I Will Protect You This Time

<p>Reading this in 2023 was an incredibly enjoyable experience. Reflecting on past shojo mangas, it turned out to be a delightful read. Despite being a very brief story that can be completed in one night, it doesn't detract from the impact the characters leave. Rena and Tomoya form a couple that not only complement each other perfectly but also develop much faster than in many other shojo stories from the same era, which is refreshingly different. Although this rapid development might make their relationship feel somewhat less natural, it adds a unique charm. It would have been fantastic to learn more about Tomoya's sister, who is also a mangaka, but the additional stories included do provide a decent insight into her character. Overall, there aren't many shojo mangas featuring mangaka protagonists (especially from this time period) that craft such an adorable relationship, leaving a memorable impression. It's definitely a worthwhile read in 2023 if you appreciate fast-paced, shorter shojo stories.</p>

Good artwork and humor, but the plot wasn't as engaging as it could have been. Still, the comedic and romantic interactions between the protagonist and her newfound love interest were entertaining enough to hold attention for the most part.  

Overall, the manga was simply "good." I felt there wasn't much depth to it. While it's true that "less is more," this manga had "too much 'less' and not enough 'more.'" It showed potential but fell just short of delivering.  

I rate it 7 out of 10.