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薫る花は凛と咲く [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku] #12
薫る花は凛と咲く 12 [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku 12]
底辺男子校・千鳥高校に通う紬 凛太郎と、お嬢様校・桔梗女子の和栗薫子。二人が付き合い始めてから数か月が経ち、季節は冬に。両校の２学期も終わりが近づく頃。凛太郎は勇気を出して、「可愛い」と言葉にして薫子に伝えたりと、二人の仲は少しずつ、でも着実に深まっていく──。しかし、そんな様子を目撃した少女が。彼女は凛太郎の中学時代の同級生。そして、かつて彼に恋をしていて……？
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
May 13, 2024
Let’s goooooo side ship is sailingggg
July 9, 2025
i love how we are also focusing on the side characters and not just the main couple
April 8, 2026
I adore this series and how it always makes me feel good after I finish a volume. Not everything has to have deeper meaning. Some things can just be wholesome and make you feel good.
I liked how this volume quickly resolved the “other woman” aspect. She was never going to be another woman as that is not what the purpose of her character was. In my opinion she was there to show that sometimes you can make a very positive effect on someone’s life and never even realize it. Some might say that is sad but I find it uplifting. Rintaros kindness changed Satsuki’s life for the better. In her own words helped her become the person she is today.
The majority of the volume focused on Yorita and his confusion of what he wants to do with life. Does he actually want to be a cop or is it just admiration for his brother that is making him think he does? All I know is that ending with him and Madoka has me wondering if they are going to become a side couple. I’m all for it if it means more Madoka, she stays my favorite side character.
Anyways I know if I need to smile I can pick this series up and it will deliver and honestly that’s more than enough for me to keep reading.
I liked how this volume quickly resolved the “other woman” aspect. She was never going to be another woman as that is not what the purpose of her character was. In my opinion she was there to show that sometimes you can make a very positive effect on someone’s life and never even realize it. Some might say that is sad but I find it uplifting. Rintaros kindness changed Satsuki’s life for the better. In her own words helped her become the person she is today.
The majority of the volume focused on Yorita and his confusion of what he wants to do with life. Does he actually want to be a cop or is it just admiration for his brother that is making him think he does? All I know is that ending with him and Madoka has me wondering if they are going to become a side couple. I’m all for it if it means more Madoka, she stays my favorite side character.
Anyways I know if I need to smile I can pick this series up and it will deliver and honestly that’s more than enough for me to keep reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2026
Part of me thinks that this series has run out of things to do with its characters and keeps flagging up these random story arcs. There’s been a little less than perfection over the last couple volumes and that’s genuinely too bad.
Honestly, I think this could do with a side pairing or two. I had an inkling that Subaru might end up in that situation, but nothing happened. And the mangaka at least had the good sense to make Madoka a series regular; she has an energy that is desperately needed.
Anyway, first we have to deal with that whole rival thing that cropped up last time. Somewhat surprisingly, I like the direction they went with Satsuki. It was different enough from the norm and I enjoyed her arc, brief as it wound up being.
Of course, the downside is that Satsuki and her two girlfriends end up being a bit more interesting than the regular crew, so it’s kind of a shame to get that little taste of her life and then nothing else. I’d rather see her moving on than the current stasis that is the main story.
So much of this is build-up for a Christmas date between Rintaro and Kaoruko that we have yet to see, plus struggling with career paths and what the future might hold. It’s not bad, but I didn’t love it.
The career path turns out to be zeroing in on Ayato hiding his actual desires for his career from his friends. As usual, everybody is super nice and respectful about this. Which is really sweet and all, but this series really has become all frosting and no cake.
As Ayato begins to launch into his backstory by the end of the volume, which involves his brother, I do find myself struggling to care a little. I like these characters a lot, but they really need more to do than make nice all the time.
It’s partly down to my personal tastes as well - of the many tropes we see throughout manga like this, I do think career surveys are amongst the least interesting and nothing here is changing that opinion.
Still, this survives based on Satsuki and, back with our regulars, through its general appeal around having a group of great friends. Yes, I do think this is both a strength and a weakness in this particular instance.
The big spread of everybody in uniform to help out at the bakery is pretty great and offers lots of little moments for the cast, same as the earlier karaoke party. These small touches are what really make this enjoyable.
There’s also a very cute bonus manga of Kaoruko trying on Rintaro’s jacket and her resultant embarrassment that speaks to a very slightly more naughty and less reserved version of the former and it’s really great. I wish it had more moments like that in the main chapters.
This is still very good, but it has established a pattern that works but lacks surprise and can come across as a bit rote. It’s a trap that many series can fall into if they go long and it’s just one of those things. The flashes of brilliance are still there, but they are just a bit buried.
4 stars - mostly for the bonus manga and Satsuki’s mini-storyline. The other chapters are okay, but the parts are more enjoyable than the whole for a lot of it. Still enjoyable, but it could use a bit more oomph.
Honestly, I think this could do with a side pairing or two. I had an inkling that Subaru might end up in that situation, but nothing happened. And the mangaka at least had the good sense to make Madoka a series regular; she has an energy that is desperately needed.
Anyway, first we have to deal with that whole rival thing that cropped up last time. Somewhat surprisingly, I like the direction they went with Satsuki. It was different enough from the norm and I enjoyed her arc, brief as it wound up being.
Of course, the downside is that Satsuki and her two girlfriends end up being a bit more interesting than the regular crew, so it’s kind of a shame to get that little taste of her life and then nothing else. I’d rather see her moving on than the current stasis that is the main story.
So much of this is build-up for a Christmas date between Rintaro and Kaoruko that we have yet to see, plus struggling with career paths and what the future might hold. It’s not bad, but I didn’t love it.
The career path turns out to be zeroing in on Ayato hiding his actual desires for his career from his friends. As usual, everybody is super nice and respectful about this. Which is really sweet and all, but this series really has become all frosting and no cake.
As Ayato begins to launch into his backstory by the end of the volume, which involves his brother, I do find myself struggling to care a little. I like these characters a lot, but they really need more to do than make nice all the time.
It’s partly down to my personal tastes as well - of the many tropes we see throughout manga like this, I do think career surveys are amongst the least interesting and nothing here is changing that opinion.
Still, this survives based on Satsuki and, back with our regulars, through its general appeal around having a group of great friends. Yes, I do think this is both a strength and a weakness in this particular instance.
The big spread of everybody in uniform to help out at the bakery is pretty great and offers lots of little moments for the cast, same as the earlier karaoke party. These small touches are what really make this enjoyable.
There’s also a very cute bonus manga of Kaoruko trying on Rintaro’s jacket and her resultant embarrassment that speaks to a very slightly more naughty and less reserved version of the former and it’s really great. I wish it had more moments like that in the main chapters.
This is still very good, but it has established a pattern that works but lacks surprise and can come across as a bit rote. It’s a trap that many series can fall into if they go long and it’s just one of those things. The flashes of brilliance are still there, but they are just a bit buried.
4 stars - mostly for the bonus manga and Satsuki’s mini-storyline. The other chapters are okay, but the parts are more enjoyable than the whole for a lot of it. Still enjoyable, but it could use a bit more oomph.
April 12, 2026
Okay, I'm calling it at 12 volumes; at least in terms of buying the series. I've cancelled the rest of my preorders and will hopefully be able to get the rest through the library as they come out. (The annoying part is that manga isn't really available through my local libraries, so I have to request from other systems, but this is a big enough shoujo series to probably be available. If not, oh well.)
I'm just getting really bored. I saw something recently from the publishers about how Mikami actually started writing this while she was still in high school, which made a lot of things fall into place. That's probably why it feels so stagnant after the first few volumes...she has nothing to say about life post college because she...hasn't...experienced that. At least not as a regular person who has to go through career plans and all the things being struggled with by the characters in this volume - because she's just going to write this series for a million volumes while nothing in particular happens to anyone.
Which isn't to say that I disliked it. It's just that people do not speak to each other the way the characters in this series have been doing for too many volumes now.
Everything is A Speech. No one can communicate normally or just have an average conversation, like a bunch of teenagers hanging out together. They have to spend page after page talking about how supportive they are and how great friendship is and how they'll always be there for each other and how important it is that they never say anything remotely wrong or even slightly unkind to each other.
There's just no...substance, in a way? I don't need drama or villains, but my goodness is it dull when every single character is the portrait of perfection. That does also seem like a modern day youth issue, too, where everyone is afraid of being cancelled for saying something slightly wrong.
Also I don't think teenage guys talk to each other like this. It's so incredibly heavy on feelings and affirming each other, and they're never just...dudes being dudes.
I do really like the guys' tired but very supportive teacher, and I wish there could be a bit more from the adults' perspectives, maybe. It might help to break up the school days tedium a bit.
The one part I was really looking forward to - the introduction of Rintaro's middle school classmate, and him finding out that he was actually admired back then - went absolutely nowhere. The girl talked to her friends - wildly supportive and sweet and perfect like everyone else - and then ran off to tell him that he'd changed her life for the better, and then saw him with his cheerful new girlfriend and "had her heart broken" and will probably never appear in the story again.
Instead, she had her whole speech about how wonderful her friends are and how lucky she is to have them, and then we moved back to the main characters. What was the point of even including her then?
The next arc is about them planning out their futures, although they're still young enough that it is going to take So Many Volumes to get there. (I'd thought I'd seen spoilers a year ago about Kaoruko , so I'd thought the series would start to time-skip more and move into their college and adult lives, but maybe not?) Right now, the only person who knows what she wants to do is Hoshina, who plans to be a lawyer.
Which is a great goal and I sort of see where she's coming from, but she's still literally terrified to speak in front of anyone, so how exactly does that line up with a career in law? It doesn't make a lot of sense.
The others all have no idea what they want to do or who they want to be, which is realistic for teenagers but also kind of boring. There's a Big Mystery with Ayato obviously lying to his friends about not having any career goals, and Rintaro tying himself in knots because he wants to ask him about the police exam notebook he saw in Ayato's bag, but not in any way that would pressure him or seem like he's trying to decide Ayato's future for him or --
It's kind of stupid. Just ask him if he wants to become a police officer. Like a normal person having a normal conversation.
I am intrigued by the ending, with something mysterious about Ayato's older brother, who was a policeman and the object of Ayato's admiration. The panels around him are all kind of dark and ominous, so did he die in the line of duty? Is he just not close with their family anymore?
I do want to read a bit more to find out, but we'll see how long that continues.
Just kind of disappointed because in the early volumes this was becoming one of my favorite shoujos, but it got so incredibly preachy after a while, with no real emotional journeys. It probably should've ended after 8-9 volumes, with the friend groups meshing and everyone looking forward to a bright future.
But that's one of the things that makes me not big on shoujo as a genre...they have a habit of ruining promising starts by draaaaaaaaaagging out the story until it ruins itself. It's sad because initially I'd liked the sweet, gentle nature of the story, but it turns out that when all you're eating is cake, you do get sick of it after a while.
I'm just getting really bored. I saw something recently from the publishers about how Mikami actually started writing this while she was still in high school, which made a lot of things fall into place. That's probably why it feels so stagnant after the first few volumes...she has nothing to say about life post college because she...hasn't...experienced that. At least not as a regular person who has to go through career plans and all the things being struggled with by the characters in this volume - because she's just going to write this series for a million volumes while nothing in particular happens to anyone.
Which isn't to say that I disliked it. It's just that people do not speak to each other the way the characters in this series have been doing for too many volumes now.
Everything is A Speech. No one can communicate normally or just have an average conversation, like a bunch of teenagers hanging out together. They have to spend page after page talking about how supportive they are and how great friendship is and how they'll always be there for each other and how important it is that they never say anything remotely wrong or even slightly unkind to each other.
There's just no...substance, in a way? I don't need drama or villains, but my goodness is it dull when every single character is the portrait of perfection. That does also seem like a modern day youth issue, too, where everyone is afraid of being cancelled for saying something slightly wrong.
Also I don't think teenage guys talk to each other like this. It's so incredibly heavy on feelings and affirming each other, and they're never just...dudes being dudes.
I do really like the guys' tired but very supportive teacher, and I wish there could be a bit more from the adults' perspectives, maybe. It might help to break up the school days tedium a bit.
The one part I was really looking forward to - the introduction of Rintaro's middle school classmate, and him finding out that he was actually admired back then - went absolutely nowhere. The girl talked to her friends - wildly supportive and sweet and perfect like everyone else - and then ran off to tell him that he'd changed her life for the better, and then saw him with his cheerful new girlfriend and "had her heart broken" and will probably never appear in the story again.
Instead, she had her whole speech about how wonderful her friends are and how lucky she is to have them, and then we moved back to the main characters. What was the point of even including her then?
The next arc is about them planning out their futures, although they're still young enough that it is going to take So Many Volumes to get there. (I'd thought I'd seen spoilers a year ago about Kaoruko , so I'd thought the series would start to time-skip more and move into their college and adult lives, but maybe not?) Right now, the only person who knows what she wants to do is Hoshina, who plans to be a lawyer.
Which is a great goal and I sort of see where she's coming from, but she's still literally terrified to speak in front of anyone, so how exactly does that line up with a career in law? It doesn't make a lot of sense.
The others all have no idea what they want to do or who they want to be, which is realistic for teenagers but also kind of boring. There's a Big Mystery with Ayato obviously lying to his friends about not having any career goals, and Rintaro tying himself in knots because he wants to ask him about the police exam notebook he saw in Ayato's bag, but not in any way that would pressure him or seem like he's trying to decide Ayato's future for him or --
It's kind of stupid. Just ask him if he wants to become a police officer. Like a normal person having a normal conversation.
I am intrigued by the ending, with something mysterious about Ayato's older brother, who was a policeman and the object of Ayato's admiration. The panels around him are all kind of dark and ominous, so did he die in the line of duty? Is he just not close with their family anymore?
I do want to read a bit more to find out, but we'll see how long that continues.
Just kind of disappointed because in the early volumes this was becoming one of my favorite shoujos, but it got so incredibly preachy after a while, with no real emotional journeys. It probably should've ended after 8-9 volumes, with the friend groups meshing and everyone looking forward to a bright future.
But that's one of the things that makes me not big on shoujo as a genre...they have a habit of ruining promising starts by draaaaaaaaaagging out the story until it ruins itself. It's sad because initially I'd liked the sweet, gentle nature of the story, but it turns out that when all you're eating is cake, you do get sick of it after a while.
November 5, 2025
*** 3.25✨ ***
January 21, 2026
Lo senti un poco flojon....
August 7, 2026
4.5 stars. I'll never get tired of these books.
August 4, 2024
yorita's past let's go ! i'm most curious about his backstory because he gives off mysterious yakuza vibes.
August 22, 2024
IM GOING TO CRY AND NOT THE GOOD KINDA CRY😭😭😭😭. AYATO😭😭. I loved the focus on him in this volume, he deserves it fr. His whole character is one I can really relate to tbh. The fear of the future and what it will bring, the not knowing of what you really want, the questioning of if you even have something you are really passionate in to really do it in the future, the keeping in your worries like Kaoruko and Rintaro to not worry anyone. He’s just too real😭 I felt so bad and I could also really see why he is the way he is. His dream of being a police officer because of his brother😭😭. I loved Rintaro for returning the favour and hearing him out without judgement or giving an opinion. He just unconditionally loves him like everyone else and is so supportive no matter what, it’s just so sweet and rare. I really do hope Ayato goes for what he really whats and never goes back. He deserves to be passionate in his dream and happy too
I really liked the start of the volume where it focused on an outside side character for a few characters. Really expands on the world and also gave me an outside look on Rintaro. Again why was everyone so afraid of him😭😭. He was the sweetest back then and now. I just dont get it at all. I liked how the girl backed down after seeing Kaoruko and Rintaro together at the station. That’s a girls girl fr. I loved how it somewhat healed her and eased her in some way towards her regret from her past and I’m glad she can finally move on.
The whole karaoke scene was too wholesome and I loved how Madoka is integrated into the group now. The whole friend group is just too cute.
Loved that rain and bench scene with Kaoruko and Rintaro too. I loved how they both communicate and can trust in each other with their worries. They just really deserve each other. AND THAT HUG. ADORABLE. Just the most healthiest couple ever. Like ever.
It took me so long to finish this volume because I don’t want to finish this manga. Like ever😭😭😭😭 I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t 😭😭😭 I am too attached
I really liked the start of the volume where it focused on an outside side character for a few characters. Really expands on the world and also gave me an outside look on Rintaro. Again why was everyone so afraid of him😭😭. He was the sweetest back then and now. I just dont get it at all. I liked how the girl backed down after seeing Kaoruko and Rintaro together at the station. That’s a girls girl fr. I loved how it somewhat healed her and eased her in some way towards her regret from her past and I’m glad she can finally move on.
The whole karaoke scene was too wholesome and I loved how Madoka is integrated into the group now. The whole friend group is just too cute.
Loved that rain and bench scene with Kaoruko and Rintaro too. I loved how they both communicate and can trust in each other with their worries. They just really deserve each other. AND THAT HUG. ADORABLE. Just the most healthiest couple ever. Like ever.
It took me so long to finish this volume because I don’t want to finish this manga. Like ever😭😭😭😭 I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t 😭😭😭 I am too attached
November 15, 2025
"Mi hermano era policia" cómo que ERA??? El arco de Ayato está siendo duro😣
Rintaro llevando a sus amigos a la pastelería para trabajar en NOCHE BUENA, años aprendiendo sobre la cultura japonesa y todavía hay cosas que me sorprenden.
Todo el tema de las aspiraciones laborales para su futuro es algo que entiendo y simpatizo mucho con varios personajes. Es completamente normal que a los 16 años no sepan que es lo que quieren hacer de su vida, no está mal no saber que van a hacer, lo jodido es que te presionen a elegir algo a ESA edad. Poniéndome en el lugar de Shohei, todavía están en la etapa donde lo único que debería preocuparles es que hacer para divertirse.
Rintaro llevando a sus amigos a la pastelería para trabajar en NOCHE BUENA, años aprendiendo sobre la cultura japonesa y todavía hay cosas que me sorprenden.
Todo el tema de las aspiraciones laborales para su futuro es algo que entiendo y simpatizo mucho con varios personajes. Es completamente normal que a los 16 años no sepan que es lo que quieren hacer de su vida, no está mal no saber que van a hacer, lo jodido es que te presionen a elegir algo a ESA edad. Poniéndome en el lugar de Shohei, todavía están en la etapa donde lo único que debería preocuparles es que hacer para divertirse.
April 12, 2024
Oh. Let’s. GOO BABYYYY THE HMS SIDE SHIP IS SAILING
September 28, 2025
5 ✨ stars
all the friendships in this one are so precious
all the friendships in this one are so precious
November 12, 2025
voy a llorar los amo demasiaofidifkwbkd
JURO POR DIOS QUE SI SAKU Y SUBARU NO TERMINAM JUNTOS ME MATO
JURO POR DIOS QUE SI SAKU Y SUBARU NO TERMINAM JUNTOS ME MATO
June 6, 2026
pure cinema👏🏽
August 14, 2026
Cute, but is getting a bit tired at this point.
January 3, 2025
i should've read this in high school, it would've help me.
April 1, 2026
Ay Ayato, no nos pueden dejar así 🥺🥺
March 1, 2026
La primera parte de la antigua compañera de Rintaro fue relleno. Lo demás estuvo 10/10, y vamos a llorar con el arco de Yorita ya lo vi todo, voy a buscar los pañuelos.
March 8, 2026
Yorita🥹
May 3, 2026
I’ve officially reached the "sunk cost fallacy" stage of this series. At this point, I’m reading more out of a sense of duty to see how it ends than any actual investment in the cast.
The Main Gripe: Perfectly Packaged Trauma
The characters have become "perfectly imperfect" to a predictable degree. Every time a character gets the spotlight, we discover a hidden trauma or a secret embarrassment that is neatly solved within a few chapters. It has become a repetitive formula: one friend hides a struggle to be "thoughtful" or "sacrificial," and the rest of the group swoops in to rescue them with a display of saint-like wisdom.
What’s becoming frustrating is the hypocrisy of it all—these characters are incredibly wise when helping others, yet they are completely unable to live out what they preach when it’s their turn to struggle. For a group that values "opening up," they sure do spend a lot of time hiding things from each other just to trigger the next group therapy session.
The Narrative Filler
The introduction of the "rival" felt particularly pointless—a side-story detour that didn't move the needle on the main plot at all. It felt like "filler" in a series that already has an oversized ensemble cast of people who are already too nice to each other.
The Silver Lining: Ayato
Ayato’s career aspirations are the only thing keeping me tethered to the page. It’s a genuinely interesting look at a career path that younger generations often undervalue. However, I’m bracing myself for the reveal that his "secret" was only hidden as a plot device to show us, once again, how precious and understanding this friend group is.
The Verdict
We’re building toward a big Christmas date, but after 12 volumes of "empty cuteness," I’m not expecting fireworks. If the story stays this "safe," a bit of blushing and a kiss is likely the ceiling. I’m staying just to see if the cycle finally breaks, but I’m not holding my breath.
The Main Gripe: Perfectly Packaged Trauma
The characters have become "perfectly imperfect" to a predictable degree. Every time a character gets the spotlight, we discover a hidden trauma or a secret embarrassment that is neatly solved within a few chapters. It has become a repetitive formula: one friend hides a struggle to be "thoughtful" or "sacrificial," and the rest of the group swoops in to rescue them with a display of saint-like wisdom.
What’s becoming frustrating is the hypocrisy of it all—these characters are incredibly wise when helping others, yet they are completely unable to live out what they preach when it’s their turn to struggle. For a group that values "opening up," they sure do spend a lot of time hiding things from each other just to trigger the next group therapy session.
The Narrative Filler
The introduction of the "rival" felt particularly pointless—a side-story detour that didn't move the needle on the main plot at all. It felt like "filler" in a series that already has an oversized ensemble cast of people who are already too nice to each other.
The Silver Lining: Ayato
Ayato’s career aspirations are the only thing keeping me tethered to the page. It’s a genuinely interesting look at a career path that younger generations often undervalue. However, I’m bracing myself for the reveal that his "secret" was only hidden as a plot device to show us, once again, how precious and understanding this friend group is.
The Verdict
We’re building toward a big Christmas date, but after 12 volumes of "empty cuteness," I’m not expecting fireworks. If the story stays this "safe," a bit of blushing and a kiss is likely the ceiling. I’m staying just to see if the cycle finally breaks, but I’m not holding my breath.
April 25, 2026
I think I have to admit to myself I just don't like this series. The way these kids talk... it feels like everything is an event. We have been through 12 volumes of them confessing every single fear and insecurity to one another which is fine but the conflict seems so low stakes. And I do like manga that is low stakes or just really joyful but this one I struggle with. I go back again to how they speak, they are so emotionally mature in managing and regulating their feelings but so quick to despair it's hard for me. As I mentioned, every talk is an event. A monologue almost. The rival hs thing seems so obsolete and I feel bad but going back to her insecurities in the beginning which we have seen no one (not one time) make fun of her for her long, beautiful, and thick hair or eating. His seem a little more plausible as we have seen and other have mentioned how he was so isolated before getting to high school.
2/6 stars
2/6 stars
June 2, 2024
sadly, the series is just kinda starting to lag for me (has been for the last few volumes). it'sstill cute and has itswholesome moments but the characters areall just so... good. no one has any flasws and everyone gets over their obstacles so easily, which is kinda boring 🤷🏻♀️
i really really loved the first half ofthe series and hopefully i'll come back to it in the future again 🤗
i really really loved the first half ofthe series and hopefully i'll come back to it in the future again 🤗
December 6, 2024
4.5/5 stars. Another character getting a background story. And, it's the holidays! Love this volume and this series.
September 23, 2026
Saka Mikami a définitivement trouvé la bonne formule pour faire vivre sa série dans la durée : s'intéresser sincèrement à tout le microcosme autour de son duo. Cela lui réussit bien !
Même si je trouve que cela a un peu un côté catalogue, je reconnais que j'apprécie de découvrir petit à petit les particularité de chacun des membres de la bande, et ce même si c'est avec des sujets fort classiques, comme l'orientation professionnelle, ici. L'autrice y met toujours beaucoup de bienveillance et de sincérité, cela se sent. Elle aime ses personnages et nous aussi par l'occasion.
La grande question de l'orientation après le lycée arrive. Et si cela peut sembler évident pour certains, c'est en fait loin d'être le cas. Au détour d'un petit karaoké entre amis, la question est soulevée et agitera ensuite nos têtes blondes un moment. Il y a d'un côté ceux qu'on pensait avoir deviné mais pour qui on se trompe, ceux qui ne savent pas et cherchent, et ceux qui hésitent. J'ai aimé être surprise par nos héros que je ne pensais pas dans de telles postures, mais surtout, j'ai aimé que l'autrice en profite pour mettre en avant et faire découvrir Yorita.
Celui-ci est un camarade de Rintaro assez discret, toujours souriant, mais semblant toujours porter un masque aussi. On ne l'avait pas percer à jour jusqu'à présent. Il faut dire que l'autrice se contentait, comme ses amis, de le mettre dans le rôle de celui qui soutient Rintaro. Les choses s'inversent désormais que celui-ci va bien et j'apprécie ce choix. Je trouve bien de sa part de nous montrer ces garçons sous un autre jour et ici, en plus, cela suscite vraiment la réflexion. Yorita semble inquiet et embêté par son orientation, tiraillé entre ses aspirations et autre chose. Il ne souhaite pas en parler, il souhaite affronter ça seul, mais Rintaro, en trouvant la bonne distance, montre qu'il est là.
C'est là la force de la série. Elle montre à travers n'importe quelle situation combien ses personnages ont changé. Le tome ouvrait le bal avec une ancienne camarade de classe de Rintaro qui souhaitait lui parler et lui montrer combien elle avait changer grâce à lui, avant de réaliser que lui-même n'était plus le même grâce à Kaoruko. C'est la même chose ici, Rintaro n'est plus le même, il est capable de remarquer quand quelqu'un ne va pas bien et de lui tendre la main sans le forcer à la perdre. C'est très bien écrit. Je reste cependant fort curieuse de la résolution qui devrait arriver dans le prochain tome.
Pour le reste, à côté, j'ai encore passé de bons moments à voir leurs manifestations d'amitié, que ce soit lors de sortie karaoké, lorsqu'ils s'entraident à la boutique pour Noël ou quand ils passent de bons moments au lycée. Même s'ils furent moins nombreux, j'ai continué à fondre pour les petits moments entre nos amoureux qui sont de plus en plus naturels, presque façon vieux couple. J'aime vraiment beaucoup la simplicité de cette série.
Même si je trouve que cela a un peu un côté catalogue, je reconnais que j'apprécie de découvrir petit à petit les particularité de chacun des membres de la bande, et ce même si c'est avec des sujets fort classiques, comme l'orientation professionnelle, ici. L'autrice y met toujours beaucoup de bienveillance et de sincérité, cela se sent. Elle aime ses personnages et nous aussi par l'occasion.
La grande question de l'orientation après le lycée arrive. Et si cela peut sembler évident pour certains, c'est en fait loin d'être le cas. Au détour d'un petit karaoké entre amis, la question est soulevée et agitera ensuite nos têtes blondes un moment. Il y a d'un côté ceux qu'on pensait avoir deviné mais pour qui on se trompe, ceux qui ne savent pas et cherchent, et ceux qui hésitent. J'ai aimé être surprise par nos héros que je ne pensais pas dans de telles postures, mais surtout, j'ai aimé que l'autrice en profite pour mettre en avant et faire découvrir Yorita.
Celui-ci est un camarade de Rintaro assez discret, toujours souriant, mais semblant toujours porter un masque aussi. On ne l'avait pas percer à jour jusqu'à présent. Il faut dire que l'autrice se contentait, comme ses amis, de le mettre dans le rôle de celui qui soutient Rintaro. Les choses s'inversent désormais que celui-ci va bien et j'apprécie ce choix. Je trouve bien de sa part de nous montrer ces garçons sous un autre jour et ici, en plus, cela suscite vraiment la réflexion. Yorita semble inquiet et embêté par son orientation, tiraillé entre ses aspirations et autre chose. Il ne souhaite pas en parler, il souhaite affronter ça seul, mais Rintaro, en trouvant la bonne distance, montre qu'il est là.
C'est là la force de la série. Elle montre à travers n'importe quelle situation combien ses personnages ont changé. Le tome ouvrait le bal avec une ancienne camarade de classe de Rintaro qui souhaitait lui parler et lui montrer combien elle avait changer grâce à lui, avant de réaliser que lui-même n'était plus le même grâce à Kaoruko. C'est la même chose ici, Rintaro n'est plus le même, il est capable de remarquer quand quelqu'un ne va pas bien et de lui tendre la main sans le forcer à la perdre. C'est très bien écrit. Je reste cependant fort curieuse de la résolution qui devrait arriver dans le prochain tome.
Pour le reste, à côté, j'ai encore passé de bons moments à voir leurs manifestations d'amitié, que ce soit lors de sortie karaoké, lorsqu'ils s'entraident à la boutique pour Noël ou quand ils passent de bons moments au lycée. Même s'ils furent moins nombreux, j'ai continué à fondre pour les petits moments entre nos amoureux qui sont de plus en plus naturels, presque façon vieux couple. J'aime vraiment beaucoup la simplicité de cette série.
September 5, 2026
Behold! The SPOILERS!
This is most definitely the weakest volume so far for me. It’s not necessarily that there is something really bad in it (though I have a beef with one plotline). It’s just that there isn’t enough things that are great. There literally zero memorable moments in this volume and I just don’t like that for this series.
Let’s get that especially not great part out of the way. There is girl from Rintaro’s middle school that is in love with him. And okay, sure, she realizes that he has a girlfriend and moves on but I honestly don’t see why this part was even necessary to include cause it doesn’t add anything to the main story.
The rest of the volume is fine. It revolves around Ayato and his inability to decide about his career. There are some moments regarding that that I like, such as Usami literally telling Ayato they were eavesdropping on the conversation he had with the teacher and also the talk that Rintaro gives Ayato that he supports him no matter what. But honestly, I don’t really care about this career choosing plot. It’s not really as big of a deal and I think it exist just to give Ayato some problem to deal with in the story.
Oh, also everyone helping at Rintaro’s family’s bakery on Christmas was really cute.
Overall, the volume is really the weakest of the bunch. Sure, it was bound to happen at some point but unfortunately, this is the first volume I’m giving 3 stars. I hope the story starts picking back up in the next one.
This is most definitely the weakest volume so far for me. It’s not necessarily that there is something really bad in it (though I have a beef with one plotline). It’s just that there isn’t enough things that are great. There literally zero memorable moments in this volume and I just don’t like that for this series.
Let’s get that especially not great part out of the way. There is girl from Rintaro’s middle school that is in love with him. And okay, sure, she realizes that he has a girlfriend and moves on but I honestly don’t see why this part was even necessary to include cause it doesn’t add anything to the main story.
The rest of the volume is fine. It revolves around Ayato and his inability to decide about his career. There are some moments regarding that that I like, such as Usami literally telling Ayato they were eavesdropping on the conversation he had with the teacher and also the talk that Rintaro gives Ayato that he supports him no matter what. But honestly, I don’t really care about this career choosing plot. It’s not really as big of a deal and I think it exist just to give Ayato some problem to deal with in the story.
Oh, also everyone helping at Rintaro’s family’s bakery on Christmas was really cute.
Overall, the volume is really the weakest of the bunch. Sure, it was bound to happen at some point but unfortunately, this is the first volume I’m giving 3 stars. I hope the story starts picking back up in the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2026
This story is just so beautiful. 💖💖💖
I know I keep repeating myself with every volume, but I can’t help it. Because Rintaro and Kaoruko’s story is about so much more than their romance. It’s about friendship, family, found family, caring for others, wanting to help them, and being there when they need you.
I love watching these characters grow, learn from one another, and build such meaningful relationships. There’s so much tenderness in the smallest gestures that it’s impossible not to grow attached to them.
And the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. The expressions, the pacing, the way emotions are conveyed… Everything is told with such beautiful sensitivity.
I don’t know how many more times I’ll say I love this story, but here we are. I can’t wait to read the next volume! ^^
Es que esta historia es tan bonita. 💖
Sé que me repito con cada tomo, pero es imposible no hacerlo. Porque la historia de Rintaro y Kaoruko es mucho más que el amor entre ellos. Es la amistad, la familia, esa familia que elegimos, el preocuparse por los demás, querer ayudarlos y estar a su lado cuando lo necesitan.
Me encanta ver cómo estos personajes crecen, aprenden unos de otros y construyen relaciones tan bonitas. Hay tanta ternura en los pequeños gestos que es imposible no cogerles cariño.
Y qué maravilla de dibujo, de expresiones, de ritmo y de manera de transmitir emociones. Todo está contado con una sensibilidad preciosa.
No sé cuántas veces más diré que esta historia me encanta, pero aquí seguimos. ¡Qué ganas de leer el siguiente tomo! ^^
I know I keep repeating myself with every volume, but I can’t help it. Because Rintaro and Kaoruko’s story is about so much more than their romance. It’s about friendship, family, found family, caring for others, wanting to help them, and being there when they need you.
I love watching these characters grow, learn from one another, and build such meaningful relationships. There’s so much tenderness in the smallest gestures that it’s impossible not to grow attached to them.
And the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. The expressions, the pacing, the way emotions are conveyed… Everything is told with such beautiful sensitivity.
I don’t know how many more times I’ll say I love this story, but here we are. I can’t wait to read the next volume! ^^
Es que esta historia es tan bonita. 💖
Sé que me repito con cada tomo, pero es imposible no hacerlo. Porque la historia de Rintaro y Kaoruko es mucho más que el amor entre ellos. Es la amistad, la familia, esa familia que elegimos, el preocuparse por los demás, querer ayudarlos y estar a su lado cuando lo necesitan.
Me encanta ver cómo estos personajes crecen, aprenden unos de otros y construyen relaciones tan bonitas. Hay tanta ternura en los pequeños gestos que es imposible no cogerles cariño.
Y qué maravilla de dibujo, de expresiones, de ritmo y de manera de transmitir emociones. Todo está contado con una sensibilidad preciosa.
No sé cuántas veces más diré que esta historia me encanta, pero aquí seguimos. ¡Qué ganas de leer el siguiente tomo! ^^
April 7, 2026
(The English descriptions keep being out of pace here on GR. Ignore it.)
A girl who had a crush on Rintaro in his previous school hasn’t forgotten him and a chance encounter brings her feelings back. She wants to know if she could have a chance with him, so she waits for him at a station, only to see him with Kaoruko. Her heart breaks, but luckily she has her friends who console and support her.
It’s the end of exams, and the group of friends celebrate by going to karaoke. Future careers come up, but only Subaru knows what she wants to be. Yorita, one of the boys, says he just wants to get a job. Rintaro feels something is off about this, and after mulling it over with everyone else, he brings it up with Yorita. A good, heartfelt conversation follows.
In the final chapter, the group of friends come to help Rintaro’s family at the pastry shop. It’s Christmas, and the place is packet. But everyone is having a great time.
This was another wholesome volume. I like how the time progresses and the characters grow up and mature, facing new challenges as they do. The focus has shifted from Rintaro and Kaoruko’s romance a little, giving room for other characters. Yorita clearly has a reason for why he’s hesitant to choose what he wants, but that’s left for the next volume. Looking forward to reading it.
A girl who had a crush on Rintaro in his previous school hasn’t forgotten him and a chance encounter brings her feelings back. She wants to know if she could have a chance with him, so she waits for him at a station, only to see him with Kaoruko. Her heart breaks, but luckily she has her friends who console and support her.
It’s the end of exams, and the group of friends celebrate by going to karaoke. Future careers come up, but only Subaru knows what she wants to be. Yorita, one of the boys, says he just wants to get a job. Rintaro feels something is off about this, and after mulling it over with everyone else, he brings it up with Yorita. A good, heartfelt conversation follows.
In the final chapter, the group of friends come to help Rintaro’s family at the pastry shop. It’s Christmas, and the place is packet. But everyone is having a great time.
This was another wholesome volume. I like how the time progresses and the characters grow up and mature, facing new challenges as they do. The focus has shifted from Rintaro and Kaoruko’s romance a little, giving room for other characters. Yorita clearly has a reason for why he’s hesitant to choose what he wants, but that’s left for the next volume. Looking forward to reading it.
October 29, 2024
This manga is so darn heartwarming😭🎀.
I love how they show from sensitive topics to most relatable ones but in a healthy way. Every character and his/her relationship with their loved ones is so pure be it their friendship, bond b/w sibling and parents like everything. I loved how they portrayed the fear of the future in this volume. As someone who likes her major in uni but is still confused with her what ifs and questions like "have i chosen the wrong one?" "What if I end up w no future with my major" I related to it sm but maybe that's how life is, you can never be certain about the future no matter how planned you want it to be. You can fail in one thing and be successful in another , you can pass out w a particular major but in the future can be a part of a completely different major. I've learned this a while although tho I'm still very scared of an uncertain future but I really hope future Adiba would be the person who won't be afraid of uncertainties and would actually realise the fact that she'd find her way in life through one way or another and would understand the beauty of uncertainties.(Currently I hate em💀)
Okay thanks for listening to my ted talks lmao I just felt sm I had to write it out 🫶🏻✨
I love how they show from sensitive topics to most relatable ones but in a healthy way. Every character and his/her relationship with their loved ones is so pure be it their friendship, bond b/w sibling and parents like everything. I loved how they portrayed the fear of the future in this volume. As someone who likes her major in uni but is still confused with her what ifs and questions like "have i chosen the wrong one?" "What if I end up w no future with my major" I related to it sm but maybe that's how life is, you can never be certain about the future no matter how planned you want it to be. You can fail in one thing and be successful in another , you can pass out w a particular major but in the future can be a part of a completely different major. I've learned this a while although tho I'm still very scared of an uncertain future but I really hope future Adiba would be the person who won't be afraid of uncertainties and would actually realise the fact that she'd find her way in life through one way or another and would understand the beauty of uncertainties.(Currently I hate em💀)
Okay thanks for listening to my ted talks lmao I just felt sm I had to write it out 🫶🏻✨
September 12, 2026
🎄 Una copertina che mi piace da impazzire e un volume pieno di amore, amicizia e nuove emozioni. Mi ha colpita molto il cuore spezzato di Satsuki, che aveva una cotta per Rintaro, ma continuo a pensare che Rintaro e Kaoruko siano semplicemente fatti per stare insieme.
⚖️ Ho trovato davvero particolare la rivelazione che Subaru voglia diventare avvocato per occuparsi delle problematiche scolastiche, mentre mi ha rattristata vedere Ayato così incerto sul proprio futuro. Sapere però che, ripensando al passato, ricorda il sogno di diventare poliziotto come suo fratello mi ha intenerita tantissimo: da bambino era davvero dolcissimo.
🍰 In vista del Natale, vedere tutti aiutare Rintaro nella pasticceria dei suoi genitori mi ha scaldato il cuore. Adoro quanto questo gruppo riesca a sostenersi a vicenda e quanto Rintaro tenga ai suoi amici proprio come loro tengono a lui.
🌸 Un volume che continua ad approfondire i personaggi e i loro sogni, lasciandomi ancora una volta con tanta curiosità. Quali altre emozioni e rivelazioni mi aspettano?
⚖️ Ho trovato davvero particolare la rivelazione che Subaru voglia diventare avvocato per occuparsi delle problematiche scolastiche, mentre mi ha rattristata vedere Ayato così incerto sul proprio futuro. Sapere però che, ripensando al passato, ricorda il sogno di diventare poliziotto come suo fratello mi ha intenerita tantissimo: da bambino era davvero dolcissimo.
🍰 In vista del Natale, vedere tutti aiutare Rintaro nella pasticceria dei suoi genitori mi ha scaldato il cuore. Adoro quanto questo gruppo riesca a sostenersi a vicenda e quanto Rintaro tenga ai suoi amici proprio come loro tengono a lui.
🌸 Un volume che continua ad approfondire i personaggi e i loro sogni, lasciandomi ancora una volta con tanta curiosità. Quali altre emozioni e rivelazioni mi aspettano?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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