Strong character development and good pacing.


I've been sick today, so I read ALL EIGHT VOLUMES. Just my speed. After awhile, though, all the sweetness and love was starting to make my teeth ache. As usual, "Cue complication". It's manga. There has to be a complication when things are going well. What surprised me, however, was that the rival love interest—a traditional complication for shoujo comics—was only a minor complication. It was no more than a small hiccup. The real culprit was Mizukawa's studies. Mizukawa put their relationship on hold so he could prepare for college entrance exams. How perfectly responsible, but if their relationship was a cozy raft on a lazy river, Mizukawa's new priorities fell on them with a bellyflop from the highest diving board. The entire tone of the series changed.

I've never seen school used as the villain in a romance before. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but I was delighted. What a novel use of school pressure. Poor Koshino. I was happier than Mizukawa's brother the more miserable they became. What can I say? I've got issues.