My suspension of disbelief is through the roof

Agreed. We really need some context as to why the hell the schools hate each other so much, because it’s such a big part of the plot. Why do they hate each other? How long have they hated each other? Why can’t this problem be solved?

I’m hoping we get an episode or part of an episode explaining why. But i think by now we should have already had it explained because it feels like a major plot hole that’s getting harder and harder to just accept.

Based on what I have read and heard, Japanese culture is known to be conformity-heavy.

People prioritize aligning their thoughts, opinions, etc with the general opinion of people around them/in their community. Being different in any way makes one stand out like a sore thumb and is pretty much seen as taboo.

This pressure on conformity can easily lead to two groups/factions/communities harbouring disgust/disapproval for each other, as differences are bound to occur.


In this story, we have a sophisticated school attended mostly by girls from rich families and/or ace girl students.
Right next to it, we have this boys-only school, which is apparently a worst-case-scenario choice even for boys. The quality of education, amenities, etc is leagues below the school across the boundary.

With so many differences, it isn't too surprising for Kikyo students and teachers to not only develop a superiority complex, but also to bear disgust for the neighboring school and its students.

Since such negative feelings lead them into behaving terribly towards Chidori students, undoubtedly the latter respond with negative feelings of same intensity. Nobody likes to be looked down on.


This situation gets even worse when it's the teachers at Kikyo who openly express their ill feelings for the Chidori students. Students at that age can be very impressionable, and can easily reflect/mimic what the adults around them say or feel.


Now ofcourse there have to be cases where some group of middle school friends got separated into Kikyo and Chidori.
I would guess, such friendships either just crumble under the intense conformity pressure of the two schools, or all such students are forced to keep these friendships secret and far away from the school premises. Anyone from school finding out could mean lots of piercing side-eyes, hateful whispers, isolation, etc.

And ofcourse Kaoruko and Rintaro aren't necessarily the first pair of lovebirds across the two mutually-loathing schools.

Who knows, we might actually get to know of scenarios like these in the future episodes.

what piece of crap this thread is...just nitpicking things to hate on an anime...You people must be making threads on anime like re zero and Mushoku Tensei for being unrealistic cuz isekai World doesn't exist....right ??

there is literally a thing called trope

You are overthinking this and no, it's not "in the face".
This show is clearly inspired by classical story of Romeo and Juliet. Author wanted the forbidden romance between two individuals from feuding communities and that's what they delivered.
On top of that, you are totally underestimated how deep rooted said feud is. It was mentioned, that even teachers are actively participating in prejudice and discrimination and most likely spread propaganda, which means that no "secret relationships" ever forming is not out of the realm of possibility.
There is at least one other anime, that used this premise and I don't recall anyone having such griviences.

@Piromysl

You're right that this anime is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, and portraying a forbidden romance between feuding communities is a bold and classic storytelling choice.

However, being inspired by a classic doesn’t excuse weak logic or shallow worldbuilding. In Romeo and Juliet, we see real reasons, history, and consequences behind the feud — it feels earned. In this anime, a few lines about teachers spreading prejudice aren’t enough to justify such total separation between students.

The original post’s point stands: the setup still feels forced and unrealistic, even in a romantic fantasy setting. And that's a valid critique, not something that can be brushed off with comparisons alone.

I agree. I think this is only made up so you have to wait for the will they won’t they. When literally they just would. I think it’s not well thought out.

@DeadEndDoc You have never seen Romero and Juliet and it is so damn obvious. Don't rely on ChatGPT for things like these.

@Piromysl

It’s fascinating that instead of addressing my arguments, you resort to baseless insults.
If I hadn’t watched Romeo and Juliet, how would I know its plot? 🤔
Regardless, my critique focused on the narrative logic—not on tallying up films I’ve seen.
So let me stick to my evidence: when worldbuilding and character motivations are strong, there’s no need for shallow comparisons.

what piece of crap this thread is...just nitpicking things to hate on an anime...You people must be making threads on anime like re zero and Mushoku Tensei for being unrealistic cuz isekai World doesn't exist....right ??

there is literally a thing called trope

you mean boarding school Juliet?

@Piromysl

You're right that this anime is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, and portraying a forbidden romance between feuding communities is a bold and classic storytelling choice.

However, being inspired by a classic doesn’t excuse weak logic or shallow worldbuilding. In Romeo and Juliet, we see real reasons, history, and consequences behind the feud — it feels earned. In this anime, a few lines about teachers spreading prejudice aren’t enough to justify such total separation between students.

The original post’s point stands: the setup still feels forced and unrealistic, even in a romantic fantasy setting. And that's a valid critique, not something that can be brushed off with comparisons alone.

We can accept magical notebooks that kill people but we can’t accept this?

@Wispy09876
If im watching a show about magical notebook yes, i am accepting said notebook.
If im watching "mature slice of life romance show" i expected shit to make sense at least a lil bit

Mod Edit: Removed insult.

My brother in Christ. There are private schools right across from mental asylums and juvenile rehabilitation centers here in Europe. The setting is not crazy

We can accept magical notebooks that kill people but we can’t accept this?

@Wispy09876 It is a matter of context. When the story has already shown mythical beings doing "death duty", the idea of a magical notebook is acceptable. Fragrant Flower is supposed to take place in a normal world with nothing supernatural. So we apply our own normal world experience and get, "This doesn't make sense".

Dear friend, your criticism was sharp and thoughtful — especially when you pointed out how unrealistic it is to expect zero interaction between two neighboring high schools filled with curious teenagers at the peak of puberty and rebellion. You're absolutely right: this setup does feel forced and artificial, and for many viewers, that can break immersion and believability.

But on the flip side, some viewers might actually enjoy that very absurdity. It creates a kind of tension and romantic isolation that’s rarely seen in typical romance anime. It becomes a unique hook — not despite its flaws, but because of them.

Let’s also not forget: anime often isn’t a mirror of reality. It’s a crafted emotional space, a “manufactured reality” that aims to stir feelings, not always to reflect the outside world.

So yes, your point stands strong. But what might be a flaw to one viewer… could be a strength to another.

I think the problem lies on the fact its pure hatred.

Like how ppl go out of their way to show their disdain, instead of just ignoring it or not opening space to interactions happen.

A very crude example would be like, I could dislike a lot people who speak loud, but when I see one there's a difference between me getting piss and moving with my life and seeing someone talking loud and pick a fight with them because I don't like their behaviour when it's not really affecting me and I could just go away.

The hatred goes out of the way too much for me.