Quick Answer
Yes, if you want a slow-burn mutual-crush rom-com that isn't afraid to actually progress the relationship. It sticks close to familiar shonen-romance beats, so don't expect a twist on the formula.
Quick Verdict
“Akira and Hajime are both painfully bad at reading the same obvious feelings, and the manga is smart enough to actually let their relationship move instead of stalling it out.”
Best for: Readers who want a slow-burn school romance where the relationship actually moves forward instead of stalling.
Not for: Readers who want a big ensemble cast or a twist on the classic mutual-crush setup.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Format | Manga, 6 volumes |
| Run | 2024–present · ongoing |
| Community score | AniList 7.5 · MangaUpdates 8.5 |
| Where to read | VIZ Media — official |
Akira Kashiwagi moves back to the countryside for high school with one goal: finally win over her childhood crush, the hopelessly dense Hajime. The problem is that Hajime has been carrying his own crush on Akira just as long, and neither of them can read the other's obvious signals. What follows is a slow, painfully awkward push toward a relationship that both of them clearly want and neither can figure out how to start.
The central joke, that two people who are obviously into each other keep talking past their own feelings, works because the manga treats both leads as equally hopeless instead of making one of them the "normal" straight man. Akira's plans always go sideways, but so does Hajime's every attempt to read the situation, and that mutual cluelessness keeps the comedy from feeling one-sided.
The story also isn't afraid to actually move. An early accidental kiss doesn't reset the relationship back to square one for the sake of stalling; instead, the manga spends real time on the fallout, the denial, and the small, specific steps both of them take afterward, like Hajime joining a sports team just to win date tickets. That forward motion is worth pointing out, since a lot of slow-burn high school rom-coms coast on stasis for volumes at a time.
Shinta Harekawa's art keeps the comedic beats loose and expressive while still landing the quieter, more sincere moments when the story wants them, which helps the tonal swings between comedy and genuine nervous longing feel like the same story rather than two different ones.
The "hopeless in love" premise is charming, but it's also familiar territory for shonen romance, and readers who've read a lot of this specific subgenre will recognize most of the beats before they arrive.
Because the series is still fairly early in its run, the supporting cast hasn't had much room to become more than reactive friends orbiting the two leads, and some of the comedic setups repeat the same basic miscommunication joke in slightly different packaging.
This is a shonen rom-com that leans on a familiar hook, but it's honest with itself about wanting to actually get somewhere instead of stalling out for the sake of a longer run. Akira and Hajime's mutual, matched cluelessness is genuinely funny, and the manga's willingness to let their relationship move forward makes it an easy, satisfying read if you're in the mood for a straightforward will-they-won't-they.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Another slow-burn high school romance with a similarly earnest, low-drama tone.
A different flavor of mutual-crush romance for readers who want more emotional weight alongside the comedy.
A sharper, more scheming take on two people who can't just admit their feelings to each other.
| Platform | Format | Pricing | Region notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIZ Media | Print & digital volumes | Paid | Region availability varies | Open |
No, it's still ongoing in Japan, with English volumes from VIZ Media catching up to the original release.
The manga makes steady romantic progress rather than stalling indefinitely, though it's still an ongoing story.
Yes, it sticks close to familiar mutual-crush shonen romance beats rather than subverting the genre.
