The fourth episode has settled it – I am following Cross Game, for sure.  Particularly, the low-key, gentle but moving dialogue between Ko and Osamu at the end.  Everything about this series has made me feel that I am in for another Maison Ikkoku, which I would enjoy to no end.  The personable, charming characters who are familiar but not cliched, the dramatic moments which linger just long enough to be effective but not long enough to seem manipulative, and a slow but steady pace which neither forces plot twists down your throat nor stretches scenes beyond their welcome.  I can usually predict anime series well by the fourth episode, and this looks like another restrained but warm, touching slice-of-life story.  I can’t wait to continue this.