this manga was a wonderful continuation of the first! We learn quite a bit about Nana’a backstory, and about how he was forced to live with an elderly friend of his family when his parents divorced at a young age. This backstory reveals quite a bit about his seemingly aloof personality, and adds quite a bit more depth to his character.
It also helps him and Asahi to grow quite a bit closer, as he chooses to tell it to her after they mutually agree that they want to know more about the other.
This volume also introduced a new character, but this character was really just another driving force behind the growth of Asahi and Nana’s relationship.
We were able to learn a bit more about Asahi’s job, but still nothing more about her backstory. I do like that this volume was more focused on Nana’s past, and Asahi’s present, and hope that the roles will be reversed in the follow volume.
Other themes found in this volume that I generally enjoy:
- found family
- following your dreams
- strangers to lovers
- jealous almost-boyfriend
Is there drama? (we’re generally not a fan of drama)
There are 2 specific parts in this volume that contain drama, one that I didn’t like, and one that didn’t bother me at all.
The one that I didn’t like, involved Nana’s childhood friend, Maho. She was a problem in the previous volume, and she’s full of herself in this volume. She comes across Nana and Asahi having a moment in their own home, and accuses Nana of abandoning his beloved fish store for a fake wife. She then calls Asahi untrustful to her face, in her own home, and tells her that she will never trust her.
It’s clear that she’s only acting like this because she has feelings for Nana, but still, she feels like her only purpose is to stir the pot.
The second instance of drama came in the form of Asahi’s manager coming for a visit. He takes the couple on a trip to a hot spring to help Asahi get motivation for her novel, but is it really so innocent? He makes a comment to Nana that he’s jealous, and that he would have taken the role of contractual husband in a heartbeat if only Asahi had asked him… but then insists that he’s joking.
I found the manager to be a character to help Nana further realize his feelings for Asahi, and in general I found him to be likable, so he never bothered me.
Maddies Ratings
Romance
I’m still enjoying the slow burn telling of this romance! While there isn’t more more romance in this volume compared to the previous one, I’m still not complaining. On the contrary, if there was a great deal of romance all of a sudden, I would find it strange.
The romance feels very realistic, but not at all awkward, which I am loving!
World building
Because of the type of manga this is, I don’t feel like realistic world building is all that difficult. It is a slice of life manga, that takes place in an old neighbourhood of an old city, filled with unique hobby shops. This gives it extra charm~
Character development
There is quite a bit of development in Nana’s character specifically in this volume! Compared to the start of volume 1, both Asahi and Nana have clearly changed, and it’s very fun to watch as their relationship changes and grows.
I’m excited to watch as Asahi’s character also develops more!
Is it entertaining?
This was as entertaining as a non-action manga can be for me! The pace never slowed down too much, and new elements were added in at the perfect time. I read it all in one go, and was surprised by how quickly I read it!
Have you read Kingyoyasan no Karisome Fuufu yet?
Maddies Manga 
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