Damn, Nishikata really does have instinctive game. Plotting to win a contest, by making Takagi happy with her favorite juice box, while setting the mood with some relaxing music, and even considerately giving her and handwarmer to make her comfy on a cold day.
Takagi as usual has a Hella poker face, she must've been really happy that Nishikata was so thoughtful and considerate. As well as finding his "devious" plan as usual adorable/entertaining.
And she won, because she cherishes each and every second of her time with Nishikata like this. She lives vividly in the moment, to enjoy it.
There probably was a time when Takagi got just as nervous looking at Nishikata as Nishikata now gets looking at her, but that was before chapter 1.
Actually Takagi gets that nervous quite a lot. She just has a killer poker face, and is honest with herself and knows what she wants. And is super bold.
One of the running gags of this serious is Nishikata does something that makes her nervous, and actually puts the shoe on the other foot, turns the tide. But she has a poker face, and Nishikata backs down thinking he lost. And then she just honestly says she was really nervous(even more than him), or says her honest feelings, and Nishikata thinks she is teasing him.
Nishikata just outplays himself
Yeah, at this point, it's a question of when Nishikata either wises up to what's happening, or, more likely, when Takagi decides she's not satisfied with just leading him around by the nose anymore.
Also this plan was doomed from the start; if Takagi was familiar with the music in question, she could actually use it as a pretty good indicator of time.
I'm pretty sure Nishikata wises up enough.(eventually)
Takagi has been pretty openly stating her feelings for a long time, even doing some really bold moves. For the most part she simply let's Nishikata believe her confession was teasing.
She wouldn't beat the confession into him, forcing him to see it. Because that would spoil the game. She wants him to develop feelings for her and confess on his own, and/or for him to accept/realize his feelings for her. And realize the feelings she has been saying the whole time.
It's kinda like just sitting there watching a sleeping lovers face, waiting for them to peacefully wake up on their own.
Takagi is not in any rush. She's confident and happy to wait peacefully, and enjoy the the wait, the anticipation. It's like the excitement on Christmas eve, the anticipation of the presents to come. Get more excited, as his feelings grow, and he goes more and more out of the way to do stuff with her and for her.
I don't think another love interest would even be possible, and I think Takagi knows it. Knows that Nishikata really likes her deep down, and enjoys their games.
Damn I love this manga. While it has to come to an end someday, since the characters have to age, this never gets old. I just hope one day we do get the pivotal moment where Nishikatas sees the truth, and they start an official relationship. And I wouldn't mind a spinoff series, anthology, or time-lapse of their relationship as they are dating and get married.(it would be fun to see Takagi teasing him when he gets embarrassed while doing something like holding her hand, or racking up the nerves to give her a kiss or hug or something. And Takagi using moves like that to tease and show her affection.
