The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity — Chapter 4

Chapter 4 is where the honeymoon sweetness of Rintaro and Kaoruko's first meetings gets its first real test, and it is exactly why fans cannot stop talking about this installment. After the shock reveal of Kaoruko attending Kikyo Girls High, the story could have leaned into melodrama, but instead it leans into sincerity. Rintaro is still wrestling with his insecurity about his scary face and his Chidori reputation, convinced someone like Kaoruko will inevitably pull away. Kaoruko, in contrast, doubles down with that direct, disarming honesty that has become her trademark. She does not tiptoe around the school rivalry, she simply refuses to let it define him. The emotional core of the chapter is that push and pull. Their blushing exchanges in and around the patisserie feel genuinely teenage, awkward pauses, too-honest compliments, and smiles they cannot hide. It is no wonder the fandom is obsessed with this dynamic. And yes, Rintaro with his hair down deserves its own mention. Stripped of his usual guarded styling, he looks softer, younger, and more vulnerable, a perfect visual metaphor for letting his guard down around Kaoruko. The art sells that shift beautifully, using close-ups and gentle lighting to make a quiet moment feel electric. Then comes Subaru. Her sudden, frosty entrance completely changes the temperature. Her blunt rejection of Rintaro and clear distrust of boys from Chidori adds immediate tension and raises the stakes beyond just two kids crushing on each other. She is protective of Kaoruko to a degree that feels personal, which has split readers between sympathy and frustration. Is she simply rude and judgmental, or is her harshness a shield built from past hurt. The chapter wisely does not answer that yet, letting her glare linger. Plot-wise, Chapter 4 moves from chance encounter to social reality. It is no longer just about a kind girl and a misunderstood boy, it is about the friends, reputations, and prejudices standing around them.