This is probably one of my favorite manga, and I know that's a bold claim. Not because the story is super original or the characters are something else, but because it feels really human.
From reading the synopsis I totally didn't expect such a mature view on the topics the manga deals with. I thought it would just be a cliché love story about a girl and a boy that just so happens to have a kid.
The way the mangaka dealt with complex themes as teenage parenthood and being an orphan is just flawless, and the inclusion of them wasn't just a cliché plot device. The way the plot grows around the teenage parenthood instead of in spite of it is specially worth mentioning. It never felt as if Tetsu being a dad was an afterthought just for the novelty of it. I also really enjoyed how one of the principal focuses is how you shouldn't be afraid to show your real self to the people you love. This isn't a story that only focuses on romance, it's a story about family, having to grow up fast and where you fit into the world.
The characters develop in a natural and believable way and they slowly win you over. They are incredibly mature for a shoujo manga and it's a great change of scenery not having to read through chapter upon chapter of the same misunderstanding because the characters don't know how to talk without being vague and assuming stuff.
It's totally a shoujo with a josei feel to it. This manga is sweet and short, but at the same time it gives you the closure you need. The ending may feel a bit rushed but it doesn't leave you feeling like something's missing, and I really appreciate that in a manga. It ends just where it needs to end.
