Yuzu: Obviously distressed, barely in the wrong headspace, barely able to explain the reason for her stress.

Mei: If this keeps up, you’re going to cause [me] problems.

What lovely bedside manner, Mei. Fucking dickhead…

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 3:19PM

Had a good conversation/disagreement on the other site, which resulted in what I thought was a good response from the other person. They said:

"Yuzu has always been the one pushing the relationship, coming up with solutions. And even if she got into a slump her friends would give her the push she needed to fix things. Now her partner faces a huge challenge, one that basically decides their future and there's nothing that she can do but sit by and watch. Yuzu needs someone that can help her with her insecurities."

"[However] Mei is probably stressed out and doesn't have the capacity to do that and is instead looking for Yuzu to provide a safe space [away from the stress of work], something that Yuzu isn't able to provide because of her insecurities."

Mei has just recently (chapter 32) communicated to Yuzu about exactly how much she means to her and what comfort her presence has become for Mei. But that hasn't helped their issues.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 4:55PM

Well, that went better than expected, if not as well as it could have. They're still not quite on the same page and really need to talk more about everything, though.

I see that these two still act like strangers who happen to enjoy kissing each other once in a while.

OK, so is there any reason that the big “plan with Akamine Academy” has to be a total secret except so that Saburouta can spring a big reveal on us whenever they get around to it?

And with the staging of that last page when Mei says, “I must do everything in my power to see these plans to fruition,” I swear I expected the next line to be, “Therefore, I must have Yuzu killed.”

(“No one, and I mean no one, will be allowed to stand in my way!”)

Ok so, is Mei asexual or something? I am serious, being asexual is ok and all that, but I start to wonder if that is the case here, they have very little intimacy, hugs, kisses, etc, is she aromantic? What is going on??

^
Some people consider cuddling sex. Especially doing it nakid.

Which is irrelevant because Yuzu's insecurities are directly stemming from the fact that her partner apparently doesn't want to have sex with her. And this isn't even the first instance. Mei may very well be ace, but Yuzu isn't and that's something that should be broached, but hasn't yet.

Mei pointing out the they're engaged when she's already had a prior, annulled, engagement doesn't really speak to much beyond her duty to her sense of formality. Considering that Yuzu's first encounter with Mei was watching her make out with some guy, along with Mei running away from their relationship to attempt to go through with her prior engagement with some other guy, paired with Mei not telling her anything about whatever plans she has... well, Yuzu has every reason to feel frustrated with the repeated lack of solid, certain, intimacy or feelings of being desired. Hugs and kisses aren't cutting it, that's not just a reader demand, it's one of the character's own line of thinking!

Interesting response from Yuzu, to throw herself onto Mei over a parataxic distortion she’s developed over a childhood friend of Mei’s Yuzu knows very little about

Could just be a tease for the long overdue sex scene, and it may have gotten to that point if Mei didn’t calm her down, but I find it interesting to think about Yuzu’s mindset here, the almost instinctual reflex to protect her relationship by forcing them both into the next step of intimacy, as if she feels she’s falling behind due to her clear lack in confidence recently.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 5:41PM

Which is irrelevant because Yuzu's insecurities are directly stemming from the fact that her partner apparently doesn't want to have sex with her. And this isn't even the first instance. Mei may very well be ace, but Yuzu isn't and that's something that should be broached, but hasn't yet.

I don't feel like this is about sex, specifically--maybe affection and insecurities but not sex. In this chapter, Mei also says to her friend that she was perfectly fine with being pushed down (and the kissing etc.) but felt like the reason for Yuzu's aggression was likely not normal romance but the stress coming from meeting Arata, something unhealthy that worried Mei. She hasn't really said anything about having an aversion to sex or affection and she's shown herself to be fine with physical contact many times, unless I'm forgetting something. She just seems naturally reserved and chronically overworked.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 5:48PM

Ok so, is Mei asexual or something? I am serious, being asexual is ok and all that, but I start to wonder if that is the case here, they have very little intimacy, hugs, kisses, etc, is she aromantic? What is going on??

Ace? Probably not, at least not full on, judging from that time... I forgot which chapter of the original Citrus and I'm not gonna bother searching for it. Somewhere mid-way-ish through the anime? When she tried seducing Yuzu that one night and Yuzu seemed like she wanted it but still refused for some reason?

Aro? I kinda doubt it too, though it is certainly more plausible

There could be an arguement for like some sort of aspec/arospec, but a microlabel or few might be better than just aro and/or ace.

I'm pretty sure Yuzu would be happy with any form of physical intimacy as reassurance at this point. Just being held in Mei's arms for a while would probably do wonders for her insecurities.

"do you have so little faith in me"
Woman what exactly do you expect when you leave her alone on her birthday despite being in the fucking same room and always acts as if yuzu were a nuisance. Like yeah at this point the jealousy trope is been long overdue but it's not like is unjustified, Mei hasn't really give yuzu a lot of reassurance or barely show that she is in fact in love with yuzu

This is legit one of the few if not the only manga that treats itself seriously and isn't a comedy where head pats would solve an ongoing "drama" inside its own plot. And that makes this the saddest and funniest thing.

I'm pretty sure Yuzu would be happy with any form of physical intimacy as reassurance at this point. Just being held in Mei's arms for a while would probably do wonders for her insecurities.

True, if this moment and this moment aren't enough to settle her down, Mei might need to do more. It's just that Mei is also going through a lot work wise and is normally reserved so I don't see this settling for a bit. Mei might cuddle Yuzu then have a dinner meeting with Arata and suddenly Yuzu will become insecure again. They need some extended discussions about insecurities and work/life balance.

Although part of Mei's current work is an attempt to free herself up for Yuzu.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 8:17PM

Y’all may or may not know me as the diehard Citrus fan and defender who comes in here to say something positive about the new chapters now and then cuz I hate seeing people dunk on mah gurls.

And even I gotta say…… yeah this chapter wasn’t it :(

Not only are we back in forced drama territory straight out of Volume 1-3, but Yuzu forcing herself on Mei, aka the thing that gave her trauma and skewed her perception of relationships and intimacy in the first place, didn’t sit right with me at all.

I really hope this arc is amounting to something good, otherwise I just want it to be over at this point.

I really enjoyed this chapter, even if Mei is too blunt for her own good, the fact she actually talked things with Yuzu and then she asked Himeko for advice speaks volumes of her growth as a character. It is pretty interesting that this is the second time Yuzu has felt threatened by a romantic rival and this is mainly due to the fact that Arata can offer Mei things that Yuzu doesn't believe she can. Matsuri and Harumin banter is cute and it was hilarious that Nene offered to take care of Yuzu's metaphorical sadness mushrooms.

Oh mangazinho chato ein

After a careful re-read of this chapter, I think it’s all pretty clear—Mei is cheating on Yuzu with Kumagorō.

i like, dont know whats going on with this manga anymore. the author seems to absolutely refuse development between the main pair at all costs. it often feels like the events of the first part didnt even happen. at this point i just don't get why yuzu even wants to stay with mei? she straight up treats her like trash more often than anything else. yuzu's obviously incredibly distressed and needs some reassurance from her partner (who has historically been.. not very trustworthy, being engaged now doesnt change that) and mei's response is "you better not cause any more problems for me" like holy shit. this is awful lmfao

i like, dont know whats going on with this manga anymore. the author seems to absolutely refuse development between the main pair at all costs. it often feels like the events of the first part didnt even happen. at this point i just don't get why yuzu even wants to stay with mei? she straight up treats her like trash more often than anything else. yuzu's obviously incredibly distressed and needs some reassurance from her partner (who has historically been.. not very trustworthy, being engaged now doesnt change that) and mei's response is "you better not cause any more problems for me" like holy shit. this is awful lmfao

I suspect this all setup for some eventual reveal (although who knows how godawful long it will take to get there) that this academy collaboration/merger/whatever is all for their future together and Mei has been doing everything for Yuzu all along, yadda yadda yadda big romantic handwave all is hearts and roses. Because that’s how this one rolls.

I wouldn’t quite say that Mei treats Yuzu “like trash,” exactly, although I’m hard-pressed to find the proper analogy. “Trusted intimate partner” certainly isn’t it, though.

True, if this moment and this moment aren't enough to settle her down, Mei might need to do more. It's just that Mei is also going through a lot work wise and is normally reserved so I don't see this settling for a bit. Mei might cuddle Yuzu then have a dinner meeting with Arata and suddenly Yuzu will become insecure again. They need some extended discussions about insecurities and work/life balance. Although part of Mei's current work is an attempt to free herself up for Yuzu.

Like, words are fine and all, but if your partner keeps giving you the cold shoulder almost every time you meet I'd be hard press to call it reasurring, as much as Mei claims that she enjoys her time with yuzu her actions and attitude say otherwise

mei is quite the character this chapter, aint she?

she starts off by calling yuzu her fiance and questioning her lack of faith within her, as if she hadnt done everything in her power to be most undeserving of it?

then, when yuzu opens up to her by attempting to explain her insecurity, she not only fails to comfort her so called fiance, she chooses to coldly inform her that arata the source of her insecurity being involved in her plans is unchangeable, and on top of that asserts that she is being a nuisance who is going to cause her trouble if she keeps this up.

and finally, she asks for advice from a friend which was actually just her telling said friend what happened, to then double down on her convictions implying that the insecurities of her fiancee are worth less than the academies future, and she wont stop at any cost for currently unexplained reasons at the moment.

this chapter is hands down some of the most contrived forced drama ive seen in quite a while, which is a fun little way of saying a couple of minutes ago, since most stories are pulling this sort of shit these days.

Mei to Yuzu: I don't care about your feelings
Mei to others: I really care about Yuzu's feelings

Like,I wish this would become a healthy relationship instead of an unhealthy one.

I have to add, because I only thought about it after I had walked away: that the problem with the depiction of the relationship in this manga is that they never have actual full conversations, they never spend time together. These two go to the same school, sleep in the same room, but have a distance between one another in every scene. You can feel like you're actually in a relationship with someone else when they're working from home, but Citrus won't do it. Who hasn't seen cozy little yuri moments when one partner is working hard on a novel or manga or whatever, and the second brings them over a coffee, puts a hand on their shoulder and they actually touch, give each other a glance, continue to do work. There's no reason that Mei literally doesn't have a minute to spare whenever she's working. The times they talk don't have to be when they're on their way home from school and Yuzu follows Mei to whatever meeting she's on her way to.

Like, the writer don't care about those little in-between moments, it's like they don't exist (they can exist even if we don't see them depicted, but they literally don't in this manga). Every serious conversation they have is cut off straight after the dramatic burn, or the big "I care about you" speech, but there is never any aftermath. Like, logically, this first scene here would not have ended right after Mei got all huffy something had to happen to end the conversation. It can't just end at "I know". And that's a legit storytelling technique in some instances, but for Citrus, it's every single one of their scenes together, and it just doesn't work. This is why they don't feel like a couple at all, their relationship is just a string of dramatic scenes with nothing in between.

I feel like I didn't get all my thoughts out coherently, but realistically what I'm saying is that this relationship is a writing issue, and that makes me sad. Going from one big drama moment to the next is never going to show a relationship in a good light.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 10:03PM

This is why they don't feel like a couple at all, their relationship is just a string of dramatic scenes with nothing in between.

There’s been plenty of scenes throughout the series where they feel like a genuine couple. All of Volume 5 and 6 especially, Mei trying to convey her feelings to Yuzu in Volume 7, the moments where they were alone together during the trip in Volume 8, the intense and tragic buildup to their breakup in Volume 9, and of course their reunion and Mei’s declaration of love in Volume 10.

Then in Citrus+, we have Mei boldly declaring her relationship with Yuzu to the school board, her trying desperately to say “I love you” again and settling for a kiss goodnight, her crying over losing her couples ring and their subsequent intimacy in that chapter, Mei fussing over Yuzu’s birthday (as poorly as the payoff was handled).

The problem isn’t that they don’t feel like a couple in my opinion. The problem is that, in recent arcs at least, their dynamic as a couple has been so inconsistent that it’s hard to tell how they feel about each other, aside from Yuzu’s seemingly undying and unconditional love for Mei.

I believe that, if Saburouta is truly as busy as she’s claimed to be, then it hasn’t given her much time to plan out most of her latest entries in the series (especially this arc) and she’s kinda just been phoning it in. I’m hoping and praying this will change soon and we can get more lovey-dovey YuzuMei like we saw in the original series and glimpses of in C+.

last edited at Jul 22, 2023 10:17PM

To me is so funny that this couple just don't have real development in years; everything feels so forced like EVERYTHING: all interactions between Mei and Yuzu in the past are worthless and Mei is just so self focused. Yuzu look around, there's Harumin waiting for you just ask.

Also Saburo Uta thinks that people having a crush on Yuzu over Mei is crazy.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 1:27AM