smoky_topaz

“… flatlined in glitter”? “ …died in pastel”?
After giggling and smiling like a lunatic after that uber cute episode and reading through all the comments, your entry is again the cherry on top!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you!
I am impressed (again) by your creativity while agreeing to all points made by you.

They’re both great. But I need to agree.
He is the heart of the drama and he is carrying the show amazingly.

If you want to support the drama and the actors (and the staff behind the scenes), watch on GagaOOLala.

And to know, he would follow through with it instantly, if he could.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/403211882-school-trip-joined-a-group-i%27m-not-close-to?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=scissorsistaah

63 ep x 2 min.
6 episodes a 20-23 min should do the trick.

In the novel it’s mentioned somewhere, that they noticed Watarai’s interest in Hioki beforehand. W wasn’t as stealthy in his observations of H like he thought. 😆

If you want the same level of fluffiness, check out “Cosmetic Playlover”.They’re young adults already, but it gives the same cotton candy vibe.
The reason and moment, when Sahashi starts to fall in love with Natsume, is nearly identical to Watarai.

I overlook it sometimes, because in Jdramas they’re often (slightly) overact in a mangaesk way. And this show isn’t completely free of it, either.
But both main lead’s acting, especially in episode 7, is incredibly on point. 👏👏👏
I appreciated their acting of the conversation on the beach in another comment before. But I need to applaud Hideyoshi‘s acting during Watarai’s POV recap. His micro expressions, his eyes - he delivers so much emotions, without any overacting!
The scene, when he eavesdrops on Hioki and his friends? His initially frustrated, hurt, “here-we-go-again”, “I-am-so-done-with-it” nearly burned out feelings expressed through small details on his face and in his eyes, transforming into being completely taken off guard, that finally s/o is saying something nice about him, and the resulting deep relief shown on his face with barely contained tears in his eyes. If he would have been in a safe space, he probably would have cracked his composure and weeped for a while, to let out all that build up tension from being constantly misunderstood.
His acting of these moments are impressive. 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

I love your additional insights. It always gives more depth to the picture!

Also the moment, the 4 “heavenly kings” met.
The whole school is gushing and gossiping about them, but the only one of them, who knows initially (at least by sight), who everyone of them is, is Nakasato. Even the social Hotta asks, who the 2 other guys are.
I find it a nice little dig against the absurdity of their perceived superiority. None of these 4 guys cares about that shallow status given only because they’re handsome.

And I agree with your sentiment, that Watarai “seems, as if he has it all together”.
“Seems”. Appearances.
On the surface Watarai seems to be the more self confident character, but underneath, in reality, Hioki is the more …. what is the right word … adjusted? settled? character.
He has friends, is active in his badminton club, does his school stuff (he is the only one, who fills out that trip journal daily like they are supposed to do, LOL), but doesn’t need to be the center of attention or to be within constant company. How he interacts with the 4 guys shows that, repeatedly.
He even has a kinda similar experience like Watarai in episode 1, when during their museum’s visit he overhears his classmates gossip disparagingly about him. But he didn’t seemed to be overly hurt by it, even if he thinks about it. In his core he is a well adjusted, self assured person, who seems to have “his ducks in a row”, as far that sentiment can be used for a teenager. He does quietly his “thing” the whole time.
I hope, my rambling makes sense.

I am so looking forward to Watarai in full blown flirting mode. 🥰

He has the face card for the pretty privilege and knows, how to socialize, if necessary.
But underneath Watarai with his introvert, intense and brooding personality reminds me of Hira from “My beautiful Man”. Both have a one track mind regarding their love interest.

A slightly bluish green, but with a hint of warmth. No idea, if there exists a name for it. Probably yes.
Weirdly enough it’s not a color I like on items in my daily life. Nope.
But it’s a color that resonates with something within me and is relaxing. If apps or software have color individualization, I tend to favor some shade of said green. LOL

Hahaha.
I love your entries.

Just finished the last episodes.
The imploding family part was a difficult watch.
And WTH is with this rushed ending?!
The uber rushed happy ending spoiled a little the excellent drama for me.
Her parents suddenly all fluffy and supportive felt too forcefully shoved down my throat.
Why not show, that they are working hard to do better, even when it will be a bumpy ride?

The more I look forward to the next episode, the shorter the episodes become.
The last episode felt like I only blinked once. 😭😂

I love how they’re with each other and their dynamic as a couple in the making.
Watarai’s intense and full steam pushing ahead personality but at the same time still being mindful of Hioki’s signals, that he needs time to figure things out, and being respectful and patient about it.
And Hioki takes Watarai’s boundaries testing …. uh … courtship? in stride, validates W’s feelings but still maintains limits and his own pace in their relationship.

They did great with how Watarai’s POV got woven into the storyline. I am so happy.
And their scene at the beach?
They’re still young as actors but they both aced that moment!

GagaOOLala, if you want to support the drama. New episode got dropped 8 hours after the Japanese release on TVer.

A big Thanks to all three of you for answering my question.
My confusion about what he meant in his thoughts is definitely cleared up.