That's what Im hoping for.
I love how organized your thoughts are. On another hand, hopefully, the former bully trio can find peace without relying on Ueno.
this is already the third what-if. chisaki's was the first one, back in ch80.
This chapter shows Tsubomi being cute again which made me think: What are some examples of the other characters being shown in a, for lack of better words, fluffier light?
The only one that immediately comes to mind is Kanako's vulnerability in the inn scene. Not cute, but still a bit different.
Mixed messages with this chapter.
On the one hand, the author states that yuri isn't Kanako's only fetish. She would actually enjoy Ueno. Comfort seems to be the defining word for her.
On the other hand, you have it being stated explicitly and symbolically that it needs to end.
🧐
I just find it hard to believe that the author would create a scene like this if it's not going to be Harem/Orgy-END. We've had fun (Tsubomi), passion (Chisaki), and comfort (Kanako). Next week is looking like the finale, especially in light of the latest RAW chapter ending with Moka and Ueno back at a hotel. So the author has placed Kanako's scene right next to Moka's.
🫣
Eh, I think "moving forward" can be done with the trio. If anything, this what-if shows it's more possible than before.
Moka is the weakest romance character. Even her sister has more potential for romance.
We did get one scene with the sister and the guy she was developing. She and Ueno can exercise and then exercise.
Eh, I think "moving forward" can be done with the trio. If anything, this what-if shows it's more possible than before.
There are problems with it playing out straight. For instance:
- There's no real reason for the two to suddenly become compatible. If these what-ifs were directed toward Moka, you can say she learns from them. But they're not. The only thing that's being conveyed is to Ueno, and that he could enjoy it. Even then, the compatibility issue isn't one of experience or knowledge but of fetish.
- Kanoko has no happy ending. Right now it's established that she likes Chisaki and she could enjoy Ueno.
- Chisaki has no happy ending. It has been established that Chisaki only likes Ueno. She has not confessed/accepted this love but, more importantly, she cannot have a happy ending without Ueno.
- There is a presumed final arc (DisneySea) and Riku left. Neither would have narrative value playing it straight. If it is being "played out straight", then next week may as well be the end.
- Moka is the weakest romance character. Even her sister has more potential for romance.
We did get one scene with the sister and the guy she was developing. She and Ueno can exercise and then exercise.
Ueno's negativity can be crushed by her magnificent abs.
🤤
none of this is being conveyed to ueno, he is not the one imagining these scenes, the girls are. the narrative purpose of these scenes is that they're "what-if" scenarios, a kind of fanservice where the audience gets to see what it could look like if the ships that are not going to be canonized had gone differently, and also to add sex scenes to an arc that would have otherwise been light on them. they are not going to have an impact on the characters' arcs going forward, they are narrative dead ends, and being presented as what-if scenarios communicates to the audience that neither of these branches are going to happen in the story itself.
I'm giving the author more credit than you that they're not thinking fanservice is good narrative purpose. It's not good to show that three of the four girls results in a happy ending, as least as far as the metaphorical bedroom is concerned, nor is it needed. The arc dearth of scenes could have been filled with Ueno and Moka experimenting, which would be far more useful to the story.
