Run away with me, girl

This is a wistful and mature look at adult relationships, reminiscent of the work of Akiko Higashimura. When Maki and Midori were in high school, they were each other's first love. But on the day of their graduation, Midori ended their relationship. Ten years later, the two women meet again. Maki is a graduate student, still in love with Midori. Midori is a business owner, pregnant, and in a loveless engagement. Their reconnection is immediate, but the circumstances of adulthood and the lives they've built prevent them from moving forward. The first volume in this series focuses on the characters' relationships and how societal expectations and childhood pain can contribute to adult circumstances. Tension mounts in this series opener, and while there's ultimately no running away in this installment, it's all but inevitable. The story is relatable and deals with issues of abusive relationships, anxieties about pregnancy and giving birth, and the emotional impact of not living authentically.