We Never Learn (2017)

[ぼくたちは勉強ができない]

Volume 4

Author/Artist: Taishi Tsutsui
Publisher: Jump Comics

Synopsis:
Yuiga overhears Takemoto's teammates talking about her feelings for him and now he does not know how to act around her.

Story/Characters:
Because the series is still ongoing, it's not really a spoiler to say that we don't actually go anywhere on the Yuiga-Takemoto front. Still, it's interesting seeing Yuiga really start paying attention to her, even if it goes nowhere. From there we have a Kurisu-sensei chapter with an appearance by Ogata. Next we have Yuiga covering for his mom at her part-time job... at a lingerie shop, which plays out much as you'd expect. I like the following two-parter that has Ogata focusing on her pseudo-kiss with Yuiga and trying to process what she's feeling. Then we introduce Kominami-senpai (or as I'm going call her, Ashumi-senpai) when Yuiga starts going to a juku. I really like Ashumi-senpai, being fairly savvy and a tease in contrast to the other girls. I also like her dad. After that, we introduce Senpai to our trio and then have her cross paths with Kurisu-sensei. Compared to the dynamic Kurisu-sensei has with Furuhashi and Ogata, it's nice seeing Kurisu-sensei have to deal with a former sooner she doesn't have any leverage over.

Art:
The cute designs, funny comedic takes and scads of fanservice you've come to expect from the series hold true here. Ashumi-senpai is adorable and if you've got a thing for maid costumes, any scenes involving her workplace will scratch that itch. (I can't help but feel that Chapter 34 played into building Kurisu-sensei's fanbase.)

Other:
Chapters 27, 32 and 34 have a neat gimmick where we have a gag comic on the reverse side of the title page as a "behind the scenes" thing. We get a 4-koma and a three-page bonus comic which is pretty much just the swim team stretching.

Conclusion:
We complete our quintet of heroines this volume. Only Furuhashi fans get short-changed, but even she has some good moments if not much focus. As I'm a big fan of what Ashumi-senpai brings to the table, I'm quite happy with what we get. It's definitely worth a read at the very least.

Rating:
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