Aira

Yeah, that's also possible about him showering Momoko with affection and protecting her because it's not something he was able to do in the past to someone dear to him, or that he's been alone since his mom died so now he's giving all his love to Momoko, etc. In any case, Fukami also seems very protective of Hase so it must have been really tough for Hase all these years.
I saw the child actor for Hase months before so I'm fairly sure they will cover Hase's childhood story in the drama too, excited for it! Maybe we'll see the plot this time haha! XD

Riiight, it's one of Hase's trademarks so I'm wondering if they removed it to also tone down the "adult" atmosphere a bit~ XD I also can't remember correctly but I think since Hase and Kimura have known each other for a long time, it's more like they are good friends/colleagues who simply love annoying each other or something.

Yes yes, this part! They should have included this in the drama so people wouldn't think Hase's a stalker hahaha! Also kinda disappointed why they didn't make Hase smoke here, I mean Renn had other dramas where he was always smoking, I really wonder why they removed this characterization of Hase in the drama.

Yeah, somehow I can understand why others feel that way, but this drama is being advertised as a sweet romantic love story with Hase as a doting boyfriend so I'm wondering if there's something about the script or the atmosphere of the drama that makes other people see it in a totally different way (or just like you said, maybe it's because they already stopped watching after episode 1 or 2 lol).
Hahaha yesss, I can totally relate to them, thanks for the fanservice, Fukami! XDD

Every time he says Momoko is what he's been waiting for my brain translates it to something like he's been searching for a reason to continue living or something like that. Also I remember reading in the manga that he said his personality changed because it's like a second life(??) after being saved from a close death? Though he also said he doesn't feel like dying so I can be totally wrong (maybe he doesn't have suicidal tendencies, just something like he no longer has anything he's passionate about in life anymore so he just overworks himself)... maybe I was just trying to give it a deeper meaning instead of thinking they are just being horny haha! XD

Also Renn (Hase's actor) has just had a drama few months before this where he was actually a vampire so I don't think he'll be casted as a vampire simultaneously haha!

This would be really interesting! Although I think since this is based on a romantic shoujo manga but is not classified as "fantasy", I think there's nothing really supernatural going on. I'm just thinking that Hase has a sad tragic past (which Fukami is aware of so he asked Momoko if she knows everything about Hase) and perhaps has suicidal tendencies and my hunch is that he's working all the time because that's the only way he can keep himself busy or distracted, so when he was in the observation deck and Momoko suddenly pulled him because she thought he'd jump or something, at that point I'm guessing he decided "this person would be my reason for living now" or something like that.
And about him being a "phantom", I guess because he has that mysterious aura around him which ordinary people wouldn't understand but somehow Momoko is able to "see right through him" as he keeps on mentioning.

Though I think it would have been better if the drama didn't cut the part in the manga telling how Hase was able to know Momoko's address (and he did tell her how he got it if I remember correctly) so audience wouldn't think he's a stalker/creepy lol.

"I could actually tell how decent of a man Hase was based on his actions as to how Momoko behaves. "
AH! I'm glad that you said this! Actually I've been really confused as to why some comments say that Hase is toxic, controlling, etc. I thought maybe I'm biased because I love Renn hahaha, and that I read the manga so I already know that Hase is supposed to be this sweet doting boyfriend to Momoko so I don't see him as toxic, mean, overbearing, etc. unlike those who have no idea about the story/manga at first and don't particularly have any special feelings for Renn lol.
So now I've been wondering, is it a problem with the script or how it's translated, or the tone/flow of the drama (since the atmosphere is a bit "foggy" sometimes)? Or is it something because of Renn's acting? Though I understand the issue some other people say about Hase kissing Momoko (especially for the first time without consent), but watching that I have already reminded myself that they're in an outdated fictional shoujo manga world where it's supposed to be sweet and romantic lol, and actually Momoko didn't resist and actually gave in to the kiss and didn't stop thinking about Hase afterwards (which is the catchphrase of the drama and manga: a kiss she couldn't forget lol, so for her the experience is not something unpleasant??).
Or I don't know, maybe tl;dr, I'm just really biased and blinded by my love for Renn so I'm still watching this despite the lack of solid plot haha! XD

Final episode today!! I already miss Kira-sama and the whole colorful cast! ;__:

No problem! Just a warning that it's very fast-paced since the manga where it was adapted from is also quite fast lol, so because of the limited airtime some things became even faster. ^^;;

I haven't watched Coffee and Vanilla but for this one, I don't think ML is supposed to be mean or rude to the FL since the drama (and the manga it was based on) advertises itself as "doting romantic love story" or something like that, so actually the ML will supposedly spoil the FL more and more in the following episodes. I can only think of one scene where he was "cold" to her, but I believe it was because there were other people in that scene and he didn't want their previous encounter to be known to others? After that I believe he explained to the FL why he was cold that time (if I remember correctly). Also he keeps on mentioning that she's been what he's looking for/waiting for in his life, so I don't think he will treat her as if she's not important to him. I think ML may seem "mean" or "overbearing" to other viewers because he's supposed to be an elite hotelman (not really CEO haha) who appear to be very serious around others, and also much older than the FL (so it's like he's supposed to be cool and perfect but is sweet around the FL only, something like that). Hope this helps!

True!!! I don't think anyone in real-life will ever call Renn an old man at this point. XDDD They should have revised the script a bit to something more believable like an "older brother" lol.

Oh I see!! (*v*) When I saw him in the teaser I was intrigued because he seems to be touchy with Hase haha! XD I really hope he doesn't fall in love with Momoko because that'd be really cliché (well so far the whole story is but oh well~). XD

Re: ep3
I can't believe the other guys called Hase a "parent" HAHAHAHAH! Okay, he's supposed to be much older, but with Renn playing as Hase that line is totally not believable lol.

If Fukami will fall in love with Momoko too I'll be disappointed lol. XD I think it's more exciting if he's actually in love with Hase. ;D

Yes, my thoughts exactly! XD After reading 5 chapters of the manga I'm like "how did this manage to run for 11 volumes and counting?" XD I'm thinking that the author is putting as much romantic cliché scenes + kiss scenes as possible lol.

I think it's even more surprising that the manga has 11 volumes as of this writing lol (so yes, if they follow the manga, they can even make more than 10 episodes). XD

Yes!! They're good friends in real-life, I first watched them together in another Renn starring drama (Codename Mirage) so I'm very excited to see them together again!! <3 Their one second scene in the teaser is the only thing that keeps me going (aside from seeing Renn being handsome of course). XDDD

Yes, I hope there will be an explanation as to why Hase is in love with Momoko right away, etc. I'm watching this support Renn in his starring role but I'm about to reach my limit so hurry up and show us the actual plot (if there is lol), haha!