安達としまむら10（Adachi and Shimamura volume 10): The Never Ending Wholesomeness of A Lesbian Couple
Book information:
Author: 入間人間（Iruma Hitoma)
Character design by: のん（Non)
Illustrated by: raemz
Page: 248
Language: Japanese
(English) Translated version: available online (not sure if there’s an official one)
(I) bought from: Tsutaya book store
Also available on: Any bookstore in Japan, Books on iOS, Kindle, Amazon
Genre: Iyashikei, LGBTQ+, romance
Mood: relaxing, lighthearted, emotional, hopeful
Pace: slow~medium pace
Character driven> plot driven
Trigger warning: none
Why I read it: I love the anime and want to know what happens after where the anime ends
Mood while I read: 😊🥺🥰☺️🥰🥰
It made me want to read: The upcoming volume 11 and “Bloom into You: Regarding Saeki Sayaka” (the same author)
Who I will recommend to: those who love the anime and those who don’t mind a story where nothing big really happens (no plot, just vibe)
Rating
Plot: 8/10 ⭐️
Character: 10/10 ⭐️
Ease of reading: Difficult (because of the Japanese language)
Overall (not just from the above three): 9/10 ⭐️
Synopsis
Tomorrow I am leaving this house. I am going to live with Shimamura. Both of Shimamura and I have become adults.
“A~dachi”
I rise up.
“O~de”
Looking at me who moved backward, Shimamura stares at me in wonder. She rises both hands up playfully. She puts them down and brushes her hair falling across her eyes while looking left and right, and then she finally understands what happened. She moved to live in an apartment. Are there just two of us from now on?
“I… I will be in your care from now on”
“Same here. I’ll be in your big care, so be prepared”
My whole world is made up from Shimamura, and I do not have any worry about the future anymore.
(Source: 電気文庫 Official Website - Translated)
Review
I bought the Japanese version of this book and there is a statement from Adachi that she would leave her house to live with Shimamura. On the book cover, there is a picture of Adachi and Shimamura in their school uniform and I thought Adachi would leave during high school. That made me worry that the relationship between her and her mother became worse than ever before.
In fact, it wasn’t like that. The fact that they lived under the same roof is from when they became adult. I was relieved to know that the relationship between Adachi and her mother didn’t get worse. But it didn’t any better either. Nevertheless, their thought related to the separation implies that they really thought of each other. They just didn’t show it or couldn’t show it. Additionally, Adachi in her 20s reflected on her high school’s self, which is funny because the adult Adachi was so calm and composed - contradicting to her younger self who was so agitated by her love for Shimamura.
Moreover, we got to see how the friendship between Shimamura and Tarumi (Shimamura’s former closed friend) turned out. The scene was told from Shimamura’s perspective, but what I felt is Tarumi’s feeling and I’m not sure if it’s the author’s intention or not. It was so heartbreaking that I teared up a little bit.
What is the most important in volume 10 is the interaction between Adachi and Shimamura after a certain problem was solved and also during the time they live together as adults. It was so sweet and funny, especially so heartwarming that I rolled on the bed numerous times while reading the book. I could feel their happiness, especially Adachi’s. Meanwhile, we also got to know the maturity of Adachi regarding her extreme jealousy and their relationship, which were growing toward a healthy relationship because of their communication without any manipulation (like in volume 7?). Also, the title of the chapter (“The Moon Cradle”) which talked about their lives under the same roof is really matched well with the content and it might be a wordplays with Shimamura’s firstname (抱月 Hougetsu). It makes me love this series and the characters even more!
Furthermore, we got to take a peak into everyday life of Yashiro (a self-proclaimed alien) and Shimamura’s sister. It’s not a long chapter, but it’s enough for me to feel wholesomeness and to have a hope (just like the chapter’s title “Stay of Hope”). It started off with funniness which made me thought that it was just another day of a life of Yashiro and Shimamura’s sister, but Yashiro has never failed to surprise me with her word which is fulled of kindness and positivity. That is why the chapter ends touching scene and my smile.
All in all, the volume 10 really gave what I need, wholesomeness and the progression of Adachi and Shimamura’s relationship. I heard that volume 11 will come out next year and surely, I will read it!
P.S. This book kind of helped me recover from nerve breakdown after reading “Earthling”, so… thank you, “Adachi and Shimamura”! Also, the illustration in volume 10 is so beautiful and breathtaking!
