Outbreak Company 17 read:

This book didn't need to exist.  It was already established in the previous volume that the hyperspace tunnel was dangerous and the worlds would need to disconnect.  So the characters learned nothing new and made no new decisions -- instead Shinichi dithered around weighing the merits and demerits of which world to live in.  Then, out of the blue, and for no reason, a new complication was added to the mix -- the USS Nimitz warped over and started a war with Bahairam.  Now our heroes must go and defuse the conflict and bring peace back to the world that they're about to leave anyway.  So out of nowhere something stupid happens and they have to revert it back to the status quo where it will be like it never happened again.  This is terrible writing.  Why not just not introduce the carrier, then you don't have to convince it to go away again?  Then you could've actually progressed the plot and made Shinichi decide what he wants to do with his life.  The only interesting and important aspect of the story.

Well, the author succeeded in one sense -- I paid $7.50 for this useless volume, and I'll be paying another $7.50 for the next volume, because that's the last one so at least in volume 18 the plot will have to progress.  No more excuses.  No more carriers.  No more world ending disasters.  Shinichi will have to make romantic progress and find a job, the only important part of the story from the beginning.

Supposedly volume 18 comes out in June, and this frustratingly and pointlessly slow series will finally give me closure.

Meanwhile, I added 5 new songs to my music hall of fame, all from Love Live! Nijigasaki.  When I rewatched the anime I realized how good the music was and wanted to get my hands on it in an auditory form.  The selected songs were Saikou Heart, Dream with You, Poppin Up, Mirai Harmony, and Muteki-kyu＊Believers.  As usual Kasumi led the way, responsible for 3 of the 5 songs.  These songs were much more fun to listen to than Outbreak Company was to read.

Speaking of fun, that UCLA vs. Gonzaga game was amazing!  Back and forth for hours, neither team giving any ground -- then it goes to overtime -- and then it's a sure thing to go to double overtime -- and then that miracle shot from midcourt at the buzzer!  I was actually hoping UCLA would upset Gonzaga (that much easier for Baylor to win in the final), but the ending left me with no regrets.  What a perfect game.  Congratulations to both teams, that was the best basketball game ever.