Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl, Vol. 4 (Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl, 4)

The fourth volume of this *yuri* manga series brings developments for two of the couples. These are the "main couple" and the first introduced, and kinda the most prominent or chief of the "beta couples". Though there are some issues along the way, this is, in fact, the best of the series so far.The developments spoken of have to do with the fact that some real progress is made towards someday becoming a couple for Shiromine Ayaka and Kurosawa Yurine (the main couple), and that a major decision and commitment is made on the part of Senoo Mizuki and Nikaido Moe (the chief beta couple). What I mean by that is the fact that in the case of Ayaka and Yurine, it's the first time that Ayaka has shown some affection for Yurine, and has not been merely unwillingly pursued by the other girl. Of course, part of this is a very typical for rom-coms in Japan *tsundere* attitude, as well as a desire to "beat" Yurine at something, but that's still development. Since the beginning these elements have been part of the relationship between the two girls, but previously it was a courtship that Ayaka did not want, while now she seems to be getting more comfortable with the idea.As for the beta couple of Mozuki and Moe, they make a choice that has serious eventual social and other ramifications for them, especially when they go beyond the confines of their school. To have homosexual relationships is something almost expected of girls in Japan as "practice" for "real" ones, though at their age it should have perhaps cooled off some according to societal expectations. Yes, I know that that entire notion just stated about "practice" and "real" is bigoted and homophobic. It's unfortunate, but true, that Japan has at least as much, if not *much* more so, bigotry than the US in regards to homosexuality. To be clear, this is not a moral disagreement or anything in love, but actual bigotry.Anyways, the choice that Mizuki and Moe make are sure to cause them trouble eventually, and I think (given that they phrase it in a relatively mature way) that they know this, but they wish to go through with it anyways. And in the midst of this, we're treated to a nice several page scene of adorable and loving closeness between the two.So while the main couple is steeped in slow progress in a comedic manner, the chief beta couple is maturing, and absolutely adorable for it.The only issues I had with this were three-fold. First off, when did Ayaka get all accepting of Yurine's pursuit of her? I guess the surprise on her birthday that Yurine thoughtfully did could be the point, but we aren't shown that's when it happened. It's several scattered scenes and we have to fill in the gaps to see when she got to be so accepting of the other girl.The second and related problem is that the burgeoning "love story", if that's still the mangaka's desire to pursue, is so agonizingly slow. It's like watching paint dry. Yes, I love the notion of showing sweet love stories of so many couples, Mozuki and Moe as well as others, in the midst of the main duo. But it's hard to cheer for something that's development is largely behind the scenes, has gaps you have to fill in yourself, and when shown is like watching pain dry except for a few "flashes" of development. It's like *Nisekoi* in it's slowness, but without the comedy.And the third critique is a personal one for my tastes. This is that Yurine is so annoyingly, and unrealistically, perfect. Sorry, but without constant exercise, there is no way in hell that she would be beating track stars who train every day. I can accept the natural athletic talent, but we see her as uncaring about anything, presumably including fitness, and she still defeats folks that are fare more fit and practice strategies for running? No way. There is also the fact that while I could ignore the sillier aspects of her characterization, as it is comedy and to keep up her part of the story of the relationship between her and Ayaka, I think the author props her up too much. Yurine is the smartest, best athlete, the wisest, most intuitive (except about herself), and such. She is very much the epitome of a so-called "boring invincible hero". It's hard to cheer when one finds her as annoying as I do. Some less smugness on Yurine's part and more of an ability to lose or what not would make her a better character with her story arc intact but more rounded.Despite the above three criticisms, this was the best of the four volumes released so far, in my opinion. The mangaka's storytelling skills are developing more as she goes along, so the story is more balanced between the couple in the spotlight for that volume, the main couple, and others. As well, the mix of humor and drama was much more balanced, especially for what is a more light-hearted series. And of course, the art was great. It's always been great, but it's even better in this volume. It almost reaches *Citrus* levels of incredible art.This is a fun series with likable (for the most part) characters, who the author keeps consistent (for the most part) in characterization no matter how big or small their roles in each volume and situation, and is just really sweet. I truly enjoy it.Rating: 4/5 Stars.

In this volume’s afterword, Canno says that her editor came up with the them “future” for this volume. So focusing on Moe and Mizuki, the third year couple involved with the track team and finally gracing the cover, was a perfect fit.In truth, I have been “queer-burned” enough times by anime and manga that I am very hesitant to call two girls or two boys a couple, even in a series like Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl which truly is a yuri series. But even I feel thoroughly convinced that Moe and Mizuki are intended to be a couple who are attracted to each other in a romantic/sexual manner.The two of them have been together since before the series even began, and while there have been many close female friendships in this series, this relationship has been portrayed as a bit more intense (which, in fiction, a more intense relationship is usually code for a more “intimate” relationship as well). In fact, the two girls are so joined at the hip that Moe is a little worried about Mizuki’s upcoming performance in the track meet and she proposes that she and Mizuki take a break so that Mizuki can “kick the Moe” and make sure that Mizuki is focused on track for the right reasons, not just to impress her girlfriend.This reason to separate the two before allowing them back together does feel more than a bit contrived but it does allow Mizuki the chance to have some deep introspection and she comes out the experience a more confident character. Mizuki and Moe also seem even more committed to their relationship after all of this, and when the two girls end their part of the volume, walking hand in hand in casual clothing, the reader truly believes that these two will be together for a while to come.Kiss and White Lily volume 4 continues the trend by having an A-part and B-part plot where the B-plot introduces new side characters and even more relationships for the reader to keep track of. Sometimes these new characters are interesting but the new girl introduced here, Kaoru, simply feels boringly familiar with her “it might be unrequited love or it might be unrequited admiration???” plot. Kaoru knew Yurine before high school and Kaoru certainly admired Yurine’s cold intellect and cool manner from a distance, so she has very mixed feelings about seeing Yurine with an actual group of friends now. She spends the volume trying to become closer to Yurine, although it’s unclear if even Kaoru has realized that her feelings to Yurine are closely akin to a crush.But Kaoru is unsure of herself and Yurine is just dense so nothing truly comes out of this B-part and it makes the majority of volume 4 feel like wasted time. There is a truly great scene involving some of Kaoru’s friends, speaking about what friendship means to them and the non-trivial things that they will do for friendship, but that scene only made me wish that Kiss and White Lily had a few completely unromantic, platonic sub-plots where we could see some of these side characters deal with the struggles that come with high school friendships but without the “she likes me, she likes me not” antics.While the bonus Valentine’s Day bonus chapter was an amusing way to end the volume, volume 4 felt too similar to the ones before it for me to be really satisfied as a reader. I don’t object to meeting new characters but with each volume beginning to be very rote in terms of its pacing, conflicts, and resolutions, I would prefer that future volumes take a bit of time to add depth to the current cast before the size of the cast overwhelms Canno’s ability to balance them all.- Helen

This series continues to be excellent, especially in this volume as more of the girls express their love and start planning their futures together. I really enjoy the diversity of relationships, loves, and supportive friendships that we get to see between everyone; my only request for the next volume would be more Shiramine x Kurosawa, because their competitiveness with each other is an amazing dynamic, and each little snippet with them just makes me want more.