Shortcake Cake, Vol. 4

ショートケーキケーキ [Short Cake Cake] #4

by Suu Morishita

An unflappable girl and a cast of lovable male roommates at a boardinghouse create bonds of friendship and romance.

When Ten moves out of her parents’ home in the mountains to live in a boardinghouse, she finds herself becoming fast friends with her male roommates. But can love and romance be far behind?

Riku’s kiss sends Ten into a panic. While she tries to understand why he kissed her, Riku is surprised by his own actions. Meanwhile, Chiaki’s feelings for Ten grow.

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

165 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2016

About the author

MORISHITA Suu
Name (in native language): 森下ｓｕｕ

Blood type: A
Zodiac: Taurus

Mangaka duo: Story: Makiro (マキロ）, Illustration: Nachiyan (なちやん）

Favourite food: chicken nanban

Assistant: Aizawa Yuki-mei

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...


Ten Serizawa has a two-hour commute through the mountains to high school every day, so she can’t spend much time hanging out with her friends in the afternoon. She decides to move into the local boardinghouse, where one of her friends and three other boys are living. Ten’s friends consider her to be as oblivious as a rock when it comes to noticing boys and falling in love, but will she be able to keep her calm and steady heart in her new living situation?

In Shortcake Cake vol 4 we see that Ten doesn't really have much experience in love. Through talking with Chiaki about the girl he likes she figures out her own feelings. I like that Ten, Chiaki and Riku spend time with one another. I don't really agree with how either boy handles his feelings for Ten but these guys are teenagers in love for the first time! They are allowed to get it wrong and it does work to make for adorable misunderstanding and angst.

These two guys are so funny in Shortcake Cake vol 4... Chiaki thinks they’re friends but Riku wants to be rivals... to be fair Chiaki tells Riku his feelings for Ten. Which he could have just kept silent about. He also tells Ten he likes a girl but she hasn’t caught on it’s her. I really loved how proactive Chiaki is for being a bookworm! Since we get to see his POV again (YAY!) I can understand why he's acting the way he is... I don't have to like it but it really brings home to me why I like this kid more. Riku by comparison is so thin. I do get why he acts the way he does... but what's the allure?! I don't get it.

Ten does take a journey of enlightenment in Shortcake Cake vol 4. Her discussions with Chiaki really help her clarify her own feelings. And she sees Riku as a love interest because he shared his feelings with her earlier. The mix of events is just right for her to be able to make a decision about herself. I appreciated this... because a lot of love is about timing! And I can't help but love Chiaki and his bromance with Riku who patently doesn't want to be friends.

The visuals in Shortcake Cake vol 4 continue to be a little uneven. It happens most when its meant to be a funny moment. The art devolves in an amateurish way instead of chibi cute. BUT when it’s good it’s reallly good, like when characters are being serious and it looks like black and white watercolor! Those are my favorite moments and I wish the funny moments were as good. I did realllllly love the change in Tens hair! Subtle visual clues that she's growing up?! Anyway I loved it and hope the braids are mostly gone for good.

Shortcake Cake vol 4 continues to be a lovely slice of life first love story with a country girl who lives in a boarding house with two boys. Riku and Chiaki understand their feelings and now so does Ten! I hope to see her get mixed up as Chiaki steps up to share his own feelings. And I'd love to see Rei complicate things for Riku! We'll have to see how tensions rise in the next volume of Shortcake Cake!

⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art


This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |


Thanks to Edelweiss and VIZ Media for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.
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You can find this manga review and many others on my book blog every Monday @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews at the bottom of the page.

Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOUTUBE VIDEO REVIEW: https://youtu.be/BVD99nvqgvs

Updated Review 5/11/25: Okay, I laugh at my previous review (and rating) because I'm bumping up this volume to five stars as I LOVED seeing Ten realize her feelings for Riku and start to work through them!! Along with that, I really loved seeing Chiaki realize his feelings for Ten and work through them! (Him viewing his life through a novel plot is very interesting to me!)

Deeply enjoyed reading this volume and having a squeal fest at the end!

Original Review 6/17/22: Good volume!

I confess I didn't give a full five stars because there was not nearly enough #TeamRiku vibes after those strong feels ending in volume three, but still a good volume!

Riku only continues to show how amazing of a guy he is, BUT! This volume did show more into/about Chiaki and think he is absolutely adorable! I really enjoy how he makes a lot of references to books/quotes and found how he regarded himself in relation to stories very interesting. (Not that I would have I disagreed with him…)

I found myself like Ten where I was looking forward to what would happen next, but also disappointed because I wanted more of those wholesome interactions between Ten and Riku as before, BUT!

THAT ENDING!!

Oh man, that ending! Makes me excited to see what is to come next because that was quite the revelation!

Overall, lots of Chiaki, beach trip, and good revelations that I am 100% here for!

[Rereader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty disappointed and frustrated with this volume. Long story short, Ten has come to the realization that she likes Riku, Chiaki confessed to Riku that he likes Ten, and Riku's being an asshole to Chiaki now that he knows about Chiaki's feelings.

There are two problems that I have with this whole mess. First of all, Ten and Riku, in my opinion, have little chemistry. I truly believe she has more chemistry with Rei (we'll get to him in a bit) and Chiaki, but maybe that's me. I'm not saying she's wrong for feeling this way, but considering she mentions to Chiaki that the thing she liked about her first crush was that she felt comfortable around him and she constantly mentions how she "doesn't know how to act around Riku," makes her realization hard to swallow.

The second problem I have is that Riku starts acting like a childish asshole to Chiaki when they're supposed to be friends. You're telling me that just because your friend likes the same girl as you that you automatically can't be friends anymore? And it is truly automatic; Chiaki confesses to him and Riku immediately starts yelling at him all the time and butting into his time with Ten out of jealousy. Seriously, if I had read this volume before the previous three, I wouldn't have thought they were friends. It hurts even more considering how supportive Chiaki had and continues to be toward Riku but Riku treats him like garbage. I hate this trope, I don't care that they're teenagers, it pisses me off and ruins Riku's character.

However, moving to the positive of this volume, I got to see my boy (and best boy) Rei and I love him. I think his interactions with Ten are hilarious and he's easily the most expressive character next to Ten. I love how vindictive and childish he is towards Ten and how Ten does not put with his shit, even a little bit. I would be so okay if they ended up together, but I can just tell they won't. Such a shame, I love my boy so much!

Those are my thoughts, so it was so negative, but I had a lot of problems with this volume. I will still continue with the series because I'm still enjoying it, but this has soured it a bit.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5

I overall enjoyed this one! Lots of love triangle feel between Ten, Riku, and Chiaki including the latter two flexing some relationship muscles over her. Super cute and can't wait for book 5.

[Mary Emma Sivils · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, Ten—make up your mind, girl! 😅
But seriously, though, I’m finding that I don’t mind this love triangle as much as most because I actually enjoy all the characters. Chiaki is adorable with the way he’s awkwardly trying to be a good friend and fair to everybody all around.

[Jolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[⛅ Sunny (sunnysidereviews) ⛅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel really exceeded my expecations. It captured the beauty of summer, shakespeare, and the excitement of youth. Shortcake Cake volume 4 was truly a delight!

[Ruthsic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love triangle intensifies in this volume, as Ten starts to feel things for Riku, and Chiaki finally realizes that he likes her too. The characters have definitely been growing on me, and I was honestly gushing over how many tropes I am ticking off the imaginary bingo card I have. Chiaki, conflicted, decides he is going to tell Riku (but not Ten WTF so much angst) about his feelings towards Ten. So the boys are currently rivals in love, though only Riku considers it rivalry (stop being mean to Chiaki!), while Chiaki is being more mature and earnest about it. Meanwhile, Ten thinks Chiaki has a girl he likes but doesn't know it is her, so when she takes advice from him, she realizes her own feelings for Riku. And all this is happening during the summer break, which means plenty of opportunities for them to hang out, but also be away from each other, and all the awkwardness in between. The trio is seriously cute together, with Riku's and Chiaki's friendship and the latter's friendship with Ten being the highlights to Riku's jealousy as a counterpoint. However it all ends, I am excited to see what happens next.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.

[D E N Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup, I'm going to get hurt from reading this. :))

SPOILERS BELOW:

Once again a lot of things happened here. Continuing from last volume's cliffhanger, Riku really did kiss Ten during the thunderstorm. After that both tried to act normal about it but here's the thing, Ten realizes she's in love with Riku now. On the other hand, Chiaki now comes to terms that he does have feelings for Ten. The thing is neither one of them has yet to confess to Ten (I mean Riku did before but was rejected, after which he made no more moves to let her know he likes her) I'm just bracing myself for the pain that is about to come from reading this. I know Ten can only end up with one person but both of them (Riku and Chiaki) have their own merits and charms.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay hold up now I don't know who to root for!! Chiaki's inner monologue really made me like him.

OMG! What a turn this took. I didn't expect it to move in this direction? but I'm excited to read more!!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m loving the relationship between Ten, Riku and Chiaki <3

RTC

[Brandi (Brandi Janee's Bookshelf) · Rating 2 out of 5]

**2.5 stars**

[ambyreads✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ｡･:*˚:✧｡ Not my favourite in the series, not much happened tbh.. it just kinda felt like a filler novel. But I will still continue the series eventually.

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars leaning to 4.5 stars. The story is developing in a more forward direction.

[Derryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg I didn’t love it 😫😫 what is happening?!

Reread in 2023 and I really enjoyed it….. ⬆️⬆️no clue why I didn’t like it first time

[Jess Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorbs

[Snail · Rating 3 out of 5]

These characters and this silly, convoluted romance drama doesn’t move my heart much at all, but I do love the artwork, so I’ll keep on reading and see if they grow on me… and if not, I’ll just sit back and enjoy the pretty pictures. (wouldn’t it be nice if there could be more poly relationship romances? Why choose just one?!)

Like, why would Chiaki tell Ten he has some girl he likes… when that girl is Ten herself… AND they’re already “pretend dating”. Are readers supposed to find that romantic? Being told that would confuse anyone. =3= And the entire existence of Rei as a character bothers me. Why is he there? What’s his purpose? Just stir up more drama?

I guess I just got spoiled by reading “Sweat and Soap”, with its refreshingly straight-forward and honest communication between characters.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE TRIANGLE INTENSIFIES!!!!!!! Ten comes to the realization that she likes Riku, and is sooooo blind to Chiaki’s obvious feelings towards her. Riku is kind of rude to Chiaki, but Chiaki is also weirdly aloof and oblivious too? Like of course Riku is getting wishy washy vibes from you - first you encourage him, then you switch and say jk I like her too. Chiaki still feels like endgame (his and Ten’s chemistry seems more intense), but I’m interested to see where this goes…

Again, this is one of the strongest love triangles I’ve seen in a series…Riku and Chiaki definitely both have a chance here, instead of one obvious choice and no true feelings for the other.

Love the pages at the end with various art covers featured. Haven’t seen that in a while.

[Moriah Venable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten wonders why Riku kissed her. Because of studying and work, she doesn't see Riku much. Riku isn't sure if he should act like nothing happened or if they should discuss it.

Meanwhile, Chiaki feelings for Ten continue to grow in which he informs Riku that he likes Ten too. Though the two are friends, they are also rivals. The three of them go to the beach.

Ten goes home and visits her family, and thinks about Riku. On her way back home, she confesses herself that she likes Riku.

I am so excited for the next volume. Too bad I have to wait for it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clean, sweet read about a freshman girl in high school moving to a boarding house to make friends and be closer to school. Of course, two of the boys who live in the house are handsome!
Sex? Nope!

Swearing/Profanity? None.

Violence? Not really.

Magic? No

LGBTQ + characters? Not specified.

Could a conservative Christian school library include it?

Yes, this is very clean for manga. Boys are not permitted to be in girls' rooms and vice versa. It's a very innocent first love sort of series.

[ChelseaFace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume did not fail to disappoint! I am constantly being impressed with the art and story of this manga series. I love Ten and Riku SO much! I feel like Ten is such a unique protagonist from our usual ditsy shojo stories, and I love her tact. Riku is so charming and competitive but I still hope that Chiaki has some more personality shine, because right now, he is kind of bland to me. Still highly recommend!

[Jennifer]

While I like Ten, I don’t think the author has done enough for me to understand why Chiaki and Riku fell in love with her. She hasn’t done anything particularly interesting with either of them, especially when you consider how much experience they have warding off girls. Her personality may be a little unusual, but they don’t spend a lot of time together before suddenly this love triangle appears.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even as an avid reader, I find Chiaki's obsession with books and quotations really annoying. You aren't as deep as you think you are, bro. I liked the beach scenes and I do understand that this is a love triangle (love square?) story, but I don't really care about any of the characters enough to get invested. One thing I did find really interesting is that one of the household in their shared dorm gets a cold and they all wore masks without making a fuss. Imagine!

[&#x1f940; · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think in the original text Ten's name is Heaven?
At least that's what Google Translates says, but then again they're not very reliable lol
If her name is Heaven, this would be the first time I've run across a piece of literature when a character has the same name as me :)

----

I think the storyline is definitely getting stronger and has a sense of direction now, I just wish the volumes were longer.

3.5/5 ⭐

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to love this series with each volume!
There was HUGE PROGRESS in this volume!!!!! The love triangle is strong with this shojo, and I'm totally ok with it! This is a love triangle that doesn't bother me, which is rare. I want to know what happens to my babies! I need volume 5 yesterday!

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance drama heats up as the main three begin to sort out their feelings. Still very fun, although my main feelings are for the bromance between Riku and Chiaki, rather than either of them with Ten. I'm still not sure who I would want her to date, but I do obviously have a soft spot for reader Chiaki.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This became something unexpected. The story was okay but the relationships reality left a bad taste in my mouth. I can’t do live triangles anymore. I’d been hoping one or the other would just be the supportive friend but… yeah. No more Shortcake cake for me. While it looks promising I just can’t do it right now.

[sameera]

”the beach is the perfect place to enjoy a good book.”
pg. 114 chiaki

honestly, i’m confused what the rest of the volumes will be about because we’re moving very quickly. I’d be surprised with ten’s crush from middle school comes back because we already have a second male lead. regardless, i’m rooting for chiaki. i know how this ends, but that doesn’t matter.

july 18, 2024

[Sarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich weiß nicht warum ich Short Cake Cake beim ersten Mal lesen nicht so richtig mochte. Jetzt beim zweiten Mal lesen finde ich von Band zu Band mehr Gefallen daran. Ich habe nur große Schwierigkeiten zu entscheiden wen ich besser finde: Riku oder Chiaki?

[abbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

not loving how riku just got so mean to chiaki all of a sudden :-( like u are supposed to be friends don’t let a girl come in between u that easily !!!!

beach scenes were very cute as they always are ^^