Haha, yeah :D I thiiink it was in 2006 because I vaguely remember watching it during the summer break between high school and university.

Oh don't get me wrong, I love me some unconventional relationships, and generally things like age difference or power imbalance don't bother me (..tbh, most of my fav couples have both :D), but somehow those anime series from 00s were potraying it all so... uncomfortably. I remember watching an anime with like, a couple that was maybe 30 and 18, but the younger dude looked 12? I know it's a part of anime style sometimes but still, ugh. Plus, I guess it's the difference between reading a fanfic about a couple you already like, and watching anime where you're supposed to like the couple based on the unhealthy relationship portrayal.
... that's why I prefer watching the queerbait shows tbh. Shipping is always more fun than canon :D