People have identities outside of their relationships. I love seeing their growth as individuals.
For me, Shima's development is more interesting. Adachi is so obsessed and ...anxious. ^ ^ ;)
To me, it'll be somewhat more special when we see Shima actively pursue or engage Adachi. She is shifting away from a completely passive approach to life. Adachi was jettisoned into action by her feelings. She doesn't like people, but Adachi seems to have been more engaged in life that Shimamura, even before they met. Shimamura became more passive, whereas Adachi's main barriers to being active about her life are a dislike of people and anxiety.
They are both struggling with a lack of purpose -- as we all do early (and even late) In our lives -- which is an obvious source of indecision and lack of initiative. Shimamura -- or her own interest in her -- has become Adachi's purpose. (And that's somewhat off putting for me.) Shimamura is still fumbling without direction, but she seems to be developing a more wholistic view ...very slowly, but surely. I'm looking forward to Adachi developing an individual purpose. I'm looking forward to Shimamura's purpose solidifying and her romantic attention (which I think is at about nonexistent) turning toward Adachi.
I'm reading this, of course, because it's a romance, but I love all the introspection. US/American novels/stories are more about action and getting to point B or the end. I prefer the journey and how individuals experience it.
Definitely not everyone's cup of tea.
*goes to download chapter two*
P.S. I'm Adachi awkward, but I'm more driven than both. Shimamura has more attractive traits for me. She's a caretaker type. In common with both, I'm not a fan of interacting with humans frequently. ;p
last edited at Nov 16, 2019 7:33AM