I read volumes 1-5 in one go because I just couldn't stop. The pacing and flow is amazing. I was either laughing, in suspense, or my heart was going 'kyuuun' all the time. Both male love interests are likable and it's hard to root for just one of them. Personally I like the 'other one' better but I can't help but want the female lead to get the one she really wants just because I want her to be happy. She's not annoying at all and even if some people think she cries too much, I don't think she does. I'm an emotional person and I cry when I feel like it. There's nothing wrong with it. She doesn't just cry over nothing, I think her feelings are justified.

And the male lead isn't expressionless as some have said. The point is that the female lead brings out the livelier side of him that he normally doesn't show to a lot of people. That's realistic. I know guys like that. They seem all cool on the outside but let go and unwind in front of someone they feel comfortable and connected with. High school boys usually put on a certain image at school, particularly the 'idol' ones because they have to in order to survive the masses of fangirls after them.

It's been a really long time since I've given a shoujo manga a 10 but this one definitely deserves it.

... Last updated on June 23rd, 2010, 11:46pm

We must have been reading completely different mangas because all the things you accused the main guy of NOT doing is actually what he HAS been doing the entire time. He has shown affection for her, protects her in his own way and he cares that much for her; to say otherwise is to grossly misinterpret the manga. Just because Ren doesn't show off or try to flaunt it flashily like a superhero like Andou does doesn't mean he has none of those qualities - the manga is about Ninako's pain with her feelings AND Ren's struggle with conflicting love.

Why cant she be with Andou or whatever his name his! I love that guy! Why is it that girls always end up with the guy that doesn't care about them and gives them pain all the time. why cant those stupid girls go for the guys that actually love them and protects and cares for them!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I hope there are a lot more stories like this. The plot is cliche sure, but the execution is WOW. Heart-warming and realistic. You'll even love the villains. Most shojos can pull off a love triangle, but not like this. The feelings are explained in art and in text, and what I really like is that the love angle is as important as the friendship angle. It's no wonder this has a high rating. I love this series!

im glad i havent written a post to this yet,because after reading the latest chapter (ch. 18) it just occured to me that this manga is GOOD! . kinda strange,i mean i liked it before as well,but just as a light,entertaining reading (despite the unrequited love), but now i get it that it's really well written (and drawn,but that goes without saying ),there are causes and effects,there are e.g. reasons why ren is so determined to stay with mayuka etc. so it IS deep,although right now i can only relate to ren,but it feels nice even so. ninako's behaviour on the other hand is incomprehensible for me,she's just a pure m,but w/e. so its a 9,not an 8 for me.

... Last updated on May 17th, 2010, 11:56am

This is a TRUE shoujo story! It is sweet and heart-clenching slash -warming. It is about an (normally occuring) unrequited love, but the story is not told in a cliché or boring way. You will end up getting quite hooked, I am sure.

The art is not brilliant, but it is fine.

9/10

... Last updated on July 24th, 2012, 3:02am

Like many others, I read the summary and was like "ANOTHER one of these?? Really? Couldn't someone come up with a more original storyline?" However, as I started reading it, the characters became really likeable, and not just the main ones. Every one of them have their own special qualities, and there is no one that you can point out and say that they are pure evil, which is a common theme in many other shoujo mangas. It was interesting to read this from the point of view of the "other" girl and it isn't one of those where you are like "BREAK UP WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND GO OUT WITH THE HEROINE ALREADY!" I have conflicting feelings about how I want it to turn out, but we'll see how it goes.

Overall, good art, good story, great characters. I just hope it doesn't turn into one of those super dramatized mangas.

The main girl appears stupid in the beginning, with her mother telling her to use her brain...
BUT! do not let that discourage you! she is actually a strong girl whose thoughts are not utterly useless like many other shoujos. i didn't even find her crying to be annoying. she doesn't seem to have any of those bad and slutty friends around her either.
now i'm really anticipating for future releases...i have a feeling that the drama is starting to kick in

... Last updated on February 9th, 2010, 5:33pm

Like many people before me, I was put off by the summary. Overall, this is simply another cliché: meek girl falls in love with popular and hard-to-approach boy. Normally, I can't stand these types of stories(let alone bring myself to write a review of it), but this one was different. First of all, the general tone was much more light-hearted than most. Second, the characters are so much more likable.

Ninako, although not too bright like most shoujo heroines, is just so adorable and gentle. She isn't as spazzy as most girls are and just so incredibly innocent. I love how she is so naive to the concept of love in the beginning. Ren-kun, my second favorite character, is not cold and just as gentle. Unlike most bishounen, he would not off the main girl and call her names.

Although the conflict has been overused, what separates this version from the others is the way it was presented. This story does not make the mistake that other shoujo have made by unnaturally switching from "cute" to "drama" mode. Though, the conflict is really something to think about. Even I do not know how I would prefer it to run.

All right, I'll be honest. From the moment I read the summary of the manga, I decided immediately not to even look at it. Why? Because the summary reads "First love," and to be honest, it kind of makes my stomach churn.

BUT IN THE END I JUST COULDN'T STAY AWAY!!!

The manga has the cliche's I love, but also hate. I initially thought that the heroine would be someone I hate, but she isn't! She's just the opposite of that. In fact, I'm cheering for her, but at the same time I don't want to.

As I read the manga, I felt my heart aching for just about every character. Their feelings are somewhat relatable and make you think about things you've never really given much thought to.

If you're put off by the summary, then don't be. This manga should serioiusly be given a chance because my heart won't stop aching after reading up to the latest chapter.