For manga overall, another work of author, where he explores kinks/fetishes, a more lighhearted at that, tho not without dark moments. While it was hard to pin what exactly was Kaguya's angle from the very start, it seems she genuinely was pulled in by Daichi, even if she wasn't serious from start, never meant harm to him (henche many of her inner monologues about Akari and keeping tabs on their relationships with Daichi). Her putting up a front and "condition" that she wasn't going to be one innitiating things going all the way "I can't peel myself", which Daichi did (with emracing her in 124 and Akari's "help"). As for Kaguya herself, she knew what she did was questionable at best, and downright horrible in publics eyes, think her breaking down in shower is mix of accepting guilt to herself and being sorry for Daichi and how it'll effect him, as for her husband, don't know, maybe translator say his word, but it really depends on what is implied by "mistake" and sorry from husband, is he sorry for leaving his wife for a year+ on her own, while he was overseas? Or is it "mistake" as in cheating, and them taking break from each other with his work as excuse? Either way, great writing from author, no major loose ends.
I honestly think Kaguya is one of the best written characters I've read all year. And I feel like she's the protagonist of this story, despite Daichi being the main POV.
Here's my take.
Kaguya KNOWS and acknowledges she's a pervert. And she's left alone by her husband for ambiguous reasons.
I think her "cold personality" is a defense mechanism. As in "do not get close, because I cannot be bothered having to deal with my urges", and what with her marriage being in the air, that doesn't help at all as she doesn't have an outlet for her sexual needs. She's not going to jump anyone, but it might get her needy, and she won't have anything to do with that but be frustrated.
Which is also probably why we often see her go out to drink. It's the one thing she uses as an outlet. It's not a solution, but it's something.
But back to her and her sexual preferences, needs and how that influences her behaviour. Most people and even psychologists agree that most animal interactions are power dynamics in play. And that can include sex, and I do even need to mention her stance on that? Aggressive yes, with even more aggressive top energy.
And yes, that also relate to her behaviour, because the few times we see her in situations out of her control, she tends to shriek and cower quite a bit. As in, if she doesn't have full control over a situation, she immediately is out of her comfort zone. Which is also why she seems to emotionless and is so good at acting. She controls her self, her surrounding and her emotions, that is her comfort zone.
Then you add ALL that and her work as a nurse in a school, straddling the line between young adult and mature adult. A line which japanese are very aggressive about. Then you have the kids, which I'm sure regardless at the start probably came in with their fetishes, and might've expressed frustration at her being a "hag", and her personality intentionally pushing them away.
AND THEN OUT COMES DAICHI CONSISTENTLY AND AGGRESSIVELY DECLARING HIS LOVE FOR HER
And yeah. Of course. She knows it's wrong. She tries to push him away. But he. JUST. KEEPS. COMING. (PUN UNINTENTIONAL)
I imagine she saw two roads. Just keep pushing him away, and have both be frustrated at the end of it. Or... Enjoy it a bit, and yeah, no happy ending there, but there's no happy ending on the other and at least this way they actually get to have a good experience, even if they'll end up sad at the end of it.
And that's this whole manga, and why I say she's the protagonist. It's her walking that second road, very, very carefully.
Special mentions. Whenever Daichi fantasies about their life in the future out loud, she never entertains the idea, and aggressively shuts it down. Trying to be responsible. And that one time, when I'm sure she had just about finished wrapping her job and passing it off to Minami, where she just full on strolls on the corridor and hugs Daichi in public. She wasn't very vocal, but between that and telling him to choose a date anywhere, I think that was her way of saying "I don't work here anymore"
Some people saying love.... I honestly don't think she "loved" him. Liked, cherished, cared. Yes. .... I don't think she would personally feel love just due to their age difference. And not to wax philosophical too much, but if you're not willing to accept and recognize love for someone, I don't think one can develop it, especially Kaguya with all her life experience and perspective.
Sure you can accidentally fall in love, but begrudgingly?
This is getting too tangential now.
Point is. Great character right there. Solid narrative. Good experience.
