In this season everyone is finally on the same page, the only thing keeping them from revealing their feelings is change and inevitability. No matter what Hidaka could do, there is no way to change his heart. No matter how hard Haruo tries, someday she will be with another. No matter what Ono truly desires, in the end this is a fight she won't win...
........Or.......Is it?
The amount of cheesiness in this season is so potent to the point it's smelly, a fragrance of pure fromage from love that blossomed in the springtime of their youth. I genuinely felt bad for Hidaka slowly realizing that there is just zero chance between her and Haruo, if Ono hadn't been there perhaps they could've been an unstoppable duo but...in the end, she'll have to play solo.
Makoto continues to be best girl, mom continues to be best mom and Moemi's progression legitimately surprised me as I rewatched the adaptation in full. You truly get to feel like she just wants the best for the girl and believes that by toughening her up she'll take up the duties of her status without having to worry about her personal interests and/or relationships one day fading away as Akira will likely be set up to enter a loveless marriage done for profit rather than love.
However, the future is not set in stone, you can't give up before the battle ends. Even if it'll end in a K.O., you need to sit and grit through it. That's the only way to achieve true victory!
