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Title: Chibi-Vampire Vol 12

Author:  Yuna Kagesaki

Publisher: Tokyopop

ISBN: 9781427811400

May Contain Spoilers

Karin is still trying to adjust to a life without Anju now that her little sister has awakened and become a full vampire.  Karin’s friends notice her depression, but they can’t seem to help her.  When Kenta forces her to come to terms with her troubled feelings, it threatens to tear them apart.  Karin just can’t accept how she feels, and she’s lashing out at Kenta for trying to help her.  Will this be the end of their relationship?

Karin is hit right between the eyes with the realization that she’s now going to be spending most of her time alone.  Anju can no longer eat the food she had so lovingly prepared for her, and she can’t go out into the sun any more.  What’s worse, she won’t even speak to Karin, and Karin is suffering because of it.  The sisters had always been close, and now Anju’s absence is eating away at Karin.  She doesn’t know what to do to get Anju to speak to her again, except stand pathetically outside of her bedroom door and beg her to let her in.  Anju is still learning to deal with her own emotional turmoil, and she just doesn’t have the energy to deal with Karin’s, too.  This distance that yawned between them was agonizing, and all the more painful because, in the end, it’s Karin who is always isolated from her family.

Kenta really steps up here, demanding that Karin face her feelings, even when it hurts her to talk about what she’s going through.  Kenta has felt alone, too, so he knows how much she’s hurting, and he just wants to make her feel better.  It hurts him to watch her be so miserable, but he doesn’t know what to do about it.  He may not have a sense of humor, but Kenta is definitely the go-to guy for Karin.  She doesn’t realize it yet, but Kenta is willing to be the rock in her unsteady world, and he’s willing to just be there for her.  He’s uptight, but he’s a great guy.

Calera returns with the secret of Karin’s increasing blood, and it doesn’t sound like a good thing at all.  In fact, other vampires, with less friendly motives,  are starting to arrive in town, and Karin’s their target!  Things may have improved between Karin and Kenta, but it looks like real life is going to raise its ugly head again and cause a whole heap of trouble for the young couple.  I can hardly wait!

Grade: A-

Rated for Older Teen