Both the repetition of the rules and the lack of intimacy make for a strange ending though. What is the conclusion ? That being married is the same as living together with a friend except you also promise to stay together ? The question isn't so much about us knowing they are in love (we know that) and more about why their love takes that particular shape.
Also, there is a pretty thin line, maybe even just a matter of point of view, between intimacy being unnecessary to show your characters are in love, and having to show your characters are in love within the constraint of not showing intimacy. Which I guess is why this kind of resolution reminds people of works from 30 years ago.
In the end, we know they are married, in love with each other, and they don't mind kissing - their relationship is not just for show and there is nothing inconclusive. I don't think there is an argument that the story didn't go all to way to its conclusion, or that their relationship isn't as genuine as any other you could think of. At the same time the last chapter, in which they make their wedding "official" in front of others, emphasizes physical distance (repeat of separate bedrooms and wedding without a kiss), which is a deliberate choice which, at least to me, feels a bit off-putting.
I agree with this overall. I would've liked a kiss and the "vows" seemed odd.
Cause it should've been or could've been, "The two of us started as friends who wanted to try living together and pretend to be a couple. Yet I failed to realize (Kurumi speaking alone) that she offered that proposal because she had feelings for me. In the end, I agreed since then I got to see different sides of her and I liked learning more about her. I started to realize I had feelings for her too. From someone who didn't have any experience with romantic relationships that was a huge revelation for me and especially since part of me thought I'd never fall for anyone. But Ruriko isn't just anyone: She's my friend, and now she'll also be my wife." [Then she would turn to Ruriko to kiss her on the cheek and whisper I love you. Thank you for being with me. queue big smile from Kurumi and Ruriko blushing]
Now that's a speech. I think wedding vows is the wrong term. It should've been "the couple would like to do a reading of some revised rules they started with in the beginning of their cohabitation."
I guess not saying love or not displaying a kiss of any kind is otherwise strange to us since when most people think weddings we think kiss to seal the vow. Plus no other traditions like throwing flower petals or idk someone saying something for or about the couple. Like that friend with the kid Kurumi visited for advice. I feel like it would've been better to have someone else say something the couple (obviously) couldn't say themselves or they didn't notice. This friend was patient with Kurumi, and offered a safe space I think it would have been nice to see her say something and for the couple to look at each and have a final revelation.
Yeah, it felt rushed in some ways but slow in others.
But overall guess I should be happy it was a "good end" compared to the other stories out there. If we want kisses or better communication guess there's always the Webtoon "Mage & the demon queen". That's more on par with what a lot of us wanted or like to be written. Or "Greenhouse" also a webtoon. I love Greenhouse so no spoliers I haven't been able to catch up. And I'm not caught up on Mage & demon queen either but know about the conclusion cause the author's Instagram gave it away with celebratory art.
Guess most/enough Japanese person is ace or not good/typical at what people outside of Japan call romance. This reminds me of platonic relationship memes/jokes. Which is fine and I'm glad they'll be in an overall healthy relationship even if it's not what we'd call usual.
Or some of them are in it for the legal benefit which is also a thing or common occurrence. Even pirates would have contracts among the same sex incase of death the other would get the treasures (not romantically though just to maximize their ability to get stuff since they lived a dangerous life).
Same thing in modern-day some people get together for benefits you can only get as domestic partners cause the government will recognize your partnership.
But this wasn't that. It was love? For love? It takes a lot of courage to stand before your friends and family, they got that part but the vows were disappointing cause if they were going that route they should've mentioned the other rule about: if one of us falls in love with someone else then we break up but "we fell for each other", so now it's we'll work things out together and communicate with good intentions. Like goddangit if ya gonna say the rules that was one of them. A main one they often stressed about or mentioned so either way ya look at it the last chapter was a bust and there was no real momentum for the marriage or excitement on our end cause we barely got a kiss in the previous chapter. Just not organic or paced better. This started as a slow burn then it's like steps were skipped and I've read every chapter since release. shrug overall I liked the characters but the writing and pace were lacking.
Edited: for spelling mistake
last edited at Nov 11, 2023 8:19AM