Train + Train, Volume 2

Reiichi is stuck on the Special Train, at least until the handcuffs connecting him to Arena deactivate and he can transfer back to the General Studies Train. But until that time, he's going to have to pass snuff with the brightest students. The Special Train is a very unconventional travelling school. Instead of listening to boring lectures in a classroom, the train makes stops around the planet, and transforms them into educational opportunities. The first assignment? Each pair of students will be given 10,000 golds to take into the city of Sasuta Shima. Within 24 hours, the students must turn that money into ONE MILLION GOLDS! Failure to complete this test will result in a zero and some ominous sounding punishment. Of course, this is right up Arena's alley, playing into her superior determination, toughness, and aggressiveness. You know right off the bat that whatever her plan is, Reiichi is going to be a reluctant bystander, even when Arena might endanger both their lives. Train + Train is becoming a really good series as Volume 2 expands on the characterization and improves upon the style and plot of Volume 1. Hideyuki Kurata is well known for coming up with very strange concepts that somehow work in their execution even though in theory they shouldn't. With the Special Train, Kurata has an easy method of getting the main characters into lots of trouble and adventures. I was really glad that we got a lot of Arena's background and the reason why she ran away to the Special Train. Neither Reiichi or Arena are wishy washy, but they are trying to better themselves and become stronger individuals. And the very first traces of romance between the two is creeping in. A really good read.