this chapter was so melancholy. I can really see/feel the death flags like something is going to happen (with the hints of his burns, his writing letters, the church confession, the next summer let's go here). The thing is that this date is so mundane in like a comfortable way. I really like how last chapter phrased it, like Rei makes his heart flutter but Arsenio comforts him. This date felt like an old married couple date lol. They are so comfortable with one another, they are so calm in one another's presence. It's not a heart fluttering love, but a tried and true type of love. That's why I like Arsenio and Sauro, but I feel like it's gonna be Rei for endgame. Just because Rei makes Arsenio happy and gives him excitement. idk my ideal type of love is what Aresenio and Sauro have, but I guess a more traditional and expected type of love in media is that between Rei and Arsenio, the basis of their relationship is a bit more like infatuation for me. If you're familiar with the types of love greeks have then I feel like Arsenio/Sauro have love similar to "pragma" or longstanding love, while Rei and Arsenio have love a bit more like "ludus" or playful love.
EDIT: I'M ADDING MORE BC I STARTED THINKING AND CAN'T STOP but like Rei allows arsenio to have fun and forget who he is, while being with sauro makes aresenio confront his past, it makes arsenio uncomfortable because he needs to address issues he's been running from. Rei allows him to continue running from the past and even though Rei is like "I will support you" in the end Rei doesn't SPUR or initiate anything for Arsenio out of Arsenio's best interest. Rei won't ask Arsenio to talk to his parents (unless he wants to meet them for a wedding). Sauro does. Sauro might make Arsenio uncomfortable in that he challenges him to confront what bothers him, but Sauro does it in such a gentle way. Idk Sauro is like the person you'd want to help support you through this. Sauro is gentle and reliable you can lean on him and wow I'm in love with Sauro (shoulda known i mean his character personality traits are my fav).
NEVERTHELESS Sauro wants Arsenio to grow for Aresnio's sake, he wants Arsenio to overcome what's haunting him so that Arsenio can move forward and be more confident. Rei acts in their best interest, and right now they're fixated on Arsenio, but they won't do anything substantial to help him. Rei's arc is more like an idealized first love type of deal, this kind of I love Arsenio! Because he is one of the first people I've felt this way about! Limerence!!! I feel as if the feelings between the two of them aren't as complex. I'd really like the ending for this to be Rei's first love is unfulfilled, but Arsenio and Sauro's love is. I don't really see that happening though, given the phrasing of the chapter. Also Eric and Arsenio are such good friends I'd love for them to be brother/sister in laws LOL.