A common benighted criticism to works like this is that no one's thinking straight. Well, if literally, you are indeed correct to point out such blatant observation. But it does take a *little* empathy to shed a more accomodating liking to the story and appreciate the characters. After all, everyone's got their own means of living the imperfect world. Refusing to bear this in mind and you'd find yourself expectedly desensitized or repulsed by stories like this.
Though I must admit that its story isnt the best, it is the delivery that made it immersive, and the full utility of the cast and premise that makes me drawn in to the mystery.
Enter Sakuraba: a not so special MC bearing a reclusive personality stereotype. He's clumsy, and lifeless - all the things you can expect from such a tropey-personality. But he's in love. And has been all this time. But to the wife of his childhood friend. A childhood friend who outclassed him with all sorts of talent, entirely eclipsing his being. The MC learns to live with that humility for the rest of his life, so much so that he has very little self-worth in himself, his existence beleaguered as merely the shadow to his childhood friend.
While all this doesn't sound that very original, what kept this character going for me was how he'd constantly assume himself as this position, a friend of a friend. He knows that he can never be too presumptuous with Reika (the woman he loves), but at times where he can be served as a crutch for her to lean on, he brushes off all feelings momentarily to provide a matured aiding hand for a friend in need. His guilt conscience, in the form of Shuuji, refutes these actions and show why they are morally wrong, at which this presentation of overbearing insecurity shows how simple acts of kindness like this felt hesitative.
Sakuraba's character is a representation of an selfless person who provides a listening ear, one who is easily inspired if let out of the dark closet, a person that we can make good use of. People like him are not bad to have around.
I must agree that this isnt the best representation of altruism, but these characterisations on our dear MC is decent and a good catalyst for the events to unfold.
[This paragraph contains spoilers]
Reika's character is mysterious, and is the most intriguing feature of the story. Once was a girl who was brimming with happiness, she now felt more troubled than ever. It is Reika's motives thats so interesting about her: What are her goals in life? In what direction is she trying to take this? Why is she allowing any of these events to unfold? Or rather, what made her lose control of these events? [Bigger spoilers here] Being with Shuuji has brought about many things to her, most of which are negative realisations of human ambitions. We know that Shuuji is unreadable, and his actions were puzzling enough that it distances the two's worlds apart. But even so knowing this, the chains of love still kept Reika tied to Shuuji, only now the lines are blurred and ambiguous seeming like their relationship cannot transcend anymore than intimacy. As it was revealed that she was robbed of her happiness, she now tends to Sakuraba for his genuinity. After all, a person like him have nothing much to offer, and thus, nothing much to hide. Its easier to confide yourself in them.
As of now, the entire of the main cast has been very relevant to the story. This gives a sense of consistency to the mystery because it provides an enclosed thought premise for viewers to think about which direction the story would take. The events so far are plaussible and realistic, and perhaps a little bit cheesy at times but they're definitely not cutting corners by pulling out contrived twists. The cast are all adults, which is a refreshing setting to embark on as we dont usually have much of these in this medium.
The art is really amazing, boasting a lot of visual cues that admittedly most of my interpretations are derived from. The way how the characters looks soulless; their reactions all so visceral is the best thing about this manga. Without it, this read would be a whole step down to say the least.
This is genuinely such an enjoyable read that gets you hooked on easily. The decisions of the characters, and the feelings behind it, all so reflect the ambiguity of how people choose to live their youths/lives. This journey of dependency between Reika and Sakuraba is jolting, and heartwenching.
P.S: This is my first review ever, and Im sorry if it wasnt really that helpful :(
