In the fourth volume of Nakamura Asumiko’s first Yuri series, small crimes are on the rise at school, and Ruby is determined to get to the bottom of it.  Is it a ghost, or  curse stealing everyone’s items…or a criminal? The answer is, of course yes, in Mejirobana Saku, Volume 4 (メジロバナの咲く)

First-year Marjorie is saying that the Tarot cards have spoken and the news is not good. Overwrought, she blames Ruby, and another first-year, Bryce. As Marjorie begins to lash out, she and Bryce are implicated in the thefts, but the story turns dark when it turns out that it is one of the older girls that is the mastermind. and her methods of manipulation are unsavory.

That mystery solved, it is  vacation time! Steph, Ruby and Liz all go to the Amalfi coast. Steph, her damaged foot already bleeding from walking too much, literally runs away from someone who seems to think they are friends. One mystery has been solved, but another has begun. Who is this young man to Steph? Ruby tries to understand Steph, but the older girl freezes her out.

This series is one of the gems of Rakuen Le Paradis magazine. I’m always pleased and surprised that it continues. And given where this volume ends, we are going to have to have at least a volume more, which continues to please and surprise. Ruby and Steph have become much more than the sum of their plot points and I look forward to finding out Steph’s undoubtedly emotionally fraught story. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8, Marjorie took up a lot of air
Service – 3
Yuri – 7

Overall – 9

Volumes 1-3 of A White Rose in Bloom are out now from Seven Seas, Volume 4 will be out this summer