Citrus (Volume 7) - Secret Love

Yuzu has to attend summer school to catch up on the exam she failed. There, she meets Shiraho Suzuran, a strangely perceptive girl who spots everything. Will she uncover Yuzu and Mei’s secret relationship?

Citrus (Volume 7) – Secret Love

What happened?

Before attending summer school, Harumi warned Yuzu of an urban legend that meant no one ever left, becoming shadows of their former selves. Of course, Yuzu didn’t believe this, but when she arrived, there was no one else there and her mind started to wander. She sat down and then jumped out of her seat when she heard someone behind her. It turned out that she had sat on the only other student in summer school – Shiraho Suzuran. Shiraho seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Yuzu, which she attributed to listening and paying attention.

Shiraho’s superpower was to read people and she was very good at it. There was one person, however, that continued to puzzle her – Mei. To make matters worse, she then realised that she could smell Mei on Yuzu. How could that be? Yuzu thought that their secret relationship was about to get out, but she managed to convince Shiraho that they lived together and used the same shampoo. That seemed to work.

Citrus Volume 7 Shiraho Suzuran can smell Mei on Yuzu

Yuzu and Mei learned that a festival was going to take place near their home and decided to go together. It was supposed to be just the two of them, but then Harumi, Matsuri, and Nene phoned Yuzu while she was with Shiraho. So, an intimate date for two turned into a party of six. Yuzu had hoped that they would watch the fireworks together and get to wear their rings in public. At least, they got to wear their yukatas. Yuzu put the rings on necklaces so they could both wear them without attracting attention.

However, Shiraho spotted the change in Mei instantly and began to question Yuzu. Mei continued to want to be close to Yuzu and that was attracting more attention from Shiraho, so Yuzu ran off with the others for a while. When it was time for the fireworks, Yuzu grabbed Mei and slipped away so they could watch them together. They kissed unaware that Shiraho was watching from the shadows. Yuzu ran off to find the others when Mei said kissing wasn’t enough, which was when Shiraho came forward and revealed that she loved Mei too!

Citrus Volume 7 Mei and Yuzu kissing fireworks

What did you think?

All right, I know I said in the last post about how they didn’t need any extra drama, well, I was wrong. I loved the addition of Shiraho and how that changed the group dynamic. I do feel sorry for Mei and Yuzu as they are desperate to be able to fully enjoy their relationship, but seem to be concerned with appearances. That’s impacting the way it’s working too as both are now doubting the other. Do they like them more? Why do they keep running away?

It must be terrifying and infuriating to feel like you need to hide who you are in public like that. From a story point of view, it adds some incredible tension which will no doubt pay off when we get the happily ever after moment. Of course, they are also suffering all the standard miscommunications and misunderstandings that two teenagers in love do.

I feel like the addition of Shiraho could give them all a bit of a reality check, but the main issue is Mei’s barriers need to come down in a way that doesn’t make Yuzu feel like she’s just doing it to please her. There are worse reasons to do stuff, but Yuzu needs it to be for Mei too otherwise she feels like she’s taking advantage of her. I can’t wait for that moment.