I think those words that Hario said finally means he started to dig his own grave. It is extremely selfish, It ignites a spark for Ema to have a way out, Because no matter what she did, especially if she does what Hario tells her to do, she will never be happy. Hario is not the solution. Takara is the solution .if she can figure that out,

How is it selfish for a husband to ask for his wife's support, promise to be there for her, ask for her to share honest opinions, or to say that her presence and voice is really important? I still don't get the need to twist Hario into a pretzel to justify Emma's eventual decision. If Takara was saying these things to her wife, would they be treated this way?

This chapter reiterated, through Takara and Emma's internal thoughts, how he's been nothing but supportive, kind and patient and again showed that Emma feels very strongly for him as well (though obviously not romantically). I don't see how kindly asking these things of a wife and promising to do more for her is pushing her into a corner or selfish. These words would be bad for a significant other to say?

To make a decision Emma will have to be the bad guy (and what's been happening has already been bad). It's worth it for sure because she's in an extremely tough spot but there's no reason to find ways of alleviating that important part of the story. He's about to be and has also continuously been screwed. It's been tough for all three of them; there are no easy outs or ways to gently spin it as him making some mistake that makes it somewhat acceptable. When Emma (hopefully) breaks the news it'll be a heartbreak all around that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

last edited at Aug 16, 2026 10:09AM

No question Emma is the "bad guy" in this story, if there had to be one. She has to decide soon, for the story's sake too.

CompHet marriage is so bad, holly

This chapter reiterated, through Takara and Emma's internal thoughts, how he's been nothing but supportive, kind and patient and again showed that Emma feels very strongly for him as well (though obviously not romantically). I don't see how kindly asking these things of a wife and promising to do more for her is pushing her into a corner or selfish. These words would be bad for a significant other to say?

I agree with this, one thing though, a lot of things he does is bad, he is not being bad, but the stuff he does is. How can I explain, its like, all he is doing is really good and he is doing his best for her, but its not what she needs. He is offering comfort and safety, but its a comfort and safety where she is hurting constantly. And all this is not really his fault, thats why I think his character is so good, if he was a little more what we normally see men being, this story would be over 15 chapters ago probably and would be less interesting, it makes really hard for Ema to just choose, because her life is "good" and she already gave up of living truly to what she is, because that will be too hard and lonely, so to choose Takara is to choose a future where she will abandon this safety and into the unknown. But her living this "lie" is slow but surely making her actually not having a life and Hario is making this continue, not by his fault, but because of society forcing this "normalcy" into them, in a way, Hario is also a victim, he is being used as a "weapon" to continue this without him even noticing, for him its ok a man going after a woman for 2 years after several rejections until she accepts, they used his love to make a "normal" marriage happen

Ah, that was lovely.

And I have a feeling that last line will have a big "but" attached to the next time.

No question Emma is the "bad guy" in this story, if there had to be one. She has to decide soon, for the story's sake too.

The villains are comphet and Ema's mother.

No question Emma is the "bad guy" in this story, if there had to be one. She has to decide soon, for the story's sake too.

I don't think she's a "bad guy," in general; she just has to make a decision that will harm someone. She's already been making those decisions behind her husband's back. She's in a tough spot and it's hard to make good decisions when trying not to break anything. She is the one who has to make the final decision though and delaying it hurts everyone.

She's balancing platonic love and romantic love, along with guilt, expectations and what she considers comfort/security. It's not the mother anymore. Just a big decision. She's genuinely unsure of which choice to make, which is interesting. Most stories would have her run off obviously with Takara (now that the mother is gone). Obviously a life with Takara is the answer but she's clearly burdened by the options, not wanting to hurt the good people around her but also wondering if staying in the life she already has might be better. That's very compelling. Takara and Hario are major parts of her life. She's cares deeply about them both, which makes it easier to hurt them both inadvertently.

last edited at Aug 17, 2026 8:05AM

It's amazing to see the Hario haters try to pick apart every little thing he says or does to cast him as a villain to give Emma and Takara an easy out, that doesn't appear to be the point of this story. There has been plenty of chances to take the easy way out and make Hario the bad guy and the author hasn't/won't take them, which I appreciate.

I think that the theme the author is really trying to hammer home is that love can be horribly messy and painful, especially for adults. Also Ema's mother is a really wretched person, we're all victims of circumstances that we can't control.

last edited at Aug 17, 2026 7:42AM

No question Emma is the "bad guy" in this story, if there had to be one. She has to decide soon, for the story's sake too.

I don't think she's a "bad guy," in general; she just has to make a decision that will harm someone. She's already been making those decisions behind her husband's back. She's in a tough spot and it's hard to make good decisions when trying not to break anything. She is the one who has to make the final decision though and delaying it hurts everyone.

She's balancing platonic love and romantic love, along with guilt, expectations and what she considers comfort/security. It's not the mother anymore. Just a big decision. She's genuinely unsure of which choice to make, which is interesting. Most stories would have her run off obviously with Takara (now that the mother is gone). Obviously a life with Takara is the answer but she's clearly burdened by the options, not wanting to hurt the good people around her but also wondering if staying in the life she already has might be better. That's very compelling. Takara and Hario are major parts of her life. She's cares deeply about them both, which makes it easier to hurt them both inadvertently.

dqv isnt saying that Ema has nefarious means or intentions, just that if we had to peg one person it would be her as the crux if the issue. I invoke Wreck It Ralph, "you are badguy, but this does not mean you are bad guy"

I just want you to be truly happy

I just want you to be in happiness

Even if it's not me that you're choosing
I think, that is how Takara san was thinking

Ema san seems to be doing fine
I don't think she's going to give up her marriage with Hario kun. It's too much of a hassle, and her marriage has brought her too many convenience into her life.

Calling it off would mean she has to start all over her life

And lastly, just as the friend mentioned
If the two decided to commit into this relationship, they have to think far and deep.
They've got to think about the future.
Adult relationship is more than just about dating itself.

last edited at Aug 17, 2026 11:25AM

Btw, who is that friend? I don't think I remember seeing them before? Did her and Momoka always had a lesbian friend? Or is this just the first time we saw her?

I don't immediately recognize her either, but Takara made friends at the gay bar if you'll recall. this is one of those friends I believe

I was thinking that too, but since she was talking about Momoka as a good friend too, I don't think its from there. Its probably just some friend that we just never saw

It was Momoka who got Takara to go to the gay bar, that’s why she knows Momoka too.