for a first watch, this somehow felt nostalgic. similar to many love stories out there, this was yet another bittersweet high school romance with unspoken words from both sides. this movie truly brings you back to a feeling of "i could've"; that moment you could've brought about a different outcome to the situation.

what i personally love from this movie is how both characters were helping each other grow. i found the bond between the leads so charming with how they would go out of their way to stand up for each other. there was one scene in particular that stood out to me in which hsu tai yu was being mistreated by the principal. lin truly summoning her fearlessness and speaking out for hsu tai yu TRULY did it for me.

the movie was self-aware that being a grown up person isn't a one way ticket to living a life that you like. even though it frustrated me to see the tension between the leads on not confessing their feelings, it was in a way realistic as complex ideas like romantic relationship is quite a scary path to go for a young age.

overall, this movie TRULY (pun not intended) fueled my cravings for all the yearning and angst with a nice side of cute desserts.