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Title:  Boys over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango) #16

Author:  Yoko Kamio

Publisher:  Viz

ISBN:  1421502623

May Contain Spoilers

After embarrassing herself at Tsukasa’s 18th birthday party by literally falling into the cake, his mother, Kaede, orders Tsukushi out of her sight.  Domyoji makes matters worse by declaring his love for the mortified Tsukushi.  This admission really puts the stern matriarch in a rage, and when Tsubaki quickly intervenes on Tsukasa’s behalf, the two would be lovers make a break for freedom.  Hiding out on the Domyoji yacht, they share a tender moment, even while Tsukasa’s evil mother makes plans to get rid of the object of her son’s affections.

Wow!  It’s been forever since I’ve read Boys over Flowers!  I can’t believe that I’ve neglected it for this long.  Despite having some pretty ugly art, this series is a lot of fun.  Sure, the characters don’ t have a whole lot of depth, and they pretty much play true to their stereo-types, but reading about the tangles they get into, and then back out of, is what really keeps me coming back for more.

I really enjoyed the scene on the yacht, where Domyoji discovered the gift that Tsukushi was too embarrassed to give him.  Mistaking his reaction to her humble Tsukasa shaped cookies, she’s amazed by his boyish delight over her gift.  Later, he even proudly displays them to the rest of the F4, showing that he’s not a total spoiled jerk.  I like him a lot better after this volume.

When Tsukasa’s mother makes a surprise visit to the modest  Makino abode and offers the family 50 million yen if Tsukushi agrees to stop seeing her son, I felt a momentary flicker of hope for Tsukushi’s mom.  Pushed over the edge by the other woman’s insults, she dumps a container of salt over her head when Kaede speaks derogatorily of Tsukushi.  My optimism over her suddenly being filled with motherly pride soon vanished into thin air.  She wasn’t upset by the remarks made about Tsukushi!  She was offended by the pittance that was offered to them!  If Tsukushi marries into the Domyoji family, the entire fortune will be theirs! 

To further dissuade the young couple, Kaede has both of them practically kidnapped and dragged off to her hotel.  Soon after, a third kidnap victim arrives; it’s Shigeru Okawahara, and apparently, she’s Tsukasa’s fiancee!  This fact is news to both of them.  Ever the rocket scientist, when Tsukasa makes a break for it, he drags the wrong girl with him!  And doesn’t even realize it until they are blocks away.  Tsukasa gives new meaning to the word blockhead.  He has the brain capacity of a Pomeranian.  While this is cute for a fluffy lapdog, I don’t think it’s a trait desired for a potential mate.  His new fiancee does not seem to mind his lack of functioning brain cells.  Does Tsukushi have a new competitor for Tsukasa’s love?  But wait - she doesn’t really like him anyway! Right?

All in all, I think Tsukushi is pretty silly.  If she’s going to dump Tsukasa anyway, she may as well take the money and run.  Or at least pretend to run.  Take the money and the guy!!  That would show that old biddy!!

Grade:  B

Rated for Teen