Neighborhood Story, Vol. 4

Mikako aims to take the world of fashion by storm but stumbles when love comes into season in this coming-of-age tale from the creator of Nana!

Welcome to Happy Berry! No, this isn’t a fruit stand, but the label dreamed up by aspiring fashion designer Mikako Koda. In her quest to make a name for herself in the fashion world, Mikako enters Yazawa Arts Academy, a prestigious art school, alongside her strictly platonic childhood friend Tsutomu. But there’s one problem—Tsutomu’s uncanny resemblance to a rock star skyrockets him to popularity and leads him to date the prettiest girl in school. Now Mikako can’t help but wonder if what she feels is jealousy.

After winning the Grand Prix award at the Yaza Arts Fashion Show, Mikako and Risa are offered the chance to study abroad in London for a year and a half with all expenses covered. As the initial thrill wanes, however, Mikako’s apprehensions grow, especially with the potential strain that leaving might put on her relationship with Tsutomu. Meanwhile, Ruriko is feeling sick, and everyone fears a relapse in her condition. After Ruriko receives a shocking diagnosis, Mikako is forced to reexamine her decision. Will she stay behind and choose love, or follow her passion and make her dreams of being a famous fashion designer finally come true in London?

Ai Yazawa is the creator of many popular manga titles, including Nana, one of the best-selling shojo series of all time. Nana won the Shogakukan Manga Award in the shojo category in 2003, and a live-action movie adaptation was released in 2006.

American readers were introduced to Yazawa’s stylish and sexy storytelling in 2002 when her title Paradise Kiss was translated into English. Some of her other works include Tenshi Nanka Janai (I’m No Angel) and Last Quarter, which had a live-action movie adaptation that released in 2004.