The Love Triangle and Incest tags feel like they’re going to be used thoroughly… what if Yuuna started going out with Kiku to get over Sena? And then when her sister started withdrawing from her, Yuuna thought Sena figured her out so she randomly moved? I want to see Yuuna’s POV….

Kaori's probably going to ask Shizuku to live in her stead on her deathbed. It's the only way to avoid that suicide tag....

She isn't afraid of her gf finding out anything. She's afraid of the whole school finding out that she's dating another girl.

I think Yuni is afraid of her gf finding out too? Nanase’s backstory basically indicated that she and her former flame were ostracized when rumors popped up in her old school? Hence why Nanase isn’t as touchy with Yuni in public.

Yuni is probably afraid that Nanase will leave her if anyone else finds out or will leave because she’s been putting their stuff on blast on social media.

On a side note, totally agree with people. If you’re too busy and have goals/dreams that you know will take most of your time it’s probably not a good idea to have a girlfriend who doesn’t have the same mindset. But they are teenagers so I get there’s a lot of error by to be made by all parties. They wanna push certain limits and think “love will conquer all”…

Though I wouldn’t be surprised if Nanase is just a really good manipulator? Telling Yuni stuff to placate her and keep her so she’ll have someone to booty call. Don’t know how despicable things are going to get but fun ride so far.

LOL. That would mean that Mei is half-yokai, which certainly would explain a great deal . . .

Apologies. I thought you were writing metaphorically. Like calling her mother an “icy b*tch” for ignoring her daughter this whole time. Sarcasm doesn’t read well for me because of lack of intonation.

last edited at Sep 23, 2021 6:13PM

To me this has precisely the same status as saying, “It’s years of that coupled with the fact that Mei’s mother was an ice demon that did nothing but mold her into Turtle Mei.”

Nothing in the text contradicts my statement, it is congruent with Mei’s behavior in the story, and there’s no less evidence in the text for my statement than there is for yours.

Lack of maternal affection during formative years can certainly cause someone one to be emotionally stunted so it could definitely be a contributing factor to what makes Mei who she is.

Thanks for clarifying the issue here. I would submit that making up a character motivation very nearly out of whole cloth absolutely is simply rewriting the story in order to suit a reader’s personal preference or to fit their preconceived notions. It involves conjuring up past events for which there is no evidence in the text (that Asshole Fiancé repeatedly molested Mei, that multiple adults raped her, etc.). It also entails ignoring or downplaying the in-text explanations for the character’s behavior (Mei’s rigid traditional upbringing, her disproportionate sense of responsibility because of the trauma of her father’s leaving the family, etc.).

Can’t speak for all but explaining Mei as a sexual assault victim does not diminish from her textual experiences. I certainly have not discounted or forgotten what she’s gone through with her family. The assault thing is additive for sure but not subtractive.

Her experiences with her family make her an easy prey for a sexual predator. Assault does not explain everything.

This conversation has probably dragged on long enough, sparked as it was by readers arguing “You all are too hard on poor Mei, since she’s a rape survivor.” Until the author supplies material to support that reading (as potentially could happen), I continue to assert: “Assumes facts not in evidence.”

The assault background is not my means to explain her slow pace progress. I’m on the boat where her upbringing and lack of parental guidance and affection coupled with her heiress duties made her detached, cold, and passive. It’s years of that coupled with sexual assault that did nothing but mold her into Turtle Mei. Not just whether or not she was repeatedly assaulted by her first fiancé.

We're talking past each other at this point--I'm saying that people are making up a different story based on the barest shreds of evidence in the text, and in contradiction of the evidence of the overall text as a whole. As I've said again and again, if people want to use a story as the basis to conjure up further fantasies of their own, they're certainly welcome to do that.

But as I previously stated, seeing Mei as a sexual assault victim does not actually change any thing in the text? It's merely explaining her behavior. It doesn't change what or who she is (a deeply troubled individual who repressed her feelings to the point that they are disjointed for her and she does not know how to process them) which essentially does not take away from the story. Sure it adds something but it does not detract from the coming of age love story that Citrus is supposed to be.

Mistaking those imaginative rewritings of the text for the actual text is, of course, a mistake, albeit, as several people have pointed out, a relatively harmless one, until others pick up that mistake and start passing it off as a widely accepted reading of the text.

It's an explanation of character motivation not a rewrite of the story. What people are doing here is not a rewrite. Mei is still the stoic individual she has been written (regardless of whether or not people believe she is a victim of sexual assault) and she is still going to end up with Yuzu.

This is fiction. A work of fantasy. A lot of absurd things happen in Citrus and + but it was entertaining because while the plot certainly was not rooted in reality, the characters (or rather their emotions) were. The confusion of a first love, first kiss, a sexual awakening, those were all rooted to reality that was heightened due to character's circumstances. Projection is unavoidable and should not be unwelcome as long as it's healthily discussed.

I know there's another discussion where headcanon completely took over but in the case of Citrus and Citrus+ people are not re-writing or purposely omitting the actual text to fit their desired outcome. They are merely reading the text in a way that helps them understand character motivations. If it helps them love the story and the characters more, then what's the actual harm? Does it damage the text if people find a way to further explain Mei's behavior? Does seeing Mei as a victim of sexual assault lessen the story which is essentially about two very different step sisters who are in love with each other?

It's completely human to want to connect and if that's the way a person reads, then why the need to condemn them for how they enjoy the works just because it's not a method some might prefer?

last edited at Sep 23, 2021 1:39PM

There are some readers that believe if it isn’t stated then it isn’t real. While others believe in the power in insinuation.

Literary analysis sometimes means you have to read between the lines. Discussions can be filled with people trying to figure out character motivation based on how they read the character is written even when nothing is explicitly said.

The beauty of writing is that people can have different interpretations of a text. When something isn’t stated explicitly then we really on subtext.

I do think repeated sexual assault may be more appropriate to describe Mei’s situation. Rape would have been too unforgivable for it to go unpunished and unaddressed.

And yes, Mei’s upbringing caused her to develop this way but how she is made her perfect prey to a predator like her first fiancé.

We are free to read things how we want so I don’t think people should be condemned for seeing Mei as a survivor.

Citrus isn’t a literary masterpiece but I do appreciate what it’s been trying to do.

Mei’s progress is undeniably slow but she has been repressed since childhood so I get it. I personally like that they’re trying to reach a new level of intimacy.

Their relationship before was sexual, lust driven, filled with doubt and secrecy. Every minute was stolen between them so steps were rushed…. Now they can take their time. And as we see with Mei, she needs it. But we’re seeing maybe Yuzu needs it as well. I mean, being patient with your lover is all well and good but she has to assert her needs some times as well.

The balance still hasn’t been reached. It’s still Yuzu giving and Mei receiving. The difference now is that Mei is aware that Yuzu is sacrificing for her and seems to be appreciative but is unaccustomed to such emotions so she doesn’t know how to respond let alone reciprocate.

I mean, she doesn’t really have any good role models so she’s pretty much gotta figure everything out her self while balancing all her responsibilities and expectations.

Mei has to learn how to love before she and Yuzu can take the next step in their relationship.

While it isn’t explicitly stated that her first Ex Fiancé raped her I think people have a right to assume that it wasn’t the first time he’s assaulted her. He was a predator with the intention for marrying her for money and prestige all while keeping a mistress on the side. To top it off, he was a teacher who molested a student on school grounds. That means he was confident that she won’t say any thing which can lead one to believe he’s conditioned her into accepting what he wants because he is to be her future husband. He certainly treated her like an object and was a scumbag so I understand why people believe he assaulted her repeatedly… It’s not been addressed explicitly and some need more than inferences in order to form a concrete conclusion.

Mei’s detached passive behavior reads very much like that of a trauma survivor so it’s understandable that people assume she’s a victim of sexual assault.

last edited at Sep 20, 2021 4:36AM

It's beyond me how people can defend Hima, i get she wants her friends to get along but that's just intrusive, even shiho is mad. I can't stand people that believe they're above all conflict and can solve everyones problems , like dude just let them figure out their problems by themselves . It's fine to give advice but it's annoying when You start meddling in people's problems

Some people don't learn that lesson until they're older. Some times they don't learn at all. Keep in mind these are high school girls dealing with overwhelming sensations and a series of firsts. They are inexperienced. It's a period of time that's usually a hot mess of rampant emotions and illogical/impulsive decision making.

Yeah I don't think the middle school crush is the stalker chick since she obviously doesn't mind showing affection to another girl in public heck she was formal with the main character since the first chapter and didn't care people found her weird, I don't think she gonna blackmail her but I think the main character is going to get paranode to a breaking point, looking forward to next chapter

If that's the case, then that means Fuuko might have a completely separate yet still compelling backstory in her future. But if Fuuko was the girl it doesn't mean she'd react the same way from whatever the experience from middle school was. Just because Nanase was afraid of the stigma doesn't mean that it would be the same for Fuuko... honestly the way Nanase is behaving I wouldn't be surprised if, out of fear, she threw her previous crush under the bus.

Of course I'm just thinking Nanase might have done something bad because in these types of mangas, usually authors try to make all the characters relatable/sympathetic so the audience will understand why they do what they do.

Nanase in the earlier chapter felt like she was maybe using Yuni. We're given a reason to why she's cold to Yuni later on so I'm guessing we'll see similar insights to the others to explain their actions/character motivation. I could be wrong and the author is convinced that Nanase's story as is enough. It feels like if this is the route they go, it would just make Yuni despicable for not breaking up with Nananse and cheating. If she's blackmailed into it, then Fuuko is the devil incarnate. Of course, Fuuko being an asshole with no explanation is another route they could go.

I don't know how dark this manga will go... I wouldn't be surprised if Fuuko knew the girl from middle school and is just getting revenge on Nanase. Also would not be surprised if Fuuko has nothing to do with middle school drama and has her own completely separate stuff she has to deal with.

I love the juicy dramatic possibilities...

Wakana definitely needed closure. As for Sara maybe the confession confirmed her feelings for her boyfriend? Now she knows he isn't a rebound. Sure she has has lingering feelings but she feels stronger for her boyfriend. I hope Wakana learns her lesson though. Don't wait around and just go for it with Yuina!

I wonder what sort of "Training" will our mains be up to...

Just Opinions Btw dont read if you dont want to

All I'm gonna say is that hima is at fault here
I'm sorry if I offended anyone but C'MON MAN she is clearly doing something stupid

It's kinda overreacting. EVeryone know the plan was bound to fail but you can't say Hima was doing it for herself. She wantedto help two friends to talk over a problem they had, nothing else. The plan had a lot of flaws yes but it's not like it wans't worth trying.
You made it sound like Hima should have just watch 2 friends of her just being mad at each other and never talk about it without doing anything ? You're not a friend if you don't help your friends making up.At least she try something, it's not her fault one of the two party is too stubborn to talk.

It's within her personality to try to help. Sure some of it is because she doesn't like conflict between her friends but I think most of it is because she believes her two kind and talented friends, Aki and Shiho, will be happier if they reconciled. It's not like she's setting them up to feel less guilty for "stealing" Yori away from Aki.

As for Shiho not wanting to talk, well I guess she figures if she does it would be an outright confession? Which is even more embarrassing for her to do now because she'll still get rejected even if Yori's already taken. Or maybe it's because she wants Aki to actually think about why she left. We just know that they fought and Shiho left but I wonder if we'll get a build up to her leaving? I feel like it could add to the narrative... like if Aki unknowingly did something wrong in Shiho's eyes? Maybe that's why she's extra pissed.

Yes they're all a bit immature and this is a romance but they are high schoolers so I expect there may be elements of coming age emotional growth aspects added in.

I can imagine Shiho's shock that someone else captivated Aki romantically but that her new love is also musically inclined? Well that's devastating for Shiho... And Aki didn't even end up dating the girl she was cast aside for? To top it off, Yori is oblivious to Aki's feelings, still ignorant to the fact that she played a role in the dissolution of her friendship with Aki, and is happily in a relationship with a cute sweet freshie? It's like pouring acid on an open wound.

I think some of the stigma may come from the “I would never do that” mentality. Some readers are unable to separate their actions from characters actions, believing characters are unrealistic or terrible because the reader feels they would behave differently when faced with a similar situation.

I understand the impulse but it creates unnecessary frustration because the reader starts to feel everything about the story is wrong.

I know characters are meant to relate to every day life people but relating does not mean the character is you. But some readers are inclined to force their own ideals with fictional characters.

Of course there are also some that are unable to pick up on subtext so they miss insinuations and foreshadowing.

Yuni has no self esteem, Nanase is a manipulator, and Fuuko rocks. I am sure Yuni cannot break up with Nanase because Nanase is good in bed. Anybody who has any self esteem would dump Nanase right there and then. Obviously Nanase actually does not mind being seen as a lesbian, because she is close to other girls, including holding hands. Somehow she does not want to associate with Yuni. At the end of the day. Yuni is just a fu**buddy of Nanase.

It could be that but right now it feels legitimate that Nanase is traumatized from whatever went on in middle school.…

It’s an acceptable response. She thinks by pushing Yuni away in front of others, by treating her as if they’re not close, then people won’t have a clue that they’re together.

It’s the complete opposite of what she did with her middle school crush so she probably thinks this will really help them not get outed.

Yuni spoke up when she was at the brink so I wouldn’t say she totally has no self esteem. She’s just in love, putting Nanase’s needs before her own, and is making irrational choices. Happens to the best of us.

Hmm… what if the twist is Nanase’s old crush was actually Fuuko? And now Fuuko’s out for revenge? We all think the Caterpillar is Yuni but what if it’s actually Nanase who is the Fungi’s real target? We all know Nanase’s default is to ignore people close to her so I wouldn’t be surprised.

OooO. Hope they don’t go the blackmail route…. Really curious how this is going to go because the obvi choice is blackmail but I don’t want to expect the obvi…

I don't get it. Why bother making her ability disappear at all? What value does that add to the narrative? Considering it's the only really unique aspect of the story (which is printed in three colours just to support that aspect!), I don't see why the author would make overtures of removing it.

Because she doesn’t really need that kind of power, in the first place the power was used as a catalyst for why she mistrusts love in the first place, her being overtly aware of people’s feeling towards others and especially towards her put her in a bad position since she doesn’t know what do in those situations nor does she actually know if it’s even right at all. And even if she did grow to up to use it properly, no one really needs that kind of power in their life because people shouldn’t need to rely on a crutch like that if they want to function as normal person, lest they become someone who is incapable of making decisions or pursuing relationships with people unless they find that reciprocation of their feelings are guaranteed.

And if speculation is right, and her powers disappear when she genuinely starts to fall in love with someone, it shows she’s grown in the right direction since she doesn’t rely on the arrows to continuing pursuing a relationship with others

It could prolong the love story/stories by providing more conflict. Like when she figures out why her powers disappear, maybe her fear of the unknown will make her turn away from her romantic prospects. She could question what matters more to her, the uncertainty of love or the comfort of her powers?

Plus, the translated title is "If you could see love" so it doesn't necessarily mean it ends when she loses her powers. We can also see how her love life functions without her powers. Will she be constantly questioning her partners feelings now that she can't see them? Especially since she knows how fickle feelings can be at times. Will she still be able to help her friends if she can't see their emotions for each other? Will she try to get her powers back?

Hmmm... I wonder why Kiku and Yuuna broke up... Does it have something to do with what seems to be a flashback of Kiku running into a teary eyed Sena? Or did Yuuna just want to experiment? She seems like the impulsive go with the flow type. Are Kiku's feelings for Sena genuine? Or does she just want someone who can understand what it feels like to be in love with Yuuna and not have her? And what's up with Yuuna and her fiance? Already loving this recipe for drama and disaster.

Thank the Universe for this blessing. This might just fill the hole that the end of It's A Detached Relationship has caused in my manga life....

last edited at Aug 2, 2021 7:41PM

Sara does seem like she reciprocates Wakana’s feelings. Makes me think this ‘unrequited’ arc might set up that whole “society won’t accept lesbians” bit. But I don’t know how dramatic this manga will get… then again Sora was slapped by her mom so there is a possibility this will get heavy with angst.

While I want Waka to be happy, the truth is sometimes you don’t get together with your first love. But that doesn’t mean you can’t love again…. Maybe she just needs to look around and see she has the perfect accomplice/partner in Yuina already!

Thank you, you nailed it. You will read the epilogue and it will confirm your interpretation. Your interpretation definitely solved some of my questions concerning the sex scenes in the epilogue. At the end of the day, It is Aya's choice, and it is Sei's choice. Aya is happy, Sei is happy. If I read it correctly at the very end from Sei, there is no need of time or structure. There is no Haruki, no Mochida, no Yoru, nobody else in the epilogue. And this is how it should end, because these characters are no longer important. Notice that the epilogue is from the point of view from Sei. For her at least it is happily ever after, and Aya is walking on the footstep of Sei (in a good way).

I always felt that Mochida and Haruki are basically mirror characters for Sei. Their similar situations with Sei show us Sei’s mistakes from her youth. I also felt that the way Sei reacted to them wasn’t just her expressing her disdain for her past self and actions, but she was also trying to instill a lesson in them.

Like she was showing Mochida and Haruki what happens when they go down that dark road of obsession, the outcome of trying to control a situation to fit your desires, how they can become like her.

That’s just my head cannon probably.

With Aya, she was controlling her own narrative. She was the one who was trying to instill boundaries. Of course she broke her own rules. But that was by her own hand.

I cannot wait to read that epilogue. Please some English publisher pick this up. I need this in my collection.

last edited at Jul 24, 2021 10:34PM

yeah ya know why ranting? I have an even better idea how about you watch that flashback in ch9 and the epilogue notice something? Yup Aya is in the same place as Haruki was working herself for a bitch that doesn't deserve her and never wants to grow up let alone work on herself. The difference is Haruki decided to leave!

I’m ranting because I want to know if other people have read the manga like I have, if they have similar interpretations that are based on written text, not subtext they are forcing into their own psyche to convince themselves that it’s true.

I also genuinely want to hear other people’s interpretations based on the provided written text. I get people have their personal bias but I guess I just want people to admit it instead of spinning unfounded stuff.

Haruki didn’t decide to leave. She merely decided not to continue pursuing Aya after Aya rejected her formally. But not without trying to put up a fight. She went down swinging as she tried to get Aya to doubt her decision by throwing it in her face that Sei might not ever get over Yoru. Still, Aya said no. Aya made the choice not to become romantically involved with Haruki.

The only thing Haruki maybe chose to do is, FINALLY, respect Aya’s choice. Accepting defeat is the true choice Haruki made.

But unlike Sei And Yoru situation, there was a clean break. Yes, Haruki is heartbroken but she was never led on by Aya who made it explicitly clear in the beginning that she was not interested in Haruki.

Yeah Yoru was ruining herself but because of Sei sabotaging her own life even further without her consent she learned late on her own that the men she dated including Sei (who just wanted her as a toy) were never worth it! If Sei never went to the depths of depravity after being rejected by Yoru the first time chances are she would have been together with Yoru so it's her loss!

Yoru had already rejected Sei before she even got married. There was a pattern in her dating history prior to Sei’s involvement with her life. She had been repeatedly dating cheating scumbags who were using by her for sex. Plus, Yoru was sleeping with Sei while she was in other sexual relationships so it’s not like she’s faithful. Yoru was a lost individual even before Sei entered her life and she was on the path of trying to find a sugar daddy prior to Sei’s involvement.

But of course, feel free to believe what you want.

As for Haruki she pointed out numerous times over the years that Aya should work on herself and at least try to socialize with people which she never did! She ultimately chooses a better option than Sei and stops bothering with Aya at the end completely! Hope she finds someone better! Aya is just a braindead idiot! And I hope it's not Mochida... who if she would have been in love with Hosono simply should have confessed to him but nope she just wanted Haruki and Aya to suffer for no real reason and just used him as an excuse

But as stated previously, Haruki is trying to control Aya’s growth. She invited her to sit with her friends but when Aya started deviating from the “Haruki approved way of life”, she reacts by asserting herself inappropriately in Aya’s life.

No matter what Haruki’s intentions are, she has no right to invade Aya’s privacy or to intrude upon her other life. She especially does not have the right to narc on Aya just because she does not get her way. It is Aya’s life and her choice to f*ck who she wants.

And Sei is still a grooming manipulative pedophile and predator who has Child Pornography on her smartphone which she sends to another teen and gloats about in front of everyone and doesn't give a shit about Aya except her being her sextoy!

I think the word you’re looking for is ephebophile, not pedophile.

For me, the suggestive photo is barely pornographic. It’s akin to a bikini pic. My issue is Sei took the photo and shared it without Aya’s consent. But it becomes moot because Aya makes the choice to let Haruki see Aya’s goods herself.

Sure Sei f*cked with Haruki a little by making her jealous and tried to goad her into an argument but Sei didn’t gloat and show that pic to everyone.

And yes, Sei was definitely using Aya as a sexual outlet in the beginning but From the given text, and maybe I’m alone in this, I am inclined to believe that Sei began to look forward to the domestic things Aya did for her out of the bedroom.

Think maybe that’s why she thought about apologizing to Aya while having sex with Yoru… I mean who thinks about another girl while theyre having sex with the love of their life.

This bitch deserves no pity from me and if I were in Haruki's place I would call the police!

Good thing you aren’t or else we wouldn’t have such a juicy story rife with character development for the two real main characters.

Sei and Aya are decently written characters. I love characters with depth and sadly, Haruki just isn’t interesting enough to trump Sei and Aya drama. Nothing really separates her from other characters who suffered from the “I fell for my best friend” trope. That’s just me though.

Like I said, feel free to interpret the manga the way you want. Just wanted to get my piece out there so I can see if any one else feels the same.

last edited at Jul 24, 2021 10:42PM

I don’t want to engage but since it’s done…. It’s amazing how people ignore the text in order to fit their own sordid interpretation.

Please feel free to excuse the rant below.

Sei did not ruin Yoru. Yoru was already sleeping around with older men and other males their age. Yoru was a new student and was dubbed a delinquent man stealer by other students from the beginning. Sei had nothing to do with that. And yes, Sei told Yoru’s boy Ex that they were also together, but the guy basically belittled Sei’s love for Yoru by saying they were alike and just “playing” with Yoru so it’s not like he had plans with settling down with Yoru.

Yoru had shitty taste in men and Sei had nothing to do with that.

Yes, Sei taught Aya what Sei liked in bed but then Aya started doing stuff Sei never asked her for. Sei never asked Aya to cook or care for her and as for the sexual “grooming”, Aya was a virgin. She didn’t know her own body much less her desires. None of the teens did. And this usually happens with people who have no sexual experience. They learn things they like and try new things along the way…. It’s part of growth.

Which is something Haruki has tried to deny Aya, unless of course it was on her terms. Haruki tried to dictate Aya’s actions not out of fear for Aya’s safety, but because she wanted to keep Aya as she was. Haruki enjoyed Aya the way she was because only Haruki had access to her and Haruki loved it. It made her feel special to see Aya in a certain light and maybe that’s just my interpretation but given the tidbit we were given about Haruki’s life (rambunctious younger siblings and a “house that’s never empty”) I gather that Haruki didn’t have much that was meaningfully “hers”. It was understandable that she would hold onto Aya if this were the case but she had to understand that Aya was not hers to keep.

I know she’s young but blabbing to Aya’s mom about her staying out was her laying out a punishment for Aya. Sure, Sei did the same thing in the beginning with the whole “if you don’t come then I’ll block you.” But Sei was a stranger on a social media app who made her desperation to get laid clear in their latter conversations. Haruki is Aya’s “childhood friend” so for her to be doling out a punishment after she’d been informally rejected (no kisses and no sharing information) this effectively speaks to the lengths she’d go to keep Aya where she can monitor her and keep Aya from making her own choices.

During that time Aya and Sei were in a little time out, all Sei texted Aya was “why aren’t you here?” Not demanding that Aya come to her which speaks to how much control Aya actually has. Sei did not establish a schedule nor did she demand Aya have dinner waiting for her when she came home. Aya was free to come and go their apartment when she pleased. If Sei were truly manipulative, she’d find a way to coerce Aya to bend to her whims.

Aya never slept with Haruki in the sexual sense. Yes, she caved into Haruki’s plea about sleeping together naked but that exchange was not sexual for Aya. Aya was clear from the beginning that she did not want Haruki. Unlike Yoru who slept with Sei despite knowing how much Sei loved her.

Again, just my interpretation, but Yoru had sex with many other people. The experience was not as meaningful to her but for Sei, an actually gay teen living in traditional Japan which is often depicted as a place where one has to conform to norms or face social suicide, it was a kind tolerance which Sei confused with acceptance.

And honestly, that picture was not that bad. Aya was naked but she was under the bed sheets and you couldn’t clearly see her face or her nipples. Sure it’s skeevy of Sei to take a pic of Aya after an intimate moment but she didn’t take an undeniable nude with Aya’s face and entire body for just any one to see. It was a suggestive photo and not an outright nude pic.

As for Mochida, the fact that she’s thinking about Sei in a sexual manner just speaks to how infantile her feelings were for math teacher. She clearly loved the idea of him, the strong older role model who guides and supports her, but she had no clue about who he really was, what he liked and disliked.

Unlike Aya who knew the darkest parts of Sei yet still loves her. I haven’t read the epilogue but it seems like it’ll wrap up quite nicely for the two.

last edited at Jul 24, 2021 4:06PM

I still don't know why anybody, in the story of course, likes anybody in this. Or how Sei has a job as a teacher still >somehow.

This may be because there are enough teachers still around who knew what really happened about the scandal, while as the students graduated one class by one, all that remains is just a rumor. That is, as opposed to Sei molesting that student, it was the other way around, The fact that Sei was passive while being assaulted, pretty much tells you her mind set. Hosono protected Sei from Mochida even though there is nothing for him to gain (Sei rejected him for awhile), clearly a sign that he was a witness of that incident.

If Sei were the one who molested the student, I am sure she would have been fired by then.

I feel like it’s disregarded that she didn’t molest that Sayaki girl. And people are classifying her as a sexual predator because of what she did with Aya and to a certain extent, Yoru. Which of course, people are free to their own interpretations.

I just always figured Sei to be character trying to orchestrate her own downfall because she’s miserable and wants it all to end. And Aya isn’t some damsel in distress. Aya’s growing up. Might not be the cookie cutting righteous woman people expect of a traditional heroine, but she’s become her own person.