Title: 愛人 (Ai Ren) Vol. 3
Artist/Author: 田中ユカタ
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 242pp., w/o furigana
Volume: 3/5
Original Serialization: Young Animal Vol 19, '00 - Vol 4, '01
First Printing: 7/5/01
Rating: 3/4

Unfortunately, Bookoff didn't have this volume on the shelf when I bought the other 3, so I had to order this from overseas, hence the delay. I find out thought, that they now have it...for half the price of importing. The bulk of the chapters are cute romantic chapters with only a few dedicated to the real story. It's not that I don't like it, but the series is already half over.

Speaking of that, I recently found out that volume 5 is going to be released later this month. I had thought that the series ended at volume 4 as that was published more than two years ago. Had I actually read more of the preview pages of volume 4, I would have found out that vol. 5 was slated to be released in 2002. I guess they just delayed it.

18. おかえりなさい (Welcome Back): Ikuru pays a visit to Haruka asking her if anything's wrong with Ai as she's been bleeding lately. Haruka tells him that it's normal for a girl and asks why he's alone this time. Ikuru admits that he wants to be able to say "I'm Back" and have Ai respond with a "Welcome Back." On his way home, he remembers the sad fate that they have to live with, but then sees Ai who says exactly what he predicted she would.

19. 少年の朝 (A Young Boy's Morning): Ai has matured and Ikuru can't help but stare at her and wonder why he's suddenly attracted. As they're hanging laundry, Ai says she understands and tells him that he can look under her skirt, which to his surprise is a buruma. She laughs and says he's cute.

20. 月光 (Moonlight): Ikuru believes he's seen the Goddess of Death again. The next day, he and Ai go out on a date.

21. おでかけ　おでかで (Trip, Trip): They go out and enjoy the day in the busting town. As they're biking home, it starts raining and they both get drenched. Then spend the night snuggling.

22. 鬼火 (Jack o' Lantern): A flashback to when humanity first met HITO. It's from the same dark skinned character as before, Kamaro. He wonders about their intentions as they disappeared soon after arriving and attacking, and then wonders what it means to be human.

23. ひまわり (Sunflower): Haruka tries to find out more about Ai and her past, but comes to a dead end. Along the way, she apparently also sees the Goddess of Death. In the end, so wonders to herself who Ikuru really loves.

24. あいの絵日記ＩＩ〜すきなひとといっしょに〜 (Ai's Picture Diary II, With the Person I Love): Ai writes about frolicking while doing laundry, a kitten that comes by, their dying tomato plant, her endless crying, and then back to something happy, Ikuru.

25. 夢を見た (I Saw a Dream): Ai has a messed up dream where blood is gushing out of her. The next day, she and Ikuru play with a water hose and she catches a cold. Haruka comes over to check her out and keeps her in bed. Outside, she tells Ikuru to prepare himself for her inevitable death. Meanwhile, Ai has dreams about who she apparently is and how she'll end up killing Ikuru.

26. 情歌 (Love Song): Ikuru managed to borrow a car and drives Ai to a concert where they here another Ai-Ren singing.

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