"Seishun Butayarou wa Mayoeru Shingaa no Yume wo Minai" (rascal does not dream of lost singer) by Kamoshida Hajime. This is volume 10 in the series, starting a new arc with Sakuta's university life.
This is a start of a new arc, meaning volume 9 marks the completion of the previous arc and would have been a good place to stop. Part of the first chapter felt like an epilogue to the previous 9 volumes in giving a flavor of what happened to Sakuta and Rio and Mai after their high school years, but mostly the first three chapters were rather slow paced. There were some discussions of social psychology, but most of this volume was devoid of the kind of sci-fi elements that made this series unique.
The fourth chapter went much better, with a dramatic finale that made the entire volume worth reading. It also came with an extra sting at the end assured readers that the events in this volume were extraordinary and can't simply be dismissed as mere coincidence.
This volume is perhaps more plain compared to all the life and death episodes that came before it, but it has set a new stage that seems promising. Looking forward to the new characters being put to good use.
Previous (2020-09-02): "Seishun Butayarou wa Randoserugaaru no Yume wo Minai" by Kamoshida Hajime
Next (2020-11-29): "Kino no Tabi 23" by Shigusawa Keiichi