If there’s one thing I’ve absolutely loved about the narrative in this manga by the great Kuzushiro, it’s how it portrays different kinds of struggles, whether they're tangible or not. The way the story contrasts Kanon’s situation (living with a hearing impairment) with Saki’s challenges, which are much more psychological than physical, is just brilliant.
As the story progresses, you see how much Saki represses different sides of herself. I really appreciate how the manga subtly implies this stems from her upbringing. Growing up with a single mother who was constantly consumed by caring for Saki’s dependent, elderly grandmother, Saki saw that reality and started burying her own personal desires and personality. There’s no physical disability here, nor are we ever told Saki has any neurodivergence, and honestly, that makes her even more interesting. She’s just a regular girl who, because of her personal circumstances, developed an inability to voice her own needs and wants.
On top of that, you have to look at Saki through the lens of Japanese society, with all its light and shadow. It’s a culture where (as locals themselves often point out) hiding your personal desires so you don’t stand out is just part of daily life. That sheer mundanity, that everyday reality, is exactly what makes Saki so compelling.
Kuzushiro teaches us to put ourselves in the shoes of people like Saki, those who seem quiet, shy, or calm on the surface. People who actually carry an intense emotional and sensory world inside them, but present an outward impassivity that can end up being deeply frustrating, even to themselves.