For the person that just downvoted all the comments below... are you OK? Hope that you are happy and that your life is full of joy. I cannot understand your negative approach to things, but I still wish you all the best in life!
interesting viewpoint; i think i disagree. (respectfully!)
Rather than being tragic, i think this was rather bittersweet and as you said, so incredibly real because of how relatable it is to the general reader. This author is so fucking good at expressing the simplicity yet fragility of human relationships!!!!! The simple, sweet, and delicate narrating and setting of the playground at night makes the setting so nostalgic despite the reader not even having been there. Rather than being consumed by guilt, I think that the author was trying to show how as the years go by, the friendship of the two girls will remain as a bittersweet memory of their youth. Rather being an uncomfortable witness, I was overcome with a melancholy that was only possible by the amazing mood-capturing Kiriko Nananan was able to express. GRR shes so good at writing about the value of the daily life
As always, the stories by Kiriko Nananan are incredible to read.
The 8 pages are flawless in their execution, both in artwork and storyline. The sheer tragedy of the situation, the character of Yoko who knew from the start what this meeting was about, the loss of friendship, and the desperation that comes when you know that you destroyed something that will never be fixed. The situation seems so real, you are an unwilling witness, feeling almost uncomfortable and annoyed when the narrator shares her thoughts. But the real sadness lies in Yoko, this strong and kind individual, who until the end stands strong despite losing the two closest people to her to a terrible betrayal. She leaves, proud and beautiful, of course, hurt, but kindness is sometimes worse than anger.
And at the end, you know that the main character is right in thinking that it was their last meeting. And with that, their shared chapter of life is ended. Yoko left this all behind her, she will never again meet the narrator or her ex, moving forward with her life. The narrator though will always face the guilt and the thought of Yoko will consume her until she will, eventually, break up with her lover.
Simply beautiful, bravo, Kiriko Nananan.