The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity: Season 1 Episode 4 – Recap and Review
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity continues to circumvent expectations as it builds obstacles to keep its leads from quickly getting together.

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Episode 4 “Warmth Of The Heart” Details
- Available On: Netflix
- Public Release Date: September 21, 2025
- Check out our page for this series, featuring more recaps, reviews, and articles.
Episode 4 “Warmth Of The Heart” Storylines/ Recap
In an Ideal World

- While it is a challenge for both Rintaro and Kaoruko to move beyond formalities, between a quick snack and Kaoruko showing she has a genuine investment in Rintaro, both work through their struggles together.
When Reality Hits
- But then reality hits and bursts their bubble. Specifically, Rintaro, who finds himself in conversation with Subaru, who came across the two, and presents the idea, as Kaoruko is a scholarship student, being seen with Rintaro risks what allows her to go to Kiyoko. Rintaro acknowledges this, but his feelings keep him from committing to leaving Kikaruo alone.
- Note, Subaru doesn’t say any of this out of malice, and maybe the only jealousy is in the fact that Subaru sees herself as Kaoruko’s best friend, so there is a likelihood she’d get less time if Kaoruko did start dating. But, to prove there is no malice, she apologizes for her actions the other day and notes it is her past experience being bullied by boys over her hair that led to her acting the way she did.
- But Subaru might become the least of Rintaro’s problems as Saku, the one person with the biggest vendetta against the Kyoko girls, discovers a note Kaoruko left for Rintaro. One who wished him the best on his exams, which he passed by the way, but now, with the boys getting a peek into his life outside them, he is suddenly uncomfortable.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
- Subaru Being Far More Complicated Than Initially Let On [86/100]
On The Fence
- The Drama Still Needs To Be Beefed Up A Bit [78/100]
Overall
Our Overall Rating [82/100]

It would be easy to assume that when it comes to The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, it would follow the usual high school drama path with Subaru being this adamant form of evil. However, that isn’t the case. She is just a close friend, best friend, worried that all Kaoruko worked for could be undone because someone like her, who doesn’t get to see Rintaro, is an exception, could snap their fingers and destroy everything.
It’s a different kind of drama which, I’ll admit, may take some getting used to as it isn’t the big, overtly emotional type. But, as shown with Summer Pockets, sometimes the best kind of drama isn’t big and explosive but subtle, expressed in both the things people struggle to say and don’t say, and pushing through despite the negative self-talk or the seeds others plant.
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