I'll agree that the first story was awkward at best, but I do think there were illuminating stylistic touches throughout it and the second--mostly the second--that were revelatory for the TB cast. When Subaru is holding up the postcognitive girl in the second, and his glove slips, for instance. I think they're good as slices-of-life for how the year of the bet proceeded, even if the original story stands well on its own without them.