I was going to post a review of Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke. However, although the concept is fantastic, the writing is difficult for me to get past. It’s going to take me longer than I thought to finish it. In the meantime, please enjoy this belated review of the latest volume of Dengeki Daisy.
Dengeki Daisy , Vol. 9 by Kyousuke Motomi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
While the previous volume was about true forgiveness, this volume explores the difficulties in re-establishing a relationship, especially when the nature of the relationship has changed.
But first, Teru has to get the chance to tell Kurosaki everything she’s been thinking for the past while.
It starts with Kurosaki dreaming of Teru. In his dream, she’s not angry with him. She wants him back.
Then, he wakes up.
The first chapter in this volume (40) covers a lot of ground, beginning with Kurosaki’s discovery by Boss and ending with Teru and Kurosaki standing face to face. In between, we see that Akira still knows how to contact Teru, and in a stalkerish way, at that. We see Teru’s conviction and the support she gets from her growing circle of friends. We also see the beginnings of a sub-plot involving a couple I’d been hoping would get together for some time: Kiyoshi and Rena. In this chapter, we see the beginnings of a friendship between those two that, hopefully, will turn into something more.
The next chapter (41) is so awesome, I don’t want to put any spoilers in it. Let’s just say that Teru’s plan to get Kurosaki back is both mean and brilliant. This chapter shows just how well they both know each other. There are so many points where I ended up laughing until my sides hurt, just to cover my mouth at a part so tender and romantic a frame or two later.
Okay, I’ll give one spoiler. Teru doesn’t tell Kurosaki she forgives him. Read it, and you’ll see why.
This chapter is an amazing blend of humor and love. In fact, if I had to pick one chapter to sum up the series so far, it would be this one.
However, just because Kurosaki is back in her life doesn’t mean their relationship is the same. The charade of “Daisy” is over. There’s nothing hidden any more between them. And chapter 42 makes it clear that Teru still feels like Kurosaki could vanish at any moment. A certain amount of trust has been lost.
This chapter, given that it ends up in a hotel room, could have easily been about the physical. Though there are some jokes about it, instead, Motomi Kyousuke uses it as an opportunity to rebuild trust between our two main characters.
In chapter 43, we’re back to the now-familiar school grounds. Once again, Teru is doing Kurosaki’s work, but this time it’s obvious the ground rules of their relationship have changed. Nothing big. Just little things made clear. (For example, Kurosaki actually compliments her on the work she did. O_O)
In this chapter, the question of texting to Daisy comes up. It turns out that Teru has been writing Daisy but never sending anything to him. This strikes Rena as wrong and she encourages Teru to talk to Kurosaki about it. After all, it wouldn’t be any more odd than couples who use baby talk.
But when Teru discusses it with Kurosaki, she discovers he has a very different view of Daisy’s communications.
This chapter really exposes the change that’s been building all through this volume. Daisy doesn’t really exist. He’s an act. And yet, that act had power in Teru’s life. Changing that is an enormous thing for her and the mangaka does a great job of showing the resolution for that particular problem.
The final chapter in this volume covers Akira’s “confrontation” with Kurosaki. Although I liked the back and forth between Akira and Kurosaki, what I liked better was how much Teru has grown since the last time Akira touched her life. This chapter gave a much needed resolution to the earlier problems of trust that existed between her and Kurosaki. The ending to this chapter made me smile for days.
Looking forward to the next volume.
Amy Keeley 