Each time you start enjoying this manga, there happens something cringeworthy, on a regular basis. This time it was the quiz ending. Well, considering how Ichou is one of 3 main cringenerators of the series (along with Yamai and Najimi), and that all this interschool competition premise was her fault, it's...befitting at the very least, I guess? It still leaves an awful aftertaste in the mouth. Oh well, the author fed us some turd again. Shame on me.
As for Kawai, she is an interesting character. I've been waiting for her introduction since her first mention at the beginning of the series. And I didn't like the revelation that "oh my she loves him, she loved him even back then, blah blah blah", as it felt stretched, but then it was framed more...naturally, I guess? This type of perfectionist obsessed with efficiency. Rejected Tadano for the sake of efficiency, that idea.
I'm a little surprised that she doesn't follow any gossips and rumors at all, maybe I'm too used to perfectionists who find a bit of time even for that, even if superficially. And honestly I've been waiting an attack on her character from the direction "you rejected him then and look where you are now, you hurt him deeply and from humanistic point of view this was moronic and you are rightfully punished", not this petty "you should focus on your surroundings more".
And again I am surprised that she cried about the outcome of quiz. Me, in her shoes, would've raged about the cringeworthiness of the questions (and, if obsessed with results to such a degree, maybe tried to invalidate the contest).
I still have big expectations for the conclusion of her arc. Here's a list
- I want Tadano to learn the fact that she's in love with him, and why she rejected him
- I want her to understand that perfectionistic approach doesn't work in relationships, and that she hurt Tadano badly. As well as herself, judging by "sulking in bed for 3 days".
- I want her come to conclusion that she shouldn't have been rejecting Tadano. Yes, to date and to deal with chuunibyou affected middle school boy is hard, but come on. This thing passes on its own in most cases anyway. If she really loved him then she should have started dating him. In the end, if you don't accept the person at such moments, then you don't accept them at all.
- I want her to concur with the fact that Tadano finding such a wonderful girlfriend was only natural. Heck, I'll even say it was inevitable! I want it to seep into Kawai's consciousness that her chances for happy future with Tadano are equal to 0 (zero) now, and that she is the only one responsible for this
All in all, I want Kawai to suffer for her rejection in middle school. I want her to suffer badly. After first chapter of this arc I was expecting some "ah he has a girlfriend now and I want to steal him just because" bullshit, and was wishing for some sort of retribution in advance. But now, knowing that she really loves Tadano but rejected him nonetheless, I wholeheartedly want her completely trampled over. And depending on sincerity of her repentance she may or may not have a chance to find another good boy, like Manbagi found (well, Manbagi did nothing wrong to begin with and her karma was clear).
But if it culminates with "oh yeah, I should pay more attention to surroundings and participate in conversations and remember gossips and rumors", then I'll be deeply dissappointed. Well, considering what I started this comment with, "a regular basis"...I know what's coming, don't I?
