This was a reasonably satisfying chapter, but, though the prevalence of Yamaken was expected, a lessening of his presence would have benefited the quality immensely. As such, the latter half of the chapter, namely Yamaken’s second and well-deserved rejection and, most of all, Haru and Shizuku’s beautiful reconciliation, was a thorough improvement over the Yamaken-infested, needlessly lengthened first half, in which Shizuku was essentially forced to contemplate her inevitable decision, despite initially expressing, for what seemed to be the hundredth time, her inability to accept a confession she’s already dismissed and has no interest in.
Damn; though I was expecting to predictably dislike Yamaken in this chapter (since he‘s a perpetually egotistical jackass), he was considerably more insufferable and delusional than even I could have anticipated. For example, Shizuku logically ridicules his decision to selfishly express feelings that she had previously and decisively rejected by accusing him of being “without a conscience“, primarily due to his childish attempts to ruin the loving relationship she’s currently involved in for his own satisfaction. This is typical, of course, as his arrogance has plagued his characterization since the beginning of the story, but, even when confronted with his pettiness, he simply continues to irritatingly press forward, as though his actions are faultless, manipulating Shizuku’s previously expressed thoughts of friendship as some sort of indication that they’re meant for each other. It was simply pathetic and bizarre.
I might actually have felt the slightest bit of sympathy for Yamaken if he wasn’t so unapologetic with his petty and thoughtless actions. I suppose, for all his purported ingenuity in regards to love, his knowledge didn’t extend to the basic, easily understood realization that all relationships are complex and often complicated. To top it all off, he forced a hug on her, essentially attempting to manipulate her vulnerable emotions yet again with his second plea for her to unrealistically consider his feelings. The rejection itself was pretty damn satisfying, and, at the very least, Yamaken finally accepted the inevitable. Thankfully Haru didn’t have to endure even more pointless anxiety. Following the previous chapter, I was hoping that Yamaken would be partially redeemed in the last few chapters, but I really couldn’t care less now, unless it’s subtly foreshadowed with as little direct involvement from him as possible.
Shizuku, though simply dense and inexperienced in love, had been disappointing me greatly throughout the last dozen or so chapters, largely due to the detached manner in which she approaches her love and her relationship with Haru on occasion. She’s not intentionally thoughtless, of course, but further growth is essential for her. As such, I was hoping that said development would be satisfyingly explored following her momentary separation from Haru, but it still appears that she’s relatively oblivious, especially in comparison to Haru. The final conversation with Haru was definitely a step in the right direction though.
I also love that she never wavered from her feelings for Haru. Even when Yamaken had desperately asked her to mull it over for a day, she immediately began reflecting solely on her relationship with Haru and the complications she so wished to resolve. Haru, on the other hand, has matured immensely throughout the last few chapters. His maturity was beautifully illustrated here, as his characterization has developed in a wonderfully subtle, yet deeply complex fashion. For perhaps the first time, he’s willed himself to relinquish the fear of loneliness and abandonment he inherently possesses, allowing for him to substantially progress the relationship he has with Shizuku by restraining his more volatile reactions to the complications he might not fully understand.
Haru and Shizuku’s reconciliation at the end was certainly the highlight of the chapter (along with the enjoyable bonus chapter that focused on Sasayan and Natsume), as it so poignantly conveyed the love that Haru and Shizuku share. Though their separation was a bit contrived, their relationship continues to develop exceptionally well, particularly in this chapter, as both were effectively compelled to reconcile the particular flaws each had been instilling into their relationship. Haru thoroughly suits Shizuku and, unlike Yamaken, he’ll actually be able to consistently provide a level of surprise and refreshing excitement into their romance, so I’m really looking forward to the inevitable flourishing of their relationship in the final few chapters. Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint. |