Rating: 4.68 out of 5

OMG, I need to talk about *Accidental Encounter* because I am literally obsessed. I picked this up thinking it would be just another generic romance where they bump into each other and fall in love instantly, but it is actually so much deeper than that. Sakura Mazaki really captured the struggle of being young and broke, and it hits way too close to home.

First of all, Eric is such a mood. The way his life is described in the beginning - drowning in student debt, eating cheap food, and just trying to survive - is so real it hurts. When he gets fired for that one mistake after working overtime for weeks? I was literally screaming at my screen. It felt so unfair, but that is what made me root for him so hard. You just want him to catch a break. The scene where he is wandering around aimlessly, totally depressed and worried about rent, had me tearing up. It wasn't just "sad boi" energy; it felt like a genuine crisis that anyone could go through.

Then comes the title drop moment - the accidental encounter. I won't spoil exactly how it goes down when he crosses that road, but let's just say it is the perfect mix of chaotic and fateful. It changes everything for him. The way the relationship develops from that one random moment is the definition of "everything happens for a reason." It isn't rushed; it feels like two people finding each other when they need it the most.

The romance is super sweet, but what I really loved was how it helped Eric grow. He didn't just get a girlfriend and magically fix his debt; he found the motivation to keep going. The emotional support aspect was so wholesome. There were moments in the middle chapters where I was scared he would slide back into his depression, but the way they worked through things together was absolute goals.

It is a short read with only 42 chapters, but it feels complete. If you want a story that gives you hope when life feels like a mess, you have to read this. 4.68/5, would definitely cross a road to meet Eric!