灰原くんの強くて青春ニューゲーム

It’s clear that Uta is pushing herself really hard and it’s causing her friends to worry about her. It’s clear that Haibara’s heart and mind are always on Hikari however. He may love both Hikari and Uta, but ultimately, this far, it’s Hikari that’s been there for him most of the time to offer advice, criticism and support. And while Uta has done her fair share of the same things, it’s still Hikari that motivates and drives Haibara. That said, I’m glad to see that both girls acknowledge their feelings and talk about it with one another and promise that whatever happens, it won’t ruin the friendship they have.

Uta is a hard-worker in both sports and love, but you can only try so hard for so long. But I think that's why people love her so much. I feel like if you finally realized your longtime crush who you never got over actually returned your feelings and was being overt about it...it would be hard not to give in to that. Even so, no matter what, whichever of them wins, they're still Best Girls in their own right. They're also both too nice and too true friends to be anything other than respectful love rivals for each other.

The love triangle is definitely heating up now as we head into the finale. Natsuki is facing one of the biggest decisions of his second chance at life. It's nice to see Hikari and Uta having a fun hangout at the mall together, just the girls! Even if they still have to address the elephant in the room which is the fact that they're both in love with the same guy. Hikari feels bad that she likes Natsuki given Uta was into him first, but Uta can't really blame her for falling for Natsuki either. At the very least they can both fight fair and square and still stay friends by the end of it. Meanwhile the guy at the center of this love triangle is still trying to put his all into a band as they try to carry on Serika's vision for her music. It's taking all of Natsuki's efforts to keep up with his bandmates and not come off lacking, but Serika seems satisfied with his performance so that's got to count for something! Why is Natsuki trying so hard? Why did he want to be a in a band in the first place? To impress someone (Hikari)? But he's still going to put his all into it and no matter what Uta will be his #1 fan! Find a girl who will gout of her way just to walk home from school with you. Natsuki was already getting the hang of singing and playing guitar at the same time, now he has to write song lyrics! And who better to get advice from than a writer like Hikari? Although while calling a girl "cute" is the default compliment, girls want their crush to call them "pretty" Haibara-kun :. In a song about regret, Natsuki has had to get back into his old headspace, which isn't easy for him...but Hikari can relate to his desire to change, she's been there, an dshe supports him in al lhis endevaors to be the best version of himelf he can be. And that's what Natsuki needs to write a song that actually means something. Poor Shinohara. Not even his own bandmates can always tell he's there in the clubroom with him. "Mishmashed Leftovers" Or MishLeft! They finally have a band name! And Serika's MeTube channel to promte their music! Have to admire how she maximizes her status as a cute high school girl who can play/sing to get as many subscribes as a possible! Come for the exposed cleavage and nice legs, stay for the music. It's fair of Tatsuya to call Natsuki out for how indecisive he's been towards the girls, especially for how it's hurting Uta. It's a sign of how he still hasn't completely grown from his past self. So the best thing he can do is try to use writing one more song to help his character development. And once again when he's stuck Hikari is there to give him the motivation and inspiration he needs to not give up and see this song, and changing into the person he wants to be, through...and Hikari is left VERY flustered by the lyrics and what they imply. Poor Uta really trying hard in love and basketball...but at least Taysuya is there for her.

I really like the pancake scene where both of them's reflections are their old selves. I hope we get the lyrics for the third song after the way she reacted to reading them. Clearly his response to her comment struck a chord within her pretty hard. That blush was intense. I'm so glad I pushed past the normal 3 episode rule and kept watching this. It isn't what I'd call great, but it found its footing and now is an interesting watch I can invest myself into.

Serika was a great addition to the show, she's just a lot of fun. Considering the way Hikari was blushing at those lyrics to the third song after Haibara ran off, what did he even write? I wonder if it was a song about her, Uta is really losing quite hard if so. With what they were doing with Hikari and Haibara's reflections in the cafe window I'm not sure they could be pushing Hikari any harder as the winning heroine, it's always her getting those moments and Uta pretty much nothing.

Unless they pull something out of left field it's looking Hikari is going to win as she should tbh. Gotta respect the effort Uta put in. She took her shot, but it didn't pan out because ultimately Hikari is what motivates Natsuki. I'm glad the two of them will still be friends regardless of who Natsuki picks. At least Uta has Tatsuya help comfort her. Though I'm not sure Uta will ever feel that way about him because she already rejected him once. I guess those Miori teases were just bait this whole time and never saw Natsuki that way.

Whether it was Uta or Hikari, Natsuki's reflections were profound, and it's impossible not to feel the same way. Looking back and thinking you haven't achieved anything is difficult, so you have the opportunity to do something better. The past knocks on the door, and you find yourself making the same mistakes, mainly due to insecurity. But as he himself said, not everything you do will be good, especially since it involves other people, but being able to help them enjoy their time and move forward with a smile is rewarding.

I'm so glad the whole Hoshimiya-Uta conversation was as short as it was; I did fear it might be dragged out, but nicely done before the OP. I love Shinohara; I relate to his social awkwardness so much. Nice to see Natsuki taking indirect social hints, I only clocked when he explained that Uta was hoping to walk home with him. Damn, Serika's raking in the social media clout and I love seeing her trust and hope in Natsuki; she's top tier female best friend material to me. Yeah I don't see Hoshimiya not being chosen in the end, she really does see Natsuki properly and supports him in the way and just when he needs. Not sure what to make of the band name "Mishmash Leftovers" though the shorthand "Mislef" works for me.

Yah I’m not surprised. Episode 1 to 4 , up until Natsuki had an epiphany from his argument with Tatsuya , is actually about how cringy and “wrong” his approach to this new life has been. He was right about improving himself , but he still got some important things wrong too. But it really can be difficult to get through if you don’t know the reckoning was coming, as it would feel like the show was just glazing the MC non-stop. So, yah , it did get better after that.