The story isn’t really a factor as this is even more character based than its predecessor, any drama is all personal relationships.
The art is decent when it needs to be and I like the little illustrations at the end of the chapters.
Last, the characters. The small cast allowed for lots of character exploration and growth. Mayu was the Eri replacement; yet was able to carve out a unique role of unconditional support to the protagonists. And speaking of them, wow. Aki managed to recreate his original growth well adding on finding direction and taking control of his own life. As for Utaha? She did the same, yet we learn of her inner struggle to love, that conflict that drives her away from it.
This is a spinoff, an alternative route, yet even by the very own characters admission “But i’ll make a story that forces people to recognize both as the happy endings” this series can stand on its own just fine
