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

Subaru convinces the girls who spotted Kaoruko and Rintaro on their date to meet the Chidori boys for themselves. While the hangout goes well enough at first, an outburst from Ayu threatens the progress made. Thankfully, the group manages to talk it all out, and now that their friends have been introduced to each other, it's time for the next hurdle in Kaoruko and Rintaro's visiting Rintaro's home together!

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

Kindle Edition

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.

[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.

[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.

[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 💜

[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 🥹

[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 ☹️💗

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting to the point where I'm kind of starting to regret buying this series; I probably should've just been reading it from the library instead. Is 10 volumes in too late to quit now that I'm literally invested...?

It's just that it's starting to feel really repetitive. I absolutely loved the first few volumes and thought that it was this bright, refreshing take on relationships and friendships. I still absolutely adore Rintaro's family. His parents are wonderful, and I loved the bonus bit with the two of them talking about Kaoruko's visit after the fact (since Rintaro's dad put all his feelings into baking a special cake and stayed in the kitchen instead of socializing with them).

Saku's backstory was interesting, too, and we finally got the explanation as to how someone as smart as him ended up at the delinquent school. It was because he was inspired by the way the teachers and the students interacted and felt like he might actually be able to make some real friends there, instead of stewing in the jealous, achievement-driven pit he'd been in thus far. He was right - this school might not look amazing on college applications, but he has a pretty amazing set of friends, and it led him to what I suspect will be an eventual romantic relationship.

I also like the rollerskating and arcade scene with the friends (minus Rintaro and Kaoruko) hanging out. They've got really chill vibes and just seem like genuinely fun, caring people. All of that continues to be great.

What gets tiring is how every chapter seems to be a big infodump speech where someone talks about their life hardships or makes a big apology and everyone else goes omg yes i'm so sorry that happened or i'm so happy for you or i will swear to be a better person to everyone in future.

It just...gets to be too much after a while. I honestly found Kaoruko's other friends a bit dull (three of them I can't even tell apart), and it'd be more interesting to have someone who was actually just a jerk. Adds a little flavor? I know Rintaro lives in a cake shop but it's getting the tiniest bit sickening.

And apparently this is only halfway through an ongoing series! 20 volumes! I cannot fathom what else can possibly be happening for that much more, since they've already gotten over all the big humps. I just really hope there are fewer big emotional speeches and more actual story and character development going forward.

[Mariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of this volume continues the leftover drama from Volume 9 — still over the top for what’s actually going on. Then we finally get a break from the whole “let’s be friends — how noble and courageous!” narrative, and Rintaro invites Waguri to his house. Great! An actual “meet the parents” moment as his girlfriend, finally something normal.

But instead of something fun or sweet, the scene turns into prolonged dramatics of mutual gratitude — the equivalent of endless “thank you,” “no, thank you,” “no, please, thank you.” After a while I just wanted everyone to sit down and eat like regular human beings.

Ironically, what kept me invested was realizing I was suddenly far more interested in Rintaro’s parents than in Rintaro and Waguri. Their dynamic was interesting enough that I started imagining their love story — and honestly believing it might be the more compelling manga at this point.

But then comes the ending, and it’s…so weirdly distant between the parents. These are two people who have been married for what, at least 17 years? And yet they interact like polite acquaintances. Where’s even a hint of intimacy? And I don’t mean honeymoon-level PDA — just normal warmth. A hug, a kiss on the temple, a moment of shared affection. Anything. Instead it’s a pat on the head…
What?!

Maybe it’s cultural, or maybe it’s a stylistic choice, but the lack of closeness completely deflated the scene for me. I was holding onto hope that the parents would save the volume — they almost did — but then it just fizzled.

[cio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume might not have had a ton going on plot-wise but wow, it was pure comfort from start to finish. Finally getting Kaoruko to meet Rintaro’s family was such a treat and I’m obsessed with how lovely his parents are. They have this effortless way of showing love that just radiates through every little thing they do. Instead of going for the cliché intimidating “meet the parents” moment, his dad went straight for what he does best & that’s making a cake just for Kaoruko. That gesture was so thoughtful and welcoming it honestly made my heart melt.

The whole volume had this cozy, warm glow to it and seeing the rest of the gang hanging out even without Rintaro and Kaoruko was such a nice touch. It really showed how much their friendships have grown beyond just being connected through the main couple.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The volume starts with the aftermath of the restaurant meeting between the two groups, which had been interrupted by one of the girls in the previous volume. Everyone is apologetic for behaving badly. Then Saku surprises everyone by telling about his hidden past as the best student of his previous school where he had been the envy of everyone, which had led him to choose the school of underachievers for some reason.

In the main story, Kaoruko gets to meet Rintaro’s parents officially as his girlfriend. It’s as sweet and wholesome. The other characters are getting to know each other without the main couple too. I’m sure there are romances brewing there. The volume ends before the conclusion of that story. As a bonus story, Rintaro’s parents express their relief that their son is finally happy. It’s very touching. As always, I’m looking forward to reading more.

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Del capítol 70 al 77, aquest slice of life cada vegada més assossegat ens mostra com l'amistat femenina autèntica acaba prevalent per sobre de qualsevol conflicte i les dues colles es tornen a unir per fer-se més amics :3 La parella principal torna a tenir una cita cuquíssima i el Rintaro proposa a la Kaoruko de visitar la pastisseria familiar no com a clienta, sinó com a xicota ♥ (cosa que implica presentació formal a la mare i que comparteixin confidències a la voreta d'un dolç, més mones!!!!). A més, veiem uns flashbacks de quan el Rintaro era petit mentre els pares reflexionen com estan d'orgullosos del seu fill i com els encanta la xicota que els acaba de presentar. Un volum molt tendre i emotiu!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Wieder ein sehr süßer Band. Klar, es war ein klein wenig Gefühlsduselei, aber ich fand es gut, mehr über Natsuzawa zu erfahren. Außerdem stehen nun all ihre Freunde hinter ihnen und kommen damit klar. Rintaros Mutter und Vater sind auch solche Schätze, die nun erleichtert sein können, dass Rintaro an eine so tolle Person wie Kaoruko gekommen ist. Das Treffen war echt cute. Ich finde es auch toll, dass die anderen auch ohne die beiden zusammen Zeit verbringen. Einfach eine toll Reihe mit guter Kommunikation und einfach einem Wohlgefühl. Kann ich jedem empfehlen! Das einzige, was mich ein wenig unsicher macht, ist die Länge, die die Reihe haben wird - ich denke so um die 30 Bände. Hoffentlich wird es sich nicht zu sehr ziehen bzw. das keine unnötigen Probleme geschaffen werden.

[Belén · Rating 5 out of 5]

El pasado de Saku🥺, a veces los adultos sin darse cuenta con sus acciones y palabras terminan perjudicando a los jóvenes provocando que éstos terminen aislados.

"A mi la que me gusta eres tú, Kaoruko." Kaoruko toda preocupada y celosa porque Rintaro habló con otras chicas en el festival de su colegio sin darse cuenta que él solo tiene ojos para ella🤭
Keiichiro haciéndole un pastel a Kaoruko🥺 linda forma de agradecerle por estar con su hijo.
Amo mucho a los padres de Rintaro🫶🏻

Shohei, Ayato y Saku enseñándole a encestar a Hoshina y Madoka filmando todo. Me gusta que pasen tiempo juntos sin los protas, que sean amigos de verdad y no sólo por los otros dos.