So Very Shoujo

A good, short read; I enjoy the development of the relationship in this one.

It's old school, but quite charming.

Actually spin-off of Sekai De Ichiban, with those characters making an appearance occasionally, but THAT scanlation isn't complete.

Kids as protagonists, a secret magic academy, a cast of interesting characters and relationships of various kinds (friendship, romance, family, mentor...), a bit of mystery and drama, and lots of different magic powers. Only flaw is that I wish the ending gave me just a little more.

This is a somewhat more down-to-earth high school one, with characters having realistic flaws and confusing, not always pleasant, emotions and reactions. And that is a great strength, as well as its portrayal of family and platonic relationships, not just romantic.

It's an old school rollercoaster of a longer student-teacher series, but the characters of the MC and ML, as well as their particular type of low-key, practical, on-the-same-page chemistry, is something I find a bit refreshing and likeable.

Objectively, this follows many shoujo standards - particularly the intelligent, cool, popular and jaded MC with a troubling past relationship. However, this mangaka really manages to make the characters feel fleshed-out, vibrant and so likeable to read, and the MC still feels refreshing.

Developed from a one-shot.

A guy who likes his childhood friend, but then along comes an older, more charming guy...and the story develops surprisingly satisfyingly.