a bit boring and confusing at first, but the plot twist at the later chapters really shocked me LOL.

Uhm... It's not as emotional as I was expecting so I'm kind of disappointed. Idk how the phone calls work, so... 乁⁠(⁠ ⁠•⁠_⁠•⁠ ⁠)⁠ㄏ

whimsical and cozy (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

I had high hopes for this! But I'm ngl, it's hard for me to finish the book •́⁠ ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠,⁠•̀ it has Spirited Away vibes (but not that cozy) – Keishin stumbled to a ramen shop but turns out to be a pawnshop for regrets (or part of your soul). But just a heads up! There are some scenes from the book where they draw blood, bury soulless children, and even a vague sex scenes. The world-building is good but it is kind of dragging especially with the hide-and-seek thing with the Shiikuin. The romance felt forced. I mean... How can you trust someone you just met for five? ten? minutes? There are other meet-cute moments with strangers, but this was not it. Sorry!

It's a nice story. BUT... I feel like Fuchai's feeling and Xishi's developed "feelings" for him in the end were dismissed just for the sake of Fanli and Xishi's romance, which I can't even feel tbh. yearner >>>> nonchalant

I feel connected with the characters T^T burnout and feeling lost. What I like about this book is that every character has their own way how to navigate life. They always find something to look forward to, whether by learning something new or doing nothing (resting). They slowly learn/realize that "success" is not about seeking approval from the society, but rather how they continue living despite the struggles they're facing. It is enough for them as long as they're happy with what they're doing. For me, this book is a bit of a reminder that I should LIVE FOR MYSELF. As long as I am doing something, big or small, that is enough. I don't need anyone's approval on how I should live my life.

3.75 ☆ If you like ex/friends to lovers, go read it! It's cute... with a little banter and slight flirting here and there ♥ I like it more than the first one, XOXO. Or maybe... I just want to torture myself with slow burn (kinda) romance. It's really frustrating (in a good way) to see the characters interact with each other and you just want to scream... "JUST KISS ALREADY, DAMN IT!" 😂 + And wow!!! I just finished reading it in one day!

It's a bit unrealistic, but it's possible to happen in real life. I think I'll like it more if it's a college setting rather than a high school setting. :)

⟨trigger warning: suicide⟩ it is a thought-provoking novella. it explores the messiness of life and how we constantly want to run away with it or how we always find solutions to be not engulf from the misery it brings.