The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity, Vol. 4

薫る花は凛と咲く [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku] #4

by Saka Mikami

Despite his new closeness with Kaoruko, the divide between Chidori and Kikyo became a constant source of worry for Rintaro. In the end, the introductions between his friends and Kaoruko's friend, Subaru, went well. Not only are they starting to build a good relationship, but Rintaro finally decided to open up more to the people around him. With Rintaro revealing his past struggles, the bonds of friendship deepen. Summer is right around the corner and now that he has many new friends to spend it with, it's time to make plans!

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

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2022

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoshina being completely stressed out from writing short messages to her friends is so real, I'm afraid.

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alongside Rintaro's blooming rel. with Kaokuro, he finally decided to open up more to the people around him. Rintaro goes on to reveal his past struggles to his peers- he becomes more transparent. This act of vulnerability strengthens his bonds not only with Kaoruko but also with his friends.

With newfound closeness and a burgeoning group of friends, the characters begin to make plans for the upcoming summer!!!

[rory (jess' version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i feel so happy reading this to the point that i'm crying. even though the plot is cliché, it still stirs my heart. the innocence of this manga is a breathe of fresh air.

[灰 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s pretty obvious that there isn’t anything particularly different surrounding the stereotypical tropes and characters here but for some reason my heart flutters. I can’t seem to put it down and it’s just so freaking adorable. I don’t mind cliches to be completely honest…

[bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

this volume was so sweet 😭

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like great cornbread at a BBQ pit, it’s the sides that are the star rather than the mains for this particular volume of a wonderfully consistent and delightful series. Not that our leads have nothing to offer, they’re as great as ever, but everything else hits a bit better.

Partially that’s because Rintaro spends a lot of this volume not realizing his feelings, which comes across as slightly regressive given how many bashful looks and such have been shot between the two. And Kaoruko gets some stuff to do, mostly with Subaru, but not quite a ton.

No, first we get some more dynamite moments with Rintaro’s mother, who is just the sweetest, and her sheer joy at seeing him enjoying his life is so satisfying. The way she changed herself to make him feel more comfortable with his own desire to change is really poignant, especially with her reaction to it paying off.

And then there’s Subaru, who has really come a long way from just being a generic romantic obstacle. She was never written that poorly, but it is definitely the role she played. Now, however, she has become Rintaro’s wingman, or, more accurately, she’s being the best friend of her best friend.

Combined with Subaru’s haughty nature and her awkward personality around this new friend group, she really steals a lot of scenes. The way she comes through towards the end of the volume is just great. And, talk about organic conflict set-up, if the way things are going with the girls at the school doesn’t blow up in a later volume I will eat my toque.

(Subaru also handily wins the fashion race this time out - her casual look is great.)

But wait, there’s more! We finally get to see Rintaro’s dad and we learn what his whole deal is. He’s wonderfully passionate and working himself to death, but when his son needs help he leaps back into action. He doesn’t get a ton of time, but sure makes the most of it.

It’s a solid volume of a very solid series that continues to land strong with every release. We’ll see how it holds up next time, which promises to invoke my First Law of Manga (‘if there can be bikinis, there will be bikinis’), but this hasn’t let me down yet at being great even when it follows the expected path.

[Jellyjeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

ฉันรักแม่รินทาโร่มากเลยยยย หัวอกคนเป็นแม่ที่เห็นลูกเศร้าเรื่องเพื่อนเรื่องโรงเรียนมาตลอด แต่แล้วจู่ๆวันนึงลูกก็พาเพื่อนมาบ้าน ได้เห็นลูกที่ตอนนี้มีความสุข, ยิ้มและหัวเราะได้อ่ะ มันโคตรจะตื้นตันใจเลย 😭

ในเล่มนี้ชอบเวลาที่แก๊ง 6 คนอยู่ด้วยกันมาก มันน่ารักไปหมด อ่านไปแล้วก็ได้แต่ยิ้มตามพวกนาง แอบตลกตอนที่รินทาโร่ลากทุกคนเข้ากรุ๊ปจะได้ช่วยกันคิดเรื่องที่เที่ยวที่อยากไปช่วงปิดเทอมหน้าร้อน แล้วน้องสุบารุตอนเข้ากลุ่มมาดันพิมทางการเกิ๊นน หนูลูก โดนแซวเลยเป็นไงล่ะ555555

สุดท้าย รินทาโร่กับพ่อเหมือนกันมากค่ะ ปลื้มใจแทนแม่ 😌💅🏻

[Belén Coronel Blanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Súper fan de la madre de Rintaro🫶🏻
Y que hot el padre🫦

Los chicos aprobando sus examenes finales y, ¿interpreté mal o Kaoruko bajó sus calificaciones? Espero que no porque de ser así presiento que Rintaro va a sentirse culpable.
Ayato si que da miedo, no lo dirías con su tamaño y rostro infantil, pero se cargó él solo a unos pandilleros y después destrozó al equipo de Shohei en los bolos sólo porque éste lo provocó.

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

LIVE LAUGH LOVE RINTARO’S MOTHERRRR!! AND TO MANY HEALTHY FRIENDSHIP !!!!
also his dad is pretty hot and is the right amount of passion a person should have in their life. i am absolutely serious, the things you love should be able to knock you out and leave you short of breath

[Yunebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

los he echado muchísimo de menos!!! son adorables. llevaba varios meses sin leer este manga y me ha asustado un poco con la primera mitad, no me estaba enganchando mucho pero luego he recuperado las vibes ♥️

me gusta que con solo 4 tomos ya van metiendo personajes secundarios que tienen su subtrama o pasado y que espero poder ver.

[charly · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER WHOLESOME VOLUME. I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT.
Each chapter was just a treat to read. When his mom dyed her hair and pierced her ears for Rintaro😭😭. I love his mom. Also fuck them kids at elementary who made Rintaro feel lonely and wanting to give up at making friends. No one should ever feel like that ever.
THE FACT HIS MOM AND SUBARU AND HIS FRIENDS KNOW SOMETHING IS UP WITH RINTARO AND KAORU IS SO FUNNY. EVERYONE KNOW BUT THEM😭
The bowling scene was funny as shit🤣🤣. Ayato really is a dark horse. His advice made so much sense too. ALSO RINTARO IS YAMADA CODED. “Because to me, just being able to see Waguri-san with a smile on her face is more than enough”😭😭😭😭
The group chat scene was too adorable too. I love their growing friendship so much. I love how much Rintaro treasures everyone’s friendship with him. How no one else wanted to be his friend and how they saw him as scary I will never get. He is a lonely cutie😭
Also why is Rintaros dad kinda fine….🤭. I love that Rintaro is baking Kaoru a cake. It’s just so thoughtful of him. When he described what he wanted the cake to taste like for her, I was squealing🤭 He truly is Yamada coded. I can’t wait to see it and her reaction.
This volume was just such a delight to read. 5 stars

[S. Alberto ⁻⁷ (yearning) · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK HEAR ME OUT: I rated this volume 3 stars—not because it was bad, but because it functioned more as a setup chapter than a standout installment. As much as I enjoy the cast and their dynamics, not much actually happened here beyond reaffirming Rintaro’s character. His friends reminded us (again) how thoughtful and dependable he is, which is sweet, but also a little repetitive if you’ve been following from the beginning.

The strongest moment by far was Subaru being an absolute wingwoman—gently nudging Rintaro by reminding him that Waguri’s birthday is coming up on the 22nd. That small moment of care, where her support is subtle but intentional, really shines. It’s emotional in a quiet, understated way.

The rest of the volume felt like it was just laying the groundwork: prepping for what’s to come, emotionally and narratively. That’s totally fair, and I don’t mind a slower-paced volume, but I can’t say it left a deep impression. It’s a transitional chapter in the best sense—but not particularly memorable on its own.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really went from thinking the beginning volumes to be lackluster to being so soft for all these characters!

HE'S JUST A SOFT BOY WITH A ROUGH EXTERIOR. HIS PARENTS ARE GOLDEN. HIS CRUSH IS BASICALLY THE HUMAN EMBODIMENT OF MOCHI. HIS FRIENDS HAVE HIS BACK AND HER BESTIE LOVES HER WITH HER WHOLE LIFE. AL;KSDFJA;LSKJFL;KAJ IT'S PERFECT.

RECAP: Mom backstory about dyeing and piercing her ears, last exams, passing!, guys go bowling, Rintaro is distracted because he's thinking of Kaoru. They make plans to hang out in summer, start a group chat. Subaru tells Rin about Kaoru's birthday. He asks his dad to teach him how to bake. Kaoru's friends try to make plans with her but Subaru asks to reschedule. THEN RIN TEXTS KAORU ASKING TO MEET ON THE 22ND (AKA HER BIRTHDAY) AND SHE'S SUPER EXCITED. My heart. cannot take this. anymore.

[SummerRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's such a wholesome series and giving me a great palate cleanser in between my other reads. At first I wanted more nuance and depth in the plot, but I'm starting to understand writing about life growing up, perception, and feelings is complicated. The choices we make really shape our own little circles as well as ourselves.

[jaileah canessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75!!

[any୨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usami's the silliest one!!! Theyre sooo adorable💘

[Maia Soria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Más lindooosss

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. This manga is a warm hug of sweetness and support. I love it so much.

[MargReadsManga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most sweet and wholesome friend group! Love this series so much!!

[Grace]

Rintaro’s dad is fine as hell ^ ~ ^

[Ada Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

oops got distracted

[dora♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

they're all so adorable and i'm falling in love with this series even more and more😭🤲🏻

[edy · Rating 4 out of 5]

they're so wholesome 😭😭

[isaac⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75*

nobody is this thoughtful and kind these days unfortunately :( it’s all very rare.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Está chulísimo y mejora por momentos! ^^ jaja

[bo0k_addicted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cause of death: cuteness 💓🤭

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series may be nothing new genre wise, but it’s just so damn wholesome that you can’t help but feel good after you read a volume.

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so sweet it's gonna give me diabetes

[makayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
finally met the dad 😆

[Say · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how everyone is opening up with each other.
Such a fluffy read. :)