The August issue of LaLa magazine just surprised fans: Mikase Hayashi’s romantic drama Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru (Still, My Brother Wants to Fall in Love.) will receive a special 47-page epilogue chapter in the magazine’s next issue on July 24. Set three years after the manga’s original ending, this extended epilogue promises new insight into Nao and Rihito’s relationship and a softer, more reflective coda to a story that balances complicated family dynamics with quiet emotional growth.
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Quick recap: What is Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru?
Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru follows the delicate, sometimes fraught relationship between step-siblings Nao and Rihito. The story centers on Nao, an older sister who wants her younger brother to rely on her more, and Rihito, whose emotional distance and quiet struggles create tension and uncertainty. Across its serialized run, Mikase Hayashi has layered gentle romantic undertones over a core of family drama, creating a character-driven narrative that resonated with LaLa readers.
About the epilogue: timing and expectations
The announced epilogue is a 47-page chapter slated for the next issue of LaLa magazine on July 24. According to the announcement, the chapter takes place three years after the main story’s ending, offering readers a time-skip perspective on how the characters have matured, how their relationships have settled, and what direction their lives have taken. For fans wanting closure, the extended format suggests Hayashi will explore both emotional aftermath and the quieter, everyday moments that follow a dramatic conclusion.
Characters to watch in the epilogue
Nao — the older sister seeking connection
Nao has long been the emotional anchor of the series. Her wish for greater dependence from Rihito drives much of the story’s internal conflict: she wants to protect and be relied upon, but she must also confront boundaries as both sister and guardian. In an epilogue set three years later, we can expect to see Nao facing the consequences of her choices and learning new ways to balance care with respect for autonomy.
Rihito — the younger brother learning to open up
Rihito’s reserved nature and secret struggles are central to the series’ tension. A multi-year leap forward offers fertile ground to show growth—whether that’s through new relationships, career steps, or a deeper emotional reckoning. The epilogue gives Hayashi the space to reveal what Rihito has chosen for himself and whether he’s become more willing to lean on others, especially Nao.
Publication history and related works
Hayashi launched Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru in LaLa magazine in February 2022. Hakusensha released the first compiled volume in September 2022, with additional volumes following through subsequent releases; the reference material notes the seventh volume was published on March 5. Hayashi is also known for works such as Marriage Purple, which ran in LaLa from July 2018 until its conclusion in June 2021 (a spinoff chapter followed in July 2021), and the earlier series March on Earth (Chikyuu Koushinkyoku), which received an English release through CMX Manga.
Why this epilogue matters to readers
Special epilogues are more than fan service: they allow creators to revisit characters with emotional distance and new perspective. For a story grounded in subtle feelings and family bonds, a three-year time jump can reframe earlier conflicts, show long-term effects of decisions, and offer believable growth that a standard chapter might not accommodate. Readers who invested in Nao and Rihito’s arc will be looking for meaningful developments—realistic changes rather than sudden fixes—so the extended page count is a hopeful sign that Hayashi intends to give the characters careful attention.
What themes the epilogue might explore
- Long-term healing and how trust is rebuilt over years
- Boundaries and the balance between protection and independence
- The quiet realities of adulthood: careers, relationships, and daily compromises
- How familial love transforms when romantic feelings complicate sibling-like bonds
Where to follow the release and read the epilogue
The special chapter will appear in the next issue of LaLa magazine on July 24. For readers who want to collect physical volumes or keep an eye on official releases, the compiled volumes are published by Hakusensha; the image above links to a retail listing for one of the volumes. You can also read the magazine announcement coverage for more background details. Natalie.mu reported on Hayashi’s past works and provides a helpful timeline of her publications.
Tips for new readers: how to approach the series before the epilogue
If you’re new to Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru, start from the beginning to appreciate the slow-burn development of Nao and Rihito’s relationship. The series rewards readers who pay attention to small emotional beats: looks, silences, and the subtleties of family life. Reading the main serialized run before the epilogue will make the three-year leap more meaningful and let you notice the evolution in characterization that Hayashi builds intentionally.
Fan considerations and community response
Announcements like this often split communities between those eager for closure and those concerned about handling sensitive relationship dynamics. Given the story’s focus on step-sibling tension, readers understandably scrutinize how Hayashi frames consent, agency, and mutual growth. An epilogue set several years later can help reassure readers by demonstrating mature resolutions and showing characters who have taken responsibility for their choices.
Final thoughts
The upcoming 47-page epilogue of Soredemo Otōto wa Koishitagaru is an exciting opportunity for Mikase Hayashi to revisit beloved characters with distance and care. Set three years after the original ending, the chapter promises emotional closure and deeper insight into Nao and Rihito’s lives. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer preparing to dive in, this extended chapter is worth watching for the quiet, character-driven storytelling that made the series stand out in LaLa. Keep an eye on the July 24 issue to see how Hayashi ties up loose ends and offers a matured, reflective coda to a complicated, heartfelt story.
