Ki ni Natteru Hito ga Otoko ja Nakatta - Ch. 155 - Seeing Red

[SrNevik]

I am glad to see Shu-chan's storyline continue to build along with everything else that's coming together over time; I was asking about her recently. I'm interested in what Narita picked up on which was that Koga's work schedule is busy in the afternoon, yet Aya is still hanging around the club lately during the mornings. Potentially implies her being uncomfortable communicating with Mitsuki about the recent band situation and choosing to hang out with the club more, maybe without realizing it herself (or could be something else, we'll see).

There's also the mark on her neck which I'm sure is just a hickey (though, I wouldn't be surprised if it was stress as others have guessed). It feels appropriate that Shu-chan would focus on her neck and what looks like a hickey, since she's been (to her great displeasure) confused about Aya since her arrival into the cast. I want to understand what the explanation for her fixation with Aya will be (she's clearly also struggling for that answer too lol). Also, what role will she have as she figures that out and once she figures that out.

Another fun chapter, adding more pieces to the building puzzle. I've enjoyed the series a lot more recently as we build things up. It all feels so intentional, it's cool. Can't wait for the full picture to be revealed and for everything to come crashing into each other. Is this red like Valentine's day, or red like a fresh bruise? Shu-chan would like to know.

 

[UdenEmpati]

I wrote this for the previous chapter on Dynasty but looking at the comments here it applies to this as well:

If you're using food metaphors, then the band moment is the beginning of dinner and right now we're on the appetizers and the full meal is yet to come.

I can't speak for everyone, but for me I read a story like this as in flow, and does the flow feel connected or is it interrupted? Does the flow follow reasonable curves, or is it unusually and even unnaturally jagged? And other such questions. When I look at this story right now, I think all of it fits, I don't think we've reached any satisfying conclusions in the college arc because we haven't reached any conclusion points.

But the basics seem pretty well established:
1) Aya and Mitsuki are together, but not open about their dating with most of their classmates.
2) They are both charming enough that there are clearly other people interested in them on some level though not necessarily pursuing them.
3) Mitsuki has been struggling to find a band she fits into, and this latest one seemed better than the rest.
4) Mitsuki is still popular for her playing even within this band, but the band is social media focused more so than art focused which is not inspiring for Mitsuki.
5) Mitsuki didn't want to be seen comprising her art and herself in front of Aya
6) Aya saw.


There are a number of obvious conflict points with these established, and probably a lot of non obvious conflict points, and right now we're picking at the latest developments but we may pick on ones from earlier later on too. Or we may not, whatever Sumiko-sensei is interested in. Either way, none of these have blown out completely yet in terms of confrontations or conversations between Aya and Mitsuki, they're still just possible points of conflict. Hence, appetizers.

This chapter, 155, is picking back up on conflict points 1 and 2. It's possible that eventually all of the conflict points will converge in the college arc. Or they may not, but either way Sumiko-sensei is clearly working towards something with these points. It doesn't lack cohesion just because there is no immediate continuation of the previous chapters as this is still a relevant plot point in the college arc. Not all problems are just going to be shown and solved continuously but develop over time.

Glad to see someone is aware that multiple plot points within a greater narrative can be juggled simultaneously.

I am glad to see Shu-chan's storyline continue to build along with everything else that's coming together over time; I was asking about her recently. I'm interested in what Narita picked up on which was that Koga's work schedule is busy in the afternoon, yet Aya is still hanging around the club lately during the mornings. Potentially implies her being uncomfortable communicating with Mitsuki about the recent band situation and choosing to hang out with the club more, maybe without realizing it herself (or could be something else, we'll see).

There's also the mark on her neck which I'm sure is just a hickey (though, I wouldn't be surprised if it was stress as others have guessed). It feels appropriate that Shu-chan would focus on her neck and what looks like a hickey, since she's been (to her great displeasure) confused about Aya since her arrival into the cast. I want to understand what the explanation for her fixation with Aya will be (she's clearly also struggling for that answer too lol). Also, what role will she have as she figures that out and once she figures that out.

Another fun chapter, adding more pieces to the building puzzle. I've enjoyed the series a lot more recently as we build things up. It all feels so intentional, it's cool. Can't wait for the full picture to be revealed and for everything to come crashing into each other. Is this red like Valentine's day, or red like a fresh bruise? Shu-chan would like to know.

Red being the color of emotional intensity--be that love of anger--makes me think it's twofold for Shu-chan, and both positive and negative interpretations are in play simultaneously while she remains unclear on the reason for her fixation.

She has always struck me as a bit short, at least in her dealings with others that we've seen; so having minor anger issues could be the ploy for her.
With Aya in particular, she might be reacting in anger/frustration/irritation as a reflex--I've seen a couple people suggest internalized homophobia, but I think it could simply be a case of reacting to confusing, subconcious spontaneous feelings with anger. I could see it being a bit of both, and even a third unguessed option.

The "red" here feels like a fixation on what appears to be a hicky, coupled with the literal phrase "seeing red"--being angry at the mere sight of someone who sets you off, as it were.

Shu-chan has already been at odds with Aya and her inserting herself into the club, and I assume her irritation is born out of some level of attraction to Aya; and if she is rejecting her own sexuality, then anger being her go-to emotion makes sense as Aya becomes her misplaced target for that negativity.

Which sets up a conflict wherein Aya is effectively approached by another woman, off the back of her troubles with Mitsuki. Shu-chan isn't pursuing Aya in this moment, but their orbits are on-course to collide, setting up the potential for three-way relationship drama.

 

[SrNevik]

Glad to see someone is aware that multiple plot points within a greater narrative can be juggled simultaneously.

Red being the color of emotional intensity--be that love of anger--makes me think it's twofold for Shu-chan, and both positive and negative interpretations are in play simultaneously while she remains unclear on the reason for her fixation.

She has always struck me as a bit short, at least in her dealings with others that we've seen; so having minor anger issues could be the ploy for her.
With Aya in particular, she might be reacting in anger/frustration/irritation as a reflex--I've seen a couple people suggest internalized homophobia, but I think it could simply be a case of reacting to confusing, subconcious spontaneous feelings with anger. I could see it being a bit of both, and even a third unguessed option.

The "red" here feels like a fixation on what appears to be a hicky, coupled with the literal phrase "seeing red"--being angry at the mere sight of someone who sets you off, as it were.

Shu-chan has already been at odds with Aya and her inserting herself into the club, and I assume her irritation is born out of some level of attraction to Aya; and if she is rejecting her own sexuality, then anger being her go-to emotion makes sense as Aya becomes her misplaced target for that negativity.

Which sets up a conflict wherein Aya is effectively approached by another woman, off the back of her troubles with Mitsuki. Shu-chan isn't pursuing Aya in this moment, but their orbits are on-course to collide, setting up the potential for three-way relationship drama.

All true, especially about multiple building storylines. Some of the confusion from a comment or two has been confusing me. The build up hasn't felt complicated and the plots aren't complex either, though the emotions that are revving up are (which is the best stuff).

I guess people aren't used to the viginette/composite like narrative style but I don't think the pieces have been hard to follow at all. There's clearly intent behind their placement. Some of the comments Sumiko has received (in general) have begun to be rude and I can sense the Internet train beginning to revv up against another artist again. The craziness about the last chapter was way overboard.

As for Shu-chan, I actually don't expect her to create any serious romantic drama, although I do think whatever the answer to her "red" problem is will collide with the other narrative puzzle pieces Sumiko has been carefully placing. I just feel like Shu's deal will be more dynamic than, "I like you and want you but you have a (potentially) estranged GF." The question of "what will be her role," is super interesting though.

 

[MeePotato]

so we can assume that the sesbian lex did the trick and solved their problems?

 

[mgRdr]

Yeah we're in the "unnecessary sequel" arc now

 

[UdenEmpati]

All true, especially about multiple building storylines. Some of the confusion from a comment or two has been confusing me. The build up hasn't felt complicated and the plots aren't complex either, though the emotions that are revving up are (which is the best stuff). I guess people aren't used to the viginette/composite like style but I don't think the pieces have been hard to follow at all. There's clearly intent behind their placement. Some of the comments Sumiko has received (in general) have begun to be rude and I can sense the Internet train beginning to revv up against her. As for Shu-chan, I actually don't expect her to create any serious romantic drama, although I do think whatever the answer to her "red" problem is will collide with the other narrative puzzle pieces Sumiko has been carefully placing. I just feel like Shu's deal will be more dynamic than, "I like you and want you but you have a (potentially) estranged GF." The question of "what will be her role," is super interesting though.

I don't know what the deal is with people being upset at the author, so I'm not going to comment on that bit. I have my thoughts on reading comprehension/analysis when it comes to my small sample size of comments on various manga in recent history on this site, but it's not founded and it's a discussion for another time.

As far as Shu here--I won't try and speak for Sumiko and how she writes her stories, but my guess is she'll be a plot device of sorts to force Aya and Mitsuki to confront one another by virtue of seeming like a potential rival for Mitsuki.

I know there was the joke back in chapter 150 where Aya freaked out about Mitsuki's sudden affection & spaciness meaning "she's cheating on me!" - but unless I'm forgetting something, there's no established reason for that to be her conclusion, and so I don't take it seriously. But Mitsuki has largely pulled away from Aya in a communicative sense, and has also stopped playing guitar since the latest "TikTok Band" breakup after the show where Aya surprised Mitsuki by attending.
Aya has since wanted to ask what's really going on, and keeps getting either interrupted or distracted. And now we see that she's apparently avoiding Mitsuki, hanging out in the clubroom even when it doesn't overlap with Mitsuki's work schedule. (Even Aya's clubmate has picked up on this detail, on the first page here.)
So I suspect Shu, in all her angry energy, is going to get mixed up with Aya more and more as she continues to run away from talking things out with Mitsuki. And while I won't try and guess the specific sequence of events, one way I could see it playing out culminates in Mitsuki seeing Aya and Shu from a distance--and lacking context, "get the wrong idea" about what's going on.

I don't think it'll be solved immediately from there with a confrontation/conversation between Aya & Mitsuki. They'll require outside help to a degree, likely with both of them talking to respective friends/associates about the issue, who'll push them together to talk. Shu might even end up being that person for Aya--whether she ends up liking Aya or not, we might see a flipping of her demeanor thus far into someone actually helpful and kind (if still very blunt and rough-toned), and she could be the one who listens to Aya and convinces her to talk to Mitsuki at last.

Basically - my guess is Shu will be instrumental in helping Aya and Mitsuki get through this current sticking point in their relationship, and while she won't pose an actual risk to them as a couple, will get involved and cause a fake rising of tension via misunderstanding before ultimately helping them out, potentially also squaring her own sexuality with herself and growing more comfortable with who she is.

 

[SrNevik]

I don't think it'll be solved immediately from there with a confrontation/conversation between Aya & Mitsuki. They'll require outside help to a degree, likely with both of them talking to respective friends/associates about the issue, who'll push them together to talk. Shu might even end up being that person for Aya--whether she ends up liking Aya or not, we might see a flipping of her demeanor thus far into someone actually helpful and kind (if still very blunt and rough-toned), and she could be the one who listens to Aya and convinces her to talk to Mitsuki at last.

Basically - my guess is Shu will be instrumental in helping Aya and Mitsuki get through this current sticking point in their relationship, and while she won't pose an actual risk to them as a couple, will get involved and cause a fake rising of tension via misunderstanding before ultimately helping them out, potentially also squaring her own sexuality with herself and growing more comfortable with who she is.

Yeah this I could see. I just have a feeling Shu's place will be more unconventional then some might assume, similarly to the music girl when she was introduced. Figuring Shu out is fun though, along with all the other threads Sumiko is piecing together here. A lot to chew and talk and wonder about--all in 4 page chapters. Cool stuff. It's the most I've been excited for new chapters in a while, since it feels like we have a clear direction we're building towards. Trying to put the puzzle pieces together is a good time.

 

[Akaishishi]

i mean it is all kinda there.. with how its shown that she could spend time with mitsuki but is spending a lot of time at the club room instead, combined with last chapters inner monologue, she is clearly avoiding having a conversation.

Oh, good point.

 

[UdenEmpati]

Yeah this I could see. I just have a feeling Shu's place will be more unconventional then some might assume, similarly to the music girl when she was introduced. Figuring Shu out is fun though, along with all the other threads Sumiko is piecing together here. A lot to chew and talk and wonder about--all in 4 page chapters. Cool stuff. It's the most I've been excited for new chapters in a while, since it feels like we have a clear direction we're building towards. Trying to put the puzzle pieces together is a good time.

I actually hope that I can't predict what happens with Shu's character, because that would mean Sumiko's not going the "usual romcom/drama route" that gets played out often enough in manga series that I can guess at an entire arc's sequence of events.
Which means we'd be getting something at least somewhat novel, which I would be immensely happy to see as I feel like this series is a cut above the usual fare--from its rather unorthodox presentation and central aesthetic, to the fact we get an actual timeskip to Aya & Mitsuki's college life post-high school confession.

Doubters Gonna Doubt, but I agree that this is an exciting direction to see and I am a fan of the author not sticking entirely to happy/lovey dovey moments, and showing a gamut of realistic relationship dynamics between Aya and Mitsuki, that you'd find even in healthy relationships in the real world.

 

[danny597]

love triangle BEGONE shakes stick at her

 

[gumchewer]

Idk what's even going on anymore. Wtf

real, atp i've completely lost the plot line...

 

[gumchewer]

listening to Thousand Foot Crutch - I see red

i immediately thought of Mac Demarco's "Seeing Red"

 

[Thrembs]

What?

What the hell is happening?

Our main couple is now in a place where they should probably break up, and now there's... This?!

What?!

Alright, this is just annoying. I'm out

 

[TanyaTheEvil]

Thanks for the chapter and translation

 

[APlatypus]

"WHY DO I KEEP STARING AT THIS HOT WOMAN! HOW DARE SHE!!"

probably. Whatever. Lesbernarians or something. Geez

 

[Richman]

Is this some kind of sick, twisted joke?!

 

[agonice]

Is this before or after Mitsuki quits her music career? And this Shu-chan, who is she ?

 

[UdenEmpati]

Is this before or after Mitsuki quits her music career?

After.

Mitsuki joined a band after a slew of failures (chapter 148), hoping that this one would work out. But all the girls were "social media first", and they constrained Mitsuki's playing to fit in a box of vibes/"online-appropriate" playstyles (chapter 149).

Mitsuki was going to do a live show with them (chapter 152) and Aya couldn't make it at first. Mitsuki was happy, because she didn't want Aya to see her playing so dejectedly. Aya managed to make it, surprised Mitsuki, and bore witness to the truth of how burnt out and down Mitsuki was.

They proceeded to not talk about it, as Aya kept getting sidetracked or derailed by this & that.

And this Shu-chan, who is she ?

She's a person in the same club that Aya is in. We first see her in chapter 144, and then again in chapter 147. She's generally standoffish and blunt, and is fixated on Aya in some manner that hasn't been fully explored.

She sees Aya hanging drunk off Mitsuki in ch.144, and during the horror moving screening in ch.147, Aya gets jumpscared, grabs her arm, and we see Shu staring where she was touched, with a tense look on her face.

Could be she's gay and hasn't accepted it, and is attracted to Aya and mad about that fact (for a multiude of reasons, I guess). But, can't say for certain as it's not been made explicitly clear.
Her "seeing 'red'" line here is alluding to an impending conflict with Aya though, I would wager.

 

[yogurtman250]

Uh sure closeted homophobia arc I guess

 

[Brun_Ursus]

since graduation arc this series just feel like this: