Both being Japanese school dramas, they both have a very similar atmospheres. And they both pursue an underlying narrative of understanding others. Some of the character types resemble each other (although in a more serious manner in Shujin-Ko). While there is a BL storyline in both, it’s a side story in shujin-ko, rather than the main relationship (like it is in Kieta Hatsukoi), but the concerns and conclusion of both resemble each other greatly.
Fukami Noboru is a lonely and introverted college student who saves one of his classmates, Hayase Kouhei, from drowning on a lake. Hayase had never paid attention to Noboru before, but after being saved by him he begins to feel confused about his feelings towards the very mysterious Noboru. And if this was not enough, Hayase soon meets Noboru's twin brother, Ryu, who has a very different personality from his brother.
Young and earnest, Tomokazu is a third-year college student and also a member of the boxing team. He has a great friendship with Yoshiki, who he sees as a younger brother. But, unlike Tomozaku, Yoshiki's feelings are much deeper. To complete the confusion, Tomozaku's stepsister Misao, also secretly nurtures feelings for him and starts to get jealous of the relationship between the two boys. What will Tomozaku do when he finds out about the true feelings of Yoshiki and Misao?
When Kosuke was 14 years old, his mother died. As a young gay person, he spent his adolescence in a rural village and suppressed his feelings. Now, Kosuke is all grown up and he works as a fashion magazine editor in Tokyo. He meets Ryuta, who works as a personal trainer. Ryuta's mother raised him alone and he is close to his mother. Kosuke and Ryuta become attracted to each other and they sometimes spend time with Ryuta's mother. Kosuke is happy to share time with Ryuta and his mother, which makes him remember his late mother. Kosuke and Ryuta make an appointment to go for a drive together, but, on that day, Ryuta does not show up.
Yang, what they call a corporate slave who was transferred to the Japanese branch of his company, one day witnesses the Yakuza Yuma fighting a gang in the downtown area and is fascinated by his strength. After a chance reunion with Yuma, Yang is gradually drawn to him, despite his awkwardness. Yuma also begins to open up to Yang and the two of them gradually connect to one another through their shared loneliness.
