I'm so sad I came late to the party with being in another country without access to Dynasty. What a beautiful chapter. Glad it was set up to be the confession chapter from the very first page. Fitting that they would go back to the river from chapter 10. Squealed internally when they were both standing on the same stone for a second. Got teary when Touko realized the pain she'd caused Yuu. Got even more teary thinking about the perfect, natural intersection of misunderstanding; really relatable.
It was nice seeing Touko so relaxed, was sort of like how she is around Yuu. I think I'm a sucker for developments where person shows private side only to special someone, and then through special someone's support, shows that vulnerable side to anyone without any more fear. It's a more mature growth, instead of that vulnerable side forever always only displayed to one person, trapped without room to change.
Also page 6 liked how the very subtle inclusion of Sayaka leaving without them, back turned, sets the scene for them being by themselves.
Then page 7 for a moment I was worried the bottom three panels were some foreshadowing of Touko leaving Yuu behind. But as I hoped, just like in Chapter 32, she turns around to face Yuu. Nice alternative meaning.
Page 11 trying to figure out why Yuu's statement she liked Touko better now was so poignant, and realized obviously because that's the direct counter to Touko's fear that changing from her persona will lead to losing the love of others. Page 12 obvious but still well-done callback to Chapter 10. Especially the placement of the speech bubbles; that made the panels even more aligned and connected.
With the earlier "why does Touko think Yuu is kind" discussion, it's already been said but I think the why is very simple: because Touko is looking for love, and Yuu has given it to her. And with Touko's definition of love, Yuu's love can't possibly be love so it has to be kindness.
Small completely coincidental, actually meaningless thing, just realized page 10 of the manga on this site is also the page that first shows Chapter 10's river. XD
Also did not consciously catch the shoe symbolism/foreshadowing until it was pointed out in the forums. But that was wonderfully done. Was sort of interesting that the same hands which betrayed her feelings multiple times now reveal her true feelings too, even ironically while she's using them to try and hide.
Touko's fear has become even more relatable recently I think, cause that is a thing which happens, people falling out of love/not liking who you become or maybe who you always truly were. And Yuu really would be kind if it was true that she didn't love Touko, wouldn't she, yet still did all the things she does. Remain gentle and kind, a stable base for Touko to return to and never chaining her, always letting Touko be free. It's just sort of funny because that is love, one type of it at least. But extremely proud of Touko for actively fighting that fear at least with one thought, that despite Yuu definitely loving Touko, she was still kind. Which comes closer to aligning with reality I think.
Ironic that she's afraid of how Yuu's changed. Of not being able to catch up to Yuu. I personally relate to that one too, looool. It makes a lot of sense to me now what she means by being afraid of Yuu. Of Yuu's love. And the last page is a kick in the guts, Touko looking so dejected, and not just the second flight of stairs gone, but also the fence now enclosing the entire perimeter, no gap to exit from. Also geez, those are some steep stairs.
Well, now back to waiting.
last edited at Aug 18, 2018 5:29AM
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