I wish I had a boyfriend like Akira, and also thank the stars that I don’t have a boyfriend like Akira almost every day.
Would you be able to escape the Firefly Wedding jail cell? Take my quiz and find out!
To get to the point..:
Do I recommend this manga? Yes!
Who do I recommend this manga to? Fans of toxic relationships, fans of couples with good banter, those who are looking for a more “adult” romance.
Will I be reading on? I have already read everything in this series that has been released, and have preordered the upcoming volume
Trigger warnings: Fighting, drinking, slight non-con behavior
Information About the Manga
Who wrote Stomp, Kick, Love?
This manga was written by Sumi Ichiya!
You can check out their X here. You can check out their instagram here.
How many volumes are out?
This series is ongoing with 5 volumes currently out in Japanese, with volume 6 coming out late August.
There are currently 2 volumes published in English, with volume 3 coming out September 23rd.
First Impressions and thoughts
I loved this volume so much! I knew this series was going to be a favourite after reading volume 1, and I think I enjoyed volume 2 even more. Because of the content matter, I had assumed that this was a josei manga (targeted towards slightly older women), however upon checking I was surprised to see that this is a shoujo series (for younger women)!
We get to learn a lot more about Kaho’s relationship with not just Akira but also her parents, and coworker. I was already loving Kaho as the FL of this series, and learning more about her just has me loving her more.
What’s it about? *SPOILERS*
At the end of the previous volume, Kaho and Akira go on a little shopping trip. Rather than it being a date, Akira was the designated bag-holder, and the trip did seem to slightly mend their relationship.
Unfortunately, one of Kaho’s coworkers saw them together, and mistook Akira as her boyfriend. Kaho was very quick to tell him that he was mistaken, but she was rather shaken up at the thought of being seen with Akira.
She pulls Akira aside to ask for his advice on how to explain their relationship, and he couldn’t be much less interested. “If she’s so bothered about being seen with him in public, why not just put some distance between themselves?” He asks. Kaho retorts, reminding him that even when she was actively trying to avoid him, she still found herself bumping into him all over the city.
A little while later, Kaho goes to an after-work drinks event with her coworkers. On her way out she runs into Akira, and they start making their way towards their bar. They don’t get all that far when Kaho’s coworker realizes that she forgot her bus pass at the meeting, and phones her to let her know that he’ll bring it to her right away.
Kaho, not wanting to be seen with Akira, basically tells him to disappear. Akira, being Akira, threatens to pretend to be her boyfriend. It’s during this strange conversation that Kaho’s coworker catches up with them, and mistakes Akira as a stranger trying to pick up a drunk Kaho.
After this encounter, Kaho’s coworker apologizes to her for his behaviour, and tells her that he also wants to apologize to Akira for mistaking him as a hooligan. He then invites Kaho out to dinner.
Later at the bar, Kaho is confiding in Akira about the dinner invitation, with Akira telling her that it’s very obvious that the coworker has feelings for her. This stresses Kaho out, as she claims to be very happy on her own. She isn’t looking for a relationship, and even if she was, she doesn’t think that she would be all that great in one.
We get to meet Kaho’s parents in this volume, and they are rather unpleasant. As Kaho’s already the ripe age of 27, they are pressuring her to get married rather harshly.
Even after the meeting, back at work, Kaho is being told to her face that she isn’t being chosen for the more exclusive projects because she’s a woman at a marriageable age. Most women around her age tend to quit right after getting married, so even though she has a perfect record, they can’t risk anything on her, they say.
After going through all of this, Kaho heads over to Akira’s work to get a massage. He notes that she’s extra stiff that day, where she suddenly asks him if getting married is really that important.
While he’s surprised by the random question in the moment, he tells her that he’ll listen to her more in-depth later at the bar – a super out of character nice moment for Akira.
Probably the last big event that happens in this volume is Kaho’s dinner date with her coworker. He confesses his feelings towards her, and she very politely turns him down. She cites everything that she told Akira when confiding in him earlier, but this isn’t enough to crush the coworkers spirit.
As she doesn’t have anyone she’s interested in, and as she didn’t say that she dislikes him, he won’t be giving up on her, he tells her.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of him. She said no! Go away!
My Favourites
- Kaho and Akira’s banter – they’re one of the more fun-to-read couples in my collection.
- Akira listening to Kaho’s complaints voluntarily – out of character, but a nice surprise.
My Least-Favourites
- The coworker – leave Kaho alone!!! Take no for an answer!!!
You can check out this volume for yourself here!
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