This was yet another J-gem. Thoughtful, intelligent understated dialogue (that made me REALLY wish I didn't need subs), believable characters and a consistent sweetness that never got cloying until the last half of the last episode, by which time a little excess sweetness was forgivable.

Even though it's unlikely that the three unlikely couples at the core of the story would have anywhere near so smooth a ride in real life, the emotional depth of the dialogue and the understated acting helped to sell the very sweet story. And of course, it helps that it was only 9 episodes - no risk of an overdose of saccharine or of the sweet soufflé going soggy from being dragged out too long. This heartwarming treat cemented Japan's top-ranking in "average sore by country" in my personal database and put Fuji TV clearly in front in "average score by network" for those 7 networks I've seen more than 20 Dramas from. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED