The story feels genuine, honest and relatable. The author really takes time to show the journeys of the characters and connect the events tightly together.
The characters, like some of the comments before me, are great treats as far as characteristic buildings and personal developments go. The two main characters are without doubt some of the most forthright people I've met in mangas. You know how Japanese manga characters usually hide things, oppress their feelings and miscommunicate because of these two self-created obstacles. Here, the author breaks all those for transparency. For me, this is extremely important for self-growth - speaking from real life experiences - because you have to reflect, to see for yourself because you're curious of how to become more and better, that you can make your choices, be responsible and move forward. It's amazing how this work unfolds all these without a single second of feeling forced. And because both main characters are introspective themselves - i.e. keeping things to themselves a lot - that it makes senses and is rational all-the-while keeping all the emotions flow naturally. Wow, the more I think about it, the stronger I feel about how good a story-teller author-san is and what sorts of experience she has been through to create this 5-volume yet intricate story. Speaking of emotions, the author made sure that when she presents a character in dark light, they'd anger us (to certain extends). What I appreciate most is the immense growth for almost all characters, major and minor, how they are really open-minded and care for each other and just all-around trying to be better versions of themselves and for others. Whoops! Here I repeat my point!
The art is good. It's expressive enough. It's not the more bling-bling, pretty shoujo art. And it's effective because the story truly shines through it.
Of course, there are some of the funniest moments that are just out-of-nowhere. Then for the shoujo lovers, there will be some dramatic scenes, even some cliché stuff that even the author makes fun of (in omakes evidently). Still, it's like life, we get fluffy moments and fun moments and crazy moments too.
I HIGHLY RECOMMENT THIS WORK!
Thank you author/Okaoue Ai-sensei! Thank you Scanlation Teams from Impatient and Pigeon. It has been a great ride that I will come back for, definitely!