Hayate the Combat Butler, Volume 4 Book

Summer is almost over and it's time for Nagi to go back to school. But before that, we have to deal with a ... kidnapping? Nagi goes along with a fake kidnapping in a misguided attempt to see how Hayate really feels about her, but she underestimates the lengths to which people will go for those other than their romantic partner (a commentary on mass media? I am thinking yes). It's absurd, but also pretty pointed.

Then we get into the school arc, and this is another place where the serious stuff sort of sneaks in when you're not paying attention. Nagi doesn't want to go to school. She's antisocial, plus she's very smart, and that leaves her feeling out of place at a school, especially the prestigious one she's enrolled in. Since her view of school is so negative, she doesn't think about how Hayate (who has been out of school since the whole being sold thing, and returns to find his parents asked for a refund of the tuition *he paid himself* so he cannot even return) feels about basically not being allowed to continue his education. Once she does, her reaction is very sweet... but predictably, it all goes horribly, horribly wrong.

I love this volume in part for the introduction of one of my favorite characters in the entire series, school student council president Hinagiku. She's basically a less confident Maria, for times when Maria cannot be there.