Well, I've only read the first two novels (the first season of the anime covered through half of the second novel, I think), and I was sort of hoping the triangle wouldn't be as much of an issue after that? I feel like I would hate Chiaki a little less if the triangle thing weren't such a big part of his story. Because...boredom is better than hate, I guess? And I didn't hate him in the 12.5 episode, I was just really bored.