In Kumosuzume’s Shiori o Sagasu Page-tachi, Volume 1, Chitose is a nice kid. She’s not bad in school, and she likes to read. She loves the library, in part because she’s got a thing for the nice older girl who works there. Chitose and Touka talk every day. And when Touka lends Chitose one of her own books, she’s over the moon! Chitose can’t wait until she’s in high school, where she can at least see Touka in the library. 

Only, when Chitose gets into high school, Touka is not at all the way she was over the summer. In fact, instead of the gentle, kind upperclassman Chitose fell for, Touka’s rude, – even worse, downright cruel – to the younger girl. Chitose falls into a funk and her best friend Rikako is really worried about her. But Chitose is so focused on what’s going on with Touka, she doesn’t even notice.

Eventually, Touka seems to unfreeze and Chitose is thrilled; the older girl even goes so far as to ask her on a date. (This is where a real-life older lesbian might be useful. “Walk away, Chitose, this girl ain’t no good,” sounds like the beginning of an awesome country song.) 

And on the date, Chitose learns the awful truth about Touka and exactly why she her personality has changed so much. Since this is the actual plot of the story, I’m not going to spoil. You’ll just have to read this book to find out. But you can probably guess if you’ve read enough novels. ^_^

Kumosuzume’s art is evocative and the story is pretty gothic and overwrought. It’s not my cup of tea, but if you favor soap opera, this is a solid entry with a nice touch of “oh!”

Ratings:

Art -8
Characters – 6 I am rooting for Rikako to…no, wait, I’m just rooting for Rikako, full stop. 
Story – I cannot imagine where it can possibly go from here, even as I read it in the magazine
Service  – Not really
Yuri – Sort of

Overall – 7

Volume 2 hit shelves last month, so I have to play some catch up. ^_^