Aira

I see, thanks for clarifying! It might be because I'm originally a fan of the manga so I never see the drama dragging out the same plot, but rather cramming/combining and rushing a lot of manga arcs in each episode (which I generally have no problem with since I understand the limited airtime and episodes).
In my opinion, ep5 centered around Aoki mustering up the courage to confess and tell the whole truth to Ida but at the same time expecting him to reject him (and that would be the end of it). However, Ida surprisingly asked him if he'd like to try dating, so episode 6 now centers around Aoki being insecure and confused about Ida's real feelings/thoughts about liking/dating him and Ida figuring out (albeit just a little bit lol) what is it really like to like someone, so for me despite cramming a lot of manga chapters in one drama episode, I was contented with how they executed it (while still remaining to be a funny and cute episode) because for me that was needed before they can bring their relationship to another level (especially if they want to remain faithful to the source material).

Personally I don't think episode 6 is about Aoki "being jealous of girls", I think it's more about him being insecure if Ida really likes him (and being confused if they're really dating now) and it just so happened that there's suddenly a girl nearby. 😅

Ida having Mametarou as his LINE icon must be the most wholesome thing ever.

I watched it from TVer but you'd be needing a Japanese IP address in order to access:
https://tver.jp/corner/f0088502
I believe it might be uploaded in Dailymotion shortly though.

Also I think they did a good job incorporating manga!Kokoro into this drama-only manager character (Kokomi), but I sincerely hope they will move the Aoki-Ida movie date to later episode (like how they moved Kokoro/Kokomi's arc) instead of skipping it!!

6th episode's Aoki must be my favorite so far, he's so funny. 😂 I cracked up a lot at his scenes despite barely understanding anything. 😂

Yes, exactly!! I was thinking the same thing especially when Hashi's friend mentioned about looking for her (I was like "??? so they can really choose who they want to do the activity with, right??") , and I think Ida could have gone with the guys he was walking with by the end of the 4th episode. It's just really a bit weird to see that Ida and Akkun are suddenly like BFFs doing the activity together (although they were really cute together too lol).

And yeah, thanks for reminding me that initially they were judged individually in the skiing activity and then were grouped based on that in the manga! I have no issues with the scavenger hunt in the drama tbh but it would have been great if there was a hint or an explanation why Akkun+Ida and Hashi+Aoki had to be separated doing it. XD

OK the only thing that bothered me a little in ep5 is the way they have been paired as Ida+Akkun and Aoki+Hashimoto when doing the orienteering activity lol. Like the four of them could have gone together so Ida and Akkun could help the other two?? If I haven't read the manga prior to the drama I'll be confused why Akkun and Ida are suddenly so close to the point of doing the activity together and leaving Aoki and Hashimoto behind lol.

I swear I remember it made sense in the manga during the skiing arc but in the drama there was no explanation whatsoever why the four of them couldn't do it together. XD

Other than that it was a cute episode and it was amazing to see how our three main guys look like giants when standing together with everyone in the class, haha!

Yeah regarding actors' age, I think it's kinda normal in Japan to have actors in their early to mid 20s play as high school students (in rare times even those in their 30s still get to play as HS students lol) because usually those are the ones who already have enough experience in acting or are famous enough to star in dramas so it doesn't really bother me anymore as long as they give justice to the characters.
And yes, exaggerated acting is also already kinda normal in Japan especially if the source material is from a comedy manga. 😅
(And I'm also curious about that part about Aida getting a gf, I wonder if they'll be able to include it in between but I also guess not anymore since there's not much effect in the plot?)

Oh I find your comment regarding Aida interesting because it's the opposite for me. I read the manga few months before the live-action was announced and during that time I actually didn't pay that much attention to him and would rarely reread the chapters focused on him (although I found him funny because he's so dumb haha). But now I find live-action Aida endearingly cute and dumb so for this version I'm more interested in him (despite Ida being my favorite in the manga) and has been rewatching his scenes more.
Although I understand why some would find manga!Aida cuter since the drama has skipped considerable amount of cute and funny
Aida moments/dialogues from the manga. 🥺

I think it's a bit reddish/dark brown, it sometimes changes in the official arts...
https://uploads.mangadex.org/covers/1a667dd0-36bf-4c0f-82a2-1067ccdbe5c0/e7e7627d-8692-4065-b8b2-83530c29b173.jpg (vol.3 cover)
https://uploads.mangadex.org/covers/1a667dd0-36bf-4c0f-82a2-1067ccdbe5c0/8dff1d6d-48bf-4264-be60-3aead7fe4685.jpg (vol.5 cover, spoiler-ish for those who haven't read the manga until end of volume 1/chapter 5)

OMG I thought I'm the only one who thinks he kinda has the same vibes as Yamada James Takeshi~!

OMG I've been thinking for hours now if where did I first hear that song and thanks to your comment I realized I heard it in Himura Hideo first!! XD Thank you, I'll have a peaceful sleep tonight haha!

So true, during the first 3 episodes I noticed they skipped a lot of Akkun scenes /dialogues from the manga (some of which are kinda important to show more his dynamics with Aoki) so I was thinking maybe they'll just totally focus on Aoki and Ida due to time constraints and got a bit sad/worried. But I'm glad they included all the significant Aoki+Akkun and Hashi+Akkun parts this time.

And yes, totally agree with you. KieKoi is being aired in TV Asahi which is also behind Ossan's Love that gained a very huge following in Japan (even those who are not BL fans became fans) and even became a social phenomenon back then (and a lot of BL/MLM dramas/movies featuring well-known actors and having good production soon followed) so I'm kinda sure they totally know what they're doing with KieKoi and I hope they will handle it well till the end.

It's the time Akkun invited Aoki to a mixer since he's feeling down and Ida+volleyball team ended up also being there. Then one of the girls took a liking to Ida. 🙂

Yeaah, I think so too... also might be because they'd be needing more people for that. I just hope they'll be able to blend in the important parts in the school trip instead (e.g. Ida watching Aoki, Aoki being jealous as well as relieved that Ida doesn't like anyone else, etc.)

Oh, I watched in TVer but it can only be accessed with Japan IP (I have paid VPN due to work).
https://tver.jp/corner/f0087482

Akkun's line about his 'normal' reaction being wrong.

Also they'll be skipping the mixer chapter?? 😳 I thought that part was important to show how Ida is slowly beginning to really like Aoki. Either way, so excited for the next episode!

Akkun finally getting the screentime he deserves after 3 episodes. 😆 Also, I'm so relieved they retained one of my favorite lines from Akkun. ✨

Hmmm I also apologize but I'm not sure if what kind of bi-representation you have in mind when you started reading the manga (or watching the drama) but the fact that it's being serialized under Bessatsu Margaret -- a shoujo manga magazine whose target audience seems to be girls aged 12 to 17 and almost purely houses M+F romance manga, I think it's already a great thing that they have KieKoi in their current lineup. :) I don't think it was ever advertised as something deep or thought-provoking so I guess this might be the reason why what you might be expecting or looking for is not present in this story.