I would say Kyoko....Even though that's not just because of the character by herself, but because I especially appreciate childhood friend love stories. I see why many people choose Tsuneki, and she would have been my 2nd favorite or "equal" favorite (in a different way, by different standards), if it wasn't for what she did at the end. I mean, there seems to be a stereotype, where the girls considered the most beautiful, charismatc and popular, have all those characteristics directly proportionate to their lack of moral standards and serious approach to feelings. I mean, in this case Tsuneki "plays" with the main character, gives him false hope, even kisses him so he gets it wrong and is about to confess, and THEN she discards him like trash and says she is going to leave without keeping contact etc. When he is obviously hurt by this "surprise" he didn't expect it right at that moment after the kiss and all that "romantic atmosphere" on that evening, everybody can see he doesn't hide how hurt and heart-broken he is....Yet, Tsuneki doesn't say she is sorry for what he feels, doesn't encourage him to stay strong, that maybe they will see each other again, no! She even says as "Are you really that shocked?" as if she didn't expect he would be hurt by her decision. If she thinks her career and forming herself as an independent person abroad is more important than feelings, it's her decision (although I despise such people). But, if she doesn't really take the protagonist seriously, doesn't really reciprocate his love, doesn't care about him being hurt etc. then SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO "PLAY" WITH HIM AND TO GIVE HIM FALSE HOPE! She could have said right from the beginning "I am not interested in you. don't think you have a chance". I wish I saw more heroines who, while being the "beautiful, popular and charismatic" type, not "shy lolis" etc, also had moral standards and had a heart. Look at Haruka Morishima in Amagami for example: initially she too doesn't take all these things seriously: she just dismisses Junichi and says she is more interested only in "older and cool guys", doesn't really care about him being hurt etc. But, at the end, even though she is considered the school idol, admired by everybody, she changes her mentality, and understands that sincere love and a big heart is more important than being "older" or "cool". She starts reciprocating Junichi's feelings even though he is poor, 1 year younger than her and shy (at least when talking to her). She realizes the fact that Junichi really loving her without conditions is far more important than all those "practical reasons". Tsuneki here in "Seiren", on the other hand, apparently didn't go through the same moral changes and remained in the stereotype of "beauty, charisma and popularity = lack of serious approach to feelings, and even lack of scruples in treating people, allowing herself to play with them".....That' very sad in my opinion. I mean, as I said, she doesn't have to love him if her heart doesn't reciprocate, but she should have treated him with respect and be honest with him from the beginning, not giving false hope and then discarding him like trash. Good at least she didn't laugh in his face, to complete the portrait of a cynical individual. The protagonist can't force her to reciprocate, I agree, but he did deserve a honest rejection, not this kind of treatment with "false hopes", "playing with feelings" etc.
Sorry for the very long post. |