mommacat

Maybe “sheltered” wasn’t the best word. Manami was overly controlled and restricted by her father, and that was her internal struggle in the drama. And as an Asian with a similarly controlling parent, that part was understandable.

Re: expecting Manami to be more grounded because she's older-- I think the whole point of the show was the opposite; that despite her age, she was less mature than others, including. the ML, because of how sheltered she'd been by her parents (namely, father). There actually was a scene in the beginning where Manami and Momoko were talking about Kaoru and how Manami was more mature in years but Kaoru had more experience in life.

Happy ending but it leaves fans wanting more of the couple's story. Like the person said below this comment, the last episode feels rushed. I think a lot of things were cut because of time and scheduling constraints of the cast, unfortunately. But still absolutely my favorite watch.

Anyone else still can't let this drama go? I'm rewatching it less, since I've started watching other dramas again, but nothing's as good to watch as this one. I just binged Romantics Anonymous, and that one comes close but it's missing all the sweet scenes of LtL.

I think everyone is right here. There were definitely stages to them falling for each other, but definitely they admitted to it by the end of episode 4 when Taiga tried to return the money Manami spent at the club. The entire time between when Manami found out that Taiga hadn't actually slept with Natsuki through episode 3/4 was a gradual development of their feelings.

The assistant teacher to Manami, Sakura Eita. He tells it straight up to Manami, and he seems to fall for Takechiyo at first sight.

There are SOOO many "little" details that I love about this drama. In each and every episode. 💕

Just because this has been repeating in my mind: I love how in the ramen scene in Manami's new apartment, she chooses number 2, which Taiga has described to her as similar to himself ("Is it spicy? Is it sweet? Kind of like me." 😂). Of course she would choose the one most similar to him. 🥰

Ep. 10 random thought:

I agree with you, but... not sure if you want spoilers!

It's billed as "a story of pure love" so it's very chaste considering the premise. And yes, I've been watching in the living room for weeks LOL

I don't mind open-ended. I just want a few more minutes of our favorite couple. I also wanted to see how Taiga finally realized that he didn't have to be scared of disappointing Manami.

I keep hoping for specials to air afterward. But the entire drama was just so beautiful that I will take any ending scraps of Taiga+Manami (I do feel like what we got were scrappy ends for them; too much of the students and Kawahara-- to be frank, I only enjoy watching Kawahara when he's bickering with Taiga lol). The beach scene was very well done. I'm biased, but I'll take what I can get.

I voted! Still wish Raul was billed as a main actor and not supporting!!

I like thinking of it like that!

There's so many comments about age gap, and I get it... but is it just me that aside from the simple number, I don't see much of an age gap in the characters? Part of it is how well they played their roles of emotionally stunted characters, part of it is just how Kimura Fumino looks young for her age and Raul looks older, part of it is the way they were styled in the show. I asked my husband and kids whether they thought Sensei looked much older than Taiga, and they said no.

Actually, in comparison, they thought the main female lead in A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You was older looking than the male lead there, but not so with Learning to Love. And I didn't even ask them with that drama. My kids happened to be watching with me, and they asked, "Is she his mom?" 😅

Yep, and even though I "sailed the seas" to watch the other episodes, I'm rewatching everything available on Netflix and streaming the soundtrack on Apple Music so the creators will still get the royalties. FujiTV is also coming out with the blu-ray/DVD set next year, and if they will sell internationally then I can purchase that legitimately as well.

I think it’s track #11 on the OST: https://music.apple.com/us/album/junsui-na-ai-no-monogatari/1836850077?i=1836850470

The title is 純粋な"愛"の物語 (Junsui na “ai” no monogatari, or A story of pure “love”)

Also, if you zoom in on Manami’s phone when Taiga sends her the bad news text with the 🦛, their conversation above has Manami asking him to text reply sometimes instead of always using emojis. She’s always the teacher 🙌

But I love how the hippo emojis tie in with the hippo seat on the roof. 😄

I still have so much swirling around in my head and heart after episode 11. Definitely not ready to move on yet. Some of my thoughts:

- President as Taiga’s dad: I tend to think he was lying in this episode so as not to tie Taiga to the night life. It’s sad that the President thinks he lost his chance to leave the night life after his prison stay. Just my feelings, nothing concrete.
- I read on X someone thought the ending scene of Ogawa papa (really want to call him Basil Papa now 😂) preparing food was enough food for 4 people, so thinking Taiga and Manami were coming over for dinner. 🥹 I really really want to see that actual scene if we ever get an extra episode.
- speaking of Basil Papa, the switch in hobbies from making rigid, fragile models inside glass containers to cooking for family— *chef’s kiss* 🤌🏻 analogy of his character’s transformation from autocrat to sensible father.
- The pumpkins 🎃 throughout the show. The first Halloween pumpkin was a light that Taiga put out on the rooftop during one of their first lessons. Then I kept seeing them in the last episode. Sort of brings things full circle. Not sure if there’s more of a meaning to pumpkins besides them just being a cute prop like the 🦛.
- the way Manami’s voice broke a little when Taiga said he thought she’d be happier when he told her he was going to try again for the vocational school. 🥹💖
- I wish we got to see how Taiga moved on from pushing Manami away because he didn’t want to disappoint her, to returning to her. That would have been another stellar acting scene on Raul’s part, I’m totally sure.