At exactly 8 PM—
The screen on Sakura TV flickered, and the fresh, gentle opening theme of 'Kimi ni Todoke' began to play.
The soft male vocals, Gu Qingyuan's sweet and lovely face, and Su Yan's portrayal of the campus heartthrob Kazehaya Shota—
Even before Episode 6 properly began, Meng Xueqing already felt her mood lift just watching these visuals.
Yes, the story was frustrating at times, even anxiety-inducing.
But—
It also made people feel happier as they watched.
After all—
Who in this world doesn't like pure romance?
However, the moment the opening ended and Kurumizawa's cute yet overly affected face appeared, Meng Xueqing let out a cold chuckle.
This character felt way too familiar.
She was exactly like a girl in her office—
Sweet and lively on the surface, but secretly manipulative, always scheming and playing little tricks. And the worst part? You couldn't openly confront her.
Because she always acted innocent—if you called her out, it would look like you were bullying her.
But the most satisfying part of this drama—
I was watching this kind of scheming girl run into someone like Kuronuma Sawako.
A natural airhead.
In the episode, after becoming "friends" in the previous episode, Kurumizawa and Sawako began interacting more as friends.
Meanwhile, Sawako's real friends—Chizuru and Yano—watched with subtle expressions.
Not jealousy.
Just… something felt off.
They were happy Sawako had made a new friend.
But why did every interaction between Sawako and this new friend feel so forced?
Of course, for Sawako herself—
She was genuinely happy.
So happy that at night, just thinking about Kurumizawa made her smile sweetly in her sleep.
And then—
Kurumizawa began to reveal her true nature.
[To me, someone who's known Kazehaya since middle school… he's the kind of person who can't ignore someone being isolated in class. No matter who it is.]
Meng Xueqing frowned.
On the surface, Kurumizawa was praising the male lead.
But in reality—
She was subtly reminding Sawako:
"Don't misunderstand. Kazehaya is only nice to you because he pities you. Don't think he actually likes you."
["Wow… that's toxic. The 'green tea' energy is overflowing out of the screen."]
Was this script really written by a man?
How did the writer understand these subtle psychological battles between girls so well?
"Mm-hmm, that makes sense." Sawako nodded earnestly.
She was simply happy that Kurumizawa was praising Kazehaya.
Kurumizawa immediately started sweating.
"So, talking to Kazehaya every day isn't really a big deal. You don't need to take it too seriously." Kurumizawa continued, putting on a cute expression.
"I see!" Sawako said, suddenly enlightened.
["Pfft—"]
Meng Xueqing was already grinning like an idiot.
This was what you get—
Trying to manipulate someone who couldn't be manipulated.
Because Sawako was too pure, too simple—
She didn't understand hints.
Didn't understand the subtext.
She genuinely thought Kurumizawa was just discussing how kind and wonderful Kazehaya was.
"But you and Kazehaya are completely different kinds of people." Kurumizawa clenched her fists slightly.
"After all, everyone has their place."
"I understand now. No wonder you and Kazehaya talk so naturally. You must be the same type of person. You two have such a good relationship—he even calls you by your first name, Kurumizawa." Sawako said.
Kurumizawa froze for a second—
Then quickly recovered.
"No, no, we're just normal friends!"
But the hint of pride in her voice was obvious to Meng Xueqing.
"Just normal?" Sawako looked enlightened again.
"So that's what "normal" means… I've learned so much from you. Thank you! If I try hard, maybe one day I can become like you too—although I probably can't reach that level…"
["HAHAHAHA!"]
Meng Xueqing clutched her stomach, laughing as she watched Kurumizawa's face twist with suppressed anger.
"Who said this writer only knows how to write tragic stories? Isn't this comedy?! I'm dying of laughter. Airhead vs schemer—Kurumizawa's getting destroyed!"
Later in the episode—
When Kazehaya met Kurumizawa, he casually called her Kurumizawa Ume—
Revealing that "Kurumi" was just a nickname, and that they weren't actually close enough to call each other by first names.
So their relationship wasn't as intimate as it seemed.
However—
As Sawako and Kazehaya grew closer, and as Kazehaya's gaze unconsciously drifted toward Sawako more and more—
Kurumizawa's expression gradually darkened.
After school, she found Sawako and, on the way home, confessed—
That the person she liked was Kazehaya.
Meng Xueqing's expression immediately changed.
This didn't feel good.
Sure, airhead beats schemer—
But emotional attacks?
That was dangerous.
Sure enough—
Sawako's expression changed instantly.
Her good friend liked Kazehaya.
And Kurumizawa and Kazehaya seemed so well-matched.
["Don't tell me… the female lead is going to step back?"] Meng Xueqing felt uneasy.
Her eyes stayed glued to the screen.
Kurumizawa began guiding the conversation—
Twisting Sawako's previous help into something else, implying that Sawako should support her relationship with Kazehaya.
Trying to push Sawako into withdrawing from the competition.
"I'm really happy. Thank you so much. See you tomorrow." Kurumizawa smiled.
But at that moment—
Sawako instinctively grabbed her hand.
"I guess… I can't do that." Sawako said gently, but firmly.
"Kurumizawa, you and Kazehaya suit each other. But I can't support you from the bottom of my heart. Kazehaya… is someone very special to me.]
In that instant—
Meng Xueqing's eyes turned slightly red.
So this was who the female lead really was.
She seemed soft, always thinking of others—
But when it truly mattered, she was unwavering.
She could acknowledge that Kurumizawa and Kazehaya matched—
But she would not give up her own feelings.
At that moment—
Kurumizawa completely broke down.
She could no longer maintain her façade.
Her voice cracked as she cried out—
"I'm so jealous of someone like you, a gloomy girl, who doesn't have to do anything to receive attention from someone as kind and responsible as Kazehaya! Meanwhile, someone like me—cute and popular—has to work so hard just to talk to him…"
["PFFT—!"]
Meng Xueqing nearly choked.
Just how broken did Kurumizawa have to be to blurt out her true thoughts like that?
Realizing what she had said, Kurumizawa panicked and ran off—
Leaving behind a confused Sawako, who thought she must have misheard.
But of course—
Sawako, being Sawako, just assumed Kurumizawa was in a bad mood.
They were still good friends!
["I'm dying—this is too funny!"]
Meng Xueqing slapped her thigh, laughing uncontrollably.
Why was this episode so hilarious?
Kurumizawa tried so hard to mess with Sawako—
But ended up hurting herself every time.
At the end of the episode—
Sawako and Kurumizawa watched a baseball game at the school sports festival.
At a critical moment, a ball flew toward Sawako—
But her classmate Ryu caught it, saving her.
Kazehaya, watching from afar—
Felt a slight pang of discomfort.
Kurumizawa immediately seized the opportunity, encouraging Sawako to go thank Ryu.
Sawako nodded—it was only right to thank him.
And then—
The ending song started.
["?"]
Meng Xueqing froze.
That's it?!
Kurumizawa is clearly about to stir up trouble!
She's obviously trying to manipulate things and create misunderstandings with Kazehaya!
Sawako, don't fall for it!
Thanking him is fine—but if Kurumizawa twists the story afterward, everything changes!
And you—
Su Yan—
Ending it here?!
["Are you even human?! Now I have to suffer for another week waiting for the next episode!]
Meng Xueqing wasn't alone.
Many viewers had been laughing throughout the episode
Only to be left in agony by that ending.
This drama
It was incredibly enjoyable when binge-watched.
But when followed weekly—
It was a completely different experience.
That anxious, restless feeling—
It was sometimes even worse than watching tragic stories.