I think I never changed my rooting for Haru. She was the only one that I found likable throughout, and was most true to her feelings not only to herself but also being the most thoughtful to others. While it seems kinda like a bummer that there are not much real development, the fact that she and Rikou kissed(plus the Afterword bit) shows more progress for those than all the meals Shinako and Rikou had together...
Shinako is frustrating. Because both her and Rikou are so overly self-doubting that they move at a snail's pace and just so easily let distrust and seeds of doubt grow. Even if they have feeling for each other for so long that they are just not true to their heart. I am glad they kinda ended on a semi-good note in that they can still be friends. It felt like closure. Its kinda weird they got there after the kiss that didn't happen and the aftermath of it. It was interesting that initiated from Shinako's bringing up of meeting Rikou's family and ended with Rikou finally was able to put his thoughts into actual words instead of brooding in his head. I don't think with Rou if that was the way it was going it would be a good relationship for her...
Rou is one character that I disliked from the beginning. No real redeeming quality and he's just a brat. I guess he is honest to himself but just done in such a dislikable way that I just can't root for him at all. His circle of friend was actually interesting and I actually kinda like how his buddy and the sculpture girl got together. I thought for Rou going with Rio to Italy was a good development but Rou being Rou I guess ruined that as well. Rio being someone who is true to her thoughts at least let him had a piece of her mind.
Rikou I guess is a mirror image of Shinako in a way, but since we spend a lot of time in his head he comes off as more understood even though he is frustrating all the same. I think I would have been fine if he and Shinako just move forward with their relationship and that would've been ok but for Haru being hurt(which is not acceptable, lol). But that would probably be bad for both of them down the line. It was good that he ended up being able to articulate his doubts finally and moving to kiss Haru was more progress than anything this manga had for any one aside from Rou and Rio just moved in together for no reason.
I feel like a lot of the side-characters are a lot more mature and sure of themselves than the protagonists and and I think even a lot of them got good closure. But I guess thats why the protagonists are the protagonists. Sources of drama I guess.
All in all pretty enjoyable to read in a short span of time, I can't imagine how much worse this will feel if you span it across 17 years or something...