Third period is just beginning as Mizuho and Kei gear up for the third chapter of the Please Teacher story. This volume sees Mizuho and Kei through another series of trials that will test the bonds of their marriage as they try to find that little moment of paradise for just the two of them.

Kei and Mizuho have finally settled into their roles as husband and wife as summer reaches its conclusion. However, outside forces are at work at the same time, as Herikawa still pines for Kei. Kei's faith towards Mizuho is tested one night, when Herikawa finally professes her love to him. Kei, however must contend with Herikawa while also fighting the jealousy that is building within him when Mizuho is asked by Matagu for help with some homework. Eventually, things return to normalcy for everybody except Ichigo. It seems that to Ichigo is more interested in getting Kei and Herikawa together. Poor Ichigo is crushed when she finds out that Kei refused Herikawa. When Ichigo confronts Kei, Ichigo explains the situation before falling into a standstill. After Kei carries her home, Ichigo explains that she has the same disease Kei does. Kei wants to make sure that Ichigo keeps moving forward, however to do that, he must end his relationship with Mizuho.

The third volume brings the series to an interesting climax. Both Kei and Mizuho want to be with each other, but at the moment, they cannot. The tension begins to build on both ends, as the series moves closer to what could be a very interesting finale. Of course, that's not to say that the entire volume is a turn away from the romantic humor that has brought everything to the point it is now. There are a few priceless moments that keep things from becoming too serious, such as a short spat between Kei and Mizuho over the difference in time it takes for a man and a woman to get ready. I can only hope that this pace can continue through the final episodes to deliver a fitting conclusion to this story of teacher and student relations.

Mizuho isn't exactly happy that Kei left her behind this morning.	Kei shares a heartfelt lament with Mizuho on the beach.

This volume of Please Teacher maintains the high level of audio and visual quality of the past releases. The video transfer is very clear, with vibrant colors and no cases of cross-coloration or aliasing. Rainbows and macroblocking are nonexistent. The sound is very clear in both the English and Japanese audio tracks, with no distortion or dropouts.

The third volume serves up yet another fine presentation that can best be described as a "miniature Christmas for anime fans." The menu is set up in the same manner as the first two, only with different images to accompany the static menus. There are no complaints about the fast, simple navigation throughout the disc. The extras, while fewer in number, are still quite impressive. The first item on the list is "Music Clip #2": a music video that uses an image song around a montage of scenes from the show. Alternate versions of the show's opening and closing make an appearance in textless form, as well. The final extra, the design gallery, features artwork of Herikawa, Ichigo, and Matagu. The packaging features a reversible cover, with a picture of Herikawa on the front of the cover, and a third appearance of the infamous "Notebook Setup" that contains a description of the disc's contents, accompanied by a few screens from the show. The other side of the cover features a picture of Ichigo with the Japanese title to the show. The DVD insert sees a return of the cover artwork and a listing of the cast and crew. Inside is a miniature poster of the show's cast of characters.

With the conclusion quickly approaching, Please Teacher continues to improve. I can only hope that this series doesn't run out of steam before the final credits begin to roll.

Video Quality: A
Audio Quality: B+
Presentation: A
Content: A-
Overall: A