Shiho has what we used to call a “difficult” personality. She appears to make decisions that work against her best interests more often than not. Should you happen to point it out to her, you become the problem. In Whisper Me A Love Song,  Volume 7 and Volume 8, Himari finally helps Shiho to see that the problem is that Shiho has piled every one of her issues up to form a barrier between her and Aki…and, really, she likes Aki, it’s just that all that stuff has kept her from admitting it. With the high tension of the school festival filling the air, will Shiho break permanently with her former bandmate, or open a new chapter between them?

When we learn, finally, what Shiho’s issue is – it is a perfect moment. Yes, of course, his would affect her and yes, of course, someone as high-strung and “difficult” as she iswould retreat into herself, finding fault with everyone around her, rather than taking a look at herself. But Shiho also comes off as selfish and willful here. When the penny finally drops and she sees what she is doing, it is very satisfying. We (and Himari) are immediately hopeful that Shiho will figure out how to build a healthier relationship with Aki.

In the mean time, back in mostly-functional relationship land, Himari and Yori enjoy their first school festival together with all the little joys and moritifcations that brings.

And then the Battle of the Bands begin and Lauraley comes out swinging. Who will win is not nearly as important as what will happen after that, but our little angel, Himari has shepherded her sempai into a situation that is much more likely to be win-win. Good on her.

These volumes are perfect high school drama. Just a teeny little bit of real world drama, and a lot of adorable love-love, unencumbered by concerns of growing up in a hostile world, centering on good friends, and having fun playing music. It’s the perfect recipe for fulfilling high school years.

Thanks to the team at Kodansha for doing a top-notch job with the character voices, so that when we hear them speaking in the anime – streaming now on HIDIVE – they really sound exactly the way we imagined they would. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – 0
Yuri – 8

Overall – 9