[SPOILER ALERT]
This has officially become my top school-life manga! I wondered how I missed out on such an amazing one like this.
1st of all: the art is to my taste. Really like how the author literally use normal pencils to draw this, it seems really natural, somehow. The art is a solid 8.5/10
2nd: the concept: really sparked my interest: a guy masturbates in school. You can find yourself thinking of different scenarios before reading chapter 1. Then upon seeing how everything unfolds, you will be amazed.
3rd: the plot and twists: having a really intriguing concept, the plot was able to be elaborated upon that. I believe for a fact that every reader would ask themselves: what will happen next? How will things turn out? Omg I can't believe that? Sort of questions. But at the same time it's still logical, and while resembling real school life and the psychology of teenage students (like how middleschool kids would be desperate seeing their crush go out with another guy/girl), it still carries many manga elements (like how Kurosawa apologized in front of everyone, that would never happen people). And that's why I admire the author.
4th: character development: a typically seen teenager on the screens: a weak student who tries to run away from reality, to a guy who started to embrace the outside world; a weak female student who is constantly bullied, to a girl who dared standing up when overloaded, and then changed it all again, steadily; an open weirdo in school, who still laughs with even the people's enemy; an innocent girl who has a good nature, who planted affection into others then unconsciously destroyed it, yet in the end it was no ill intentions, but because of the GOOD and INNOCENT nature (10 points for the plot for making this happen); then finally, a delinquent girl who changed gradually into a normal girl, because, well circumstances (this I must admit, is not as well developed as other, bearing a little too many fantasy elements, still I like it). All of this was wrapped up in as short as 31 chapters. Aint that amazing? I myself particularly like the MC progress, as I can relate to him to the fullest extent.
4th: storytelling and narration: the inner thoughts and struggle of Kurosawa, the flashbacks of Takagawa when he apologized to her, the thinking process and deep grudges of Kitahara, all was wonderully portrayed. Had it not been for this storytelling, I don't think it would hold the same value, and can make me relate entirely to each and everyone of the characters and understand their thoughts.
5th: climax: this began when Kurosawa carried out the plan to defile his loved one: Takagawa. It was captivating, with thoughts, regrets, and finally decisions, brilliantly put in between of the events that happened. It had you say "one more chapter" repeatedly. And while it expressed the climax of the plot, the author used that chance to ingeniously show also the climax of psychology of the characters, like how the infamous Kurosawa decided to open up, the innocent Takagawa forgave him, the kind-hearted Nagaoka still saw the goodness in people's hearts, and the then-yankee Sugawa beat him up.
6th: ending: this is the most critical criterion I look at when giving personal appraisal of a work of art. It is beautiful. It gives out a sense of hope and positivity and fantasy. Kitahara returned to school, Nagaoka and Takagawa still go out due to their similar nature, but what's most amazing is the relationship between Kurosawa and Sugawa. No one saw it coming until chapter 27. Yet it's still satisfying. Two polar opposites, in which one side has committed a disgraceful and cringeworthy and despicable act towards the other, turns out to become a relationship when circumstances are involved. It all started out with a simple act of atoning for his sins by helping her out with classwork, they become gradually attached to each other, like how magnets attract each other. To my aesthetic, that is the most beautiful thing that could happen, circumstances.
7th: lesson:
Adolescence is like a heavy rain. Even though you catch a cold from it, you still look forward to experiencing it once again. Everyone has those impetuous times, the time when every boy likes the same girl in class, rushing days with mischief and pranks. Then, youth departed without a sound... (From "You are the apple of my eye"). Yes, everyone has their school crush, and it would always remain a bittersweet taste. But no matter what happens, we will move on from it. To hold on to and value those first-time experience of what we call "love" is good, but know that fate doesn't stop there. Fate might have arranged for the two to come and go, but perhaps it does that for us to meet the right one. Like how fate gave an angel named Takagawa to Kurosawa, just for him and Sugawa to meet at the right place and time. Perhaps it's destiny that set Kurosawa to cross paths with Takagawa, or perhaps it isn't.
9th: the value for rereading: it's a solid 10/10 for those who wanted to bring back their school memories. It's by far the best school life manga I've read. I've never reread any mangas I completed, but this one is an absolute must, and thus I hope the resonating emotions inside me right now would still persist, like how Nagaoka persists Kurosawa...