I have been putting off this manga for a very long time since I first wanted to read it. Not because I think it is uninteresting, but on the contrary, I was afraid that after I read it I would have a very hard time finding another series to top it off. Needless to say I had a very high expectations before reading this. And they were, all in all, surpassed.
First of all: the characters. They were all generally quite unique. I don't see anyone of them being a carbon copy of manga stereotypes - they each had a defining thing in them that sets them apart from typical shoujo characters. Each character is well developed, and the characters' interaction with each other and, consequently, growth throughout the series are a pleasure to read.
The plot. Well, the plot has a special place in my heart because I was, at some point in my life, in a somewhat similar situation with Keito: locking myself in my house and refusing to see the world out there. El Liston is also - and some of you may find it quite hard to believe - a realistic place. Schools like that really do exist. But I don't know if you'd find it as wonderful as Keito did...or meet people as nice as Kouichi, Rei and Momiji (they're wonderful friends! I wish I have friends like them!) None of the plot really stood out as being unrealistic, unlike most mangas. Some, I find, would be a rather bizarre thing to have happened but it's not quite impossible. All in all, nothing makes me want to smack my head out of the sheer ridiculousness of it, which seems to be a common problem for shojou mangas out there, even mainstream ones such as skip beat. In fact, I find that the emotions in this manga are very sincere and easily relatable
The romance. Wellll...as some of you would have read from other reviews, the romance isn't too predictable. It's not like you see the guy and would immediately know he's going to end up with Keito. I was not disappointed by the romance. I find it realistic and natural. (I was rooting for the guy she ends up with anyway...I kind of saw the possibility of it and hoped it would come true. To the guy who shall not be named: I love youuuu~!!) They had a real connection and really helped each other to grow. What a wonderful dynamics these two have. They're not a "hot" couple, so to speak. (Not one of those "sensual" couples), but definitely a sweet couple. xD Definitely a plus for me.
Go read it now! It's really good!! But it might leave you wanting more when it ends... The ending itself is great. It wraps things up nicely without feeling overdone. One of, if not the best shoujo manga I've ever had the pleasure of reading!