To catch a predator.

Creative Staff
Story/Art: Kiiro Yumi
Translation: Kinami Watabe
Adaptation: Sean McCoy

What They Say:
There’s a groper in the library and Library Force members Iku and Shibazaki are sent in as bait! Iku’s undercover outfit makes her vulnerable… will she be able to defend herself if the pervert targets her? Later, Library Force members are required to take a test that involves reading stories to a group of rambunctious schoolkids. Coming from a big, unruly family, Iku definitely has the upper hand!

Content:
Their preparations complete, the gang leaps into action in order to catch the pervert. Iku is determined that she be the one to be caught due to her combat training, but when she gets her wish the unfamiliar clothes trip her up, putting her in quite the dangerous situation. Fortunately, her knight in shining armor is there to lay the smack down on the molester. Apparently, the reason he chose Iku was that Komaki planted a hearing aid on her, proving in the process that the pervert was intentionally aiming for an “easy victim.” Marie gets a rape whistle and feels safe in the library once more, and Iku tells Dojo that she is “growing out of her prince,” attempting to assert that she wants to see him for who he is more than who he was.

Next up, the time comes for the promotion exams. Iku is forced to study hard for the writing portion, but the one with the real problem is Hikaru. Apparently the skill test for this year’s exam is to read a story to children, and Hikaru happens to be bad with kids. Through perseverance and a good bit of preparation, the two are able to pull through, with Iku in particular showing off her fantastic creativity.

The last arc of the book centers around a famous young actor named Daichi Kosaka who wishes to tell the story of his grandfather, a barber, during an interview. Apparently the word “barber” is on the MBC’s list of censored words (for some reason that’s never explained in the volume), but Daichi insists that the article be published with the proper word for his grandfather’s profession. With the help of our heroes, a plan is decided upon in which Daichi sues the publication, forcing a scandal over the word’s censorship. With a little luck, perhaps this scandal will finally provide a way to legally strike at the MBC’s oppressive policies.

In the bonus chapter, Iku tries to deal with her inability to look Dojo in the eyes.

In Summary:
Overall, this volume feels like another decent entry in the series, but it doesn’t really have all that much of an edge to it. Outside of the story that starts at the end, there aren’t any real serious problems or tough issues for the heroes to deal with. On the plus side, Hikaru does get a little development around the middle, and Iku and Dojo’s relationship continues to shift throughout. Hopefully the next volume will really follow through, as the last story here definitely shows some potential. For now, this remains a solid read, but isn’t anything too terribly exciting.

Content Grade: B
Art Grade: A-
Package Rating: A-
Text/Translation Rating: B+

Age Rating: 16+
Released by: Viz Media
Release Date: April 2nd, 2013
MSRP: $9.99