In most high school manga, summer is a time for our protagonists to go to the beach or pool, and make beautiful memories. For Himari, this summer will be the busiest of her life. Somehow she has become the manager of Lorelei, the greatest rivals Yori-sempai’s band, SS Girls, has.
Luckily, Himari is not as much in a pickle as that sounds, since the members of Lorelei are not only treating her well, but teaching her useful skills. Himari is able to offer some promotional suggestions, as well. Honestly…she’s thriving.
Himari finally asks Shiho what the deal with her leaving SS Girls is, and she is invited on an outing as a response. What could the big secret be? It’s not so much a secret, as a teenage unused to processing complicated feelings of /spoilers/.
There’s only one problem. Himari’s time with Yori-sempai has been slashed to pieces and she’s worried that too much distance between Yori and she might hurt their relationship. Yori is putting a brave and generous face on, but it’s killing her with jealousy. Yori admits that, and they affirm their feelings for one another. Yori’s plans for a first kiss don’t pan out, but at a summer festival, they finally get the time to just talk and be together and have the romantic kiss they deserve on a giant two-page spread. Yay for beautiful summer memories!
When they are caught in a sudden summer deluge, they end up at Yori’s house. As the volume ends, Yori contemplates what it will mean to having her girlfriend overnight. I admit, watch Yori stress about being attracted to Himari is a kinda cute. I think I get why Aki teases her all the time. ^_^
I know I keep saying this, but I really do love this manga. It’s sweet and genuine and has feels without manipulation or creeping. I love Takeshima-sensei’s art, and the “timing” of her page layouts. The characters are universally likable (even Shiho, sometimes.) I cannot wait for this anime and just really hope the animation team does it right. _^ Certainly, I can say with enthusiasm, that Kodansha handles this manga beautifully. Kebin Steinbach gives all the characters their own voice…you can really hear Himari and Yori and Shiho….beautiful lettering from Jennifer Skarupa, Tiff Joshua TJ Ferrentini’s editing gives it that final polish and once again Matthew Akuginow’s cover is just a lovely thing, with a great contrast between the smooth gloss and textured finish. All around, a fantastic edition.
Ratings:
Art – 9
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – 0
Yuri – 8
Overall – 9
Volume 7 will bring the great reveal of Shiho’s dark secret, out in English this June from Kodansha!
