Forum › Dear Flowers That Bloom in Days of Yore discussion
I wrote this as a 2nd page to my post-credits talk on maturity, but didn't feel like it was worth attaching right to the chapter since it's mostly opinions:
Chapter 13 stands out to me as a rare case of Kasumi sticking to the leading role. She's nearly always allowed or depended on Haruyo taking the lead, but here the roles are reversed from start to finish. We can draw some obvious-yet-nondescript conclusions on Kasumi's trauma prompting this, fearing Haruyo hurting herself in trying to become someone she's not. Expressed pointedly in the dream sequence.
Kasumi's dream is beautiful and sad. An endless warm sea, sheltering them from the need to come up for air. Something that could have gone on forever. But as Haruyo touches on, it's unrealistic. Change comes regardless of if you're ready. And change is never without growing pains.
Both are making somewhat naive attempts at being the mature one. Haruyo's ineffectual longing to replace herself with the role she plays, Kasumi's vain wish to protect Haruyo's childish innocence. And it reminds me of the first lines of chapter 1. "Who I once was." Kasumi's failed attempt at remaining unchanged? "Who you are yet to be." Haruyo's failed attempt at becoming someone else? "Are both still waiting there?" Contained in letters left behind in the library.
Though that's only one interpretation, and it's not all ill omens. They're discovering each other in a much more comfortable way so far than SayoMizu's "who is this" moment. Besides, if those two can work it out there's no reason the fluffballs can't.
Still, even as Kasumi and Haruyo reach for each other, they aren't fully there yet. This chapter's headlined with imagery of them being close yet disconnected. Haruyo's insecurities becoming clearer opens the door to drama exploiting them. Kasumi is nowhere near being open with Haruyo, let alone herself and the audience. Their needs in their relationship aren't mirrored. And Kasumi contradicts herself, wanting "Onee-sama" to guide her escapism while wanting to protect Haruyo from reality.
But more than the maturity to handle whatever comes, they share a strong attachment that keeps them steady. Making these little strides towards each other. They might stumble but I can't imagine they'll fall backwards. Even if their future is mutual failure, growth through pain, I think they already have all they need.
does anyone else occasionally see the title as
Dear Flowers That Bloom in Days of Gore
especially after the box cutter
My brain autocorrected to dead flowers for a bit.
This is perfect.
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It might just be because of the way the manga artist is drawing arms (and hands), as I've noticed that in quite some panels already. Anatomically speaking, proportions are a bit off, but close enough so it gives an uncanny feeling. This is especially true with Haruyo, as she is quite tall, it exaggerates the issue. It gives off a bit of a mantis feeling, with arms too long for her body. But I think it's just due to proportion mistake, and there are no intention behind it.
The artist grew up reading shoujo magazines and for the longest one tried to be a shoujo mangaka, so I guess that's why they have a habit of drawing long arms and large hands. The artist is aware of this too.
last edited at Dec 14, 2025 11:17PM
It might just be because of the way the manga artist is drawing arms (and hands), as I've noticed that in quite some panels already. Anatomically speaking, proportions are a bit off, but close enough so it gives an uncanny feeling. This is especially true with Haruyo, as she is quite tall, it exaggerates the issue. It gives off a bit of a mantis feeling, with arms too long for her body. But I think it's just due to proportion mistake, and there are no intention behind it.
The artist grew up reading shoujo magazines and for the longest one tried to be a shoujo mangaka, so I guess that's why they have a habit of drawing long arms and large hands. The artist is aware of this too.
I understand there are codes, but sometimes, it's really unsettling. I never got that feeling from any shoujo manga I've read, unless there were issue with anatomy. To be fair, different proportions doesn't necessarily mean being anatomically incorrect. Having longer arms and hands is not so much the issue actually. It's the join placement. It's just wrong sometimes.
For example, the hands in the bottom left panel, look almost disarticulated. Or look at the arms on the top panels, very long for sure. But the joint placement is a bit off (especially on the right panel, the wrist joint is really weird).
https://dynasty-scans.com/chapters/dear_flowers_that_bloom_in_days_of_yore_ch13#5
I honestly don't care much, I just happens to work an artistic job, so I tend to notice that kind of stuff (but don't mind it). Lots of manga artist are not super good with anatomy so mistakes happen all the time. In this case, this is just to explain the unsettling/uncanny feeling that some panels can convey, unintentionally (compare to other panels were it's total intentional).
