Yep, Shou getting turned in by Umi has continued to be a thing. Their living situation being what it is, they seem to have very little 1:1 time to talk and figure things out, so good for Shou to communicate clearly that she does like being touched towards the end.
Shou’s hypersensitivity to light caresses and the message chair and also her lack of sensitivity to temperature are again very consistent with the idea that she is autistic and has different ways of processing sensations. Maybe Umi should try a firm hug and deep pressure instead?
It was only from this chapter that I began to think that. Now that I’m getting more aware of the characteristics, hypersensitivity for a lot of stuff is a big giveaway. Were these things always present? Getting bullied and liking specific unique hobbies may have been one of them too but I thought it was just a personality trait. I think in Citrus that Mei is also autistic, given the limited range of expression (or maybe just not knowing how to express). Stimming too, Mei likes her stuffed animal teddy bear. I don’t think I’ve seen Shou stim before?
I kind of wish it was pointed out as such, like putting it in a manga and showing that “people with these traits can be successful and happy too” is good for normalizing. But also pointing it out how effective communication is not just for this specific relationship but for people in the community would maybe be taken well. . . Maybe? Like I’m glad they mentioned “asexual” in Bloom into You explicitly, but I also wish they pointed out Demisexuality, which is what Yuu was.
last edited at May 24, 2025 11:43AM