The anime adaptation of Days with My Stepsister wrapped up recently, but fans can still enjoy the original light novels. Volume 3 follows Yuuta and Saki during their summer vacation, where they end up working together at a bookstore. Yuuta is conflicted about this arrangement, especially as he watches Saki push herself too hard. Meanwhile, Saki struggles with feelings of jealousy towards Yuuta’s friend Shiori and grapples with her own growing romantic feelings for her stepbrother.
Author Ghost Mikawa delves into the complexities of the stepsiblings’ relationship, focusing on the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives. The characters are not only navigating their budding romance but also dealing with the realities of their unconventional family situation. The story strikes a balance between romance and the characters’ personal growth, with Yuuta learning how to support Saki as she struggles to take a break from her busy life.
Volume 3 serves as a turning point in the series, setting the stage for the stepsiblings to confront their feelings for each other. The pacing feels just right, with the story moving towards a new phase in their relationship. The English translation by Eriko Sugita captures the essence of the original text, although some nuances may be lost without honorifics.
Fans can look forward to Volume 4’s release in November, with more volumes to follow in the coming months. While the series has a long way to go to catch up to the Japanese releases, the thoughtful and grounded approach to storytelling sets Days with My Stepsister apart from other romance novels in the genre. Ghost Mikawa’s sensitive portrayal of the stepsiblings’ evolving relationship makes the series both relatable and engaging.
Overall, Days with My Stepsister Volume 3 offers a satisfying conclusion to the first arc of the series. The characters’ growth and the subtle exploration of their emotions make this volume a compelling read for fans of romance and slice-of-life genres. As the story progresses, readers can look forward to seeing how Yuuta and Saki navigate their feelings and relationship in the volumes to come.
