In a time and place that isn’t our time or place, and in a reality of infinite girls’ schools in Japan in which infinite combinations of experiences occur, Kago no Shoujo ha Koi wo Suru (籠の少女は恋をする) takes place.

Chizuru comes to a school where nothing is meant to be seen as it appears. She’s assigned to triple room with twin sisters who are clearly in an incestuous relationship, which sets the tone for the rest of the story nicely. The younger twin, who is unwell (although we don’t know if it is a physical or mental ailment) is aware that her sister has another lover, although she doesn’t know whom. All of the girls at the school, she confides to Chizuru have been discarded and “graduation” means they are sold to some man to be “married.” The reason why I say this is meant to appear to be other than what it looks like, on account of everyone in the entire school acting as creepy as possible, it looks just like what it is.

The sister shares her own sad tale of being neglected by parents until they end up in school. Chiziru reflects on her own life, parentless, unwanted by an aunt who could see her son’s and husband’s desire for Chizuru turning criminal, so sending her off to the school.

With so much creepiness, one is unsurprised that the first volume ends with Chizuru, who has barely had time to unpack, receiving a notice that ominously declaares her “practical training” will begin. (Thanks j1m1 for the correction!) What is slightly surprising is that she meets a beautiful naked girl in the garden and is immediately captivated. When the girl warns Chizuru away, it only increases her interest, of course. I am less convinced that she had the same effect on me.

What will happen? I’m sorry to say, I probably won’t find out. I really liked the look of this book physically – nice art, pleasant cover design, but there’s a nastiness about the story that set my teeth on edge. 

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 6
Characters – 6
Yuri – 9
Service – 5 Not that much visually, but there a definite salaciousness in the storytelling

Overall – 6

Theoretically, I hope Chizuru saves/runs away with the mysterious naked girl, but I’m not sure I’m going to stick around to see it. ^_^