Another nice looking guy had a pleasant conversation with her and she's thinking she might fall for him now. How old are you again? It was two lives, right? So you're like 30? And you fall for people because they call you dainty?

The original fall of Reika’s family may have more behind it than it seems. The so-called ‘fraud’ may have been a convenient frame up or utilised corporate sabotage. An interlude chapter that showed events after the end of the manga implied not everything was as it seemed even in the original plotline. OG Reika is revealed to have been misunderstood due to her bad vision. It also seems that Endou and/or Katsuragi has an unknown plot against her; something about wanting to take her as a mistress? This is heresay by a known vicious side character who is in the camp of Endou’s “fiance.” It’s hinted multiple times that she is not as simple as she seems. It’s highly likely that she was rejected by Endou or at least sensed that he does not have deep feelings for her. Perhaps she is the true major villain??

The other possibility is that Endou is a deeply hidden future a**hole, but I somehow doubt that is where the author wanted to take the story. There are hints that he is interested in Reika. The way he leaned forward and playfully asked Reika to hit him. The way he uses his brother to ask her out. The comment he made about Katsuragi expecting chocolates from the one he likes said as if Endou has experienced this. Side stories that hint that an unnamed ‘he’ is often found gazing at Reika. He’s recently done things like hold her by the waist to help her walk. He teases her yet affectionately says she looks like a white rabbit and compliments her clothes/appearance.

The author has been hinting at this possibility, but also playing with the readers by pointing out another possibility. Endou has acknowledged Reika as a childhood friend. He teases her just because she’s fun to tease. He invites her out just to pamper his ill brother. He has helped her get closer to Katsuragi so that he has more time for his dating life. The ‘him’ could still be an oblivious Katsuragi who doesn’t recognize his own interest in Reika.

Reika herself has never considered either of them as dating candidates. She seems to instead have a distinct attraction to mature men. Her love interest may appear in college.

I actually thought Katsuragi (OG ML) would fall for her. His recent love arc has shown that he and the OG heroine suit each other quite well. The author may still have him experience another rejection and pursue the MC, but tbh I’m rooting for his innocent love at this point. The two are very academically smart sweet-tooths with a slightly clumsy side to them. The girl admires him but is not afraid to befriend him. She even finds his slightly stalkerish side kind of cute, although that may be due to her obliviousness.

Katsuragi in general is kind of immature which might not suit Reiko. Reiko herself is kind of dumb so they would either be a sincere bowl of dog food or completely unsuitable. It’s possible that he will mature after losing another crush which would make them suit each other quite well, but idk if I want to read about him going all depressed for love again unless it’s a really fast arc.

None of these speculations matter considering that the author is unlikely to ever continue the story though!! : (

I believe Team Enjou is superior. Obviously. Kaburagi is a far possibility considering his type of girls and his personality. And I admit that I'm on board Enjou's ship HAHAHAHA. Enjou is a black hearted character hiding under his gentle and friendly appearance. He can't deceive Reika though cause she's always on guard. But the latter chapters just kind of have that starting atmosphere you know? And there's also that girl Yuiko who's like a hawk watching from the side but also makes sure to make her presence known. I do believe that Enjou doesn't see Yuiko as a romantic counterpart. There's also some hint that he tries to escape or go somewhere else from his home thus leading him to hang around the Pivoine salon alone. And also that coincidence in the cafe that Reika happen to visit. He was alone there. Yukino too, his little brother, doesn't seem to be comfortable around Yuiko from that school fest scene. AAAAAA I really want EnjouXReika to happen. And it's not like there are doki doki scene but they kind of have that comfortable vibe around the ending even though all they talk about is Yukino and Kaburagi.

I also feel like Yukino has been trying to ship his brother and Reika HAHAHA. I feel like he's thinking that it he can't have Reika for himself then the next big thing is to connect her with his brother. He does it subtly (from how it appears to ME) and always asks Reika out. He knows that Enjou will accompany him or pick him up lol. HE'S A MINI ENJOU IN THE MAKING! SLOWLY BECOMING A BLACK HEARTED GUY. AND IM IN!

is how the characters especially the main character, studies and works hard. Whenever a main character gets the top spot it becomes a background of his/her character and instead the story focuses on how he/she will conquer love. Reika, on the otherhand, works hard and how she works on it is also consistently shown each chapter. (because that's how it usually is, no matter how smart you are, you still need to study.) So whenever the class ranking gets out it's expected that the OG MC, ML1, ML2 and ML3 will dominate the rankings and as a reader we are invested if Reika (our MC) is even included on the top 30. So when she was on the 18th rank (having the 30th, 40th, 50th etc.) we also feel rewarded.

After reading 299 chapters, we still don't know who is the ML. I mean sure, Reika wouldn't be less of a character even if she didn't end up with anyone but she has been fervently wishing for it and she is sorounded by eligible MCs so wouldn't it be strange if she ends up with no one?

I read the spoiler thread in my desperation. I have learned that the last time the author updated this wonderful novel is 2017 and with how the story is moving, it's not even halfway there... Is this abandoned?