Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou. Episode 12 Discussion

@GooseBolt First of all Manaria's been pretty specifically interested in Rei since her first appearance. She explicitly includes Rei in conversations despite Claire's protests and only really starts being explicitly antagonistic towards Rei (at least in Rei's perspective) after she says she's content with Claire not returning her feelings. Until then, Manaria goes out of her way to talk to Rae and in both the sub and the dub is not subtle about trying to seduce her with her tone of voice

Secondly, Manaria at the end of the day still wants to have Rei for herself which is why she gets the Floss Flower. Her actions contradict each other and she is hypocritical as a result. She tells Rei that unrequited love will always break but lets her love of Rei remain unrequited. She becomes furious at Rei for giving Claire up so easily. She expects Rei to not take a duel over Claire seriously because Rei said that she dislikes the similar ideas in Posie Amour. She tries to get Rae and Claire to interact more but Rae is stubborn and hates Manaria too much to notice. I'm rambling and idk how to say my thoughts exactly so sorry, but I don't really think Rae as she was would've actively pursued Claire without being shown that she either has to act or even can act and Manaria gets her to do both. Like...this is the first time in the entire series that Rae doesn't pass off her flirting and pursuit of Claire as a joke which is why their relationship fails to progress until Manaria shakes things up.

You can find the LN via seven seas, I'm not about to advocate for piracy of a series that I both love and know the author of personally. She's an amazing person and you should support her.

@Comander-07 I mean I talk to her from time to time on social media which I will not disclose for her privacy