Haikei, Arishi Hi ni Saku Hanatachi e - Vol. 3 Ch. 13

[MangaDex]

 

[Beltaro]

I wrote the following as a 2nd page to my post-credits talk on maturity, but felt like I was just pushing my opinions and wasn't worth attaching right to the chapter:

Chapter 13 stands out to me as a rare case of Kasumi sticking to the leading role. She's nearly always allowed or depended on Haruyo taking the lead, but here the roles are reversed from start to finish. We can draw some obvious-yet-nondescript conclusions on Kasumi's trauma prompting this, fearing Haruyo hurting herself in trying to become someone she's not. Expressed pointedly in the dream sequence.

Kasumi's dream is beautiful and sad. An endless warm sea, sheltering them from the need to come up for air. Something that could have gone on forever. But as Haruyo touches on, it's unrealistic. Change comes regardless of if you're ready. And change is never without growing pains.

Both are making somewhat naive attempts at being the mature one. Haruyo's ineffectual longing to replace herself with the role she plays, Kasumi's vain wish to protect Haruyo's childish innocence. And it reminds me of the first lines of chapter 1. "Who I once was." Kasumi's failed attempt at remaining unchanged? "Who you are yet to be." Haruyo's failed attempt at becoming someone else? "Are both still waiting there?" Contained in letters left behind in the library.

Though that's only one interpretation, and it's not all ill omens. They're discovering each other in a much more comfortable way so far than SayoMizu's 'who is this' moment. Besides, if those two can work it out there's no reason the fluffballs can't.

Still, even as Kasumi and Haruyo reach for each other, they aren't fully there yet. This chapter's headlined with imagery of them being close yet disconnected. Haruyo's insecurities becoming clearer opens the door to drama exploiting them. Kasumi is nowhere near being open with Haruyo, let alone herself and the audience. Their needs in their relationship aren't mirrored. And Kasumi contradicts herself, wanting "Onee-sama" to guide her escapism while wanting to protect Haruyo from reality.

But more than the maturity to handle whatever comes, they share a strong attachment that keeps them steady. Making these little strides towards each other. They might stumble but I can't imagine they'll fall backwards. Even if their future is mutual failure, growth through pain, I think they already have all they need.

 

[dqvdqv]

Such a touching chapter but the foreboding feeling is still there at the end 🙏

The art is absolutely lovely.

 

[quantumcroissant]

Such a touching chapter but the foreboding feeling is still there at the end 🙏

anyone else hear that ominous bell tolling????🤣🤣🤣 no?? just me??????😭😭😭😭😭😭

 

[Serenata]

I am glad, is not about the character they play but who is playing them, leaving it clear that she loves every aspect is so nice... So happy for them!

 

[rudezki]

Oh yeah, this peak exists

 

[UdenEmpati]

welp, didn't mean to start crying when I need to be painting, but.

I was just talking to my therapist about how I still can't really square being "an adult" when I'm struggling with neurological things that feel like the sort of "baseline stuff" that I should have sorted out and gotten under control years ago.
About what it actually means to grow up, what that looks like, what magical moments occur and what switches flip.
When do I stop randomly jumping over cracks on the sidewalk? When do I stop trying to balance on the crosswalk lines when moving through my city? When do I start thinking "oh, I shouldn't get some candy, because I need to get home and make dinner for my family?"

I didn't expect the first chapter in awhile of this title to be Haruyo voicing the very worries in my head aloud, while being less than half my age. It's weird, it's freakishly coincidental, and I'm entirely reading too much into having the topic of mental health discussions from earlier replaying out before me now.
But it's comforting, all the same, knowing that others are thinking the same thing, worrying the same way, even if it's filtered through the dialogue of a fictional junior high girl worrying over things that she can't yet square in herself.

And this chapter goes far beyond just that, but it resonated in a way that I was wholly unprepared for, and the depth of each page of these two as they fumble and flirt and worry and struggle and persevere, bit by bit, through this story they're writing together, is healing in a way.

To say nothing of the art - it's a drum I will surely wear out from all of my time spent banging upon it each and every time, but The Aquarium Date very much shows the chops of the author and just how incredible her work really is. The lighting of the space plays perfectly into what she's all about in general, and it adds that extra dreaminess to the awake parts, which flow perfectly into Kasumi's slumbering wishes and hopes for her and Haruyo.

--

I am grateful that I am here and existing when this story is being told, and that someone who cares this much about making sure it's translated faithfully is here as well to do just that.

 

[septuvariest]

DOOMED YURI ALERT
NOOT NOOT
THIS YURI IS NOW: DOOMED

 

[zairaner]

What kind of pact with the devil has the author made to be able to deliver such gorgeous peak every single chapter.

 

[Fezy_Wezy]

I dropped everything to read the chapter because it's peak every time. God what a touching and heartfelt conversation. I need more!
Also Aquarium date means it's Officially Yuri now

 

[sebaasdf]

This manga is just so beautiful

 

[celstra]

Aquarium, classic lesbian dating spot. Thanks Kasumi's bro, you were doing your due diligence.

 

[stupid_francis]

This never misses does it. I find myself downloading half the pages every chapter lol

Also yes I also hear the ominous bell. We've had too much floof. We're going to get back to reality soon haha

 

[Amerine]

It's aquarium-official now

 

[AlphaDovah]

View attachment 37370
I wrote the following as a 2nd page to my post-credits talk on maturity, but felt like I was just pushing my opinions and wasn't worth attaching right to the chapter:

Chapter 13 stands out to me as a rare case of Kasumi sticking to the leading role. She's nearly always allowed or depended on Haruyo taking the lead, but here the roles are reversed from start to finish. We can draw some obvious-yet-nondescript conclusions on Kasumi's trauma prompting this, fearing Haruyo hurting herself in trying to become someone she's not. Expressed pointedly in the dream sequence.

Kasumi's dream is beautiful and sad. An endless warm sea, sheltering them from the need to come up for air. Something that could have gone on forever. But as Haruyo touches on, it's unrealistic. Change comes regardless of if you're ready. And change is never without growing pains.

Both are making somewhat naive attempts at being the mature one. Haruyo's ineffectual longing to replace herself with the role she plays, Kasumi's vain wish to protect Haruyo's childish innocence. And it reminds me of the first lines of chapter 1. "Who I once was." Kasumi's failed attempt at remaining unchanged? "Who you are yet to be." Haruyo's failed attempt at becoming someone else? "Are both still waiting there?" Contained in letters left behind in the library.

Though that's only one interpretation, and it's not all ill omens. They're discovering each other in a much more comfortable way so far than SayoMizu's 'who is this' moment. Besides, if those two can work it out there's no reason the fluffballs can't.

Still, even as Kasumi and Haruyo reach for each other, they aren't fully there yet. This chapter's headlined with imagery of them being close yet disconnected. Haruyo's insecurities becoming clearer opens the door to drama exploiting them. Kasumi is nowhere near being open with Haruyo, let alone herself and the audience. Their needs in their relationship aren't mirrored. And Kasumi contradicts herself, wanting "Onee-sama" to guide her escapism while wanting to protect Haruyo from reality.

But more than the maturity to handle whatever comes, they share a strong attachment that keeps them steady. Making these little strides towards each other. They might stumble but I can't imagine they'll fall backwards. Even if their future is mutual failure, growth through pain, I think they already have all they need.

Your notes add a lot the these chapters and help us look at things that we may have otherwise paid only passing notice. Sometimes it’s difficult to know when to look for deeper meaning when you read through as much manga as most of us likely do. Thanks.

 

[rkbrillantes]

Pg 9-13 is so beautiful. The scenes and dialogue come together just to paint such a tear inducing picture of character building for the readers to enjoy. This mangaka is perfect

I wish this couple happiness and I'm afraid that if this turns out to be what I'm think it would it will ruin my day and affect me. LOL

 

[Descendent]

The writing in this series, man... I'm very grateful for all of the care and attention our scanlator, Beltaro, puts into scanlating this series for us and ensuring that all of the subtleties are properly captured.

 

[sandeboi]

This character writing is just too good. You barely find this level of competency from an author in manga let alone a yuri manga.

 

[onedumninja]

That part at the end where she wakes up crying is so raw. I feel it in core. It feels like kasumi is so worried about haruyo's heart. It hurts kasumi that she can't just hold haruyo closely and calm all of those worries and doubts away. To see someone you care about so much suffer, hurts so much more than your own suffering. Not only are haruyo and kasumi afraid to fully evolve their relationship into something deeper, the fear that kasumi may not like the real haruyo, both of them afraid to do more than just lock hands together, they're also deeply affected by each other's pain and unsure of how to remedy it.

It's so wholesome and relatable T_T

 

[gmanhunt]

I believe all this sweet build up is just a set up for the author to make everything come crashing down in one psychotic arc. The loss of innocence will be glorious