Title: かりん (Karin) Vol. 2
Artist/Author: 影崎由那 (Yuna Kagezaki)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 161pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly Dragon Age 10/03-2/04
First Printing: 3/1/04
Rating: 4/4

I'm still liking the story quite a bit. I found out that there's been two novels of this series already and that a drama CD is being produced, set to be released in July! This would probably be a good series to get animated.

As always, colored first page, and some mini-comics involving the author.

6. 健太の疑問と少女の言葉〜Doubt〜 (Kenta's Doubt and The Words of the Girl): Kenta's has his suspicious that she's a vampire and he tries to subtlety suggest that he knows. In front of Karin, he starts reading a vampire book. However, Karin doesn't reveal anything. Later, Anju, Karin's little sister, tells Kenta not to investigate her any further.

7. 杏樹の狙いとかんりの真実〜Plot〜 (Anju's Goal and Karin's Reality): On her way back from school, Karin gets accosted. Kenta comes and saves her. She's grateful, but she suddenly has her urge again. The next day, he tries to avoid Kenta. That afternoon, thinking that the scene is clear, she makes her attack and bites a depressed schoolgirl. However, Kenta catches her red handed. Anju had given Kenta some clues so that he could find Karin.

8. かりんの涙と健太の自尊心〜Pride〜 (Karin's Tears and Kenta's Pride): Flashback to the previous incident when Karin had bled all over in front of Kenta. Anju said she tried to erase his memories, but wasn't there in time. However, she also has some trust in Kenta and was the one that allowed Karin to be seen. Kenta and Karin, who is wailing, talk a bit about her real identity.

9. かりんの惑いと杏樹の提案〜Propose〜 (Karin's Confusion and Anju's Proposal): After the incident, Karin's brother appears, almost ready to beat up Kenta, but Anju stops him. At home, they talk some more about Kenta and how he could possibly be Karin's partner. Meanwhile, Kenta's mom is hyped about starting work again, this time at a love hotel. Karin comes over to Kenta's house and invites him over.

10. 健太の事情と親の審判〜Judgement〜 (Kenta's Situation and The Parent's Judgement): Kenta visits Karin's eccentric parents who seem to approve of him, but make him promise not to let their secret out. After that, Kenta's and Karin's relationship seems to be a little better. She doesn't try to avoid him anymore.

Title: 妹 (Akane) Vol. 4 "In Your Eyes"
Artist/Author: 山花典之 (Noriyuki Yamahana)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 205pp., w/o furigana
Volume: 4/14
Original Serialization: Weekly Young Jump Vol 2, '01 - Vol 14, '01
First Printing: 6/24/01
Rating: 4/4

Such evil pleasures. The stories in here are a bit cliched. They all tug at my heart a little when I read them, but it's all good. While the Nanako story ends, another girl enters the picture causing some more distress for Akane.

The cover, colored page is quite nice. The message on the inside flap seems to be hinting at the obvious; that Akane is slowing starting to love his brother in a non-familial way.

35. その微笑みを忘れないで (Don't Forget That Smile): Nanako says farewell to Shinpei as she has to leave to Australia for music school. Soon after he leaves, another girl appears. Her name is 前田鈴 (Suzu Maeda). She works at a restaurant, but is really a klutz and doesn't do her job all that well.

36. リンゴの唄 (Apple's Song): Suzu's mom sends Suzu some apples along with a letter from her little sister who's in the hospital. Meanwhile, Tetsu confesses to Akane, but as the story continues, it seems like Akane has more feelings for his step-brother. At work, Suzu has money deducted from her paycheck because of her dropping everything. Without this money, she can't help pay for her sister's hospital's bills, so she finds a job at a "gentlemen's club."

37. リンゴの唄＊２ (Apple's Song x 2): At the club, Shinpei's two co-workers see Suzu. They recognize her since she made food delivers to their auto shop before, but they enjoy her company regardless. The next day, they tell their friends who also pay a visit to Suzu. Shinpei overhears this.

38. リンゴの気持ち (Apple's Feelings): Shinpei goes to the club and makes Suzu quit the job (but not before he gets a beating from the clientele). He takes her to his apartment where Akane sees him and this strange girl.

39. リアクションラッシュ！ (Reaction Rush!): Suzu leaves thinking that Akane's his lover. Akane's not particularly happy either. At work the next day, there's a small scuffle and Chako accidentally causes some containers to fall on one of the more rich and arrogant clients.

40. へんしん！ (Transformation!): To repay him for the damage, he makes Shinpei go fix some of his cars in addition to his own job. Akane feels bad about it, but Shinpei tells her not to mind.

41. せっきん (Approach): At the yard where Shinpei does the repairs, Suzu pays a visit and finds out that Akane is the sister. Akane brings Shinpei lunch. Knowing that she's the sister, Suzu kindly tells Akane that she doesn't have to stay out in the cold and can go home already. This annoys Akane. The next day, Suzu finds a job at the auto shop.

42. あの日の夕焼け (The Sunset on That Day): Shinpei tells Suzu about his past and how Akane was always a peculiar sister. She seemed cold, but was rather loving in her own way.

43. In Your Eyes: It's starting to snow and so Suzu rushes to the yard. Shinpei, being tired from working so much, passes out. Suzu makes it just in time to catch him and to tell him (while he's unconscious) that she loves him. Akane sees all this from afar.

44. チャパティ参上 (Chapati Visit): An circus troupe is in town, but the tightrope walker, a young Indian girl is out and about causing havoc. One of the things she does is steal Akane's school uniform while she's in PE and wear it around.

45. Indian Witch: Akane almost apprehends Chapati, but she goes on a telephone wire using her skills. Apparently she doesn't want to go back, so Akane and friends play with her and later take her back to the apartment.