The novel is a somewhat different experience from the show but if you go into it expecting not a retelling but more like an AU enhancement, it's a marvelous experience! (though I haven't read all of it either, waiting for the translation to finish ^^;)

Also both of them fell in love when the other was already in love with them ... this, I hadn't actually consciously thought of it like that before but yes, of course. *clutches heart*

I love the time loop, it rather obsesses me, and this is a big part of it for me, that their experiences end up mirroring each other -- they both have meaningful first meetings and such, just different ones ^_^

And welcome aboard! This week is more posting from me than usual (and I'm already behind, whoops) but always happy to have more people along! ^^