Clichéd setups immediately erode realism. Japanese dramas and films often rely on slightly manga-like premises, which already weakens immersion for me. This series contains several moments of that kind as well. Still, it does not completely cross the line. It remains within a range where I can think, “I will let this pass,” and continue watching. It feels restrained rather than excessive. Strikingly, and somewhat coincidentally, it mirrors the same reunion-with-childhood-friends concept used in the Netflix drama Silent Truth. The idea that an incident in childhood continues to shape the present is not rare in itself, but the repetition of such a similar framework is notable. The three middle-aged male leads, along with their child counterparts, are central to this structure. The young actors perform convincingly, which strengthens those sections. There is undeniable effectiveness in linking past events with present consequences. In Into the White Night, which remains my favorite Japanese drama, the entire first episode is devoted almost exclusively to the protagonists’ childhood. It deepens the emotional bond and the gravity of the initial incident. The first episode alone achieves a level of completeness and intensity that is powerful enough to move the viewer to tears. Here, when the reunited childhood friends gather, they regress into almost childlike behavior, laughing and reminiscing. There is a scene where a café worker, coincidentally practicing communication skills, engages them in conversation. The middle-aged men strike exaggerated poses, recalling how they once made a film together in their school film club. The tone seems to demand that the audience find this charming and humorous. Yet it feels slightly forced, as though the laughter is being engineered rather than earned. We are told that the film they made as children is screened at a local community hall, but it is unclear why such a large crowd would gather for it. The plausibility weakens. Even if the genre leans toward comedy, once one or two implausible elements appear early on, the narrative begins to feel structurally unconvincing. From that point, it becomes difficult to remain invested. As the story progresses, coincidences accumulate and are smoothed over with lightheartedness. Regardless of what secret or twist may be hidden ahead, curiosity does not build. Without revealing specifics, the first episode already signals this pattern. It is neither compelling nor does it generate anticipation about how the narrative will unfold.