From the beginning, this series has moved slowly, and almost haphazardly, like the tropical fish of the title, lazily moving between plot points. As Nettaigyo ha Yuki ni Kogareru, Volume 4 (熱帯魚は雪に焦がれる ) begins, we pick up with Koyuki sick in bed, and emotionally wracked because she couldn’t be there for Konatsu during the summer festival. When Konatsu’s fish show goes well, Koyuki become emotionally wracked over that, too. Konatsu doesn’t need her, what does that mean for them?

And for an entire volume, a mostly non-verbal Koyuki finds it impossible to express her feelings to Konatsu. Finally, after they reprise the show (having fish jumping through hoops) at the aquarium, Koyuki *finally* finds the words she needs to express how frustrated she is with herself: She thought she was changing and becoming her real self, but she just has no idea who that self is.

Konatsu assures her that whoever she is, it’s the same sempai she cares about. They embrace as the volume comes to a close. 

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Service – 1 on principle only, there really isn’t any
Yuri – 4

Overall – 7

This series has always been, in large part, about Koyuki’s journey to find herself. It would be nice if she finds some self-confidence and we can see their relationship develop from here.