Keiko Takemiya (竹宮惠子), earlier known as 竹宮恵子 (note: it's the first kanji in her given name, 恵→惠) is a Japanese mangaka.
She is one of the 24-Gumi (Magnificent 49ers), the group of female manga artists that pioneered the shoujo genre. Professor of manga studies at Kyoto Seika University.
Full review later. This volume was much better than the last one. It didn't rely on shock value and has many light hearted moments. I eagerly wait for Serge to appear in this story again. He hasn't officially appeared in the story since volume 3.