Bittersweet Candy Bowl

It’s a story about two childhood friends.

Whether through arguments between classmates..

This reading guide allows you to skip the cruft, read the good and important bits and get up to Chapter 47 (where digital shading began) super quick! Just read the guide below, line-by-line. Keep in mind, some good chapters are skipped and the series might seem light on comedy as a result of the simplification, but you can always read the proper archives when you’re ready.

Read: 1. “Simple Pleasures”.

Note: Some miscellaneous antics ensue. You’re not missing too much, it’s very early on and nothing is that effortful.

Read: 4. “Unfit for Education”, 8. “Show and Tell”.

Note: Mike is revealed to have awfully sensitive hearing, and after dismissing a female admirer is teased by Paulo and David about being gay.

Read: 12. “Confrontation”, 13. “Aftermath”.

Note: Kizuna is introduced and despite her efforts makes little impact on her true love David.

Read: 15. “Unfulfilled Fantasy”, 16. “Farewell, Middle School”.

Note: Lily and Blur’s origin stories are told, though it’s not all that important to know.

Read: 18. “Hot Pursuit”, 19. “Enter High School” & 20. “A Difficult Choice”.

Note: Mike is overjoyed after talking with Sandy on the phone, where she confirms that they’re still a couple in her mind.

Read: 23. “Humble Approach”, 25. “Left Behind” & 26. “Misunderstanding and Change”.

Note: After witnessing Paulo and Tess flirt like crazy, Mike begins to get anxious about Sandy and rants to Chirpy about his frustration. Chirpy gets upset about her lost mother but is eventually consoled by the thought of Lucy as her new mom.

Read: 30. “Troubled Waters”.

Note: Lucy opts out of swimming class, and recalls an incident that scared her from swimming for life: Michael fell unconscious into a stream, Lucy was the only one who could grab him, and subsequently almost drowned herself until Paulo scooped her out. She gives Paulo a hug as long overdue thank-you. Augustus enters the scene and gives Daisy some of the attention she craves, offering suggestions that she shake off some of that modesty to get what she wants. Tess’s past life with her ex Roger is revealed, though the gang stick by her even when they find out she was a cruel bully to the other sophomores and is now ostracised by the group. Abbey comes to her rescue and scares off one of her past victims, furious that nobody will give her a second chance. Daisy gets increasingly close to Augustus, much to the ire of everyone else.

Read: 38. “A Different Side”.

Note: Abbey confronts Michael about how he is seemingly oblivious to the fact he is leading all the girls on. As Abbey seethes about the state Michael has left Daisy in all these years, they briefly get into a fight but Abbey’s sister Molly intervenes. Later, after being rejected from the “popular girls” by Katie, Daisy is consoled by Augustus who convinces her to take Michael out on a date. He accepts to do something “just as friends”, but isn’t fully aware of Daisy’s intentions.

Read: 40. “Love My Way”, 41. “Moving On” & 42. “Invitation”.

Note: Zachary and his maybe-girlfriend enter the scene after an improvised lifesaving attempt when Lucy is startled by a wave. Then, during a hiking trip, Mike falls down the side of a rough road and disappears for some time, traumatising Lucy. When they reunite later on, much to Lucy’s relief, they share a private moment together which Zachary can’t help but listen in on.

Read: 45. “Intervention”.

Note: Lucy confesses to Zachary that she loves Michael, then walks in on Paulo and Tess engaging in some makeup “heavy petting”. As everyone gets on the plane and waves goodbye, Catherine is inspired to finally make her relationship with Zachary official. As if to punctuate it all, the gang return to find Abbey and Daisy affectionately holding hands as they come to greet them.

And you’re done!

So, at this point in the story, you should have a handle on a few things:

• Lucy is dependent on Michael but is trying to find ways around her desire to be with him
• Michael is becoming increasingly upset with everyone around him and continues to long for Sandy
• Paulo is horrified by the ideas put into his head by David and isn’t ready to let go of Tess no matter her protestations
• And Abbey and Daisy are in twoo wuv.

The stage is set! From here on out you should be able to understand the majority of the comic’s plotlines and recurring themes, but if you ever want more to read remember there were a lot of low-plot-content chapters that were missed in this Story Guide. Click here to start reading Chapter 47, “New Beginnings”.