In Volume 2, I noted that this series is detailing a love triangle, but only one participant seems to have noticed. In Mayu, Matou Volume 3 (繭、纏う) by Hara Tsukiko, two students of the three are now aware that something is happening and with that, the triangle may at last be broken.

It’s time for the seniors to have their long tresses cut at Hoshimiya Jogakuen. That hair will become the uniforms worn by future generations of students…but not everyone finds it easy to part with something that has been an element of their lives for so long. If you think about that for even a moment, that’s an obvious truth. Hair is so key to our own identity of ourselves, and for these girls, even more a huge part of their existence.

But, beyond their personal struggles, something is unraveling in the school. Rumors are flying like…well, like the strands of hair that this school has got to be covered with. Youko hears that student body’s Prince, Hana, has left the school – we know, and she guesses, why.  Beyond belief she finds Hana at the waterside and finally, Hana’s eyes are turned towards this underclassman who might just be able to save her from herself.

This is the first volume where the hair doesn’t get in the way of the story. If anything, this volume is filled with hair being cut, separated, tied up and likewise moved both allegorically and literally out of the way. And, for the first time, Hana realizes that there is a way out of her self-imposed servitude to someone who either does not (or perhaps, can’t,) want her. When Hana looks away from Hoshimiya, Youko is there. When Hana finally turns to Youko for salvation, we feel that maybe the ghosts of the past might be set aside yet.

The cover of this volume is some damned fine art. It completely captures the veil of hair the students wear, and the entire story of Youko and Hana in one breathless moment.

Ratings:

Art – Outstanding
Characters – 8
Story – 7
Service – N/A
Yuri – 7 One side of the triangle is filled in

Overall – 8

This was a very good volume of a series I didn’t think would actually ever be likely to engage me, what with all the hair.

I’m waiting on a pinhead for Volume 4, hoping to see a Youko and Hana freed from the emotional and physical burden of their hair but, hopefully, not their love.

Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Cocoon, Entwined are available from Yen Press. Volume 3 is out late summer 2021. I hope you’ll take a moment to notice the unbinding of both plot and hair. ^_^