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薫る花は凛と咲く [Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku] #13
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 13
Two rival schools stand next door to each other: one for elite ladies, one for good-for-nothing boys. But one of those boys might just be a naturally chivalrous diamond in the rough, and one of those girls might be a little more open-minded than is proper...
This cute and twisty manga spin on Romeo and Juliet is the latest hit in Japan, coming to print from a successful digital-first release!
Capulet & Montague, Chidori & Kikyo
Chidori High is a boys' school that takes in the dregs of society with the lowest grades. Next door stands Kikyo Girls' High, where the wealthy, high-class families send their precious daughters. Chidori second-year Rintaro, who has a fierce face but a gentle heart, is helping at his family's patisserie when he meets a girl named Kaoruko. The two hit it off right away...but this blissful peace is quickly disturbed when Rintaro discovers that Kaoruko is actually a student at Kikyo. Worse, she doesn't seem to realize what a huge problem this really is! Will these two be able to forge a path for themselves, and sidestep the traps (metaphorical and literal) laid by their classmates?
This cute and twisty manga spin on Romeo and Juliet is the latest hit in Japan, coming to print from a successful digital-first release!
Capulet & Montague, Chidori & Kikyo
Chidori High is a boys' school that takes in the dregs of society with the lowest grades. Next door stands Kikyo Girls' High, where the wealthy, high-class families send their precious daughters. Chidori second-year Rintaro, who has a fierce face but a gentle heart, is helping at his family's patisserie when he meets a girl named Kaoruko. The two hit it off right away...but this blissful peace is quickly disturbed when Rintaro discovers that Kaoruko is actually a student at Kikyo. Worse, she doesn't seem to realize what a huge problem this really is! Will these two be able to forge a path for themselves, and sidestep the traps (metaphorical and literal) laid by their classmates?
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 4, 2024
yorita's past reminds me of tsukishima's from haikyuu. they both grew up admiring the passion of their older brothers in their respective fields only to end up quitting because of certain circumstances. this leads to both yorita and tsukishima in disappointment because the very model that they wanted to be when they grew up did not get the happy ending on their dream job. the younger boys' dreams also ended in shatters that's why the fire that has been once lit up by their older brother ended dissipating. it's incredibly good how this manga tackled the uncertainties of pursuing our dream jobs and for the future. i love how the adults in this story guided and adviced the kids about this matter and clearing up their inhibitions for the future <3
July 10, 2025
CHAPTER 100????? OMG I CHEERED
June 11, 2026
In case you’re stepping in blind, I loved the early volumes of this series, but I think it has run out of things to say or, at the very least, ways to say them.
This Christmas arc focused on Ayato’s struggles with his desire to become a policeman is, for my money, the absolute most boring thing the series has done to date and it was so annoying I’d go so far as to call it grating.
It’s not about the message, or the art, or the actual story. More than any of that, it’s that this is the exact same thing this series does all the time and here it’s just doing it all over again.
Minus the occasional moment, this is the most sanitized and idealized version of high school and friendship that ever existed. And that’s saying something. Ayato has a desire to protect and looks up to his brother, history repeats itself, nothing goes wrong.
Nothing ever goes wrong. It doesn’t even pretend that it could go wrong convincingly. We have been down this road so much that any attempt at implying any second of tension is pointless. If I had to describe my feelings towards this series in one word, I am very sure that it would be ‘treacly’ (and it has been!).
If the stakes were any lower, they’d have pitched a tent. Ayato finds his answer, everybody talks and talks and talks, it was maddening. I understand why people like this so much, I did too at one point, but this was just more of the same when I’d already had enough.
Luckily the back part of the book is about Kaoruko and Rintaro going on their date and, more specifically, about Kaoruko’s burgeoning hormones, which have been one of the more amusing wrinkles the story has left to play with.
Turns out Rintaro is not far behind, just more quiet about it. The big moment, yes, the one you are thinking about, finally occurs and it’s really great. Lots of unrestrained passion, which is a big deal in this series.
Bluntly, I think this lands because so much of this series has been so wholesome, to the point of unreality. I’m not saying they should be engaging in the wild antics of typical teenagers, but this never feels honest to me.
It’s also not that being earnest is bad; I really enjoy a lot of series that indulge in the sentiment and I appreciate the counterpoint to my natural cynicism. It’s just how this is the only real well it knows to dip into and that becomes all it ever does. When any plot resolves the same way as another, it’s a bit dull.
3.5 stars - but that’s me and for people who never wavered in their love for this manga, I think this will be completely acceptable and a good time. I just wish it focused more on offering something that I keep finding disingenuous. The extra half is entirely down to ‘the moment’, but the damage was done by that point.
This Christmas arc focused on Ayato’s struggles with his desire to become a policeman is, for my money, the absolute most boring thing the series has done to date and it was so annoying I’d go so far as to call it grating.
It’s not about the message, or the art, or the actual story. More than any of that, it’s that this is the exact same thing this series does all the time and here it’s just doing it all over again.
Minus the occasional moment, this is the most sanitized and idealized version of high school and friendship that ever existed. And that’s saying something. Ayato has a desire to protect and looks up to his brother, history repeats itself, nothing goes wrong.
Nothing ever goes wrong. It doesn’t even pretend that it could go wrong convincingly. We have been down this road so much that any attempt at implying any second of tension is pointless. If I had to describe my feelings towards this series in one word, I am very sure that it would be ‘treacly’ (and it has been!).
If the stakes were any lower, they’d have pitched a tent. Ayato finds his answer, everybody talks and talks and talks, it was maddening. I understand why people like this so much, I did too at one point, but this was just more of the same when I’d already had enough.
Luckily the back part of the book is about Kaoruko and Rintaro going on their date and, more specifically, about Kaoruko’s burgeoning hormones, which have been one of the more amusing wrinkles the story has left to play with.
Turns out Rintaro is not far behind, just more quiet about it. The big moment, yes, the one you are thinking about, finally occurs and it’s really great. Lots of unrestrained passion, which is a big deal in this series.
Bluntly, I think this lands because so much of this series has been so wholesome, to the point of unreality. I’m not saying they should be engaging in the wild antics of typical teenagers, but this never feels honest to me.
It’s also not that being earnest is bad; I really enjoy a lot of series that indulge in the sentiment and I appreciate the counterpoint to my natural cynicism. It’s just how this is the only real well it knows to dip into and that becomes all it ever does. When any plot resolves the same way as another, it’s a bit dull.
3.5 stars - but that’s me and for people who never wavered in their love for this manga, I think this will be completely acceptable and a good time. I just wish it focused more on offering something that I keep finding disingenuous. The extra half is entirely down to ‘the moment’, but the damage was done by that point.
October 28, 2024
This series is healing me 😢
July 28, 2025
The last chapter!!!!!!!!!! They’re so cute, I love them so much
January 21, 2026
Porque me dejan asi, con esa imagen al final... Jajajajaja....
July 20, 2025
this is deadass the most perfect manga volume to ever exist. i love yorita's past and it resonated with me HEAVILY when the adults were all giving him advice, i cried bcs it was so lovely and they were all so supportive, i would've killed to have somebody tell me those things back then. yorita best boy, i have found one more character to get deeply attached to and feel immensely protective over yayyy. AND!!! THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!!!! CHAPTER 1OO?!?!!??!? i smiled so hard i think i got a facial cramp omg. i LOVE their relationship and how much they genuinely like each other, romance is so real
November 16, 2025
Primero que nada y ante todo: FINALMENTE ✨️SE BESARON✨️
Sólo por eso ya tiene 5 estrellas🙌🏻
Todo el arco de Ayato, mi niño🥺. Me encanta como no sólo es una historia de romance si no también sobre la falta de confianza en uno mismo, los prejuicio, la difícil decisión sobre el futuro de uno... Además, cada personaje tiene una historia que contar, y estoy amando leerla.
Sólo por eso ya tiene 5 estrellas🙌🏻
Todo el arco de Ayato, mi niño🥺. Me encanta como no sólo es una historia de romance si no también sobre la falta de confianza en uno mismo, los prejuicio, la difícil decisión sobre el futuro de uno... Además, cada personaje tiene una historia que contar, y estoy amando leerla.
October 30, 2024
THEY'RE SAUR CUTE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
ALSO THE BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH ARE OUT OF DANG CONTROL 😭😭😭😭😭
I feel so darn single 😭😭 PLS GOD ME WHEN??! I'm gonna cryyyyyyyyyy frr
Now bye I gotta go and read the next volume ASAP !!!!
ALSO THE BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH ARE OUT OF DANG CONTROL 😭😭😭😭😭
I feel so darn single 😭😭 PLS GOD ME WHEN??! I'm gonna cryyyyyyyyyy frr
Now bye I gotta go and read the next volume ASAP !!!!
September 28, 2025
5 ✨ stars
and 100 ep later, they finally kiss
and 100 ep later, they finally kiss
December 14, 2025
chapter 100 was perfect
June 9, 2026
The Christmas story continues. The group of friends is helping at the patisserie of Rintaro’s parents, having great time. Yorita ends up saving a kid from thugs and is finally able to make up his mind about becoming a police. We also get a backstory about why he wanted it in the first place. There’s also some grown-up talk about what it means having a job in the first place, which helps the kids with their future plans. And then, finally, Kaoruko and Rintaro have their date, and it’s sweet and perfect. They are so cute. But the volume ends before we get a conclusion for it.
This was slightly heavier than other volumes, but not completely gloomy. Kaoruko on the cover looks so sad that I feared worse, but she’s fine. The kids are growing up and the story is progressing well.
This was slightly heavier than other volumes, but not completely gloomy. Kaoruko on the cover looks so sad that I feared worse, but she’s fine. The kids are growing up and the story is progressing well.
June 25, 2026
I love this series and find it a comfort read for the most part. I always know what I’m going to get from Fragrant Flower but this volume was one of or possibly my actual least favorite.
Another reviewer Mark summarized much better than I could just how boring and annoying Ayato’s portion of this book was I honestly did not care at any point if he did or did not want to become a police officer, I just wanted the section to be over.
What made up for the absolute awfulness of the first half of this volume was the adorable ending with Rintaro and Kaoruko. I loved every panel and feel that it really brilliantly captured the feelings and looks of first love.
Ps who do I have to talk to get more Madoka?
Another reviewer Mark summarized much better than I could just how boring and annoying Ayato’s portion of this book was I honestly did not care at any point if he did or did not want to become a police officer, I just wanted the section to be over.
What made up for the absolute awfulness of the first half of this volume was the adorable ending with Rintaro and Kaoruko. I loved every panel and feel that it really brilliantly captured the feelings and looks of first love.
Ps who do I have to talk to get more Madoka?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
AHHHHHHHHH. AH AH AH AH AH AH. AHHHHHHHHH i can ALWAYS count on a chapter milestone. and this one. DELIVERED. before any of that, everything with ayato and his dreams and his brothers and just the Future? hit HARD. as someone who is currently in job and life limbo rn it hit hard to be okay with not knowing what you are doing but to follow a path where you dont have any regrets. like holy shit i didnt expect that from this manga. also i see you madoka... I SHIP YOU AND AYATO. just a beautiful manga. but yeah. CHAPTER 100. YEAH.
October 29, 2024
Dopo 100 capitoli finalmente arriva il bacio ❤️
Ma devo essere sincera, l’attesa ne è valsa la pena e non è pesata per nulla.
Perché questo non è il classico manga dove i protagonisti si vergognano di tutto e si tengono tutto dentro, anzi. Mai nessun fraintendimento, tanta comunicazione, si chiamano subito per nome e nel mezzo ci sono tanti bei momenti riflessivi con gli altri personaggi che toglie un po’ di centralità alla coppia ma sinceramente preferisco quando è così.
Ma devo essere sincera, l’attesa ne è valsa la pena e non è pesata per nulla.
Perché questo non è il classico manga dove i protagonisti si vergognano di tutto e si tengono tutto dentro, anzi. Mai nessun fraintendimento, tanta comunicazione, si chiamano subito per nome e nel mezzo ci sono tanti bei momenti riflessivi con gli altri personaggi che toglie un po’ di centralità alla coppia ma sinceramente preferisco quando è così.
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September 23, 2025VAMOOOSSS CONSEGUIMOS LISBOA PORTUGAL
November 8, 2025
*** 3.75✨ ***
Chapter 💯 was so cute 🎉❤️🔥🎊.
Chapter 💯 was so cute 🎉❤️🔥🎊.
January 21, 2026
YESSIRRRRRRR!!
January 25, 2026
to love and be loved and to have someone to rely on
March 5, 2026
Este ha sido uno de los mejores tomos, le agradezco a la autora no hacerme llorar con la historia de Yorita, y de hecho la de su hermano es una historia que se repite muy seguido entre muchos adultos jóvenes fue un buen retrato.
Ahora la cita de Navidad de Kaoruko y Rintaro AHHHHHHHHHHHHH ME ENCANTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA QUE ESCENAAAAAS
Ahora la cita de Navidad de Kaoruko y Rintaro AHHHHHHHHHHHHH ME ENCANTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA QUE ESCENAAAAAS
April 18, 2026
God they are so precious 😭😭 I love them SO much!
May 11, 2026
Chapter 100 made me squeal and kick my feet like a damn teenager
June 6, 2026
FINALLY!!!!!! THEY REALLY FRICKN DEEPLY KISSED LIKE THEY’RE STARVING💞💞💞💞💞
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
yeah i’m GONNA FREAK OUTTTTTTT oh my god i love this series so much
May 5, 2025
Dios mío que cuchuraaaa
January 7, 2026
this is the only manga volume i’m going to rate bc IT DESERVES ALL THE STARS OMFG THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING AND BEAUTIFUL I LOVE RINTARO AND KAORUKO SO MUCH. this is peak romance. the anime better do THAT panel justice istfg
August 25, 2024
This volume was CRAZYYY. THE SECOND HALF LIKE OMG.
Of course the first half was focused on ayato and I really loved how it fleshed his character out more. The fact that his brother is the reason for his dream to become a police officer 😭😭. The way he protected the boy in a smart way was so refreshing but also showed his character to becoming a man of justice. Also I see the start of something between him and Madoka🤭. Also loves how he finally opened up to saku and usami and Rintaro about his dream. It was so wholesome how they listened and were so supportive of him. Their little group is just too cute.
THEN CAME THE SECOND HALF AND I WAS NOT PREPARED AT ALL. THE DATE OMMMGGGG. FIRST IT WAS IN RINTAROS POV AND HE GOT HER A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE AS A GIFT THEN HE PROCEEDED TO PUT IT ON HER AND ADMITTED THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT IT TOOK TO PICK THE GIFT WHICH IS JUST STANDARDS BTW. BUT THEN I GOT EVEN BETTER WHEN IT SWITCHED TO KAORUKOS POV WHERE SHE JUST COULDN’T CONTROL HERSELF AFTER HEARING THAT EXPLANATION WHICH WAS SO REAL OF HER MIGHT I ADD. AND YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID? SHE KISSED HIM. AND YOU ONOW WHAT HE DID? HE KISSED HER BACK😭😭😭. THIS MANGA IS GONNA KILL ME WITH HOW CUTE IT IS. I COULD NOT STOP SCREAMING. THE PANELS OF THE KISS SCENES WERE SO CUTE VUT SCANDALOUS TOO. LIKE I FELT LIKE I WAS INTRUDING 😭. THEN CAME THE DAY AFTER WHERE THEY COULDN’T SLEEP AT ALL AND WERE SO NERVOUS AROUND EACH OTHER😭😭😭 IT WAS JUST CUTENESS OVERLOAD. THEY ARE TAKING IT HOME FOR THE MOST ROMANTIC AND SCREAM INDUCING COUPLE EVER FOR ME. I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH. AND NOW THEY SPENT NEW YEARS TOGETHER AND MADE WISHES AND CAN I SAY RINTAROS WISH WAS SO WHOLESOME, I LOVE HIM. The fact they saw his brother there was hilarious, I can’t wait to see what will happen there next volume
SIX STARS
Of course the first half was focused on ayato and I really loved how it fleshed his character out more. The fact that his brother is the reason for his dream to become a police officer 😭😭. The way he protected the boy in a smart way was so refreshing but also showed his character to becoming a man of justice. Also I see the start of something between him and Madoka🤭. Also loves how he finally opened up to saku and usami and Rintaro about his dream. It was so wholesome how they listened and were so supportive of him. Their little group is just too cute.
THEN CAME THE SECOND HALF AND I WAS NOT PREPARED AT ALL. THE DATE OMMMGGGG. FIRST IT WAS IN RINTAROS POV AND HE GOT HER A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE AS A GIFT THEN HE PROCEEDED TO PUT IT ON HER AND ADMITTED THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT IT TOOK TO PICK THE GIFT WHICH IS JUST STANDARDS BTW. BUT THEN I GOT EVEN BETTER WHEN IT SWITCHED TO KAORUKOS POV WHERE SHE JUST COULDN’T CONTROL HERSELF AFTER HEARING THAT EXPLANATION WHICH WAS SO REAL OF HER MIGHT I ADD. AND YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID? SHE KISSED HIM. AND YOU ONOW WHAT HE DID? HE KISSED HER BACK😭😭😭. THIS MANGA IS GONNA KILL ME WITH HOW CUTE IT IS. I COULD NOT STOP SCREAMING. THE PANELS OF THE KISS SCENES WERE SO CUTE VUT SCANDALOUS TOO. LIKE I FELT LIKE I WAS INTRUDING 😭. THEN CAME THE DAY AFTER WHERE THEY COULDN’T SLEEP AT ALL AND WERE SO NERVOUS AROUND EACH OTHER😭😭😭 IT WAS JUST CUTENESS OVERLOAD. THEY ARE TAKING IT HOME FOR THE MOST ROMANTIC AND SCREAM INDUCING COUPLE EVER FOR ME. I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH. AND NOW THEY SPENT NEW YEARS TOGETHER AND MADE WISHES AND CAN I SAY RINTAROS WISH WAS SO WHOLESOME, I LOVE HIM. The fact they saw his brother there was hilarious, I can’t wait to see what will happen there next volume
SIX STARS
October 2, 2025
AAAHHH OMG I loved this volume so much!!!
I loved that we got a more in-depth look into Yorita’s character and his reasoning behind wanting to become a police officer. It’s so endearing that he wanted to be an officer just like his older brother because he looked up to him so much and wanted to do all that he could to help people. I also really enjoyed that we saw his moment of wavering when his brother decided to no longer be an officer, and also his worry that maybe he wasn’t as strong as the others. Having Yorita see someone he had looked to so fondly, someone he saw as strong and seeing him stop doing what he enjoyed and him essentially being the reason why Yorita also wanted to pursue the same career; him worrying if he himself is going to be strong enough to pursue this job when his brother stopped was really enjoyable to see because we saw his growth and his belief in his own ability, plus he has such an incredible group of emotionally mature and supportive friends 🥰 I just loved seeing his journey during this volume ❤️✨
Now….OMG WHAT A WAY TO END CHAPTER 100, THEY KISSED AAAHHHHH 🥰🥳😆 it was so perfect, so sweet I love love love it!!!
I loved that we got a more in-depth look into Yorita’s character and his reasoning behind wanting to become a police officer. It’s so endearing that he wanted to be an officer just like his older brother because he looked up to him so much and wanted to do all that he could to help people. I also really enjoyed that we saw his moment of wavering when his brother decided to no longer be an officer, and also his worry that maybe he wasn’t as strong as the others. Having Yorita see someone he had looked to so fondly, someone he saw as strong and seeing him stop doing what he enjoyed and him essentially being the reason why Yorita also wanted to pursue the same career; him worrying if he himself is going to be strong enough to pursue this job when his brother stopped was really enjoyable to see because we saw his growth and his belief in his own ability, plus he has such an incredible group of emotionally mature and supportive friends 🥰 I just loved seeing his journey during this volume ❤️✨
Now….OMG WHAT A WAY TO END CHAPTER 100, THEY KISSED AAAHHHHH 🥰🥳😆 it was so perfect, so sweet I love love love it!!!
September 20, 2025
This time the spotlight really shined on Ayato, giving us a deeper look into his past and why he was so hesitant about becoming a police officer, only for him to slowly realize that protecting people is already in his nature. The whole bakery storyline was a perfect backdrop for this, with everyone pitching in to help Rintaro’s family and Ayato seeing them work so passionately, it gave him a moment to reflect on what it means to dedicate yourself to something. His scene with the kid, where he didn’t even hesitate to step in and fight for someone who needed help, sealed the deal and showed exactly why he belongs on that path. And just when all that character growth had us invested, the volume closed out with Rintaro and Kaoruko’s Christmas date, which was ridiculously cute in the best way possible. Seeing them being openly affectionate, having those little realizations about how much they truly love each other, and even sharing a kiss was the sweetest payoff.
March 16, 2026
FULL ON SMILING TO MYSELF THROUGH THE LAST CHAPTERS OF THIS VOLUME!
This volume continues Ayato’s doubts and some unexpected events that slowly make him more certain about his resolve after graduation. The story starts off pretty serious and the atmosphere feels kinda awkward.
But what really makes this volume special is chapter 100! (Finally made it to chapter 100 of Kaoru Rin!)
Chapter 100 is super sweet and wholesome. Seeing how both of them are dealing with such strong feelings for each other, yet getting all shy about it, is honestly adorable. And the climax of the chapter is satisfaying, even though it ends with both of them becoming super awkward around each other afterwards lol.
A lot of unexpected things happen in this volume, and I really enjoyed it.
This volume continues Ayato’s doubts and some unexpected events that slowly make him more certain about his resolve after graduation. The story starts off pretty serious and the atmosphere feels kinda awkward.
But what really makes this volume special is chapter 100! (Finally made it to chapter 100 of Kaoru Rin!)
Chapter 100 is super sweet and wholesome. Seeing how both of them are dealing with such strong feelings for each other, yet getting all shy about it, is honestly adorable. And the climax of the chapter is satisfaying, even though it ends with both of them becoming super awkward around each other afterwards lol.
A lot of unexpected things happen in this volume, and I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews