The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 10

薫る花は凛と咲く [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku] #10

by Saka Mikami

ある休日、デートを楽しむ凛太郎と薫子だったが、その様子を桔梗女子の友人4人に目撃されてしまう。最初は千鳥を警戒していた彼女たちだったが、実際に凛太郎たちと会い、誤解を解き始めていた。ところが、“千鳥”を心の支えにしていた沢渡亜由美は、彼らを知っていくうちに、自らを卑下するように…。その後、友人たちの温かい言葉で曇りが晴れた亜由美。しかし凛太郎の友人・夏沢 朔は、そんな彼女の気持ちが分かると話し…？

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2023

Reviews

[Fathima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserve nothing less

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels a little rushed from last time, which is weird because it takes its time. However, sometimes the pieces come together for this series in just the right way and there are a couple of things here I didn’t need.

I think diving into Natsusawa’s past so soon after we went through Sawatari’s backstory was a bit of a misstep. I get that Natsusawa feels comfortable enough to unburden himself, but it’s a long story that doesn’t add much to his character for me.

Coming so quickly after the guys and girls are sorting things out takes away from that a little bit and it would have been fine just focusing on Sawatori and the girls’ attempts to work the barbecue robot.

I do like the energy that Hoshina brings to the huge group and the later chapter revelation that she and Usami are now really good friends is super believable. Really cute stuff from the two of them.

Rintaro and Kaoruko get to have a little date for themselves that’s a lot of fun and Kaoruko is an adorable girlfriend even when she’s trying to work through her jealousy over a random girl who we never see nor even enters Rintaro’s radar.

My real issue is a little repetition here that kind of makes things drag. Yeah, I get that Kaoruko visiting Rintaro’s place on her own as the girlfriend is a big deal, but it feels like a lot of the same beats and emotions we’ve seen before.

I’m glad that Kaoruko gets along with the parents and everybody is really happy that Rintaro’s such a great guy and his mom is moved to tears again, but we already saw this same thing happen. Even the hair dying thing comes back.

It’s all very sweet - I cannot and will never fault the general niceness of this series, even if it does sometimes go hard on it to its detriment. There’s just a feeling of déjà vu and then things I couldn’t get invested in here that brought it under its usual high levels.

Even the chapter that features a group hang with several of the guys and girls can’t help but import a very important lesson and mash that good friendship vibes button as hard as it can. This story works better when it has a little friction in it to cut the treacle.

4 stars - there’s no denying this series’ inherent qualities and how enjoyable it is, but there’s also no denying that this volume was not one of its best efforts in my estimation.

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

i'm smiling too much my cheeks hurt. just by reading this, i'm already in a good mood.

[Ellen McGinty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a fantastic manga, though the pacing was slower in this volume. My favorite moment has to be the parents at the end. It’s the small things, like noticing when a cup of coffee needs to be refilled…

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i miss rintaro's blonde hair

[Pripri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este ultimo capi me gusto mucho. Solo el grupito de amigos disfrutando de su adolescencia.
Mas parejitas? Si por favor, que me encanta el romance. Jajajaja.

[Minna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rintaro's mom always got me CRYING 😭

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

These kids might be too in touch with their feelings it makes it a little boring. I wish I actually understood more about the consequences of them dating was. Like who cares, they seem to have a sweet and understanding relationship. I like seeing the involved parents.

It's still kind of funny to me that her issues are she has thick long , luscious hair and eats.

Everyone of these kids has depression I think. 2.75

His dad is hot and the bumped it up to 3 stars.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind, gentle boy who respects me, gets along with my friends, and hangs out with his own crew of good, loyal friends? Talk about fantasy fulfillment~

[charly · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHH I DIDNT WANT THIS VOLUME TO END. I DONT WANT THIS MANGA TO END PERIOD. I put off finishing this volume for so long😭. Again another flawless volume. I love the friend group development and lore in this volume. Sakus lore was too sad😭😭 Im glad he met usami and rintaro and the others. Honestly the whole friend group, I am glad they met each other. They make each better and healed a part of themselves that was broken😭. Ayu man, loved her little development and really hope she can become the person she wants to be. ROOTING FOR YOU GIRL.
I really really REALLY LOVE RINTARO AND KAORU TOGETHER. THEY ARE JUST SO WHOLESOME AND ADORABLE. THEIR DATE WAS EVERYTHING AND THE MET UP WITH RINTAROS PARENTS HAD ME IN TEARS. I LOVE RINTAROS MOM.
The arcade scene was so cute. I LOVE MADOKA AND LOVE HOW EASILY SHE SLIPPED INTO THE FRIEND GROUP. Subaru and Saku😏 I SEE YOU GUYS. SAKU YOU AINT SLICK. I LITCH CHEERED WHEN SUBARU HIT THE SHOT. HOPEFULLY THE GANG CAN HANG OUT FREELY WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY A LOT. 😭

[sobaba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first couple of chapters really good and engaging, I think the art style lends to the general aura of cuteness.

However as the story progressed, I started to feel like it was essentially the same story being reiterated over and over again. The way conflicts are resolved is too easy, everyone is essentially too good and I just found it hard to believe at times.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't help but bawl whenever Rintaro's parents are in the panels and talking. MY HEART.

Recap: Natsusawa reveals his school origin story, the girls are more comfortable with the guys. Rintaro and Kaoruko are on a date and she asks him to choose where to go next and he says he wants her to come to his house and eat with his parents. They have a nice time, mom asks her what she likes about Rintaro and they bond. Rintaro's dad specifically made a cake for Kaoruko as thanks. The guys and Subaru and another friend go to arcade for funsies and bond a bit. Ending with Rintaro's parents debriefing.

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the previous volume had me feeling like the story had burnt itself out a bit with all the constant apologizing and the cycle of characters hating themselves until someone tells them how great they are, but this one is back to what works about this manga!!! the feel good, sweet as can be story about how we make each other better through open and honest connection. loved everything about this and i’m excited to see more of madoka being integrated further with the boys!! (the other girls are still a bit one note to me) and best believe i’m still on the lookout for my slow burn ship between subaru and saku, i loved those crumbs at the end

[Estefany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok me gustó conocer nuevos personajes y ahondar en la parte de porque las escuelas no se llevan bien, todo basado en percepción, pero este tomo solo aportó el vislumbre de una nueva pareja. La relación de Tsugumi con Kaoruko avanza, y creo que esa fue la mejor parte, la cena con los padres de Tsugumi.

[IRV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es que no puedo esperar 2 meses a cada tomo, me purifica el alma cada que lo leo 😭, y bueno, varias posibles parejas secundarias que ME ENCANTAN, necesito más de ellos jejeje, y los padres de Rintaro merecen contar su historia también:')

[Dora · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wish i had parents like rin's *sigh*
madoka is so cute 💕

[ang໒꒱ ⋆ﾟ⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute as alwayssss

[bellaricee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was starting off really slow… but then the meet the family chapter swooped in to save the day. That shit was gas

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rintaro’s parents so much.

[givememycheetos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Paula ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨ stars

Madoka is my favorite

[Bawy{•_•} · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3.6✨ ***

[RN_Hpesoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw, there's a whole big cast of characters now!

[Gabe Mellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Manga 💜 reminds me of how is it to be a teenager in love 💜 very cute 💜

[jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Gigi ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how genuine they all are. It’s so heartwarming.

[Paula Molina Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Me lei 10 tomos en dos día? Si
¿Son maravillosos? Si
¿Pereza tener que esperar dos meses por tomo? También
¿Tengo una amiga con la cual fangirlear de parejas maravillosas y se me amena la espera? Totalmente 😂
Deseando leer más de ellos 🥹

[Heather’s Reading Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not as good as other volumes on the stores it still left me with that feeling of peace and a smile on my face. My favorite part was the end with Madoka at the arcade. She is my favorite side character and might actually be my favorite in the series time will tell. Also the scenes with Rintaros parents were great as well. Parents don’t usually get time to shine like that in these high school series. My only gripe was the backstory of that boy bored me quite a bit and I honestly forgot his name that’s how little I cared so I had to knock a star off.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars: school trips are fun!

Edit 2026 reread: trips outside of school are fun. I really like both the friend groups meeting up as well as meet the parents. Rintaro's parents are so great. I love his mom. It's so nice to read about kind and supportive people.

[maru ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay amo este volumen que es esencialmente igual al resto de la historia que es increíblemente poco realista a la hora de solucionar conflictos y sana y empalagosa y es todo lo que necesito en este momento ☹️💗