Latha

?? The main plot of the story is lack of communication around a sensitive topic .. and you say craft a stronger story line? That IS the story line!

fine i will leave J culture.. but as you stated.. the work is fiction.. simple.

are we forgetting the fact that we are actually watching a Japanese TV show? The whole country is based on introvertism, their way of not speaking their minds out.. the absence of "how are you" even in a formal greeting.. it could be natural to communicate for anyone else on this.. but that's just not how that country works.. so many ppl complain abt lack of communication in JBLs but that's their core way of living even in real life isn't it?

I guess there is, else why will MDL show Ep 8 of 7 ???? OMG

I believe she is asexual but she just doesn't know that herself yet. Even in the conversation if Hagiwara hadn't said he was not her pet, she still wouldn't realise her fault, she is in that mindset "so what if it's not there, that's not everything in a relationship".

wish i could read the novel :(

i don't know if anyone mentioned either.. but you are accurate with what happened ^^

1) Sheng Wang only realized his feelings for Jiang Tian after seeing other couples kissing (like the pair on the balcony and the teachers). That’s when he understood Tian is more than a brother for him. => In the book Shengwang was oddly attracted to JT.. that scene where he was staring while JT was drinking water, or the discomfort while JT carries SW to nurse's office .. all happens BEFORE he witnesses those incidents.. meaning.. he knew he was attracted but he was not able to place a finger what exactly until he witnesses the romance of other couples first hand.

2) Why did Sheng Wang pull back from the kiss in episode 11? Not sure about this one.. Is it because he doesn’t realize Jiang Tian’s feelings so far, and he is scared to cross a line and risk their friendship? Or maybe he’s confused about his own feelings after his recent gay awakening—or a mix of both? => Actually in the book after he witnesses the incident his dreams are all over the place.. he tosses and turns a lot and he's literally all over JT .. like JT is beneath him.. he jolts awake and in that heat of the moment he almost goes for a kiss and with a rapid heart beat he comes to his senses and gets back to his bunk.

I have one more thing that’s been bothering me!
3) Episode 11, the ‘almost-kiss’ scene in bed: Was Tian actually asleep and unaware that Wang was about to kiss him? Or was he just pretending to be asleep the whole time? => Similar to someone said below JT is a light sleeper .. This one is a major give away in the book that JT ALSO has feelings for SW.. actually JT is wide awake and startled NOT because SW almost kissed (the book doesn't even mention that JT witnessed it).. but BECAUSE he is scared of his OWN reactions! In the book it was clearly written and in the drama it was portrayed JT looks down at himself (below his abdomen) as soon as SW moves away to his bunk. Yes he was aroused as per the implication.

This is my perception though.. whoever explains it's all based on individual perceptions.. this is my take from the drama and the book.

Reading your comment, my mind :

SW to JT .. hey Bro i have romantic feelings for you which i know is ridiculous, but you know i promised to say the truth.. so there ya go.. help me get out of it ? and JT will be like.. no worries bro .. The feeling is mutual .. let's say no to no homo
(don't hit me pls .. lol)

I was not taking about the support to their relationship. Initially when they move to dorms.. Shi Yu was not portrayed in a positive manner. He had conflicted reactions. That kind of reactions were eliminated in the series is what I meant.he was not at the bad guy criteria but he surely was not in a good guy criteria either.

I am only disappointed with the entire teachers arc.. I was actually happy about the dorm mates selection and how they didn't make shi yu another bad guy. Leaving teachers as is like from the novel would have been so much better. If season one went until confession it would have enough room for season two to handle the remaining matters i.e., their bond, the family issues, the break up and getting back. Now it's like too much to be covered in season two.

The issue here is not changing the class but avoiding a certain someone. Until now they're glued to each other now it's separation. The clarity in the novel is good. Class B meaning pupil who score less. While their study time increases the benefits to use certain areas decrease. The class teachers are also no longer the same ones resulting in lesser marks? I was surprised to read all this in the book. Never knew a simple class change would mean so much. Net net Shengwang has now end number of reasons to not be face to face with JT even in dorm because it's all deliberate to avoid him.

Simply put, the 9th episode filler was absolutely unnecessary.. if only they didn't had that filler the episode today would have ended at them accepting their feelings towards each other. If the S02 is going to release faster then fine.. else this wasn't the best way to catch the viewers at all. I will still wait though. . because ALL the actors were promising playing their own role. At least for them I'd be rooting.

I didn't watch the 5th episode yet. But I have a different POV for him. For me his acting is really gr8 in fact both leads.

Going back to very first episode, when he asks Miyata why he did not show up, there were way too many emotions that were displayed under that joking manner, which i liked a lot. Similarly Miyata's outburst was something he did NOT expect. He was mostly curious why he did not show up but he NEVER expected to witness that outburst, which means all this while he believed that Miyata did not trust him or he was not serious.

Third episode the mini past they showed between the Aloha and the sensei, clearly screams that Takashi viewed the student as younger Miyata. Miyata is literally etched in his heart.

In the same episode when he tries to ask once again Miyata why he can't be a lover, Miyata's words stung him when he says that he gets everything easy and there's no effort from him. That's not a playboy's expression for me it's a melancholy one. It's like everyone believes he has it on a silver platter but reality is far from it kind of expression.

There's a past for him, which Miyata never tried to understand or even inquire. The one question he asked was also only about "what did he bet on" and nothing else. He did not try to probe why his last name was changed after the first episode.

There's more to the story of Iwanaga Takashi versus Hoshizawa Senpai. I wish the manga was available to read. The reunion itself leaves me with so many questions, like why now? Why was Miyata surprised but Iwanaga wasn't on his intro.

It's obvious his sincerity is questionable because just saying he wants the person doesn't suffice. He needs to be clear as to what happened in order to have a healthy and trustworthy relationship. I understand Miyata was heart broken, but he is still a kid at heart and he is a sucker for true love. He can't help but admire both his Senpai (the senior at work in the 5th episode) and even Aloha who heads straight on for what they want.

I truly love both the leads. They are both flawed and are displayed that way. They both are so good at their roles, you can't help but check about the actors as well.

sorry about the long post. :)

I think even in Japan it's the same. They usually start with saying Iski and then progress to Aishuteru no? (forgive me for spelling issues)