It's written on the first page of every chapter: she's 24 and Ai is even younger

right so they're basically babies

It's written on the first page of every chapter: she's 24 and Ai is even younger

right so they're basically babies

24 is plenty enough to be accomptable for your actions and decision. They are young, but they are not kids anymore.

Kon's aspiration, for the longest time, has been to fit into what her mother deemed as "normal". So, instinctively, she tried to make their relationship "ordinary" (going to work ordinary jobs, eating together, going on dates, sleeping together...),

We say this but the word "normal" is not a pejorative; it's not inherently negative. Kon's "normal" here is typical dating and monogamy. Yes in her mind it's partly based on her mom but from Ai's POV what is being asked of her? You just said Kon wanted them to do crazy things like go on dates and live together, as though those are bad or only the result of her mother. Ai was suffering from a GF who loved her, lived with her and even worse wanted to go on dates sometimes. I don't think their faults are comparable.

Most importantly, Ai had little issue with this version of normal. She attacked Kon's version of normal only when Kon asked her to separate herself from her abusive ex. Before that they were mostly fine and we saw that what actually caused AI's struggles was her addiction to this old ex, even hallucinating this woman, thinking of her constantly. She says herself that everything was fine until she took off the Blue Garnet and couldn't erase the nagging feelings; then asks Ghost Kaede what curse she put on her. I believe most of her apprehension about falling into complacency with Kon was actually about her anxiety for Kaede, which is why it jump started when she took off the necklace.

Ai was dating Kaede; she didn't date around then. They presumably went on dates together and she had a job before Kon. I'm sure she wanted to live her life with Kaede. Ai never said she has issues with that "normal." Normal was good then. Again, I feel like we're kind of exaggerating what Kon is asking for in the service of defending Ai but I don't feel Ai is being reasonable or even in the right mind. Kon has some issues and I understand Ai is struggling but what they're doing to each other is not "even."

last edited at Dec 8, 2025 7:27AM

"I don't know anything, and yet I still ended up abandoning her" girl WHAT? Kaede abandoned YOU, now you're going to abandon your current gf for what? Man I don't think even a fully formed frontal lobe and therapy can save this, Ai's version of closure is just not it. But of course with her trauma and personality type she truly can't let Kaede go.

I really feel for Kon, but at least this time she's not just going to keep chasing after Ai and following her flow hoping for Ai to open her eyes and chose differently. Although i always felt it might end up like this for her since she fell for someone who she knew was in a relationship, and was actively serching for that person despite the messed up nature of said relationship. I get the whole "you cant help who you fall for" but man Kon really picked.... interestingly. I really am rooting for her though, and I'm glad she didn't give up her life to go run around with Ai again, it seems she's having some actual growth and feeling a bit more comfortable in her own skin. I hope she keeps striving to do things the way she wants and doesn't let the wait for Ai mess her up too badly.

Speaking of... honeslty i dont know if Ai is going to even come back, and even if she does I have no idea what her mental state will be like especially if she still doesn't find Kaede, heck I still have on my mind what she said in the earlier chapters about how she would kill Kaede and then herself, who knows what might happen if she hears something that really sets her off. I'm not even sure what kind of ending I'm hoping for here, but I'm locked in for however this turns out.

Kon's aspiration, for the longest time, has been to fit into what her mother deemed as "normal". So, instinctively, she tried to make their relationship "ordinary" (going to work ordinary jobs, eating together, going on dates, sleeping together...),

We say this but the word "normal" is not a pejorative; it's not inherently negative. Kon's "normal" here is typical dating and monogamy. Yes in her mind it's partly based on her mom but from Ai's POV what is being asked of her? You just said Kon wanted them to do crazy things like go on dates and live together, as though those are bad or only the result of her mother. Ai was suffering from a GF who loved her, lived with her and even worse wanted to go on dates sometimes. I don't think their faults are comparable.

Most importantly, Ai had little issue with this version of normal. She attacked Kon's version of normal only when Kon asked her to separate herself from her abusive ex. Before that they were mostly fine and we saw that what actually caused AI's struggles was her addiction to this old ex, even hallucinating this woman, thinking of her constantly. She says herself that everything was fine until she took off the Blue Garnet and couldn't erase the nagging feelings; then asks Ghost Kaede what curse she put on her. I believe most of her apprehension about falling into complacency with Kon was actually about her anxiety for Kaede, which is why it jump started when she took off the necklace.

Ai was dating Kaede; she didn't date around then. They presumably went on dates together and she had a job before Kon. I'm sure she wanted to live her life with Kaede. Ai never said she has issues with that "normal." Normal was good then. Again, I feel like we're kind of exaggerating what Kon is asking for in the service of defending Ai but I don't feel Ai is being reasonable or even in the right mind. Kon has some issues and I understand Ai is struggling but what they're doing to each other is not "even."

I might be pedantic, but I do make a difference between leading a normal life and pursuing a normal life. There are no issue with leading a normal life, most people do, and it's not a negative thing. But pursuing a normal life, especially out of society's expectations can be quite toxic. Saying "this is not normal" as a justification is not a good answer nor a valid justification.

For example, when Kon answers that to Ai, when she doesn't want to delete Kaede's contact, it was not a good answer, and I would even go as far as saying that it wasn't the truth. The truth was not about normalcy, it was that it made her anxious, and rightfully so. "Don't do that, it make me uneasy and anxious" is a perfectly valid answer. But saying "this is not normal", it's just pushing society's expectations, without giving a real reason for it.

For example, when Kon answers that to Ai, when she doesn't want to delete Kaede's contact, it was not a good answer, and I would even go as far as saying that it wasn't the truth. The truth was not about normalcy, it was that it made her anxious, and rightfully so. "Don't do that, it make me uneasy and anxious" is a perfectly valid answer. But saying "this is not normal", it's just pushing society's expectations, without giving a real reason for it.

I don't see how that compares to what Ai has done. I don't agree with what you said because anyone would say what Ai is doing is not normal, but even if I did, that doesn't change the dynamics at all or address my point about Ai's actual objections.

We're now dissecting Kon's word choices, when what she's asking for is basic stuff. This compared to a GF running off to her ex while also wanting her current GF to stay put and wait for her to maybe come back and maybe not physically cheat (because she's already been heavily emotionally cheating). That's a massive amount of trust being asked for. A GF who angrily snaps at her supposed lover when she does the unthinkable and asks that she cut contact with her abusive ex. That's just not a both sides thing to me.

last edited at Dec 9, 2025 1:35AM

For example, when Kon answers that to Ai, when she doesn't want to delete Kaede's contact, it was not a good answer, and I would even go as far as saying that it wasn't the truth. The truth was not about normalcy, it was that it made her anxious, and rightfully so. "Don't do that, it make me uneasy and anxious" is a perfectly valid answer. But saying "this is not normal", it's just pushing society's expectations, without giving a real reason for it.

I don't see how that compares to what Ai has done. I don't agree with what you said because anyone would say what Ai is doing is not normal, but even if I did, that doesn't change the dynamics at all or address my point about Ai's actual objections.

We're now dissecting Kon's word choices, when what she's asking for is basic stuff. This compared to a GF running off to her ex while also wanting her current GF to stay put and wait for her to maybe come back and maybe not physically cheat (because she's already been heavily emotionally cheating). That's a massive amount of trust being asked for. A GF who angrily snaps at her supposed lover when she does the unthinkable and asks that she cut contact with her abusive ex. That's just not a both sides thing to me.

I think something people gloss over but is very very important is the " if I had waited one more day " panel
If Ai waited one more day she would not have gotten together with Kon. It was her reading Kons text realizing kon cared that broke her . If she had waited ohe more day she wouldn't of read that text as she was ghosting kon up to that point.

Kon is too sweet for Ai. We as the readers realize what kaede is. Seems kons kinda figured her out too

We're now dissecting Kon's word choices, when what she's asking for is basic stuff. This compared to a GF running off to her ex while also wanting her current GF to stay put and wait for her to maybe come back and maybe not physically cheat (because she's already been heavily emotionally cheating). A GF who angrily snaps at her supposed lover when she does the unthinkable and asks that she cut contact with her abusive ex.

I don't argue that. If anything, I agree with you on that. My point was more about the fact that Kon's research of normalcy is more anchored in her wanting to fit in within social expection more than anything, and I don't think it comes from a good place, if it makes any sense.

But I might have actually read to much into it and projected myself into Kon. I had a strong wish for normalcy as well, not for the good reasons and it was (and still is sometimes) both suffocating but it also makes it difficult to reason properly. That's why I've read from that interaction with Ai. The reaction was legit, but involving normalcy wasn't to me, as it has more to do with anxiety and fear (justifiably so).

But again, I'm probably reading too much into it. Thank you for helping realize that.

i'm glad Kon said she wants to live for herself. it's almost like I had 2nd hand anxiety seeing her reaction to Ai wanting to leave... honestly, love interests aside, the best outcome here for Kon is to find a fulfilling way to live and separate herself from the ideals of her mother. also, i found the notes she ahd for how to cut up fish were so cute... #TeamKon

last edited at Dec 9, 2025 3:30AM

We're now dissecting Kon's word choices, when what she's asking for is basic stuff. This compared to a GF running off to her ex while also wanting her current GF to stay put and wait for her to maybe come back and maybe not physically cheat (because she's already been heavily emotionally cheating). A GF who angrily snaps at her supposed lover when she does the unthinkable and asks that she cut contact with her abusive ex.

I don't argue that. If anything, I agree with you on that. My point was more about the fact that Kon's research of normalcy is more anchored in her wanting to fit in within social expection more than anything, and I don't think it comes from a good place, if it makes any sense.

But I might have actually read to much into it and projected myself into Kon. I had a strong wish for normalcy as well, not for the good reasons and it was (and still is sometimes) both suffocating but it also makes it difficult to reason properly. That's why I've read from that interaction with Ai. The reaction was legit, but involving normalcy wasn't to me, as it has more to do with anxiety and fear (justifiably so).

But again, I'm probably reading too much into it. Thank you for helping realize that.

No, I agree about where her sense of normalcy partially comes from. She thought of her mother again in the most recent chapters, so there's definitely something more going on there. The only disagreement (and maybe there's no real one here) was the idea that her and Ai are both equally or similarly responsible for the state of their relationship. I don't think there's any issue in reading into Kon, like you did; though I do think looking at what her version of normal is, is important and her version doesn't seem unhealthy, restrictive or unreasonable at all.

last edited at Dec 9, 2025 7:09AM

It's written on the first page of every chapter: she's 24 and Ai is even younger

right so they're basically babies

24 is plenty enough to be accomptable for your actions and decision. They are young, but they are not kids anymore.

Fair point. realistically, most people only start taking relationships seriously once they’re around 19 and onwards, you’re right, it’s not like they’re “kids” at that stage. Still, Ai’s first actual relationship is with Kaede. We learn this from her backstory in Chapter 5, and since it didn’t last long, she isn’t very experienced. Meanwhile, Kon is 24. I’m not sure about Kon, but I’m assuming she doesn’t have much dating experience either.

I’d also like to point out that no matter how much information or media you consume about dating and romance, real relationships are completely different. Actual experience always outweighs information.

^Ai had at least one relationship before Kaede. We see it in chapter 5. She's with a woman and wants to stay (probably to avoid her mother) and the woman says she can stay forever if she wants. Ie, they're in a relationship. Also means Ai has always been a lesbian.

Kon had a relationship with a male colleague, but he was just using her.

Ai is 21. She mentions it in chapter 4.

last edited at Dec 9, 2025 9:32AM

^Ai had at least one relationship before Kaede. We see it in chapter 5. She's with a woman and wants to stay (probably to avoid her mother) and the woman says she can stay forever if she wants. Ie, they're in a relationship. Also means Ai has always been a lesbian.

Kon had a relationship with a male colleague, but he was just using her.

Ai is 21. She mentions it in chapter 4.

Ah, I see. Thank you for pointing out my mistake. As for the AI being 21, thanks for clarifying that as well. I had a feeling she was young, and while I thought 19 might be too young, so I went with 20 :D.

I’d also like to point out that no matter how much information or media you consume about dating and romance, real relationships are completely different. Actual experience always outweighs information.

Why hide your wisdom?

last edited at Dec 9, 2025 1:50PM