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サボテンの秘密 [Saboten no Himitsu] #2
Cactus's Secret, Vol. 02
Miku Yamada has a longtime crush on classmate Kyohei Fujioka. But no matter how many times she tries to show him how she feels, clueless Kyohei just doesn't get it. Frustrated, Miku gives up on him, only to have him start calling her "Cactus" for being prickly when he's around. Will Kyohei ever figure out Cactus's secret?
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2005
About the author
Nana Haruta
53 books104 followersJapanese name: 春田なな. Her real name is Yuki Yamashita (山下由紀) She is a Japanese manga artist. Haruta made her professional manga debut while still in high school in the December 2000 issue of Ribon; at the age of 15, this makes her one of the youngest manga artists to enter the industry.
Her works are primarily serialized in Ribon Magazine, but she has also been featured in its sister magazine Margaret.
Her works are primarily serialized in Ribon Magazine, but she has also been featured in its sister magazine Margaret.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 25, 2016
loved this
January 21, 2012
Oh man rating this volume was so hard. It wasn't actively bad! I can't point to something in it and be like this is gross because of social justice reasons or this was super boring or these characters were really terrible. It just wasn't actively good either. I love shoujo manga because it usually manages to give me strong feelings whether they're of delight or hatred. Sometimes both in the same volume! This didn't manage much either way.
Ugh, let me try talking about the plot, maybe more definite thoughts will come to me. So this is the volume where obstacles came in by way of secondary love interests. I'm not terribly enamoured of Miku's, trying to frame someone to get them expelled is a bit far to go for a crush. 0_o Shooting rubber arrows to issue ridiculous challenges, okay! Planting exam cheat sheets before an inspection, not okay! He doesn't even have hilarious dumb-things-you-do-when-crushing antics to recommend him. Voting down on Natsukawa.
I'm more open to Kyohei's secondary; Saki seems okay so far. She only showed up in the last chapter this volume so it's too early to tell. I'm positively inclined to people who invite their groups out for dinner to make friends though! Be dope next volume Saki, I'm rooting for you.
Looking at the primary relationship: I wasn't really moved by any of the Miku/Kyohei stuff this volume. I get that Haruta was trying to drop hints that Kyohei might be developing some feelings but ehh. Grumpy entitled shipper here. Fall for her Kyohei! I'm always more invested in characters who are explicitly in love!
Okay I think I've decided: 2.5 stars it is. Not because it's terrible! I'm still continuing the series! There's just nothing to particularly recommend this volume either.
Ugh, let me try talking about the plot, maybe more definite thoughts will come to me. So this is the volume where obstacles came in by way of secondary love interests. I'm not terribly enamoured of Miku's, trying to frame someone to get them expelled is a bit far to go for a crush. 0_o Shooting rubber arrows to issue ridiculous challenges, okay! Planting exam cheat sheets before an inspection, not okay! He doesn't even have hilarious dumb-things-you-do-when-crushing antics to recommend him. Voting down on Natsukawa.
I'm more open to Kyohei's secondary; Saki seems okay so far. She only showed up in the last chapter this volume so it's too early to tell. I'm positively inclined to people who invite their groups out for dinner to make friends though! Be dope next volume Saki, I'm rooting for you.
Looking at the primary relationship: I wasn't really moved by any of the Miku/Kyohei stuff this volume. I get that Haruta was trying to drop hints that Kyohei might be developing some feelings but ehh. Grumpy entitled shipper here. Fall for her Kyohei! I'm always more invested in characters who are explicitly in love!
Okay I think I've decided: 2.5 stars it is. Not because it's terrible! I'm still continuing the series! There's just nothing to particularly recommend this volume either.
March 21, 2016
Overall Series Rating 1.5 Stars
This is what happens when you’re stuck on a train (which is running slow) and have enough internet to download ePubs and then decide to persist in reading it to the end. Note to self; be less stubborn and just give up.
I do not get this series. I feel like somewhere I must be missing something but there is no character depth or development. When new characters are introduced (like Kyohei’s brother) there is this promise of backstory or intrigue but actually nothing happens.
This is what happens when you’re stuck on a train (which is running slow) and have enough internet to download ePubs and then decide to persist in reading it to the end. Note to self; be less stubborn and just give up.
I do not get this series. I feel like somewhere I must be missing something but there is no character depth or development. When new characters are introduced (like Kyohei’s brother) there is this promise of backstory or intrigue but actually nothing happens.
March 26, 2009
AWESOME AWESOME SOO ROMANCTIC ^^
September 12, 2023
🌵 3 stars 🌵
Brief summary of Volume 2 and My Thoughts: Itsuki Natsukawa, son of the school chairman and top-ranking student is brought into the plot to force relationship tension between Yamada and Fujioka. Natsukawa gave me the ick. And Fujioka is slowly beginning to develop feelings for Yamada that extend past friendship. I will hopefully be finishing off the series soon. And I need Nana Haruta to stop introducing random male characters to try to confuse Yamada about her emotions toward Fujioka, just let the girl feel what she wants to feel.
tropes: high school setting, childhood friends to lovers, miscommunication, love triangle, blackmail (very small, and doesn't work), slow-burn
Brief summary of Volume 2 and My Thoughts: Itsuki Natsukawa, son of the school chairman and top-ranking student is brought into the plot to force relationship tension between Yamada and Fujioka. Natsukawa gave me the ick. And Fujioka is slowly beginning to develop feelings for Yamada that extend past friendship. I will hopefully be finishing off the series soon. And I need Nana Haruta to stop introducing random male characters to try to confuse Yamada about her emotions toward Fujioka, just let the girl feel what she wants to feel.
tropes: high school setting, childhood friends to lovers, miscommunication, love triangle, blackmail (very small, and doesn't work), slow-burn
July 16, 2025
Natsukawa beneran suka Miku, sampe dia nantangin Fujioka segala di depan murid-murid laen. Kalo gue jadi si Miku gue pengen ngumpet ajaaa dah..😓 Mana sekarang semua tau lagi kalo si Miku nembak Fujioka dan ditolak. 😥
Huhuhu... Tambah seru aja ni komik. Mana ada karakter baru pula yang mau ngajak Miku kencan. Semogaa komik berikutnya Fujioka sadar yah...
Saboten no Himitsu (SHUEISHA © 2003)
Cactus's Secret #2 (m&c © 2007)
by
Nana Haruta
Lidwina Leung (Translator)
Huhuhu... Tambah seru aja ni komik. Mana ada karakter baru pula yang mau ngajak Miku kencan. Semogaa komik berikutnya Fujioka sadar yah...
Saboten no Himitsu (SHUEISHA © 2003)
Cactus's Secret #2 (m&c © 2007)
by
Nana Haruta
Lidwina Leung (Translator)
September 17, 2017
Natsukawa was sure annoying. He's very narcissistic and I''m glad Miku found out what he was like ahead of time. The chick with the dark hair was sure annoying when she announced that Miku was on a date. I thought she was going to cause trouble for the couple, but it seems like she just did it innocently.
April 8, 2025
I liked this one a little more but I think it’s due to mood reading. I was REALLY in the mood for a nice calming read that’s chill and it delivered. It’s cutsie and quick when reading. Also, I still don’t like the side author notes. That’s a me thing. I’m there for the book, the notes aren’t something I really care for. I know some readers who love them though!
March 12, 2022
ok this one was better than the other one. she was still weird and dumb. like she is supposedly really in love with this guy but after she confesses and he brings it up again she yells at him and denies it. idk, she’s kinda annoying but i guess the story is kinda cute
April 27, 2018
I love this series! The angst of love! I like the new characters and the way it is all drawn. Pulls me right into the story.
January 15, 2019
Just a little something to bright up this dreary day. I don't read these critically at all, they just make me smile. 😊
February 9, 2019
2.5 stars. why am i still reading this????? there really did NOT need to be a love triangle added to this. and ive already started volume 3 and hooo boy
February 25, 2019
Why is everyone in love with Miku? Every plot seems to rotate around the fact that every boy wants to be with her - except the one who has called her 'cactus.'
Not my favorite series by a long shot.
Not my favorite series by a long shot.
June 23, 2022
Okay but that Natsukawa guy was kinda fine
May 29, 2023
Ugh go away, Natsukawa
September 4, 2016
Summary:
Book follows the story of a girl named Miku Yamada, who has a longtime crush on her classmate, (an incredibly dense boy) Kyohei Fujioka. Most of the story is centered around Miku trying to get her feelings through to Fujioka, who is rather obtuse, which causes Miku to get frustrated and act "prickly" towards him (name of the title is derived from this).
Age: Young Adult Reader (Mostly ages 13-17)
Rating 3 out of 5 stars for:
- Interesting art/drawings (the artist's style really is what alone drew to me this series). The artist has a very fun, playful style with cute chibis scattered throughout the pages and a good sense of perspective, background, and transitioning scenes. Notable point of interest is that the manga characters are not overly sexualized in relation to their gender.
- Writing is a bit weak... characters are rather shallow and the plot is rather cliche and drawn out. There is a lot of emphasis on drama--almost to the point where it feels unnecessary -- however, since this book IS meant for teenagers it's not surprising. Certain scenes also seem a bit strung together at times, or put their for the author's convenience. However, there are enough cute/charming scenes throughout the book to keep the reader engaged and happy.
- Bonus stories for Cactus's Secret and other short stories by the author are included at end of book.
Recommended to mostly younger teens who enjoy reading teen romantic-comedy manga.
Book follows the story of a girl named Miku Yamada, who has a longtime crush on her classmate, (an incredibly dense boy) Kyohei Fujioka. Most of the story is centered around Miku trying to get her feelings through to Fujioka, who is rather obtuse, which causes Miku to get frustrated and act "prickly" towards him (name of the title is derived from this).
Age: Young Adult Reader (Mostly ages 13-17)
Rating 3 out of 5 stars for:
- Interesting art/drawings (the artist's style really is what alone drew to me this series). The artist has a very fun, playful style with cute chibis scattered throughout the pages and a good sense of perspective, background, and transitioning scenes. Notable point of interest is that the manga characters are not overly sexualized in relation to their gender.
- Writing is a bit weak... characters are rather shallow and the plot is rather cliche and drawn out. There is a lot of emphasis on drama--almost to the point where it feels unnecessary -- however, since this book IS meant for teenagers it's not surprising. Certain scenes also seem a bit strung together at times, or put their for the author's convenience. However, there are enough cute/charming scenes throughout the book to keep the reader engaged and happy.
- Bonus stories for Cactus's Secret and other short stories by the author are included at end of book.
Recommended to mostly younger teens who enjoy reading teen romantic-comedy manga.
September 20, 2015
I had really high hopes when I picked this series up. The artwork drew me in immediately - it's beautiful and I love sketching these characters and mimicking Nana Haruta's style. When I discovered it, I also had a crush on a boy who was totally clueless, so I was hoping for something that mixed the sentimental with the bitterness of rejection.
Volume Two follows up the first with more cliches, introducing Itsuki Natsukawa to complete the Miku/Kyohei love triangle: he has a crush on Miku and will stop at nothing to make her "his." The gender stereotype that allows Miku to crush on Kyohei despite his rejection is exactly what makes Itsuki's unabashed pursuit of Miku unnerving. Creepiness aside, his character is so crazy and unrealistic that it's hard to stomach what happens in this volume. It just doesn't make sense in context with real life in a manga that's otherwise pretty realistic. The introduction of Creepy Phone Guy is also cliched - why does the male lead always have a secret, and why is some creepy guy always willing to reveal it?
Two stars for the writing, plus an extra star because I loved the artwork for a total of three stars.
Volume Two follows up the first with more cliches, introducing Itsuki Natsukawa to complete the Miku/Kyohei love triangle: he has a crush on Miku and will stop at nothing to make her "his." The gender stereotype that allows Miku to crush on Kyohei despite his rejection is exactly what makes Itsuki's unabashed pursuit of Miku unnerving. Creepiness aside, his character is so crazy and unrealistic that it's hard to stomach what happens in this volume. It just doesn't make sense in context with real life in a manga that's otherwise pretty realistic. The introduction of Creepy Phone Guy is also cliched - why does the male lead always have a secret, and why is some creepy guy always willing to reveal it?
Two stars for the writing, plus an extra star because I loved the artwork for a total of three stars.
July 20, 2012
Despite the new characters and getting a chuckle out of me, this boat sailed too far out into boredom waters and is now taking on water.
I don't understand the basis of her attraction to him. Miku knows very little about Fujioka, and I mean little. Doesn't know what made him a rebel or what made him change. Is it because he proved to be of better character than a ruffian? Wow, those are amazing standards and a heartfelt way to get me invested for cheering her on.
Then she changes everything about herself to get him to notice her, but I'm left wondering if that's who she wants or should be. People are like candy bars. If they have a good wrapper, there will be another taker to come along. That's just how this works. If that's all she has instore for tactics and he's not buying it, move on.
Wow, I must be grumpy and tired to go off on that. But still, I think that even that would have spiked more on the interest scale than failed plots but some psycho obsessed boy.
I don't understand the basis of her attraction to him. Miku knows very little about Fujioka, and I mean little. Doesn't know what made him a rebel or what made him change. Is it because he proved to be of better character than a ruffian? Wow, those are amazing standards and a heartfelt way to get me invested for cheering her on.
Then she changes everything about herself to get him to notice her, but I'm left wondering if that's who she wants or should be. People are like candy bars. If they have a good wrapper, there will be another taker to come along. That's just how this works. If that's all she has instore for tactics and he's not buying it, move on.
Wow, I must be grumpy and tired to go off on that. But still, I think that even that would have spiked more on the interest scale than failed plots but some psycho obsessed boy.
June 25, 2015
masih fun, dan masih patut untuk diberi 4 bintang dan yaaaa makin jatuh cinta sama kyouhei. memang sih dia gak peka, tapi ketidakpekaan dia itu malah menjadi sesuatu gitu hahaha. ditambah lagi kekonyolan dia yang gak habis-habis itu rasanya selalu bikin ketawa, misal...
"ujian? apa itu, nama makanan?" fujioka kyouhei.
sumpah, aku ketawa cekikikan baca itu, mana mukanya kyouhei kaya orang sok kaya pula hahaha dan lagi di volume ini kyouhei makin sweet deh sepertinya..
"kalau begitu kau yang naik sepeda, aku yang lari" fujioka kyouhei.
ah sial, siapa yang gak seneng ada orang yang kita sukai berkorban? sekalipun sesimpel itu
"mungkin besok akan berubah, aku juga. makanya tunggu sebentar lagi, ya." fujioka kyouhei.
iya deh karna kamu ganteng aku tunggu. let's read next volume...
"ujian? apa itu, nama makanan?" fujioka kyouhei.
sumpah, aku ketawa cekikikan baca itu, mana mukanya kyouhei kaya orang sok kaya pula hahaha dan lagi di volume ini kyouhei makin sweet deh sepertinya..
"kalau begitu kau yang naik sepeda, aku yang lari" fujioka kyouhei.
ah sial, siapa yang gak seneng ada orang yang kita sukai berkorban? sekalipun sesimpel itu
"mungkin besok akan berubah, aku juga. makanya tunggu sebentar lagi, ya." fujioka kyouhei.
iya deh karna kamu ganteng aku tunggu. let's read next volume...
Read
September 18, 2011Miku finally told Kyohei, who her has been crushing on for two years, that she likes him. In the end, he turned her down, and she says that she isn't going to give up on him. After her rejection, the student council president Natsukawa, who has a gorgeous face,rich,has the best grades in the entire school,and the chairman's son,witness the whole thing. Later on, Miku lost her phone after she met
a cute stranger, who looks fairly familiar.
a cute stranger, who looks fairly familiar.
March 4, 2011
So this series really didn't go anywhere. It was just something that you read for fun. I thought it was going to be longer than it already was but turns out it wasn't. It was cute and funny which is why I really liked it. But because it went no where, I gave it a three.
I don't like the new school nurse. hahaha I like Kudoh though. :D
I don't like the new school nurse. hahaha I like Kudoh though. :D
November 9, 2013
Ich mag Kyohei sehr!
Ich mag den Manga. Anderen Meinungen waren nicht gut aber ich finde ihn ziemlich interessant. Miku ist ein bisschen starrköpfig wegen ihren Gefühlen für Kiohei aber sie ist sehr sympatisch. Und ich glaube, dass Kyohei nicht su dumm ist, als ich erst gedacht hatte.
Ich mag den Manga. Anderen Meinungen waren nicht gut aber ich finde ihn ziemlich interessant. Miku ist ein bisschen starrköpfig wegen ihren Gefühlen für Kiohei aber sie ist sehr sympatisch. Und ich glaube, dass Kyohei nicht su dumm ist, als ich erst gedacht hatte.
November 12, 2010
Getting kind of interesting now that the clueless Kyohei has a rival.
February 9, 2011
The story gets even better in this volume, adding a few new love interests and great tension. This is quickly becoming my favorite manga.
January 5, 2012
One word... HILARIOUS
October 23, 2011
im rating this based only on the one-shot called "Sono saki no Sweet".
after reading it i think its pretty cute <3
after reading it i think its pretty cute <3
July 1, 2012
Fujioka is really ditzy and it kind of gets me mad. But having that new guy come in was a good idea since the last one kind of gave up.
November 23, 2013
Cuma bisa bilang.... nggak sabar mau langsung baca yang ke 3!! *ini nahan diri mati-matian untuk nyempatin kasih rating dulu di GR loh, ugh*
January 7, 2014
no puedo cree lo despistado que es!!!
December 3, 2014
They really need to make an anime of this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews