Ha, that side plot pisses me off too. It's basically just that girl continually yanking the main guy around because she wants to feel loved, like the most important person in someone's life, even if it's completely selfish. (If it makes you feel better she eventually acknowledges that!) For me, how fun and adorable I find the main couple outweighs the problems I have with the series. :D

I've heard that Smiling Pasta is good, but I've never heard it described like that! That definitely sounds like something I'd like. <3