I was horrified and had to pause for a few seconds before reading the next pages after the confession, and then breathed a sigh of relief when I finished. Both of them are really strong. I don't know what the author has in store for them, but with this growth, I believe these 2 lovely ladies are set for the future.
That's one loose end resolved. Akira meeting the girl he bullied back then and apologizing for it is the closure I'm looking forward to. It could even be the finale this story is building up to.