The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 7

薫る花は凛と咲く [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku] #7

by Saka Mikami

The summer festival marks a momentous occasion for Rintaro and Kaoruko as their relationship reaches new heights, amid an outpouring of feelings and a poignant recollection of their first meeting. Now a couple, the two cautiously navigate what that means both for their own interactions, and how they interact with those around them—friends and schools included. Luckily, there’s still time to find their footing, as summer vacation continues…

Genres: Manga, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Comics, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2023

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone is still as sweet as humanly possible, but that height difference is killing me. I mean, look at that cover.

[rory (jess' version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

the healthy communication amongst friendships, family, and lovers this manga has is giving me so much dopamine. and RINTARO PLS JUST ONE CHANCE

[AnaBells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta este manga.

[MargReadsManga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this friend group so very much!! And Rintaro and Kaoruko are just so adorable!! I loved hearing how all the boys became friends.

[LindSlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually cried. The moment between Rintaro's parents had me in absolute tears. This whole series is so sweet I might develop cavities. Every character is absolute so whole heartedly just trying to put out good into the world how can you not fall in love with each an every one of them. Cannot hype this story up more.

[sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* i wish ppl like this existed irl

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My focus with this story has, as usually happens to me, quietly shifted to waiting for Saku and Subaru to get together. They should have brushed hands during that dish washing, is all I’m saying.

The entire thing is, no shock, incredibly wholesome. It’s weird how this was a whole ‘girls’ school vs boys’ school’ back in the beginning, yet has just shifted entirely to a friend group hanging out with occasional moments for Rintaro and Kaoruko to be couple-y.

Saku’s birthday is just a deluge of good vibes and being friends. It can almost be too much at times, this is so incredibly earnest, but I’d rather have something that made nice too much than was perpetually mean.

We get a flashback to how the guys got together, which basically leads to them respecting one another and learning to get along. Basically, the conflict in this manga is brought to you by Nerf. Minimal impact and everybody gets away without bruising.

Still, they acknowledge the harshness of earlier volumes. Saku and Subaru have a real heart to heart about things that were said before they got to know one another. It’s nice to see them dealing with that and the consequences of their actions.

Honestly, people probably apologize too often in the course of this story. I truly enjoy this series, it is pretty uplifting, but that does come with a bit of a cost in terms of drama and conflict.

Even the last story about Kaoruko having a part-time job is mostly about showing what a good boy Rintaro is. Although it at least lets Kaoruko do something for a change, rather than get overshadowed by the boys. She’s not super present in this volume.

Still, it’s a feel good book that feels good, and if you need a little serotonin it certainly achieves that. It’s very well done and I like the cast, but it can’t quite achieve anything memorable playing it so safe.

4 stars - I mean, I have ideas about things it could do better, but I don’t have complaints per se. More observations. If this keeps going at this level I won’t be upset and it’s recommended for its boundless niceness.

[Bawy{•_•} · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 3.80✨ ***

[charly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful and wholesome volume. I really love and am jealous of the gang’s friendship. They are too cute. The presents scene was too adorable the donut plushie and donuts were such a nice gift and the cake rintaro made was beautiful. I love the slow development of Saku and Subaru. I can already tell their relationship will be a beautifully articulated one of understanding and just pure love for one another. The scene of them washing dishes together and communicating their wrong doings with each other and apologising is already prove of that.
I love that Rintaro found his passion for cake making through his friends. He found his purpose. His dad’s reaction to it almost made me cry, how he thanked his wife. Rintaros parents are too cute. I need more lore on their relationship and how they fell in love NOW.
The lore of the boys friendship was so cute. Their friendship is so beautiful in a way that makes me envious. They really get along and understand each other. They are all so kind and compassionate people and I am happy they found each other and became friends.
Rintaro and Kaorus relationship is actually so so beautiful like I am so jealous and sad that I’ll probably never experience anything like in my entire life. They are both so strong and kind and they were made for each other. Their love for one another is just so screaming, crying, throwing up inducing. Can’t wait to see the cake Rintaro made for her.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foreshadowing of a second couple? They are so cute. This is seriously a wholesome and all the guys are such green flags.

[Paula ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨ stars

we love a group of friends that actually talk

[Juju ♡ ～('▽^人) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wish i had such a love HELLO

[maya ☆ (aced her finals!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

subaru and saku, you have my vote and you both should participate in the 2025 slow burn yearning competition. i think y’all would have a great chance at winning.

also love to see these boys have always been real and lovely to each other, wholesome since day one.

[Alicia ^^ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antes de nada, agradecida estoy con Saka Mikami por inventar el amor.
De verdad, tremenda obra de arte. Este manga me parece que comunica con la mirada de los personajes. En cada frame puedes ver el amor de Rintaro por Kaoruko solo con la mirada, el aprecio que le tiene Saku a Subaru, y el del padre de Rintaro por la madre de Rintaro.

En este volumen en particular, la historia gira alrededor de Saku, cosa que me pone muy feliz porque me parece precioso que cada vez se le muestre más abierto con el resto desde que pasó lo de la conversación con Rintaro.
Saku es el típico personaje que es bastante cerrado en general, y suele ser un poquillo serio. Pero que has venido la hermana y todo a agradecer a los amigos… Fr me ha parecido precioso :( me ha puesto genuinamente feliz verlo tan ilusionado (aquí yappeando sobre personajes ficticios ayuda).
Por otro lado, lo que hay entre Subaru y Saku… Mirad es que desde el frame en el que Subaru le ha dado el regalo a mi no me bajáis del barco de que están casadísimos. Dadles dos volúmenes, trust me.

Y sobre Rintaro y Kaoruko… IM TIRED OF THE CAKE STUFF QUIERO DESARROLLO ROMÁNTICO 😭🙏.
Me ha hecho ilusión saber de que trabaja Kaoruko JAGSJAHS, aunque me ha hecho gracia que todo este manga literalmente gire alrededor de la comida. Y que monada cuando ha venido Rintaro con sus bros al restaurante y ella en plan “ay no quiero que me vea con estas pintas”. Ojalá en volúmenes posteriores Rintaro le diga lo guapa que está incluso con “esas pintas”.

En fin tengo ganitas de ver qué pasa. Ando bastante enganchada a esta historia 🗿

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The birthday celebration was very cute. We love Saku and Subaru development and learning more about Kaoruko through her part-time job.

But I think the sweetness is getting too sweet, it's starting to feel more artificial. There is an inauthenticity and unnaturalness to some of the things people say and do. It's more of the "over the top" energy I was getting in the previous volume.

Sadly the boys' backstory also didn't do anything for me. It was a bit underwhelming.

Additionally, while I am really enjoying seeing more to Kaoruko and her flaws, I feel like the fixation is now on her looks and how sometimes she doesn't look perfect and is self-conscious about that. This is fair, but when it is a large chunk of what we're getting from her, it is kind of shallow (in terms of depicting a female character).

Still some good stuff here though. It was a very up and down volume in terms of enjoyment.

[Belén Coronel Blanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

El cumpleaños de Saku y la historia de como se hicieron amigos los chicos.
En el volumen anterior pensé que Kaoruko podría haber conocido al hermano de Rintaro ya que él no se acordaba de la primera vez que se conocieron realmente, sin embargo, acá los amigos confirman que él tiene mala memoria así que descarto mi teoría. Aunque tengo mucha curiosidad sobre el hermano, asumo que estará en la universidad y por eso no aparece.
Los padres de Tsumugi son tan lindos🫶🏻

[nibha ⋆˚꩜｡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

signing saku's adoption papers as i'm writing this review, that's my son now. CAN I PLS GIVE RINTARO'S PARENTS THE TIGHTEST HUGS EVER? i'm so proud of everything you guys have been through for your son, you deserve to see him happy and loved :(

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

So freaking wholesome and sweet! This manga oozes healthy relationships and I can’t help but tear up.

Recap: birthday surprise, his little sister, Subaru moment, throwback to when the guys all met, they then see her at her part time job.

[Diana H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I take it back this slaps harder than my mother

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mamma mia quanto mi fa piangere questo manga🥲
Le scene, le frasi e tutti i personaggi che sono stati introdotti…è tutto così semplice ma emozionante e vero ❤️

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. So very sweet, and we get to see her part-time job! The communication and support are so welcoming. Instead of people taking kindness for granted, it is appreciated and reciprocated.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this manga sm, it’s so cute 😭

[Yunebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomo centrado en el pasado para entender las relaciones del presente. El grupo de amigos es genial pero las escenas del padre y la madre van directas al corazón. Nunca es suficiente con este manga🧚🏻‍♀️

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a saku stan, this was definitely my favorite volume so far!!!! love getting more insight into his home life and his insecurities, as well as the start of what i can already tell is gonna be a show-stealing ship with him and subaru. the boys' friendship lore was absolutely adorable, the parents made me tear up in just 5 pages, and learning a bit more about kaoruko is always welcome. i hope we get to see her family next!!

[⋆. ˚ Demi's Reads ౨ৎ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ☆ no miscommunication trope, no drama, just... cuteness, fluffiness, and such lovely characters and friendships! it feels so refreshing and i love these series so much!! i just can't stop reading more chapters. ⚘.ᥫ᭡⋆˚✿˖°

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

cuteness overload!!! saku's birthday, the guys backstory, rintaro's parents (relationship goals), and then seeing kaoruko at her job.....so much happiness in this volume!!

[bea 🪴]

seeing rintaro’s friends eat his cake and telling his dad how grateful he was to see them enjoy it :( rintaro u are so loved

saku shakes head i love you

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This series is so good. Birthday for a friend, cake, parents, and gf's job. Just all so wholesome.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think this might wind up as my favorite shoujo. Realizing now that it's written exactly the way Kaoruko describes Rintaro's cakes...they're sweet, as cakes should be, but not overwhelmingly so. They just taste incredibly gentle, somehow. And that's how this story feels.

While there could be some drama still pending, considering the whole Romeo & Juliet theme, so far all the obstacles have mostly just been solved through communication and kindness. I thought I was going to dislike Kaoruko's mean, possessive friend, but she's lovely underneath her protectiveness...and I am absolutely delighted that she and cold, awkward, deeply caring Saku seem to be forming a bond.

His birthday party was adorable. His reactions to his friends' gifts - from extremely thoughtful (a watch!) to ridiculous (a plushie donut with arms and legs...) - was absolutely precious. His relationship with his sister could've strayed in typical weird territory, but it was a realistic and loving familial bond.

And I loved that we got a full backstory for how the guys all became friends! Rintaro's inability to remember all these moments that were deeply formative for other people, while he was just being his normal kind, helpful self, is so funny. Then, when he got home and told his dad how blessed he feels to have people who care about the hard work he put into baking the cake for them...

...And his dad went upstairs and cried because Rintaro's childhood had been so rough and he'd struggled so much with meeting people who could understand him...

Ugh. There isn't a lot of drama, but there is a lot of heart, and somehow it's so perfectly balanced.

Adore seeing Kaoruko at work - I honestly think she's even cuter in a more natural, down-to-earth state, without the flowing dresses and big hair and carefully applied makeup. Loved seeing her in her element, working hard and making all the regulars at the restaurant adore and want to protect her.

And Rintaro starting to meet people as her boyfriend! Lovely. I'm really looking forward to her family meeting him.

This is just a perfect little series so far. I'm completely delighted with its sugary but not too overpowering sweetness.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting sweeter. First, the group celebrates Saku’s birthday—with Rintaro’s cake, which is a success—and the gloomy boy is moved by his friends’ caring. There’s also something starting between him and Subaru. The boys share how they first met, which is a very wholesome story.

We also get to witness the happiness of Rintaro’s parents that their son finally has friends, after being so lonely before, and that he’s happy. And Rintaro is determined to learn to bake cakes to bring joy to people. In the last story, the boys accidentally go to a restaurant where Kaoruko works, and the maternal owner gives a stamp of approval to Rintaro.

This was a lovely volume. There wasn’t any alone time for Rintaro and Kaoruko, except the short extra story. It was a small letdown, as the two have just started dating. But the group is so fun together that I didn’t mind. I don’t care if things ever progress from here, as long as there are these happy, wholesome stories.