The Japanese high-school dating show produced an extraordinary three-day emotional roller coaster. Spoilers for the October 12, 2026 finale.
Noa rejected Otoha because he enjoyed their connection but could not honestly say he was in love. No couple formed in the Takao season of 今日、好きになりました。, also called Kyō Suki. But the result barely explains what made Noa so entertaining. [1][2]
Day one: curry becomes destiny
Noa was 18, in his final year of Japanese high school. He had hoped Yuna would join the cast and told her so immediately. When they found out that they both liked curry for dinner, he clutched his head in delight. [3][4]
It's curry. Just curry. Yet when you're excited about someone, a shared dinner preference can feel like a message from the universe. His enthusiasm was impossible to miss.
The rival's date report changes everything
Yuna chose Atsuhiro for a special nighttime pool date. The next morning, Noa heard Atsuhiro describe it and felt intense jealousy. He admitted those feelings directly to Yuna. [5]
Yuna noticed a contradiction: Noa had seemed boldly forward at first, but was surprisingly hesitant in practice. He could express attraction loudly while struggling with uncertainty about the response. Full throttle on day one; emergency brakes when the rival had date news.
Then Otoha makes the choice harder
Noa also had a wonderful time with Otoha. They went go-karting, tried a claw machine and laughed together. Otoha remembered it as some of her happiest time on the trip. [6]
Now he was torn. He was jealous over Yuna and happy with Otoha. The boy who seemed worried about not being chosen suddenly had to choose himself.
A love letter and an unexpected request for Mom
On the final day, letters replaced the expected last face-to-face conversation. Otoha's heartfelt letter overwhelmed Noa. He suddenly said he wanted to see his mom. [1]
Hold on. This was a two-night, three-day dating trip. He arrived euphoric, went through jealousy and ended up yearning for home. His body took a short trip; his heart went on a six-month expedition.
And Noa was the one who said no
Otoha explained that the twelve gerbera flowers she had drawn on the letter expressed her wish to be his girlfriend. Noa had not even noticed the hidden meaning. He then declined her confession. [1]
After all those tears, HE'S the one rejecting someone? Yes. But he still was not sure enough of his feelings to promise a relationship, and an honest refusal can be more respectful than an uncertain yes.
Entertaining to watch, a different question to date
Noa's excitement, jealousy, laughter and tears were plain to see. That made him great television. Actual compatibility is another matter; a few edited days cannot tell us how someone would behave as a long-term partner.
He called the experience “an incredibly fun hell.” [1]
No girlfriend. Plenty of emotional chaos. And one unforgettable wish to see Mom.
References (6)
- Real Sound, final episode (2026-10-13) realsound.jp
- ABEMA, final episode (2026-10-12) abema.tv
- ABEMA official cast profile abema.tv
- ABEMA TIMES, episode 1 (2026-09) times.abema.tv
- ABEMA TIMES, episode 3 (2026-09-30) times.abema.tv
- Episode 4 recap (2026-10) yumisblog.com
