Ai Yori Aoshi - Truly Yours (Vol. 4)

Rating:
Summary: We're a Family...
Review: Vol. 4 of Ai Yori Aoshi introduces us to the final girl to enter the series, Chika. The hyper-enegetic cousin of live-in housekeeper Taeko, Chika immediately gets the wrong idea about her shy cousin and Kaorou.
Her efforts at trying to play matchmaker are hilarious. But the moments between Kaorou and Aoi are as tender and heartfelt as possible. Aoi feels too shy to wear a swimsuit in public, but the ever observant Miyabi sees the problem, and arranges a late night trip to a secluded part of the beach for the young lovers. There, Aoi remembers that Kaorou also has his own reasons not to be seen bare in public, the horrid scars given to him by his grandfather. But they're perfectly fine being seen by one another.
Tina Foster, the brash but lovable American in the series decides to send the photo club on a tour of the zoo to see a set of rare golden monkies. Unfortunately, Kaorou is the only one who comes, and the two of them are stranded in a heavy downpour with no way home. They're forced to seek shelter in one of Japan's infamous "Love" hotels. Tension and temptation are overcome, and the two manage to enter and leave as friends.
Then Chika comes for a visit. She's looking for help with her homework, but more importantly, she's looking for what it means to be a family. She finds both in the tenents of the Sakuraba house.
Finally, the Photo Club is looking for the perfect way to earn money during the School Festival, and they find the answer in Aoi-chan's skills with the tea ceremony. Pulling together as a team, they manage to make the booth work to their advantage, but Kaorou and Aoi find it difficult to spend time together without giving away the secret of their relationship.
This is my favorite romantic series. I watch it with my wife, and guys, it's the sort of thing she'll love you for.