*Review contains spoilers*

Story 6/10
I found this manga on MAL's list of "Top 10 Best Shoujo Manga That Haven't Been Adapted into Anime". I have to say that, although the story is in fact original to certain extent, I am surprised that this manga is the No. 1 on this list. Yes, again, somewhat original plot, characters are cool and no love triangles (yes!). However, this story could have had at least 25 less chapters and it might have been better. Midway reading, I found myself bored due to many unnecessary things happening and basically forced myself to finish reading it because mama raised no quitter. By chapters 40-50 so many random, complicated and non-sense stuff started to happen that I felt lost at times. I read somewhere in the manga that this story was not supposed to be more than 3 chapters or volumes and I think it is obvious the author just ended up stretching things to have a longer story, which is too bad as this plot had potential to be better. At least the end was satisfying and there was a nice plot twist with Akira's back story. The only negative thing I have to say about the ending is that if left (on purpose according to the story) some things unexplained such as was Antler a bad guy or not? why did he give Teru the flash drive with the video for Akira? Did Chiharu really want to hurt Akira or not? (I have a feeling that she wanted him to help him). Who created M's testament and the island?

I don't know how much of a taboo it is for Japanese men to date younger women (obviously in most of the occidental world it is a crime for an adult to date a person under 16, maybe 18? but again, context!! Japanese men are very respectful, cautious and slow with physical contact so I don't see what the big fuss with this is about, at least in Japan). If you take away the sex and physical contact from the relationship, what would be so wrong with the age gap? If the 16 is mature beyond their years (and Teru most likely is because of the live events she has had to endure), being with someone actually older, wiser, might not be a bad thing for that person. And Kurosaki barely kissed Teru, and literary said "I will wait for you to graduate/be 18", so I really can't see what the problem with this relationship is, at least age related. I mean, by 15-16 a person has or is very close to experimenting with relationships, physical contact, sex, etc, whether it is with someone their own age or older. Now, if you are talking about someone 14 or younger, that is another different story. I was just glad that the age gap wasn't made too big of an issue for the main couple (that clearly had serious and deep feelings for one another) and that Kurosaki was mature enough to own his feelings and act on them taking responsibility for whatever consequences being with Teru might bring. I did hate the constant teasing the author made regarding intimacy/kissing between Teru and Kurosaki, to the point that when he finally kissed her I wasn't even that excited about it anymore. Another thing I didn't like was how Kurosaki's existence was solely for taking care of Teru and rescuing her every single damn second. I feel sorry this guy seems to not have much of a life that does not revolve around Teru, I mean, even his work was based on her.

On a side note, I have seen people complaining about a high school girl and a school janitor...1)I am pretty sure he was a school janitor in order to be closer to Teru while keeping a low profile. 2)I am also pretty sure Kurosaki is qualified to get another job, specially in software engineering and development (which is one of the most financially rewarding fields to work in).

Art 7/10
I have mixed feelings for this section as the manga had many beautiful drawings and scenes but then other parts looked very sloppy (might be due to the scanning I read). I must say Kurosaki was lovely drawn most of the time.

Characters 7/10
I am glad to say I found no annoying or unnecessary characters. However, no character really stands out. Teru was OK. She is a go getter and not a cry baby at all, which was good. The only bad thing Teru has is being so naive and thus becoming such an easy prey. Kurosaki's back story was well developed and I fell he had the most character development. I know it is supposed to be cute how devoted he is to Teru, but I don't think that is healthy for a relationship. I also think the author did a great job at presenting Soichiro because I ended up loving him although he wasn't alive during present manga time (I want to note that I did find a bit weird how physical Soichiro was towards Teru...is not that I got incestuous vibes exactly but I don't usually hold hands with my brothers or cuddle with them or press my forehead to theirs. That was a bit weird for me although we could assume he probably saw her as a daughter more than a sister?). Also, was I the only one who got "bad guy vibes" from Andou? I kept thinking he would betray the team throughout the whole manga.

Enjoyment 6/10
I was entertained by the initial chapters, lost interest midway but was entertained again by the last chapters. I was really expecting more of this manga.

Overall 6/10
If you find yourself with too much free time and wanting to read something, this might do. However, this is not a manga I would be recommending.