High school romances can be great. But when it comes time to start prepping for college, there’re always those big worries hanging over every couple’s heads. “What if we go to college in separate areas?” “Can we do a long-distance relationship?” “What exactly am I going to do after I graduate high school?” Rainbows After Storms surprisingly takes this on well in its tenth volume, in a way that doesn’t present it through rose-tinted glasses.

Chidori and Nanoha have been dating for just about a year now. They still love one another and have been able to keep their relationship secret from the rest of the group. But now entering their final year in high school, those common worries hang over their heads. As a result, Chidori and Nanoha really start thinking about their futures and if there will be an “us” in the equation.

One thing I do like about its post-high school portrayal is how grounded it is. The couple takes it very seriously as they start to wonder what’s next after graduation. Chidori wants to go to Tokyo, whereas Nanoha is weighing her options with culinary school picks. She could also go to Tokyo, but it’s all about making the right choice for her and her career path.

It is nice to see that with every hurdle that is thrown in their way, Chidori and Nanoha attempt to take it on in a mature manner. Where many high school romance dramas may attempt to create this magical deus ex machina for the couple to forever be together, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Rainbows After Storms. Author Luka Kobachi is putting out there the chance that these two will be separated, and if that’s the case, that will become their biggest challenge yet. But knowing how they’ve faced past speed bumps before, there’s a good chance that things may end up okay in the long run.

However, Murphy’s Law goes into full swing for Chidori and Nanoha’s One Year Anniversary date. The aquarium is closed; the food is expensive; and — worse yet — Nanoha loses her precious bracelet. But even with every bad thing that happens, what matters most is that they’re together for the thick and thin of it. And while it certainly isn’t the ideal first date, they do find a way to make the most of their bad luck.

I mentioned early that Chidori and Nanoha have kept their relationship secret from their friends. But has the time come to finally pull back the curtain and tell the truth? After a lot of thinking and imagining many what-if scenarios, the time to reveal may be close at hand. However, I fully understand that it may make their friends nosey over what Chidori and Nanoha will do (and have done).

Volume Ten of Rainbows After Storms shows that Chidori and Nanoha have grown a lot as a couple. But that doesn’t mean that it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out. With college hanging over their heads, it’s clear that the two of them may be making some tough decisions in the near future. Thankfully, these two have sturdy-enough heads to be able to overcome these obstacles, and even if Rainbows After Storms ends with them miles apart from one another, I’ve got a feeling that they’ll find a way to keep their love strong.

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.