Kiyoi

I really liked this drama—the softness of the characters and the way they care for one another is genuinely sweet.

I do wish the second lead couple had a liiiittle more screen time, though. They were clearly smitten with each other, and I wanted to see more of that.

I also appreciated how the story showed Minato’s insecurities, while still portraying how he tries to face and manage them. Even when Minato says he’s trying to understand his feelings, he still needs time—and that feels very real. The people around him are supportive, and I especially loved how Shizuma keeps gently pulling Minato closer whenever Minato tries to push him away with jokes, afraid of getting too attached.

Overall, I think the character development was great. Minato’s anxiety resurfaces when they return to his hometown, but he manages to work through it as his feelings for Shizuma continue to grow.