School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To

Cliché, but charmingly so effective

Story
What immediately works here is the focus on a single main couple. I’m not against series with secondary couples, but giving the story this tight focus allows the emotions between Watarai and Hioki to fully breathe. The plot itself is simple... probably the most cliché out of clichés, but that simplicity is exactly why it works. It’s not a story that feels deeply personal, yet it hits in a strange, nostalgic way, almost like healing the teenage version of myself who had never experienced this kind of love as a gay teenage boy. The longing and intensity in Watarai’s gaze, his patience, and the eventual reciprocity from Hioki make it all feel tangible. I wish I could’ve been bolder like Watarai back then. To be reciprocated by someone you don’t expect after waiting so long is the best feeling in the world

Acting and Cast
The performances elevate the straightforward story immensely. Fujimoto Kodai carries his role with a natural ease, impressive for his age, while Hideyoshi Kan’s expressive eye expressions every time he looks at Hioki communicate so much without a word. Their chemistry is absolutely top-notch and it feels effortless and gives weight to moments that might otherwise feel ordinary

Characterization
Watarai’s characterization isn’t flawless. His possessiveness occasionally gives me the ick, to be honest. But that imperfection is what makes him believable. Teenage love is messy, intense, intimate, and flawed, and this portrayal embraces that rather than sanitizing it into a “perfect boy” stereotype. I also appreciated the supportive networks or supporting characters around them, from Morisaki’s brother to their circle of friends. It adds a grounded, lived-in feel to the story. It is just so easy to watch and comforting

Rewatch Value
This is a show I could revisit multiple times, alongside favorites like Eternal Yesterday, Cherry Magic, and My Love Mix-Up!. For me, the replay value is undeniable, a full 10 out of 10

Music
While the soundtrack itself didn’t stand out, in my opinion, the musical score is carefully crafted and adds a subtle layer that enhances the dialogue and emotional exchanges between Watarai and Hioki

Standout Moments
The kissing scene deserves particular commendation. I really wasn’t expecting that from a high school romance in a Japanese BL. Watarai’s gentleness in the first kiss was clearly mindful of Hioki’s inexperience, while the second kiss escalated with more passionate intensity, conveying a natural progression of emotion. He didn’t even stop there, the seemingly improvised stolen kiss at the end, which didn’t seem part of the script, added a layer of spontaneity, suggesting that the actors fully understood the emotional beats of the scene. They knew exactly what they were doing. Tbh, I was fully expecting a fish kiss, which I would’ve understood since that’s how it’s kind of described in the novel, but man? I just loved it. It’s so refreshing to see a real, proper kiss in a Japanese BL, which I think it elevates the intimacy between the characters and grounding the romance in authenticity

Critiques
If I were to nitpick, it would be the added line, “I like you whether you’re a boy or a girl.” It wasn’t in the original novel, and while I understand the intent, it feels a little forced and slightly disconnected from Watarai’s previous lines. It reads as a concession to a broader audience, mostly straight viewers, rather than an organic moment in the story

Overall
This isn’t a BL for those who demand tightly plotted, highly polished narratives. It’s a simple, heartfelt story that resonates, reminding viewers why they fell in love with this genre in the first place, and sometimes we just need a little escape from reality. I think this is exactly why this BL series worked so well. An MDL overall 8.7 score is a fair rating considering how good it actually is

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Cuteness overload...

How to begin this review? I'm a bit overwhelmed with positives and negatives of this show. First of all, The workshop/rehearsals they all did payed off very well. But I still don't like the representation of Japans society. The first irk was the question of the girl on the end of episode 2 "By the way, why are you so protective of Hioki?" - no-one in Japan would ask the question, if they are not really, really close or family. This does not happen. And then we have Morisaki brother. First the prank in the car was really of very bad taste and would have earned him a beating in my book. But then pushing Watarai would also never ever happen. The four friends only spoke for about four months at that time, which means Watarai may have seen Morisakis brother but does not have any connection to him whatsoever. This is the typical fantasy land most BLs are in and we could have done without that.

One the other hand, this couple is one of the cutest we ever have to get to know. Hiokis actor protrayed his character to perfection. I only wish his scream was much much much longer. 🤣Yes he is shy, but on the other hand he is direct, asks what's on his mind and is not wishywashy at all which was very refreshing. Watarai's actor plays the cool one, but he is shy himself but covers it up most of the time. Both characters grow with each other and in the finale Hioki is the leading man. Perfect!

Production quality was also top notch! Cinematography, costumes, editing and the audio were all perfect as well. So this was very enjoyable and cute and of course I have to recommand that show. Also we get the treat of two special episodes airing consecutively next week and the week after. And both of them on a spring break trip is something I look forward. 🤣

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Sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care

Sometimes, you start a show almost without thinking, with no expectations at all, assuming they’ll be just another high school story to fill a quiet Sunday. And then, suddenly, you realize you’re far more emotionally invested than you meant to be. School Trip is exactly that kind of BL.

At first glance, its long title and simple premise don’t suggest anything groundbreaking: an awkward boy slowly finding his place within the most popular group in class during a school trip. What the series actually does, however, is soften this familiar setup and turn it into something unexpectedly warm and comforting, as if gently untangling emotional knots many of us have carried since our teenage years.

At the center of the story are Hioki, shy, polite, and slightly out of sync with his classmates, and Watarai, tall, admired, and seemingly confident from the outside. There are no big twists or dramatic revelations here. Instead, the narrative unfolds through shared silences, lingering glances, and small moments whose importance only becomes clear with time. This quiet simplicity is where the show finds its strength. By focusing almost entirely on this single relationship and avoiding unnecessary side romances, the story allows their connection to develop naturally, at its own pace.

One of the series’ most striking qualities is its emotional gentleness. School Trip moves against a genre that often equates drama with suffering, choosing tenderness instead. The conflicts exist, insecurity, jealousy, fear of rejection, but they’re handled through conversation rather than cruelty. Hioki reflects before reacting. Watarai feels deeply, sometimes crosses a line with his protectiveness, but learns to recognize his limits. The love portrayed here isn’t polished or idealized. It’s uncertain, awkward, and deeply human.

This balance is supported by performances that feel more mature than the premise might suggest. Kan Hideyoshi brings Watarai to life with a blend of visible confidence and quiet vulnerability, while Fujimoto Kodai portrays Hioki as gentle yet quietly steadfast. Much of what matters is communicated without words, in pauses, glances held a second too long, and the way the two share space. Their chemistry doesn’t rely on grand declarations. Often, a hesitant touch or restrained smile says more than enough.

The world surrounding the couple also deserves praise. Rather than falling into the usual tropes of toxic popularity, the friend group becomes a genuine source of warmth and support. These boys welcome Hioki without judgment and accept Watarai without turning his feelings into something to be scrutinized. In a genre often filled with shallow antagonists and casual cruelty, this kindness feels refreshing and deeply comforting.

That said, the series does have its limitations. Its predictability, while soothing, may disappoint viewers hoping for bolder storytelling or more layered conflicts. At times, the world feels slightly too idealized, with social reactions softened beyond what feels fully grounded in reality, especially in how outsiders involve themselves emotionally in the couple’s relationship.

There are also moments where the writing feels a bit too transparent. Some lines explain more than necessary, and a few situations seem designed mainly to push the leads closer together more quickly. Watarai’s jealousy and possessiveness, although acknowledged by the narrative, aren’t always explored as deeply as they could be. These issues don’t break the show’s charm, but they do reveal its preference for emotional safety over narrative risk.

And then there are the kisses, or rather, the careful journey toward them. Nothing feels rushed or included for effect. Each step is guided by a clear understanding of where Hioki and Watarai are emotionally. The series allows anticipation to build through shared looks, hesitant closeness, and unspoken understanding, until physical intimacy feels like a natural continuation of their bond.

By waiting until that bond is fully formed and mutually recognized, these moments gain a quiet weight. They feel tender rather than performative, intimate rather than decorative, standing out even within the expectations of a Japanese high school BL. This isn’t fanservice. It’s emotional payoff, grounded in trust, timing, and honesty, and because of that, it feels earned.

In the end, School Trip never aims to be grand, and that restraint is precisely what makes it work. It’s a story about belonging, about being seen without having to reshape yourself to fit in, and about how adolescence can be painful but also gently rewritten, even if only through fiction. Soft, sincere, and gently luminous, it reminds us that sometimes all we really need is a simple story, told with care.

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A Sweet and Gentle Japanese BL That Stole Our Sundays, Season 2 Please

I honestly did not expect this Japanese BL to completely steal my heart, but after finishing the series, I can confidently say it is one of those quiet gems that stays with you long after the final episode ends. What started as a pleasant Sunday surprise on GagaOOLala turned into a warm, comforting journey that I never wanted to rush through.

Hioki and Tokai are the definition of opposites attracting done right. Hioki is soft spoken, awkward, and emotionally guarded, while Tokai is tall, popular, confident, and surprisingly gentle. Watching their relationship grow felt natural and sincere, not forced or dramatic. That accidental promise Hioki makes early on becomes such a meaningful emotional thread, leading to something far deeper than expected. The payoff is subtle, tender, and incredibly satisfying.

One of the most refreshing things about this series is how kindness takes center stage. The popular boys are not arrogant, cold, or cruel. Instead, they are genuinely warm, welcoming, and supportive. Every single one of them is a walking green flag. There is no unnecessary bullying, no toxic masculinity, just boys being kind to each other and enjoying their youth. It feels healing to watch. This is the kind of storytelling Japanese BL does so well, gentle, respectful, and deeply human.

The friendship group feels real and lived in. Their laughter, teasing, and quiet moments together make the world feel warm and safe. It reminded me so much of the atmosphere I felt when I visited Japan last year, that sense of politeness, thoughtfulness, and understated care for others.

The casting is perfect, the acting is soft yet expressive, and the chemistry never needs grand gestures to be believable. The music adds a layer of nostalgia that makes every scene feel even more intimate. The overall mood is calm, cozy, and comforting, like wrapping yourself in a blanket on a quiet afternoon.

By the end, this series left me smiling, emotional, and strangely peaceful. It proves that you do not need heavy drama to create something memorable. Sometimes, sincerity is more than enough. If you love slow burn romance, gentle storytelling, and pure green flag energy, this one deserves a spot on your favourites list.

We definitely need a season 2!

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Darling HS Series

I had to watch this after seeing all the hype, and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. School Trip is packed with fluff and delivers nearly everything you’d want from a first-love high school story. That said, while it gave me most of what I was looking for, it didn’t quite hit the mark when it came to the romance itself.

Let’s dive in.

The plot is simple: a lonely guy ends up being invited to join four incredibly hot and incredibly sweet popular kids on a school field trip. Cue every fluffy trope imaginable. And honestly? It works. The series does exactly what you expect it to do, and because the story flows naturally and the characters behave consistently, it never feels misleading or disappointing. It’s cute. That’s the point.

I think where it fell a little short for me is that I wanted more. Across the 11 episodes, nothing really moves all that quickly, and there are virtually no stakes beyond the characters’ own internal struggles. Watarai is also a bit too coddly for my taste. While it leads to some endearing moments, it often veers into irritating rather than charming.

Hioki, on the other hand, completely won me over. He’s cute, shy, emotionally unaware, and yes, he cries, which immediately earns points. I wish the series had done more with the other three boys. I loved the bromance and the refreshingly non-toxic energy between the group, but I would have liked to see them given their own romantic arcs too, whether hetero or not.

The chemistry between our leads is a little lacking. Now, any height difference will usually have me locked in immediately, but there’s something oddly bland about these two. I can’t quite pinpoint what’s missing, only that something definitely is. There are plenty of moments that scream “this is absolutely adorable,” but once their feelings are fully realized, the dynamic starts to falter. The kissing isn’t terrible, but Hioki mostly just stands there while Watarai does all the work. That could be a character choice, but after a couple of months of dating, you’d think he’d at least learn how to participate in a kiss.

Ratings:

Story: 8/10 - It’s good. It has that perfectly Japanese mix of overdramatic and zany, and because it fully commits to being a fluff-forward story, it works. Something doesn’t completely click for me, but this series never aimed to be more than what it is, and that’s fine.

Acting: 8/10 - Solid performances all around. The characters are fairly straightforward, so I wouldn’t call this the strongest acting I’ve ever seen, but everyone fits their roles well and sells the story.

Music: 6/10 - Catchy, honestly.

Recommendation Value: 9/10 - This is fluffy, fun, and a very quick watch. So yes, absolutely go for it.

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So charming it bents the laws of optics and common sense.

Sometimes you don’t need logic, you need fluff and tension. You need the greatest dynamic of a cute unpopular boy and a possessive popular boy. The purest form of rom-com that is all about the characters and their relationship, but has none of the brain cells and care for reality. And the lead characters with good dynamics they delivered.

Hioki Asahi was adorable and I don’t get where the idea of not fitting in with hot guys comes from. The most popular group of friends in school usually also had that cute one to add sweet to the spice. Luckily it was not really the focus of the drama, but it did add to some internal conflicts. On the bright side I loved how they did not make Hioki feminine. That's the typical pattern we see in dramas - the hot one is masculine, and they make the cute one act like a little girl. Here Hioki was your typical teenage boy. Was he shy and adorable? Yes. But he was not “anime teenage girl who actually is styled like a middle school girl” shy and adorable. A good example were his interests - he wan't into baking, or floral arrangements, he was into sports. That I appreciate a lot.

Watarai Tsukasa was for sure far more cliche, but I ate it all with no care. This is how you write a jealous male lead - you actually make them jealous and create scenarios where they can get jealous. It’s that simple, and yet most dramas miss the mark. This man had a vision and a long term plan. Yes, the plan was not only fueled by his endless edging the confession and being a tease, but also a tiny bit of awkwardness and fear. His whole existence could be summed up as: how far can I go without spelling out my feelings?

For the romance - thank you. They knew exactly what they were doing. They utilized the unsure unpopular and the possessive popular dynamics to the max. Looks, subtle touches, less subtle touches, amazing hugs, not a dead fish kiss. We had a reasonable amount of hesitation and miscommunication/lack of communication that just matches the age of the characters, but is not exaggerated to the point of pure frustration. I think that’s the charm of the drama - it was well balanced. Just when the lack of communication could start being annoying, they talked. Just when I’m starting to get bothered how we only get one point of view, they drop the other. Just when the tension is about to plateau, they break it and kick it to a higher level.

The rest of the "F4" gang? Let’s just say I died a little bit with them complaining about their pretty privilege and how people just love them for no reason. What a 1st word problem they had. Literally zero depth, zero nuance. And that’s actually good. Just a bunch of pretty boys having fun and being pretty while not distracting me from the main romance. It worked.

What didn’t work was the early 2000s portrayal of girls. Not literally every girl in the drama existing either to be annoying so it validates the unjustifiable distaste the guys had for girls, or to be a source of jealousy. I don’t need any depth from them, keep them as shallow as Watarai’s sidekicks, but make them fun, nice, and act normal.

The production was actually surprisingly great. Some scenes were straight up beautiful. I always enjoy the shows that convey emotions, meanings, desires, hopes, hesitations by other means than just close ups to the leads' faces, and we've got some nice variety here. I also really liked the use of light and how it gave certain scenes a really soft and dream-like feeling that was enhanced by the perfect amount of slow motion highlighting the beauty, the tension, without slowing down the momentum.

Acting was good with a small * in terms of Fujimoto Kodai - loved it all, but that one crying scene when he truly used all his facial muscles to squeeze these tears. Unless the actor is actually able to have the waterfall come out of their eyes, you do not need the complete break down moment - you can have the same emotional impact with more subtle portrayal. That said, that was just one scene I was not convinced by the acting, all the rest I enjoyed a lot. Be it from the main cast or the supporting one - the intense stare that Kan Hideyoshi delivered, the playfulness of Fujimoto Kodai, dynamics that felt like real friendships.

Time for some complaining:
There are dramas that are unintentionally illogical in some aspects, and there are dramas that intentionally drop the logic out of the window, because they had an idea for a cute scene. School Trip wins first place for bending the logic to curate fluff and I’m not even mad about it.

Okay I am a bit mad, but I got easily distracted by how cute the leads were. But even the power of adorable Hioki and jealous Watarai could not stop me from ranting about the idiocy that was the presentation of being short-sighted. Excuse me, but you do not become borderline disabled when you take your glasses off. Hell, someone who would have their eyes covered would probably function better than Hioki. Or how he literally put glasses on when he still had in one eye lens on. Or how he basically acted as if he had glass in his eye, because one of the lenses fell off.

More illogical things that became hilarious: getting drunk on 1/10th of a sip of alcohol. Or how Hioki literally could not eat any meal without getting it all over his face. Or how we had 8 teenage boys and they thought one small pizza for them makes sense.

Overall, this drama proves that as long as you are charming and do what you set out to do well, you can get away with truly a solid amount of silly and borderline stupid ideas.

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The fluffiest fluff of the year!

This drama is like your normal fluff that you have watched several times at this point. But unlike any other drama, it hits the spot with perfectly done clichés.

Unlike any other high school drama, it gave us a popular ML falling in love with a not-so-popular ML in a way that isn't cringey, but it was endearing AF! A fluffy romance that was done right. Their dynamic was EVERYTHING! Hioki's character was too cute to handle, no wonder Watarai was head over heels in love with him.

The storyline was this isn't something new. It's the same old high-school lovestory that I initially refused to watch because my brain is oversaturated with this kind of stuff and I avoid them like rabies. The reason I started this is that I was convinced by my MDL friends. I'm glad I did! (shout out to @Mademoiselle Noir, @Rainbow and @Thyella) I've been screaming "KAWAIIIIII" for 10 damn weeks. I'm too sad that my weekly dose of fluff has come to an end. I am putting this fluff into my "BL safe heaven box" with Cherry Magic.

Overall, there isn't much to say about it because it's plain high school fluff that you can binge to de-stress. So go for it, you won't regret it.

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Sweet, fluffy and not that deep (and that’s okay because it still works!)

This is one of those dramas that isn't here to stress anyone out or to emotionally destroy and twist the soul. It's a pastel tinted BL that is like a comfort food. It is soft, light , gentle and unapologetically cute. It’s here to make you smile, squeal a little, and maybe clutch your chest when the sweetness gets out of hand.

This is the story of Watari and Hioki , with your classic opposite attracts personality trope and the reason why it works is how natural and less forced they felt. Their teenage love is captured in that most soft, sparkly heart fluttering yet make your heart race over the smallest things way. It is full of giddy energy, shy looks and little of that nervous excitement.

Watarai is an interesting mix of green flag behavior. He is everything that I wasn't expecting from a "popular" high school guy from dramaland. He was affectionate, attentive and very obvious and sure about his feelings. He did get jealous, but what saves him is that he actually communicates. He clears misunderstandings quickly and never lets Hioki sit in uncertainty. That self-awareness keeps his possessiveness from tipping into something uncomfortable.
Hioki is way more than just the shy love interest. He is gentle but not weak, insecure but not spineless. His confusion around being liked feels realistic, especially for someone who has never been in that position before.

I also loved the kinder version of the "F4" gang! Watarai and company were a delight and I am glad we get to see supportive friends on screen plus them being popular and not bullying others was refreshing!

What you shouldn't expect from this drama is depth or heavy emotions. Since this is more on the lighter side, conflicts are resolved pretty quickly, but not in an unsatisfying manner. Some personal insecurities are touched upon and never explored in detail. Also at times the lack of realism becomes more noticeable especially how the "F4" are treated based on their looks. There are few overly exaggerated reactions especially from side characters that just exist purely to prop up the main romance.

The only thing that really didn’t work for me and honestly annoyed me a little was how the female characters were shown. It’s 2025 (almost 2026 in a few weeks) and we seriously don’t need the same old catty, jealous girl trope anymore. It feels outdated, lazy and honestly a bit exhausting to watch. Like I really thought we were past this or at least let's try to be.

Acting wise, this was the first time I was seeing all the actors and they did a fantastic job! All the emotions of being a teenager was portrayed well. Nothing felt overplayed. The leads actors especially did a great job and the tension between them was so genuine and cute.

Overall, this was all sunshine and rainbows that made my Saturday so much better! Even though everything is a little too idealised ,the low stake drama and fluff here did make me smile. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something easy and cute.

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Lighthearted, cute, fun to watch

Story seems to be a bit predictable or cliche but over all it seems to tick the right boxes if you're looking for something fun, lighthearted and easy to watch.

Although the episodes are short like 20 to 25 minutes. In just one episode they managed to adequately set up the main character and his introduction to the group along with his mind set and potential struggles. Light forrshadowing for his love interest was also there, just enough to leave us wanting more and without completely exploring his character.

Granted its just the first episode so far but seems to be a strong start. Cant wait for next release. Definitely would recommend to wait for all episodes for binging.

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A tiny slice of life whose greatness lies in the tiniest details becoming the big important moments

This is a great example of how Japan really does slice of life stories so well… they truly just take this tiny little SLICE from their youth, a bit that matters only really to the small group we’re observing, and show us a tender and, for the characters, immensely important bit of growth and coming into their own and identifying and sharing their feelings.

This particular slice is fully sweet and buttery and adorable like a small pastry that took an incredibly long time to craft and in turn should be appreciated, “cherished” the word used here, and not just consumed without consideration. The teens in this very much did just that. They found both friends who value them and see something special in them, acting without prejudice and being mindful of the vulnerabilities of them. The leads also find mutual attraction of a romantic sort.

The makers of this were mindful of the short number of minutes every episode had, the short number of episodes to tell this very small story arc for this group of kind, completely lovable teens mostly thrown together because of either a shared sporting club or… because of perceived “princely” popularity that ultimately had them group together and get to know each other, something that was purely from external forces initially (which is one of the details of this I appreciate… too many school dramas act like everyone who is considered one of the most attractive or popular people in school is besties with the others who are attractive or popular, something I just don’t think I’ve ever seen reflected in reality! If anything, more competition brews and real world teens often get annoyed being lumped together based on superficial details like how they look, and this showed, briefly but with just enough time to make it clear, that these kids weren’t out hunting down friends attractive enough to hang out with (another detail: guys who DO feel especially attractive and use that as a tool… they often intentionally make sure none of their friends is quite in their “league” so that they ideally won’t have to give up dating who they wish because an equally attractive person is beside them and catches the eye of their crush). Thank you, writer, for making them a bit more realistic and being aware of the unlikelihood of them actually, with different interests/pastimes/personalities entirely, being friends if school hadn’t shoved them together for convenience!

The tiny details in the writing are really what I appreciated. The story was pretty much a set game of a sort, so it was all going to be about the paths forged to get there. The guys in this group all have really distinct, clear personalities, and their strengths are celebrated in tiny ways, the proper little moments to make a slice of life coming of age sort of story shine. From the start, we have the invitation. We see immediately a strength of a sturdy leader sort of character in Hotta: the ease to go and invite the outsider to be in their group on behalf of the more reserved Watarai who actually wants to get to know Hioki, the one without a group… Hotta also had the frankness to say, as if it was nothing, that it was actually the other guy who wanted this shy kid to join them. They all did exactly what had to happen for it to work, too, regardless of whatever conversations may have occurred to get to the point of extending the invitation: they casually welcomed him in, smiled, introduced themselves, and chilled out. They didn’t make a spectacle of him which I’ve seen happen in plenty of shows where an outsider is brought in, whatever the context. They just made every effort to keep him in the loop whenever they could and let him also have a break when he was very outside his comfort zone.

There could easily be a high risk of unequal levels of perceived worth, and at first, there really is; it is only natural for an unpopular kid to be confused at suddenly hanging out with the 4 most popular and having to adapt to not just some new friends but THESE new friends. Instead of being outshined, though, they honestly let the shy ‘outcast-ish’ guy shine even as he was who wanted to just stay alone and be background noise at most. The most intense moment of this to me was when a small child was lost and had to be taken to the office, the child crying whenever being sat down for half a second. They showed two kinds of reactions to the group member disappearing: flirty girls wanting to be with the “princes” waving it off and thinking it was for the best while the guys became responsible for the kid they brought into their group and made sure he was found. Yes, the guys still proved good and reliable, but it showed just how good a fit this shorter, less attention-gaining cute kid was in this group of considerate guys just doing their own things and being friends through the shared parts of school life.

The most enviable and refreshing part of the relationships in this? The communication. The real skill to the writing here is knowing to limit the drama… this stayed authentic to its youthful, fluffy tone and opted OUT of dragging anyone, especially the two who are attracted to one another, through stages of emotional train wreckage. They had a very short runtime per episode and clearly laid out exactly how much would happen per “chapter” then delivered it well. Plenty of nerves were on full display, absolutely. Fluttering nervousness is a requirement for high school romance of any fluffy sort. What accompanied the nervousness, though, was thoughtfulness, softness, gentle and quiet moments, well-considered words that if there is any real negative about it’d be the maturity being perhaps a tad too high in the leads quite often…it’s nice, though, to see the occasional high schooler who isn’t a total messy hormone sack flailing around and unnecessarily hurting and being hurt by the tiniest things (even though that is a pretty authentic experience for most at various points of adolescence)!

As much as one of the two leads was more assertive in a sense, more clear and better able to verbally express himself, in some ways, he was the “weaker” of the two. They made sure to let the audience understand that he wasn’t all confident/self-assured about how to behave even though he was very clear about how he felt. Instead, he was on the verge of bursting but fearing the ramifications of being too outwardly emotional or physical. He was doubting whether the other’s feelings were at the same level (both were, as both almost always are in young relationships), and he was constantly second guessing the “right” way to show his feelings that would ultimately make the one he was smitten for happy. Still, he was the more forward one … until he was not. Perhaps my favorite moment is when the more shy, reserved, easy to read, and highly emotional one of the two becomes the one who, in his own words, becomes the cool one. This is, though, only after digging, like an anxious puppy kicking the dirt everywhere, those tiny little momentary graves while trying to figure out what can be said, what courage can or cannot be found to say this or that, and how on earth to broach something as simple as “wait, what ARE we?” This clear request to date, to take on the title of boyfriend, from him as he stood firmly upright and looked straight at his partner confidently… that moment is among my favorites both for his clear growth and the response of his partner. The way the confident and typically focused-faced one had to walk over to the side and process it was delightful to watch.

In the end, the way people in the show were perceived was gently but clearly contrasted time and time again with the way they actually were as people. One of the characters, Morisaki, has to clarify that he isn’t angry. “It’s just my face.” The only one who definitely was pretty close to the visuals was Nakasato, the cheerful dog-like personality and source of cheer and playfulness with a face smiling at the budding romance with an expression silently screaming, “I am the head cheerleader for the shipping squad of these two” quite a few times. The badminton players who’d gone to middle school with Hioki were pretty much exactly what you expect… awkward about girls, confused about suddenly seeing their long-time friend with the popular crowd, wanting it to rub off on them, rowdy together, teasing their fellow “everyday, non-prince” friend playfully, and self-conscious around the popular guys… until enough times brought together showcased the ultimate reason this was such a good comfort watch: that no one cared about how anyone thought about the others or if anyone at all was cool enough to hang out together. They were just friends without any odd requirement for entry. None of the “stay in your social class and only associate with other wealthy children of influential people, my child” high school horrors of many dramas, no seeking benefits from them and distancing oneself from anyone who can’t get them ahead…

It was simply lovely to see this tiny tiny slice of a high school friendship story and character growth shown through it with a bunch of kids who actually just like each other and think they all have worth. It is borderline utopian at this point to dare wish for teens to simply get along and not become toxic reflections of the awful adults ruling the world by and large, but if it takes an unrealistic utopia situation to occasionally get a story of nice kids sharing meaningful experiences, the stuff of pure nostalgia for me most of the time (and yet the stuff I still go and willfully make happen week after week in my tiny little community)… so be it. Let this be a utopia to bring more slices from! I look forward to the bonus content! This is a great way to close out the year with cozy comfort. Easy rewatch, too.

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