It’s not like Takeshima Eku’s high school love story is groundbreaking. It’s not that it’s game-changing. It’s just that this story is so pleasant and full of such pleasant characters, that it’s a joy to read.

Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau, Volume 3 (ささやくように恋を唄う) finds us (pleasantly) back at the beginning of the story where we started. Yori is helping out the SSGirls band for a performance once again and, this time, she’s even gone so far as to write a song – a love song, no less.

Himari, who was moved deeply by seeing Yori-sempai on stage that day, is ready now to give her an answer.

When the music starts, any lingering doubts are dispelled by the notes of the guitar and the beat of the drums. Himari wants to call what she feels “love.” So she answers Yori, at last -yes, she “likes” her and yes, she would really like to go out with her. The situation may be similar as the opening of the story, but neither Yori nor Himari are the same person they were when they met. Now they really have a chance to be happy together, because they are happy with their selves.

In the final pages, a rival band pops up, so we may actually have a bit of a story after the story and wouldn’t that be even more pleasant!

I really like Takeshima Eku’s art, and the writing and, honestly, all the characters. Even when we’re playing dress-up with Yori and Himari, there’s a noticable absence of creeper gaze. We never have to look around whatever has been shoved into our face to see the story, the emotions or the characters.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 8 There isn’t really a “story.” It’s pleasant.
Characters – 9
Service – 10000 where the “service” is two girls who are having a great time as they learn to love one another
Yuri – 8

Overall – 8

I’m delighted that you all can read this series and enjoy it with me. Whisper Me a Love Song, Volume 1 is out now from Kodansha!