Guys, relax, this is just a minor relationship bump, which has happened before. Whenever Aya has doubts about her relationship with Mitsuki, she retreats into herself and suffers in silence. Seeking solace outside would be entirely out of character for her.

Oddly, sometimes comments here have a (barely subtextual) implication the “Mitsuki is a bad girlfriend; Aya deserves better,” an idea that I don’t understand myself, but which is clearly in contrast to the usual sh*tstorm that blows up whenever a yuri story gives the slightest hint of any kind of cheating at all on the part of the OTP.

It seems clear to me that Shu’s statement, “Talking about it just makes it feel more painful” is the key takeaway for Aya here, and that music will, as usual, be the thing that blows up the emotional logjam.

Korn does generate a certain emotional reaction, that's for sure lol. It's been a looooong time since I listened to a song from them though. So Shu-chan has an injury that causing consistent pain, sort of similar to the constant "pain" she's been feeling whenever Aya pops up. She's such a mysterious character; it's nice unraveling something new, while we continue developing Aya's troubles and worries.

I think Aya spending some time away is fine for now. Sometimes you do need time to process and think about the things bothering you and clearly Mitsuki's avoidance and potential trauma about the band situation is shaking her a bit. In that way "painkiller" could be referring to both the music joke but also what Aya's currently doing, hanging out with friends and thinking to herself. As always, I'm enjoying the piecing together of the bigger picture. Everything is mostly in place now except the ultimate role Shu-chan plays.

Haha, what a song choice. Although even at the 1 minute mark/chorus, it doesn't seem noisy enough to get that startled—unless you play it an obnoxious volume. (And while we're at thematically relevant works, have we had a NIN mention yet?)

I feel like we did get a NIN mention way earlier in the series but that was way earlier in the series and my memory that far back is beyond shaky.

last edited at Mar 22, 2026 7:59AM

I woulda gone with Word Up for a Korn related dopamine boost but that's just me.

(And while we're at thematically relevant works, have we had a NIN mention yet?)

I feel like we did get a NIN mention way earlier in the series but that was way earlier in the series and my memory that far back is beyond shaky.

Yeah, same. Seeing Deftones at some point stuck with me (despite not being the biggest fan myself) but my brain comes up short when I try to remember about NIN here. Thanks though.

I woulda gone with Word Up for a Korn related dopamine boost but that's just me.

Definitely. For a laugh, even "All in the Family" (yeah, fight me!) could fit but I assume a song about how the band doesn't want to just release a lifeless replication of their work for the sake of having a popular single lines up more with the current story background.

To me, Shuu-chan is reading as a tsundere who is all mad about her feelings like a grade school boy and i can't help but love those characters so much!!! Though i'm waiting for the dere part haha
and i've been happier reading this story ever since she got introduced!!

Can't tell if Shu is homophobe or jealous that Aya has a girlfriend that isn't her.

Can't tell if Shu is a homophobe or jealous that Aya has a girlfriend who isn't her.

I don't think homophobia is possible with Shu-chan, considering how she's handled knowing Aya is gay, plus that friend group in general. The worst case I see is that Aya makes Shu feel things she is uncomfortable with at this point, or feelings that confuse Shu-chan. So maybe something internalized. Could also be unrelated to romantic feelings entirely; there's a lot of room there.

The question of what Shu-chan actually feels reminds me of "My Dress Up Darling," when everyone wondered whether Akira liked Marin or hated her. That "mystery" was also fun and had its own unique conclusion. The personalities almost match up perfectly, too, with Akira being Shu and Marin being Aya, with their artistic bf/gf waiting on the side.

last edited at Mar 22, 2026 12:24PM

I swear, after all the comments here the last few chapters, it feels like that "Talking about it just makes it feel more painful" was, even more than important words for Aya to hear, the author blatantly addressing the readers who didn't get the previous hint.

I swear, after all the comments here the last few chapters, it feels like that "Talking about it just makes it feel more painful" was, even more than important words for Aya to hear, the author blatantly addressing the readers who didn't get the previous hint.

Oh I understood and understand that talking about things isn’t easy, however even with that in mind it’s also still painful for the audience when characters don’t communicate lmao

I swear, after all the comments here the last few chapters, it feels like that "Talking about it just makes it feel more painful" was, even more than important words for Aya to hear, the author blatantly addressing the readers who didn't get the previous hint.

Oh I understood and understand that talking about things isn’t easy, however even with that in mind it’s also still painful for the audience when characters don’t communicate lmao

Miscommunication/impaired communication/incomplete or asymmetrical information is so fundamental to storytelling that it's tempting to call it "the lifeblood of narrative." (So much so that the TV Tropes entry for "Poor Communication Kills" lists over 70 sub-tropes of "Common ways to NOT get the point across.")

I agree that it can be nice change of pace when a yuri story shows the characters communicating fully and easily. Those tend to be pretty short ones, though.

i think shu is cute i like grumpy girls, but if aya cheats on mitsuki even emotionally, the yuri fandom part of twitter might just implode on itself for real lol

it will quite literally take over twitter

That's... a surpricingly tame song for Korn (lyrics not wistanding), and she still call it "noisy"

I swear, after all the comments here the last few chapters, it feels like that "Talking about it just makes it feel more painful" was, even more than important words for Aya to hear, the author blatantly addressing the readers who didn't get the previous hint.

Oh I understood and understand that talking about things isn’t easy, however even with that in mind it’s also still painful for the audience when characters don’t communicate lmao

Miscommunication/impaired communication/incomplete or asymmetrical information is so fundamental to storytelling that it's tempting to call it "the lifeblood of narrative." (So much so that the TV Tropes entry for "Poor Communication Kills" lists over 70 sub-tropes of "Common ways to NOT get the point across.")

I agree that it can be nice change of pace when a yuri story shows the characters communicating fully and easily. Those tend to be pretty short ones, though.

Of course. I’m only saying that while I understand communication issues are common, while also understanding why they happen, it also doesn’t make them any less frustrating in my opinion. I can understand why something is while still being frustrated by it.

Of course. I’m only saying that while I understand communication issues are common, while also understanding why they happen, it also doesn’t make them any less frustrating in my opinion. I can understand why something is while still being frustrated by it.

If it were the usual communication issues, I'd understand, but we're literally being shown that she's simply not ready to communicate yet and they will talk about things once they can.

Of course. I’m only saying that while I understand communication issues are common, while also understanding why they happen, it also doesn’t make them any less frustrating in my opinion. I can understand why something is while still being frustrated by it.

If it were the usual communication issues, I'd understand, but we're literally being shown that she's simply not ready to communicate yet and they will talk about things once they can.

To me what makes it very understandable is Mitsuki is clearly traumatized by what happened and not wanting to discuss trauma is pretty reasonable and expected, regardless of whether it's to family. Also, working around someone who is in a touchy, depressive episode is also relatable to me (being on both sides) and I'd assumed would be to many. So, I don't think the story needs to do more more work to explain why this uncomfortable atmosphere between them would happen; it feels very natural.

It would be bad if they didn't have this awkward, tense period considering their personalities. Mitsuki is the type to keep these things inside, stewing in shame and Aya is the type to panic and stall in thought. What Mitsuki is going though seems to be a very complex knot for her and therefore very real for Aya. Music is a huge part of her. That takes time to unravel and be honest about, and getting the POV of the significant other in that situation, left in the dark and wondering how to move forward, is very nice. Doing all this while developing the Shu-chan subplot and in 4 page chapters is even nicer. I've said it before but I haven't felt this interested in the series in a while.

last edited at Mar 22, 2026 2:26PM

Of course. I’m only saying that while I understand communication issues are common, while also understanding why they happen, it also doesn’t make them any less frustrating in my opinion. I can understand why something is while still being frustrated by it.

If it were the usual communication issues, I'd understand, but we're literally being shown that she's simply not ready to communicate yet and they will talk about things once they can.

To me what makes it very understandable is Mitsuki is clearly traumatized by what happened and not wanting to discuss trauma is pretty reasonable and expected, regardless of whether it's to family. Also, working around someone who is in a touchy, depressive episode is also relatable to me (being on both sides) and I'd assumed would be to many. So, I don't think the story needs to do more more work to explain why this uncomfortable atmosphere between them would happen; it feels very natural.

It would be bad if they didn't have this awkward, tense period considering their personalities. Mitsuki is the type to keep these things inside, stewing in shame and Aya is the type to panic and stall in thought. What Mitsuki is going though seems to be a very complex knot for her and therefore very real for Aya. Music is a huge part of her. That takes time to unravel and be honest about, and getting the POV of the significant other in that situation, left in the dark and wondering how to move forward, is very nice. Doing all this while developing the Shu-chan subplot and in 4 page chapters is even nicer. I've said it before but I haven't felt this interested in the series in a while.

Again, I can understand it while still thinking communication issues are frustrating.

Of course. I’m only saying that while I understand communication issues are common, while also understanding why they happen, it also doesn’t make them any less frustrating in my opinion. I can understand why something is while still being frustrated by it.

If it were the usual communication issues, I'd understand, but we're literally being shown that she's simply not ready to communicate yet and they will talk about things once they can.

To me what makes it very understandable is Mitsuki is clearly traumatized by what happened and not wanting to discuss trauma is pretty reasonable and expected, regardless of whether it's to family. Also, working around someone who is in a touchy, depressive episode is also relatable to me (being on both sides) and I'd assumed would be to many. So, I don't think the story needs to do more more work to explain why this uncomfortable atmosphere between them would happen; it feels very natural.

It would be bad if they didn't have this awkward, tense period considering their personalities. Mitsuki is the type to keep these things inside, stewing in shame and Aya is the type to panic and stall in thought. What Mitsuki is going though seems to be a very complex knot for her and therefore very real for Aya. Music is a huge part of her. That takes time to unravel and be honest about, and getting the POV of the significant other in that situation, left in the dark and wondering how to move forward, is very nice. Doing all this while developing the Shu-chan subplot and in 4 page chapters is even nicer. I've said it before but I haven't felt this interested in the series in a while.

Again, I can understand it while still thinking communication issues are frustrating.

Didn't really say otherwise and wasn't responding to your comment specifically either way. Never said what anyone is allowed to feel or not feel. I'm not sure why we go back to that implication each time. Disagreement is not telling you how to feel. It's just a discussion. We're all sharing our thoughts; sometimes we will not agree and will talk about it. I provided more context and explanation of my thoughts and where they come from. I sense some frustration in your response but maybe I'm mistaken.

last edited at Mar 22, 2026 3:06PM

^ My post above the last few was in response to the idea that the lack of communication between the MCs was "painful" for the reader.

I suppose in a very indirect way for me when two characters in a story aren't saying (or asking) something that could solve a major difficulty, there may be a sort of subliminal or indirect sense of frustration, but that's completely overshadowed by my interest in the story.

The question for me is whether the lack of communication grows naturally out of the characters or the situation, or if it just seems like a mechanical way to advance the plot--assuming the genre isn't farce or broad comedy, where oftentimes the more unlikely the misunderstanding the better.

In this case, this situation is perfectly in line with what we know about the characters--it reminds me of the time Mitsuki stayed home from school because she'd been outed as a songwriter, and we only saw Aya's side of things until Mitsuki came back powered up in her "cool" form.

Regarding the communication issues, I've been rereading the series, and took a second look at the part in which Aya didn't know that Mitsuki was "Oniii-san." Obviously, Mitsuki is to blame for not telling Aya (albeit because she was scared of how Aya would react), but Aya, while understandably angry, didn't handle it well, either, as she avoided Mitsuki rather than asking either of her personae about it, causing Mitsuki to initially have no idea why Aya was mad at her.

The entire thing is resolved by Mitsuki asking Aya to be her friend and Aya accepting, a resolution that inspires mixed feelings in me. On the one hand, Mitsuki shows a willingness to reach out to Aya when she'd failed to do before, while Aya not only forgives Mitsuki but accepts her school persona. On the other hand, the two never actually discuss their feelings about Mitsuki keeping her identity secret(although in Chapter 76, Mitsuki asks Aya whether she's only nice to Mitsuki because she's "Onii-san."), making it seem as though they're simply putting the issue behind them rather than working through it.

This seems to be a case in which the series' short chapters work against it, as there isn't the page space for long, in-depth conversations without those conversation spanning multiple chapters. Mitsuki's aforementioned question about whether Aya is nice to her because Mitsuki is "Onii-san" is quickly resolved when, after Aya talks with her friends, Aya reassures Mitsuki that she and Onii-san are one and the same. As such, I personally suspect that the resolution to this current issue will be relatively quick and simple, for better or for worse.

she's just jealouuus, arent we aaaall?
she wants a gf so bad

Fr

Didn't really say otherwise and wasn't responding to your comment specifically either way. Never said what anyone is allowed to feel or not feel. I'm not sure why we go back to that implication each time. Disagreement is not telling you how to feel. It's just a discussion. We're all sharing our thoughts; sometimes we will not agree and will talk about it. I provided more context and explanation of my thoughts and where they come from. I sense some frustration in your response but maybe I'm mistaken.

Apologies I didn't mean to sound frustrated with the conversation. Mainly I'm trying to express that I do understand that communication issues happen with every kind of relationship, there are blockers that get in the way, such as trauma, and a whole variety of things. I wasn't feeling frustrated with you or anyone else so much as I was feeling that I wasn't being understood, where I understand more about the narrative than people here might think. I also understand the reasons why people are accepting of the narrative and are enjoying it, even though I feel differently.

Regarding the communication issues, I've been rereading the series, and took a second look at the part in which Aya didn't know that Mitsuki was "Oniii-san." Obviously, Mitsuki is to blame for not telling Aya (albeit because she was scared of how Aya would react), but Aya, while understandably angry, didn't handle it well, either, as she avoided Mitsuki rather than asking either of her personae about it, causing Mitsuki to initially have no idea why Aya was mad at her.

The entire thing is resolved by Mitsuki asking Aya to be her friend and Aya accepting, a resolution that inspires mixed feelings in me. On the one hand, Mitsuki shows a willingness to reach out to Aya when she'd failed to do before, while Aya not only forgives Mitsuki but accepts her school persona. On the other hand, the two never actually discuss their feelings about Mitsuki keeping her identity secret(although in Chapter 76, Mitsuki asks Aya whether she's only nice to Mitsuki because she's "Onii-san."), making it seem as though they're simply putting the issue behind them rather than working through it.

This seems to be a case in which the series' short chapters work against it, as there isn't the page space for long, in-depth conversations without those conversation spanning multiple chapters. Mitsuki's aforementioned question about whether Aya is nice to her because Mitsuki is "Onii-san" is quickly resolved when, after Aya talks with her friends, Aya reassures Mitsuki that she and Onii-san are one and the same. As such, I personally suspect that the resolution to this current issue will be relatively quick and simple, for better or for worse.

Yeah I think the short chapters sometimes work against the series, where part of my frustration with the lack of communication between the characters is also furthered by how everything is communicated to the audience, and specifically lack of communication to the audience.

Music therapy helps.

Apologies I didn't mean to sound frustrated with the conversation. Mainly I'm trying to express that I do understand that communication issues happen with every kind of relationship, there are blockers that get in the way, such as trauma, and a whole variety of things. I wasn't feeling frustrated with you or anyone else so much as I was feeling that I wasn't being understood, where I understand more about the narrative than people here might think. I also understand the reasons why people are accepting of the narrative and are enjoying it, even though I feel differently.

Ok that's cool. I like your comments even when I disagree with them. I am always wondering about your PFP pick though (in a positive way). Where does that come from?

I suppose in a very indirect way for me when two characters in a story aren't saying (or asking) something that could solve a major difficulty, there may be a sort of subliminal or indirect sense of frustration, but that's completely overshadowed by my interest in the story.

The question for me is whether the lack of communication grows naturally out of the characters or the situation, or if it just seems like a mechanical way to advance the plot--assuming the genre isn't farce or broad comedy, where oftentimes the more unlikely the misunderstanding the better.

In this case, this situation is perfectly in line with what we know about the characters--it reminds me of the time Mitsuki stayed home from school because she'd been outed as a songwriter, and we only saw Aya's side of things until Mitsuki came back powered up in her "cool" form.

Yes, this is exactly what I intended to say later. Is the frustration people feel with the writing or with the characters as people? Because with the understanding you just described, I couldn't be upset with the writing. The situation seems appropriate, natural and most importantly, meaningful.

To me, there's no other way these two characters would believably react to something like this, especially with how Mitsuki views herself and her fears of "failing" in front of Aya. A large part of her not coming clean as a woman to start the series was because of these tendencies and worries. The staying home from school situation is another good example that I forgot. Knowing that, I can feel like wanting them to talk while also loving it from a writing standpoint.

last edited at Mar 22, 2026 5:02PM

Apologies I didn't mean to sound frustrated with the conversation. Mainly I'm trying to express that I do understand that communication issues happen with every kind of relationship, there are blockers that get in the way, such as trauma, and a whole variety of things. I wasn't feeling frustrated with you or anyone else so much as I was feeling that I wasn't being understood, where I understand more about the narrative than people here might think. I also understand the reasons why people are accepting of the narrative and are enjoying it, even though I feel differently.

Ok that's cool. I like your comments even when I disagree with them. I am always wondering about your PFP pick though (in a positive way). Where does that come from?

I feel the same way, and it's some original art I saw when looking for a good profile pic, it's by Spoons https://x.com/spouons/status/1897659896667029774?s=20

I suppose in a very indirect way for me when two characters in a story aren't saying (or asking) something that could solve a major difficulty, there may be a sort of subliminal or indirect sense of frustration, but that's completely overshadowed by my interest in the story.

The question for me is whether the lack of communication grows naturally out of the characters or the situation, or if it just seems like a mechanical way to advance the plot--assuming the genre isn't farce or broad comedy, where oftentimes the more unlikely the misunderstanding the better.

In this case, this situation is perfectly in line with what we know about the characters--it reminds me of the time Mitsuki stayed home from school because she'd been outed as a songwriter, and we only saw Aya's side of things until Mitsuki came back powered up in her "cool" form.

Yes, this is exactly what I intended to say later. Is the frustration people feel with the writing or with the characters as people? Because with the understanding you just described, I couldn't imagine being upset with the writing. The situation seems appropriate, natural and most importantly, meaningful. There's no other way these two characters would believably react to something like this, especially with how Mitsuki has viewed Aya.

For me it's not that the character actions aren't believable, it's more that I think the way the story is presented and the way it flows furthers the frustration with the lack of communication between the characters. So it's a bit of both amplifying issues for me right now.

It's also something where I can still enjoy a story and the resolution once the communication issues are resolved, but in the moment when we're dealing with the communication issues it's frustrating in my opinion. Where I'm not saying communication issues can't be written and handled well, for me there's an additional personal "whew, communication issues are always frustrating", that's coming from my own personal experiences.

Yall want a single being "loud"?!