Kusunoki-san wa Koukou Debut ni Shippai Shite Iru - Ch. 56 - Her absence has left me feeling strangely off

[Asheron]

Hebikawa has the most interesting character dynamic with the MC by far but not necesaarily in a romantic way
But her potential as a romantic partner based on how she grows as a character outshines every other girl in this manga
She's already far more interesting than both Kusunoki and Moe combined
She's just not a realistic romance partner for Keisuke based on their history

I think people shouldn't over-state their history and the "trauma aspect". This was in middle school, and it's not like Hebikawa murdered both his parents. It's taken as a given that both Kusonoki and Keisuki have changed since then (that is the premise of the series!), so why can't Hebikawa? 10-year old Keisuki is also going to naturally view the raven-haired beauty differently post-puberty. Part of his growth should be forgiving and reconciling with Hebikawa, potentially in a romantic way.

scheming against Kusunoki is revealed that will burn any romantic development she had with him

"scheming"... again with the hyperbole. It is a normal rivalry. Hebikawa didn't plant drugs in Kusunoki's locker and get her kicked out of school. Hopefully Keisuki has the maturity to view this in the proper perspective. Something forum posters should also try to do a bit more objectively.

 

[Trolliconics]

I think people shouldn't over-state their history and the "trauma aspect". This was in middle school, and it's not like Hebikawa murdered both his parents. It's taken as a given that both Kusonoki and Keisuki have changed since then (that is the premise of the series!), so why can't Hebikawa? 10-year old Keisuki is also going to naturally view the raven-haired beauty differently post-puberty. Part of his growth should be forgiving and reconciling with Hebikawa, potentially in a romantic way.

I know she didnt do anything that severe to him
But it is clear he was effected by it in a negative way
He thought he finally had someone who acknowledged him but it was a lie
It's what caused him to change and have a different appearance in high school
His whole appearance wouldn't be the same without her
Part of his growth as a character is him moving on from that event which means it does linger in his mind and effect his actions
I just think some clear acknowledgement that she wronged him in some way is justified
Doesn't have to be anything too grand just a genuine "im sorry" could do wonders not just for Keisuke but Hebikawa as well

 

[Chronigan]

Fair point but sorry not sorry : starting a certain point, you gotta stop and take responsabilities for your own actions.
As I now always say after seeing it too many times : "Having a shitty past doesn't give you the right to ruin others futures !!"

Mami ? From RAGF ? What was her shitty situation ?

Spoiler: Mami

has emotionally abusive and controlling parents. The boy she fell in love with and said they would be together forever dumped her after her parents threatend him. She also had a miscarriage, losing their child.

Yes you do need to take responsability for your actions. But that is that and this is this. Just because someone has done something horrible dosen't mean they shouldn't be treated with kindness. In fact, people respond better and are more willing to change when treated with kindness. When they are attacked they harden their heart and lash out in return. The world is against them any way so why should they change?

 

[kaijuwega]

Snake is the Shawn fucking Michaels of this entire fed.

 

[Loukhx]

Finally, the author saw that without Snek the plot pretty much doesn't move forward. Guys, we may be seeing a lot less boring chapters from now on.

 

[javajulien]

Snek girl stuff at this point is like 50/50 people legitimately finding her to be the most interesting character in the series, and people trolling those who have a meltdown down people like Hebikawa. Seriously, if you spend pages bitching about people liking a specific character, what type of reaction do you think that will garner? lol

 

[IotaCS]

Look i aint trying to get into an discussion about Himaten inside of a Kusunoki thread
But Himaten kinda dropped the ball in a lot of ways
I already didn't like it since it was a heavily cliched story and only speed read it to see the hype about a side character winning
There was no hype
Himaten ending was white bread boring that lead me feeling the entire story couldve ended 50 chapters earlier
You should let side characters win if they have better character chemistry with the MC than any other character
The side character in Himaten didn't have that in the slightest
Hebikawa has the most interesting character dynamic with the MC by far but not necesaarily in a romantic way
But her potential as a romantic partner based on how she grows as a character outshines every other girl in this manga
She's already far more interesting than both Kusunoki and Moe combined
She's just not a realistic romance partner for Keisuke based on their history
If she can genuinely make up for all the trauma she inflicted on Keisuke I can see her winning this
But the problem is im not sure if the mangaka can cook something so nuanced like that in a romcom manga
But i want them to cook since i think the payoff would be tramendous
I mean i cant think of any other romcom where everyone hates a character
Then as the story progresses half the fanbase start to like them to the point of having controversial battles in a comment section with the people who still dont like them
Hebikawa is one of a kind in my eyes which is why this comment section is peak

This is probably the snake take I agree with the most, including the Himaten comparisons. The side girl there (legit can't even remember her name off the top of my head) was basically the Kusunoki of that series, totally cookie-cutter boring character, but she ended up winning while MC and Himari had some genuinely great chemistry.

That said I wouldn't call what MC and Snake have in this series chemistry, but their relationship is certainly the most interesting out of the three - his relationship with Moe seems to be closer to a sibling relationship (from his perspective at least), and Kusunoki is just Kusunoki. It would take some pretty spectacular character development for her to be a possible romantic partner (and I'm with you that I don't have much faith the author can cook that hard), but depending on how that development is done it could be a good route.

 

[Hyperkinesis]

Hey now Snek-chan, I’ve only just come around to liking you—you’re on thin fuckin’ ice.

 

[vinostrife]

Fucking snaaaakeee gtfo from ma boi MC

 

[Asheron]

I know she didnt do anything that severe to him
But it is clear he was effected by it in a negative way
He thought he finally had someone who acknowledged him but it was a lie

I don't recall the whole history exactly, but is it clear that her early interactions with him was all a lie? What would be the point of that? She certainly wouldn't have been expecting the payoff be so that she could troll his future competing love interests. She could have been lying to her friends because she was embarrassed about them questioning why she was friendly with the fat kid. Seems equally as likely.

I just think some clear acknowledgement that she wronged him in some way is justified
Doesn't have to be anything too grand just a genuine "im sorry" could do wonders not just for Keisuke but Hebikawa as well

I do agree that it should be able to be sorted out fairly easily. Keisuki may need to reflect on things and view Hebikawa differently, but from her perspective, I don't think Hebikawa is beyond the point of being able to reconcile with him and having it create some huge character inconsistency. A confident snek is hardly worse to suffer than many of the tsundere FMCs that seem to always get a free pass when they are agressively hostile to the MC.

 

[Trolliconics]

I don't recall the whole history exactly, but is it clear that her early interactions with him was all a lie? What would be the point of that? She certainly wouldn't have been expecting the payoff be so that she could troll his future competing love interests. She could have been lying to her friends because she was embarrassed about them questioning why she was friendly with the fat kid. Seems equally as likely.

Certainly could all have been a lie to save face but i hate the idea of that
Hebikawa works well because she's a mean girl
To imply she actually isn't that much of a mean girl and only lied to save face feels like an insult to her character

 

[rogpete]

For some reason I was under the impression that shorty was A yeah behind them but that makes no sense if they are moving to second year. I think it was how she referred to Kusonoki. Calling her my lady or whatever.

 

[DonutFlavouredPie]

are there any recommendations for similar manga?

 

[MrPP118]

I think people shouldn't over-state their history and the "trauma aspect". This was in middle school, and it's not like Hebikawa murdered both his parents. It's taken as a given that both Kusonoki and Keisuki have changed since then (that is the premise of the series!), so why can't Hebikawa? 10-year old Keisuki is also going to naturally view the raven-haired beauty differently post-puberty. Part of his growth should be forgiving and reconciling with Hebikawa, potentially in a romantic way.


"scheming"... again with the hyperbole. It is a normal rivalry. Hebikawa didn't plant drugs in Kusunoki's locker and get her kicked out of school. Hopefully Keisuki has the maturity to view this in the proper perspective. Something forum posters should also try to do a bit more objectively.

What Hebikawa did to Keisuke should not be understated.

As far as the rest goes, it is scheming, that's not a hyperbole, that's literally what Hebikawa is doing she is scheming by using Keisuke and Moe to get to Kusunoki and she doesn't care for the consequences, it's not a normal rivalry because as things stand, Hebikawa's feelings for Keisuke aren't all there.

As I mentioned before, it's very possible for Keisuke to view Hebi in a romantic light but I doubt it will actually go anywhere since the romance in this series seems like an open and shut case in favour of Kusunoki.

Hebikawa gaining romantic feelings for Keisuke and vice versa is doomed because the moment Hebikawa is exposed, the moment Keisuke witnesses Hebi hurting Kusunoki or Moe he'll see that she hasn't changed, the bond they've built up will shatter.

You're absolutely right that Hebikawa can change but her change can only come after she's had her worldview shattered and she's made to realise Kusunoki doesn't have a "dark side", alongside this she should also have the consequences of Keisuke rejecting her so she can realise what she has lost by getting so caught up in her goals.


Hebikawa developing a real friendship with Kusunoki and Keisuke and supporting their relationship will be nice to see down the line.

 

[Darkyan97]

Hebikawa my GOAT. Even is she doesn't win, she actually moves the plot forward, so she is a winner in my heart.

 

[MrPP118]

@1tsMeLiam Hey buddy, you can actually contribute to the thread instead of mass striking anyone who doesn't share your view.

 

[jojoka]

Certainly could all have been a lie to save face but i hate the idea of that
Hebikawa works well because she's a mean girl
To imply she actually isn't that much of a mean girl and only lied to save face feels like an insult to her character

I think it could be half and half.
She could have actually thought those things about him but also liked him in a "he's interesting" way but not so much that she thinks keeping around is better then taking a hit to her reputation by being friendly with the creepy guy.
To me that seems in character.

 

[Freeland]

I will concede one thing. This cheat sheet was shoehorned in, and Kusunoki is the only character in this manga who has this buff

“You will face some setbacks, but just sit tight, be cute, and ultimately the romantic victory shall be yours, ol’ title girl”

But there’s one condition: Be honest

So it’s up to Kusunoki not to fumble this and be honest with Moe, Keisuke, and Hebikawa (so Snek won’t have anything to use against her)

Moe got mogged by Snek this chapter because Kusunoki kept her in the dark

Hebikawa needs huge development before she can be a serious romantic contender

 

[Freeland]

And the victory condition for Hebikawa as a character isn’t romantic victory. It’s for her to learn and accept that the world isn’t made up of only good people or only bad people, but both

 

[Asheron]

I think it could be half and half.
She could have actually thought those things about him but also liked him in a "he's interesting" way but not so much that she thinks keeping around is better then taking a hit to her reputation by being friendly with the creepy guy.
To me that seems in character.

Possibly a bit similar to Nagatoro calling Senpai gross. It started as humiliating (and way worse!) and then turned... endearing? Whatever the transition, readers jumped all aboard the forgiveness train. So it's not like Hebikawa is irredeemable. It just has to be written well. Maybe she just wants to be scolded. hehehe