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

again cuteness overload...

That was a nice conclusion, but I'm a bit pissed they said two episodes and not two half episodes...

Also the steamy hot scene was in the first half and the second half lacked that. So while it was nice to watch the pacing was reversed. They should have done the serious talk first and then the hot steamy scene last.

So I feel they tuned it down and after the "first" episode I would have expected more. But overall this is a small disappointment but the overall vibe and seriousness was a highlight. It gave the whole special more meaning compared to so many other specials which only serve as fanservice.

Overall it's not perfect, so it gets some deduction, but compared to most special episodes this is a very good one.

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Dare I say, better than the series

It was so sweet, also very funny, the first part of the first ep at least, and we got to see jealous Watarai, yeay!... I really didn't want it to end it was so cute~

However it was very short, but still as beautiful as the series, we get to see the growth of their relationship, and how comfortable they become with each other, of course Hioki still as shy and adorable and we all got off guard by the hot kissing, but it was a nice surprise.

It's only 2 episodes, very short 2 episodes, heavily focused on the two main characters, but we got to see a glimpse of the rest of the group.

It really has what everyone wish to see in a special ~~

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Cuteness continues

You can watch it on GagaOOLala: https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5924/school-trip-joined-a-group-im-not-close-to-2025

A sweet and funny continuation of an already great series.
Watching it made me super excited for the second season. At the same time I'm not so sure what the second season could be about since I think the story is pretty much completed.
My hope is that season two will be as good as the first season and not just a money grab since the first season did so well.
Back to the special episodes, though, It was good to see Watarai and Hioki spend time together at home during the typhoon.
Since in the series itself we only saw them at the school settings, it was a nice change.

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A very lovely ending, though I wish these episodes are incorporated in the drama itself

Ep 1 - 7.5
Ep 2 - 8.5
Average - 8.0

There really is no good reason for breaking up these special episodes into such short ones, except for creating and prolonging the hype. And because it’s broken up, I’ll have to evaluate the episodes separately.

I was disappointed in the first episode and was concerned that it might undo the happy vibes and positive reviews I’ve had for the drama. Was it a bad episode? Not necessarily. Was it great to see a longer, more close up kiss? Definitely. But the episode of the game has no substance. The focus is on the latter part when the make out session happens. Yes, I like a longer kiss, but it was not a pretty kiss. It’s forceful yet not passionate. Therefore, I was worried it ended on a vibe that’s different from what the series gave me.

However, episode 2 restored my faith and what I like about the drama. It was cute and fluffy, the personalities of the leads are still there. Most importantly, the honest and open communication of feelings are still there. It feels that they have really grown as a couple and are more comfortable with each other. It’s nice to finally see Hioki hear Watarai’s side of the story, even though as viewers, we already know. Additionally, we got a little more skinship that feels romantic and passionate. Well, it's still a somewhat disappointing kiss to me. But this episode is so much better than the first one.

I wish the drama had incorporated these special episodes into the drama itself. If ep 2 was the ending of the whole drama, then I would say the drama ended on a high note. Instead, episode 10 ended on an OK note.


Completed: 1/6/2026 Review #658

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Short, sweet, and simply cute

For me, this special was just really cute, and honestly, that’s enough. Yes, it was very short and the pacing could have been better, but what mattered to me was getting to see more soft, sweet moments between them. Watching their relationship feel more natural, more comfortable, and more affectionate was exactly what I wanted from a special.

The jealous moments, the shy reactions, and even the unexpected kisses all added to that feeling of intimacy between them. It didn’t try to be overly dramatic or groundbreaking, it simply gave us more of them, and I was happy with that. Not perfect, but warm, light, and full of cute scenes, and for me, that’s what made it worth watching.

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The perfect continuation

I loved that we got these two episodes to be able to see them as a couple! I love when we get to see the relationship after they get together. The scene in the storage room...loved it! I see we're getting a season two soon, so I hope we get more of them getting closer as a couple. I loved seeing jealous Watari in this as well as their first sleepover. loved that we got these two special episodes and thought they were a great continuation of the story.

I do wish the episodes were full length and not half episodes. If they were going to be half episodes I don't see why they didn't just give us one special episode at the regular length. I thought that was weird.

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pretty good special episodes

Overall: two short (11 and 14 minute) episodes that later aired on GagaOOLala as a continuation of their story
https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6233/school-trip-joined-a-group-im-not-close-to-2025-e11
https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6234/school-trip-joined-a-group-im-not-close-to-2025-e12

What I Liked
- sweet moments
- them talking in episode 2
- Watarai didn't answer the question about a girlfriend in episode 2
- colors in episode 2 (blue and orange)

Room For Improvement
- Watarai came across as a bit pushy/creepy with locking the door and ignoring the ask to wait (ignored in the second episode as well)
- unmatched kissing in the first special

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