like, fundamentally, this isn't the greatest show of all time by any stretch of the imagination. It's easy to write off as a run-of-the-mill high school romance anime, and critically, you're probably right. Active listening won't get you anywhere, the personalities are somewhat one-dimensional, no time is given for any feelings to really grow at all, the list goes on.

Critically, I may give it a whatever score, but in terms of delivering on what you probably want out of it, it's kinda great. I was shocked that they really made some serious progress halfway through the season, so much so I was convinced I must've misunderstood and this season was actually only 6 episodes. They throw up a title card and everything. Yet, it doesn't fall into the same trap that Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ (the 2nd season, it's dogwater, don't watch it. Spoilers for it ahead but you seriously shouldn't care) does with the plot effectively coming to a complete halt after the confession halfway through. Pseudo-Harem did start to feel a tiny bit aimless at points, but here the banter between Rin and Eiji was entertaining enough, and that really gets to the crux of why it's still a good watch.

Rin and Eiji have good chemistry, and it's pretty consistently fun and heart-warming to watch them get along. And it's not like they aren't doing anything interesting at all: the pseudo-harem concept has legs, it's effectively achieving something similar to The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, I detail more in this review, where our lead guy can be in a wholesome toxicity-free relationship while still getting the benefits of having many unique personalities that love him and create interesting dynamics and the such. Here, they don't make the absolute most of the concept, but it's still there to add a little bit of spice to what is otherwise a pretty standard high school romance.

The other important factor is that it actually delivers. So often, I'm docking serious points from shows that consistently fail to leave you satisfied at their ends. Endless seasons of nothing that aren't satisfying, just to never make it to the ending. I was personally completely and wholly satisfied by the way this one ends. It's hard not to be; it's completely fulfilling and leaves no questions unanswered. I'm not here for the "what matters more is the friends we made along the way!"-ahh mentality of "doesn't matter if you're enjoying it in the moment". It's a story. A story should go places. While they may not have been the most unique or creative places in this case, who cares. It's cute. That's why we're here.

I still think as far as romance goes, stuff like I Have a Crush at Work executed better. But you could do SOOOO much worse than this. And I really appreciate that it just happens, and you can move on with your life. Makes it much easier to justify the "short trip", so to speak. Check this one out if it speaks to you!