Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

Onodera starts at Emerald and witnesses the team's extreme burnout before their sudden energetic transformation.

Onodera begins his new job at Emerald, where he is immediately confronted with the harsh reality of the production cycle. He finds the staff in a state of severe exhaustion, appearing brutally overworked and drained. However, the situation shifts dramatically the following day when the same employees reappear as composed and energetic individuals. They enthusiastically guide Onodera through the fundamental aspects of manga editing, revealing a stark contrast to the previous day's chaotic and fatigued atmosphere. This sudden change leaves Onodera shocked as he learns the basics of the role from his revitalized colleagues.

Onodera confronts Takano about their past high school relationship and misunderstandings.

While Onodera adapts to his new role in manga editing, his professional dynamic with Takano grows increasingly strained. Takano eventually recognizes Onodera and discloses that they were high school sweethearts, a revelation that triggers painful memories for Onodera of being discarded. Although Takano attributes their separation to a significant misunderstanding, Onodera remains deeply conflicted about his genuine emotions toward his former partner. This encounter forces Onodera to reevaluate his feelings while navigating the complexities of their shared history and current professional proximity, leaving him uncertain about how to proceed with their complicated relationship.

Onodera feels jealousy after seeing Takano friendly with a colleague, leading to avoidance and confrontation.

A dispute over an underprinted publication occurs between Takano and a staff member in the Emerald office. Onodera later observes the two engaging in what appears to be a friendly conversation in the lobby, which triggers feelings of jealousy within him. Disturbed by his own reaction, Onodera begins to avoid Takano more frequently. This behavior eventually prompts Takano to address the issue directly, aiming to resolve the tension before it negatively impacts their professional collaboration and ability to work together effectively.

Onodera travels to Hokkaido to help an ill author, leading to an awkward morning with Takano.

With the publication deadline approaching, the author Onodera edits for suddenly falls ill alongside her entire team. Ignoring objections from his superiors, Onodera travels to Hokkaido to provide personal assistance. The editing staff remains tense as Onodera manages to complete the manuscript just in time. Exhausted from the effort, he falls asleep on the train next to Takano. The following morning, Onodera wakes up in the same bed as Takano, causing significant emotional distress. This unexpected intimacy intensifies his internal conflict, driving him further away from opening up to Takano and reinforcing his resistance to their growing closeness.

Chiaki discovers Hatori's hidden feelings and the truth about his management changes.

This episode introduces Chiaki Yoshino, a male author writing shōjo manga under the pseudonym Chiharu Yoshikawa, alongside his manager and childhood friend Yoshiyuki Hatori and chief assistant Yuu Yanase. Tensions rise as Hatori grows distant, leading Chiaki to misinterpret an alleyway encounter between Hatori and Yuu as a lovers' quarrel. This confusion hinders Chiaki's writing until he recognizes his own developing affection for Hatori. The situation shifts when Hatori confesses his love, revealing he altered Chiaki's management contract behind his back to protect their bond from potential fallout. Confronted with this honesty and his manager's vulnerability, Chiaki is compelled to acknowledge his own romantic feelings for Hatori.

Chiaki navigates a love triangle while preparing for his manga's anime adaptation party.

Exhausted from an onsen trip, Chiaki struggles to focus as his relationship with Hatori and Yuu becomes complicated. Hatori insists Chiaki attend a party to meet anime staff, but Chiaki chooses to shop for a suit with Yuu, causing Hatori jealousy. Hatori attempts to kiss Chiaki, who rejects him for moving too quickly. At the party, Chiaki sees Hatori with top writer Ichinose Erika and leaves with Yuu, feeling jealous. Later, Hatori arrives at Chiaki's apartment to discuss manga corrections. Chiaki detects perfume and becomes angry, suspecting Hatori grew too close to the writer. Hatori denies this and confesses his own jealousy regarding Chiaki and Yuu. He declares his love, promising to repeat it until Chiaki never forgets. The next morning, Yuu admits he loves someone but claims Hatori knows who, leaving Chiaki confused.

Ritsu faces professional challenges and romantic tension while navigating complex relationships with Takano and Yokozawa.

Ritsu wakes from a dream about Saga and heads to Marukawa Publishing to prepare his first manga proposal. After Takano initially rejects the pitch, he stays late to revise it. Takano offers assistance, then kisses Ritsu to relieve tension, prompting Ritsu to strike him. Yokozawa arrives, orders Takano away, and asserts ownership over him, dismissing Ritsu’s denial of romantic ties with Masamune. The following day, Ritsu meets a former colleague for drinks; she falls into his arms, an incident witnessed by Takano and writer Ichinose Erika, causing Ritsu to feel jealous. Upon returning home, Takano accuses Ritsu of laziness, confesses his love, and makes another advance. Ritsu flees the apartment. On the day of the proposal meeting, Takano encourages the nervous Ritsu. The episode also features Isaka Ryuichiro.

Attractive appearance sparks romance between editor Kisa and bookseller Yukina.

Kisa observes Yukina, a popular Marimo Books employee, selling his latest edited work. Believing their different worlds make a relationship impossible, Kisa is surprised by high sales figures. Yokozawa finally introduces them in the store. As Kisa leaves, he encounters a persistent ex-lover who attempts to assault him after rejection. Yukina intervenes, allowing Kisa to escape to a quiet cafe. There, Yukina correctly identifies Kisa’s authors and is shocked to learn the editor is thirty years old, despite his youthful appearance. Yukina reveals he is a twenty-one-year-old art student. While planning a book fair, rain begins to fall. Kisa remains lost in thought, unaware that Yukina is asking about an umbrella. Sensing his distraction, Yukina leans in and kisses Kisa.

Kisa struggles with romantic confusion while Yukina reveals his true feelings and claims him as a boyfriend.

Kisa remains distracted by memories of a kiss with Yukina, leading to a brief depression as he compares his career unfavorably to Takano’s. He visits the bookstore where Yukina explains his dedication to the display was for Kisa’s sake. Outside, Kisa encounters a persistent ex-lover who threatens to expose his feelings, but Yukina intervenes, declaring himself Kisa’s boyfriend. At Yukina’s home, Yukina discovers Kisa edited his favorite manga and admits he knew of Kisa’s affection all along. When Kisa interrupts further discussion about the kiss, Yukina unexpectedly confesses his love. Following news of a second printing for Kisa’s book, he accepts his own romantic feelings despite previously believing he only appreciated men’s appearances.

Yoshino's birthday coincides with a hot spring trip and a confession.

Yoshino and Yuu work late, leading to a tickle fight that Hatori misinterprets. Yoshino apologizes at Hatori's house but is angered by Hatori's demand for no physical contact with Yuu. They reconcile after Yoshino sleeps over, only to argue again when Yoshino mentions a hot spring trip with Yuu. On the trip night, Yoshino discovers it is his birthday and understands Hatori's distress. Yuu confesses his love, but a phone call from Hatori interrupts. Hearing Hatori wish him a happy birthday, Yoshino cancels the vacation, returns home, and receives Hatori as a birthday gift.

Onodera faces hostility at work and confusion from rivals after a chaotic morning.

Onodera wakes up holding a convenience store dinner and recalls a morning meeting. He complains about his lifestyle in the shōjo manga department on the subway. At the proposal meeting, he encounters hostility and dreads future sessions. Afterward, he meets Sumi Ryouichi, whom he managed in the literature department at his father's company. Through Sumi, he meets Hasegawa, who invites him for a drink. Takano rejects the invitation for Onodera. Hasegawa suggests Onodera can transfer to the literature department if he dislikes manga work. Later, Onodera tries to flee from Takano at the library but trips on leaves. Takano catches him and attempts to recall their high school dating period, but Onodera escapes. At his apartment, Yokozawa emerges from Takano's room with the cat Sorata. Yokozawa claims Takano and states Onodera has only caused him pain since they met.

Ritsu faces career doubts and Takano's confession after a stormy period.

Ritsu Onodera struggles with self-doubt regarding his future as a manga editor after conversations with Ryouichi Sumi and Hasegawa. He recalls his reasons for transferring to Marukawa while Takano offers him a transfer to the literature department. An encouraging call from an author boosts Ritsu's confidence, which he shares with Takano, who validates his work. During a visit to Ritsu's home, Takano explains his past history with Yokozawa. As Ritsu reflects on this relationship, Takano confesses his love for him once again, marking the conclusion of season 1.

A good beginning makes a good ending.

Love and wisdom cannot coexist simultaneously

Lingering love causes a mistake.

Delay in love is dangerous

Love is elusive, fleeing when pursued and following when avoided

Love is without reason.

Actions speak louder than words

Love and envy cause a man to pine

Love is blind

Love goes never without fear

Love serves as the driving force that keeps the world in motion

Love is bitter-sweet