Today I have reread first few volumes and caught up with this series. I had really fond memories of reading it before, but they were crushed today. I loved the story, really, and then suspicious friend with similar pain appeared, my "sickly childhood friend from past he feels sorry for" alarms went up and they weren't really wrong. Ew, love polygons.



... Last updated on March 10th, 2014, 2:05pm

I'm probably just going to be repeating stuff that a lot of people have already mentioned, but that's because I feel the same way. This manga started out so good. I thought it was brilliant. The storyline isn't so much original, but the author's way of telling the story really brought the reader in, it was realistic, and it left the reader wanting more. Character motivation made sense, and like nekoichan said, the issues they were facing were believable.

And then it took a turn for the worse as the author introduced Narumi. It became heavily cliche, and the story telling got messier from there. There were chapters where things were advancing far too quick, it was so rushed like the author didn't think too much about it, throwing in all these regurgitated ideas one after the other, in the same chapter. Character was lost. Kou .. He feels very out of character right now (not all the time, of course, just every now and then). It doesn't even feel like character growth, it's plain OOC. I understand that Narumi plays an important role here for Kou to develop and see for himself how unhealthy her being in his life was. How he needs to move on. But as mentioned, there's WAY too much unnecessary drama. It's kind of suffocating.

I am severely disappointed, because I loved this manga so much. I looked forward to every update, I was on edge by the end of a chapter because 'no you can't stop it there!' It was one of my favourite shoujo romance's, which is why I am so upset with how this manga is coming to be. Also, I feel a lot of people agree with me on this, but I also don't want Kou and Futaba to be end game. While I do love Kou, a lot, his character really appeals to me (there is shit about him that I really do despise though, like, the fact he's kind of sexist. I know he probably means no harm, and that it's pure ignorance but still), I'm so weak against characters like Kou, but I want Futaba to end up with Touma. I feel this is best for all of them. The atmosphere of the story so far, makes me feel that if Kou and Futaba were to end up together, it'd be one emotionally toxic relationship. I don't know why I feel that way, but I do. That, and I admit I do want to see Kou suffer a bit more.

Of course, I am almost 100% sure that's not what we're gonna get. Touma, he feels like a tool used by the author to get Kou and Futaba together. His character is kind of really underdeveloped, and it doesn't seem the author has put too much thought into writing him either. So yeah. I don't feel this manga is going to regain it's brilliance any time soon.

... Last updated on February 14th, 2014, 2:59am

Having read and loved the mangaka's previous work, Strobe Edge, I dove into this manga with great expectations. Unfortunately, it falls a little short.

The series actually started off well. The characters are pretty likeable, and the initial complications were believable.

Then suddenly a bitter love rival appears out of nowhere and things began rolling downhill. There's so much unnecessary drama, sometimes I wish the mangaka would, for the love of god, just end it already. Character development seems stunted, save for Futaba, and even she is somewhat stuck at the same place. Kou is a jerk from the get go, and hasn't done anything much to redeem himself throughout the series.

The only thing that keeps me coming back to the manga at this point is its gorgeous art - Sakisaka has a knack for panel compositions, and the recent chapters really show off her skills.

... Last updated on January 14th, 2014, 11:54pm

I really hoped there will be kouxfutaba but...




... Last updated on March 11th, 2014, 11:08pm

The series started out interesting, although I really wish that Kou and Futaba aren't end game from how Kou's treating her. And Futaba still-- for whatever reason-- follows Kou like a lovesick puppy, even though she had a really shallow perception of his character to begin with.

The most interaction she's had with him (aside from fleeting ones in middle school) is in high school, where Kou acts like a nonchalant asshole. Idgaf if he's supposedly got a heart of gold, because his inability to translate that into action-- and still being liked despite of it-- is ridiculous.

I really wish that Futaba gave Touma a chance before going back en-route to Kou. Otherwise, I like the art and this mangaka's previous and less frustrating work, Strobe Edge.

I think a lot of people have been voicing dissatisfaction with Kou and instead are rooting for Touma. Am also in the same boat, but the way the story is structured, it's pretty obvious that Kou and Futaba are fated and Touma's fighting a losing battle. In this way, I'm incredibly annoyed (why have a love rival when it's not really a rival?!). Moreover, Touma is sincerely a nice guy and Kou is a jerk to Futaba for quite stupid reasons (i.e., reasons that make all the sense in shoujo, but not IRL). For that unbalanced character development and positioning, I think this manga is below average (below a 7/10).

However, what is good about this is the art and also the pacing of the romance.. it's a moderate build-up of tension but at the same time, you're not feeling too disappointed so-and-so didn't happen.. the moments that do happen are quite cute.

I very love Touma. He's lovely ^^
Futaba suitable for him more than Kou.
but I hate Yuri, she's annoying me and her character same Futaba in past. I don't like!

Love it! Love the main character, she's super refreshing & I like the plot. Just don't know who to root for anymore . Falling in love with Touma's honesty & purity but Kou's really sweet too..just made some mistakes. Sigh. Hope everyone could have a happy ending but of course that wouldn't exactly be realistic which I prefer more.
Strobe Edge is my absolute favourite manga and this is amazing too. Sakisaka Io is a genius

maybe this is ridiculous but this is my best on going manga right now. well i really love kou. I like the way he decide what is the most important to him and I really want to see their process of being grown up. I want to see Narumi grows up too. To depend on herself and not bind the one who she really love at most. so I hope the next chap is out. hahahahaha

I read chapter 10- and got so, so, so angry.



I will give it 2 merely because of the art.