Noooooo THE SERIES HAS ENDED. I am sobbing. They are such goals. Love this series, we need more clear communication and appreciation of small gesture in this society, which value romantic relationship so so much.
Ever since I read Bloom Into You as a teen, I very much identify with Yuu and Touko in their confusion about and dejection of the idea of love. It's not that I hate love and think it's below me, but the "love" I ever experienced and read about seems very conditional and does not make sense. After all this time of reading fiction, DSM-5, and random psychology self-help books, the love that these two (and the two in Crescent Moon and Doughnut) have is the kind that I can finally understand and desire. Love this author so much for putting this out in the world.
The big gestures like surprises, parties, celebrating birthdays (or holidays), swooping in to save their spouse from big bad dangerous things, etc, are very grande' and desirable when the person is stuck in their life and needs a fantasy to escape. But those happen so few times a year, gosh, the big bad things almost never gonna happen.
The seemingly small gestures like: Knowing your partner's triggers to create a safe space at home for both. Being able to communicate and listen to your partner's needs like in chapter 2. Whether they need some space when they are feeling overwhelmed, and how to able to help them/or simply leave them alone like in chapter 23. Or stupid things like preparing eggs or buying stuffs in a way that your partner prefers so that their day can be a bit less crappy in this economy like chapter 1 (you know like to take some more time to scramble some egg but you hate it to your core and only want sunny side up). Able to have time dedicated for each other, regardless of going out to do fun dates, or just snuggling with each other and knowing that both of you are safe. I JUST LOVE WHAT THEY HAVE GIMME SOMEEEEEE
Also, maybe I am ace, but I do not really see the appeal of having to have sex to prove your love. Like why would we care if they have sex or not, living in different rooms doesn't mean that sex is off-limited. And sleeping in the same bed is wildly uncomfortable if you have a different body temperature or your partner punches in their sleep...like sex is the only way to prove your love, it is simply a fun add-on to a relationship, no?
Idk they have so much respect for each other and I love them for that. Just gimme some of that peace, happiness, and peacefulness that they have lol
last edited at Nov 9, 2023 2:00PM