This was something that was made a year ago so I wanted to post here for discussion.
After binging through the entire manga in a night and a half, I reached a conclusion on the final couples of Yarichin. Most of them were explicitly implied in the first volume, after all. Yet the comments kept yielding debates on what exactly was going to happen, and who was going to end with who, and how it would be possible to tell with all the very turbulent love triangles running all over the place. Which is sort of confusing to me, because for all intents and purposes the author has proven herself to be a competent writer. Some of the pairings people suggested were so out of left field that it'd feel like a total crapshoot to pull (unless there are some MAJOR story arc revisions in the near future). I want to assume that Yarichin is committed to carrying out the tropes and character arcs that it's presented in the last six volumes. Given that, I wanted to explain (and maybe give some peace of mind) on the only pairings that make logical sense to me in terms of thematic narrative and what I understand about storytelling. Despite my best efforts, this was mostly just rambling on the love triangle between Kashima, Tono, and Yaguchi.
SPOILERS UP TO CHAPTER 27
Tono and Kashima: I want to start off with the small hints between them that I ended up not being able to fit elsewhere. Kashima is Tono's first and second kiss. Unlike Yaguchi, who is (very) slowly building something with second-year Tamura, Kashima has literally no other romantic interests to fall back on in the scenario that Tono chooses his rival. Tono, as the main character, is haunted by the fact that his high school life has been uprooted by joining a so-called photography club, which shines ironic when paired up with Kashima's genuine love for photography; in comparison, Yaguchi has little ties to this theme (and when Kashima takes pictures of Tono, he somehow looks better than he does in reality, almost as if his love is reflecting in it). It's been said that a good manga always sets a story or dynamic up with a layer of irony, and through irony comes conflict comes growth.
Obviously, the entire premise of real and earnest relationships developing through a club meant to lend their members out as fuckbuddies is ironic -- that's the base appeal of the manga. You can point out irony in any crackship in the story and it would technically be correct. However, growth is the key word. I think on a deeper level, it's more important to understand when analyzing a romance how the cast can resolve their own personal development through said true love. Whether it's addressing the fear a character has re: family or insecurities about their identity, these character arcs tend to be most emotionally satisfying when a character is changed for the better through falling in love and entering a relationship. It's the becoming a hero and getting the girl, so to speak (in a possibly ironic fashion). Kashima/Tono is the author's endgame, and despite all the hints above, it is all three of their respective character arcs that are the most obvious indicators of said claim.
Kashima's only real issue is that he's too much of a patron saint and has a tendency to backstep for other people while ignoring his own needs/desires. What kicks his character development into action is that in his freshman year, he falls for Tono -- for the first time in his life, Kashima wants something, and badly. He's actually quite open to the idea of voicing his desires and is attuned to Tono's feelings. During the summer trip, Kashima asks Tono if he's alright after seeing him downtrodden post call. When Tono voices his insecurities with his father's remarriage, Kashima immediately tells him that his feelings need to be respected and that he should stick by them even if they aren't pleasant ones. While an important message for Tono to receive, Kashima is really speaking to himself, too, even if he doesn't internalize it at first. It's only through his feelings for Tono that he can realize this.
Meanwhile, Yacchan's struggling with more complicated feelings. Having initially approached Tono under false pretenses and a desire for revenge, he ends up falling in love for real with the guy. It's ironic, yes. There's something inherently appealing about that bait-and-switch dynamic, and the potential is boosted because it seems to be a genuine love uninfluenced by his cousin. Yaguchi's issue with his false persona and his declining social reputation also seems to be succinctly solved with an unintentional effect from Tono. And on their summer festival date, Yaguchi realizes that he can be fully himself without rejection from Tono.
But he hasn't completely forgotten his complexes -- in seeing Tono and Kashima together in the courtyard in chapter 17, Yaguchi grows upset, thinking, "I could deal with this fine, if only it wasn't Yu. But Yu..." I believe what Yacchan needs for his character arc is to suffer a genuine loss to Kashima. For years, Yacchan's stewed over the thought that Kashima "stole" his first love, and in the process warped it into something greater than it actually was. But this isn't a genuine win in Kashima's favor. He had no idea that the pigtailed girl hanging around him liked him, and it's never implied that their relationship ever progressed any further than being classmates. Had Kashima known about this entire ordeal, I think it's safe to say that he'd easily back down to give Yacchan some breathing room with his crush. But that's easy for him, because he doesn't actually want her.
The beauty is that their arcs will collide and resolve at the same time on the battlefield of love, and Kashima will win because he needs to fight for something even at the expense of other people he loves. At the same time, Yacchan needs to lose for real to Kashima in a competition where he's tried his best and still find peace in the fact afterwards. In the process, he'll realize that just because Kashima beat him doesn't make Yaguchi unlovable. There's a blue haired second-year lying in wait. But more on that later.
As for Tono, his character arc currently seems to be about being comfortable enough to accept love and enter a relationship. I'm going to wager in the future more will be added on about challenging his general passiveness or resolving his family situation for good. Regardless, what people need to grow as people is to be constantly challenged -- as such, his unchanging love for Yaguchi actually becomes a negative sign for their relationship. While Yaguchi is forced to improve from Tono's presence, Tono... doesn't really change much in comparison. He's not gay, but Yacchan might just be his exception. Yacchan's different from what he thought originally, but the amount of love he has for him hasn't changed a bit. There's no deeper thought, and even worse, a level of passivity to it, too; Tono doesn't desire anything past their current relationship, as he's quite content with just hanging around as mutual crushes. The recent school festival arc is at least a step in the right direction.
On the other hand, Kashima's busy breaking down Tono's mental barriers -- doing it beautifully, too. He asks Tono out, which gets his brains churning on the whole business of love. He continues to stay affectionate and present despite Tono's protests, and yet in the few scenes he distances himself and closes himself off, there's a strange ache that twinges in the heart of our main character. There's something unsaid from both sides of the relationship that will continue to grow and force them to confront each other.
(In regards to the fandom idea of poly Kashima/Tono/Yacchan, it's a similar no-go in that it contradicts Kashima's character arc. Our boy explicitly doesn't want other men touching his love interest. Going back on his feelings and compromising with his cousin because it'll make more parties happy would regress his character to day one Kashima. It is cute, though.)
Tamura and Yaguchi: Currently in purgatory, with Tamura cursed by the narrative to not get anywhere at the moment. I think there'll have to be major work put into the two to tear the majority of readers away from Tono, but it's the only logical conclusion from a supposed Kashima win. Honestly, it'll be relieving to see Yaguchi have something that's not intangibly related to Kashima. Tamura's most emotional, heartfelt moments tend to be caused by Yaguchi, and it's beautifully ironic that he takes a very different approach as a serial canoodler to this shy, almost preschool level way of bullying Yacchan into love. Another interesting point: Yacchan's first "crack" in his high school facade in-universe was not evoked by Tono's scream-singing during a thunderstorm but instead by Tamura trying to flirt with him. Themes comes and in multitudes: that Tamura and Yaguchi's inner-outer personalities are foils of each other; that Yaguchi's old self is very similar to Tamura in the current; that despite Tamura's numerous affairs, he's strangely monogamous when it comes to Yaguchi; that Tamura's inherent being pisses Yaguchi off enough to just be himself, naturally...
Yuri and Jimmy: Really no debate here. I'm excited about the recent development of Jimmy initiating a breakup with Yuri; as follows, Yuri will be forced to fiiiinally confront his feelings on sex and relationships. I did think during the early chapters that Tamura and Yuri were going somewhere, given their childhood friends dynamic and the fact that Jimmy seemed like a one-off character. But it's clear after the many many emotional scenes between the two that this is what's end-game. I'm actually not a huge fan of either character, but I thought Jimmy licking Yuri's tears was a sweet moment.
Akemi and Itome: I might be one of the only people on earth who like Akemi; I'm just generally weak to the character archetype. The amount of fans pushing for their breakup is what also spurred me on to write this post: I sincerely believe that Akemi and Itome will stay together by the end of the comic, and if they do break up, then neither character will end up with anyone. It's just too late in the story to introduce a new love interest; both are so intertwined with the other that while the realistic thing to do is to cut their losses and move on, my BL senses feel that they are going to make up and truly see each other (and my BL senses are, well, seldom wrong). In a sense, it's an interpretation of a classic romance: only when Akemi and Itome get over their respective complexes will they finally find true love, and understand each other for the first time.
Why do I think it'll work? Besides the egregious amount of lovey dovey scenes the author draws for them (you don't do that for a couple that you don't want to be together), Akemi is shown to very genuinely care for Itome, but is unable to express this somehow. During the field trip where Tono and Yacchan get lost and Akemi runs through the crowd, panicked because all he knows is it was people from their group? The relief in his eyes and uncharacteriscally deep blush is palpable as he recognizes Itome among the people, still safe. For a rare second we can see the crackings behind Akemi's mask as he realizes Itome is shaking. Then, he pauses, curtly touches Itome's arm and turns around. As to why he feels the way he does is still to be revealed. But it's obvious it has to do with Itome's older brother Minami, who has gone and married a woman.
It's a classic romance scenario. A loves C, but C's moved on with their life. B's been pining for A the whole time, so when they get together it's wonderful, but secretly, in the back of their mind, B can't help but compare themselves to C and doubt the love that A has for them. (Many a BL I've read reveals that A has fallen/been in mutual love with B and it's just a matter of convincing them they don't care about C anymore, blah. Happy end!)
One hint at the state of this delicate relationship is the scene where Akemi encourages Tono to give Kashima a chance: "Maybe once you start dating him, you'll fall in love even though you didn't feel that way at first!" Tono's response? "That wouldn't be fair to him ... it would be like toying around with someone you didn't love." Akemi, for his part, looks contemplative. Presumably, Akemi got into a relationship with Itome having not yet fallen in love -- however, it's unclear as to if Akemi's feelings have changed since then. It's possible that Akemi believes that somehow he is helping Itome suffer less pain by acting in a certain way, or genuinely does not consider the consequences of his actions. Whatever the case, there's miscommunication and assumptions abound that will only be resolved by talking it out -- something that neither party is willing to do until pushed to their limit. The reappearance of the brother at the festival is the catalyst; he will open them up. And I genuinely think the two will be happier for it, together.
That might be the end of the club as a whole if everyone enters monogamous relationships, actually. Note the delicious irony here. Itome clearly doesn't want to do anyone who isn't Akemi, who is the leader of this crazy orgy slut club passed down by Itome's brother. Maybe Shikitani could lead the club on his own, I don't know.
(My personal theory: given that a prominent theme in their relationship is sexual roles a la "im the only one who can top him", I imagine that given his age and stature, Akemi was the bottom with Minami, but changed into a strict top after their relationship ended. Akemi is emotionally fulfilled by Itome bottoming for him exclusively, suggesting there's a unique vunerability and intimacy there. Maybe part of the make up will be the role reversal in the two's relationship..?)
Shikitani and ...?: Shiki, always the odd one out. Could he be the one character out of everyone who shrugs off love and just continues to have sex for what it is, as the end to his blackmail arc suggests? Perhaps.
I've seen interpretations that Akemi's encouragement to Shikitani was confirmation that his ex-best friend was playing with his feelings, but I interpreted it as a reminder that he has an inherent value outside of his looks. Possibly, also, that the ex-friend really was interested in him romantically. Regardless, I'm betting the note writer will come again some day, significantly less straight this time around.
This was something that was made a year ago so I wanted to post here for discussion.
After binging through the entire manga in a night and a half, I reached a conclusion on the final couples of Yarichin. Most of them were explicitly implied in the first volume, after all. Yet the comments kept yielding debates on what exactly was going to happen, and who was going to end with who, and how it would be possible to tell with all the very turbulent love triangles running all over the place. Which is sort of confusing to me, because for all intents and purposes the author has proven herself to be a competent writer. Some of the pairings people suggested were so out of left field that it'd feel like a total crapshoot to pull (unless there are some MAJOR story arc revisions in the near future). I want to assume that Yarichin is committed to carrying out the tropes and character arcs that it's presented in the last six volumes. Given that, I wanted to explain (and maybe give some peace of mind) on the only pairings that make logical sense to me in terms of thematic narrative and what I understand about storytelling. Despite my best efforts, this was mostly just rambling on the love triangle between Kashima, Tono, and Yaguchi.
SPOILERS UP TO CHAPTER 27
Tono and Kashima: I want to start off with the small hints between them that I ended up not being able to fit elsewhere. Kashima is Tono's first and second kiss. Unlike Yaguchi, who is (very) slowly building something with second-year Tamura, Kashima has literally no other romantic interests to fall back on in the scenario that Tono chooses his rival. Tono, as the main character, is haunted by the fact that his high school life has been uprooted by joining a so-called photography club, which shines ironic when paired up with Kashima's genuine love for photography; in comparison, Yaguchi has little ties to this theme (and when Kashima takes pictures of Tono, he somehow looks better than he does in reality, almost as if his love is reflecting in it). It's been said that a good manga always sets a story or dynamic up with a layer of irony, and through irony comes conflict comes growth.
Obviously, the entire premise of real and earnest relationships developing through a club meant to lend their members out as fuckbuddies is ironic -- that's the base appeal of the manga. You can point out irony in any crackship in the story and it would technically be correct. However, growth is the key word. I think on a deeper level, it's more important to understand when analyzing a romance how the cast can resolve their own personal development through said true love. Whether it's addressing the fear a character has re: family or insecurities about their identity, these character arcs tend to be most emotionally satisfying when a character is changed for the better through falling in love and entering a relationship. It's the becoming a hero and getting the girl, so to speak (in a possibly ironic fashion). Kashima/Tono is the author's endgame, and despite all the hints above, it is all three of their respective character arcs that are the most obvious indicators of said claim.
Kashima's only real issue is that he's too much of a patron saint and has a tendency to backstep for other people while ignoring his own needs/desires. What kicks his character development into action is that in his freshman year, he falls for Tono -- for the first time in his life, Kashima wants something, and badly. He's actually quite open to the idea of voicing his desires and is attuned to Tono's feelings. During the summer trip, Kashima asks Tono if he's alright after seeing him downtrodden post call. When Tono voices his insecurities with his father's remarriage, Kashima immediately tells him that his feelings need to be respected and that he should stick by them even if they aren't pleasant ones. While an important message for Tono to receive, Kashima is really speaking to himself, too, even if he doesn't internalize it at first. It's only through his feelings for Tono that he can realize this.
Meanwhile, Yacchan's struggling with more complicated feelings. Having initially approached Tono under false pretenses and a desire for revenge, he ends up falling in love for real with the guy. It's ironic, yes. There's something inherently appealing about that bait-and-switch dynamic, and the potential is boosted because it seems to be a genuine love uninfluenced by his cousin. Yaguchi's issue with his false persona and his declining social reputation also seems to be succinctly solved with an unintentional effect from Tono. And on their summer festival date, Yaguchi realizes that he can be fully himself without rejection from Tono.
But he hasn't completely forgotten his complexes -- in seeing Tono and Kashima together in the courtyard in chapter 17, Yaguchi grows upset, thinking, "I could deal with this fine, if only it wasn't Yu. But Yu..." I believe what Yacchan needs for his character arc is to suffer a genuine loss to Kashima. For years, Yacchan's stewed over the thought that Kashima "stole" his first love, and in the process warped it into something greater than it actually was. But this isn't a genuine win in Kashima's favor. He had no idea that the pigtailed girl hanging around him liked him, and it's never implied that their relationship ever progressed any further than being classmates. Had Kashima known about this entire ordeal, I think it's safe to say that he'd easily back down to give Yacchan some breathing room with his crush. But that's easy for him, because he doesn't actually want her.
The beauty is that their arcs will collide and resolve at the same time on the battlefield of love, and Kashima will win because he needs to fight for something even at the expense of other people he loves. At the same time, Yacchan needs to lose for real to Kashima in a competition where he's tried his best and still find peace in the fact afterwards. In the process, he'll realize that just because Kashima beat him doesn't make Yaguchi unlovable. There's a blue haired second-year lying in wait. But more on that later.
As for Tono, his character arc currently seems to be about being comfortable enough to accept love and enter a relationship. I'm going to wager in the future more will be added on about challenging his general passiveness or resolving his family situation for good. Regardless, what people need to grow as people is to be constantly challenged -- as such, his unchanging love for Yaguchi actually becomes a negative sign for their relationship. While Yaguchi is forced to improve from Tono's presence, Tono... doesn't really change much in comparison. He's not gay, but Yacchan might just be his exception. Yacchan's different from what he thought originally, but the amount of love he has for him hasn't changed a bit. There's no deeper thought, and even worse, a level of passivity to it, too; Tono doesn't desire anything past their current relationship, as he's quite content with just hanging around as mutual crushes. The recent school festival arc is at least a step in the right direction.
On the other hand, Kashima's busy breaking down Tono's mental barriers -- doing it beautifully, too. He asks Tono out, which gets his brains churning on the whole business of love. He continues to stay affectionate and present despite Tono's protests, and yet in the few scenes he distances himself and closes himself off, there's a strange ache that twinges in the heart of our main character. There's something unsaid from both sides of the relationship that will continue to grow and force them to confront each other.
(In regards to the fandom idea of poly Kashima/Tono/Yacchan, it's a similar no-go in that it contradicts Kashima's character arc. Our boy explicitly doesn't want other men touching his love interest. Going back on his feelings and compromising with his cousin because it'll make more parties happy would regress his character to day one Kashima. It is cute, though.)
Tamura and Yaguchi: Currently in purgatory, with Tamura cursed by the narrative to not get anywhere at the moment. I think there'll have to be major work put into the two to tear the majority of readers away from Tono, but it's the only logical conclusion from a supposed Kashima win. Honestly, it'll be relieving to see Yaguchi have something that's not intangibly related to Kashima. Tamura's most emotional, heartfelt moments tend to be caused by Yaguchi, and it's beautifully ironic that he takes a very different approach as a serial canoodler to this shy, almost preschool level way of bullying Yacchan into love. Another interesting point: Yacchan's first "crack" in his high school facade in-universe was not evoked by Tono's scream-singing during a thunderstorm but instead by Tamura trying to flirt with him. Themes comes and in multitudes: that Tamura and Yaguchi's inner-outer personalities are foils of each other; that Yaguchi's old self is very similar to Tamura in the current; that despite Tamura's numerous affairs, he's strangely monogamous when it comes to Yaguchi; that Tamura's inherent being pisses Yaguchi off enough to just be himself, naturally...
Yuri and Jimmy: Really no debate here. I'm excited about the recent development of Jimmy initiating a breakup with Yuri; as follows, Yuri will be forced to fiiiinally confront his feelings on sex and relationships. I did think during the early chapters that Tamura and Yuri were going somewhere, given their childhood friends dynamic and the fact that Jimmy seemed like a one-off character. But it's clear after the many many emotional scenes between the two that this is what's end-game. I'm actually not a huge fan of either character, but I thought Jimmy licking Yuri's tears was a sweet moment.
Akemi and Itome: I might be one of the only people on earth who like Akemi; I'm just generally weak to the character archetype. The amount of fans pushing for their breakup is what also spurred me on to write this post: I sincerely believe that Akemi and Itome will stay together by the end of the comic, and if they do break up, then neither character will end up with anyone. It's just too late in the story to introduce a new love interest; both are so intertwined with the other that while the realistic thing to do is to cut their losses and move on, my BL senses feel that they are going to make up and truly see each other (and my BL senses are, well, seldom wrong). In a sense, it's an interpretation of a classic romance: only when Akemi and Itome get over their respective complexes will they finally find true love, and understand each other for the first time.
Why do I think it'll work? Besides the egregious amount of lovey dovey scenes the author draws for them (you don't do that for a couple that you don't want to be together), Akemi is shown to very genuinely care for Itome, but is unable to express this somehow. During the field trip where Tono and Yacchan get lost and Akemi runs through the crowd, panicked because all he knows is it was people from their group? The relief in his eyes and uncharacteriscally deep blush is palpable as he recognizes Itome among the people, still safe. For a rare second we can see the crackings behind Akemi's mask as he realizes Itome is shaking. Then, he pauses, curtly touches Itome's arm and turns around. As to why he feels the way he does is still to be revealed. But it's obvious it has to do with Itome's older brother Minami, who has gone and married a woman.
It's a classic romance scenario. A loves C, but C's moved on with their life. B's been pining for A the whole time, so when they get together it's wonderful, but secretly, in the back of their mind, B can't help but compare themselves to C and doubt the love that A has for them. (Many a BL I've read reveals that A has fallen/been in mutual love with B and it's just a matter of convincing them they don't care about C anymore, blah. Happy end!)
One hint at the state of this delicate relationship is the scene where Akemi encourages Tono to give Kashima a chance: "Maybe once you start dating him, you'll fall in love even though you didn't feel that way at first!" Tono's response? "That wouldn't be fair to him ... it would be like toying around with someone you didn't love." Akemi, for his part, looks contemplative. Presumably, Akemi got into a relationship with Itome having not yet fallen in love -- however, it's unclear as to if Akemi's feelings have changed since then. It's possible that Akemi believes that somehow he is helping Itome suffer less pain by acting in a certain way, or genuinely does not consider the consequences of his actions. Whatever the case, there's miscommunication and assumptions abound that will only be resolved by talking it out -- something that neither party is willing to do until pushed to their limit. The reappearance of the brother at the festival is the catalyst; he will open them up. And I genuinely think the two will be happier for it, together.
That might be the end of the club as a whole if everyone enters monogamous relationships, actually. Note the delicious irony here. Itome clearly doesn't want to do anyone who isn't Akemi, who is the leader of this crazy orgy slut club passed down by Itome's brother. Maybe Shikitani could lead the club on his own, I don't know.
(My personal theory: given that a prominent theme in their relationship is sexual roles a la "im the only one who can top him", I imagine that given his age and stature, Akemi was the bottom with Minami, but changed into a strict top after their relationship ended. Akemi is emotionally fulfilled by Itome bottoming for him exclusively, suggesting there's a unique vunerability and intimacy there. Maybe part of the make up will be the role reversal in the two's relationship..?)
Shikitani and ...?: Shiki, always the odd one out. Could he be the one character out of everyone who shrugs off love and just continues to have sex for what it is, as the end to his blackmail arc suggests? Perhaps.
I've seen interpretations that Akemi's encouragement to Shikitani was confirmation that his ex-best friend was playing with his feelings, but I interpreted it as a reminder that he has an inherent value outside of his looks. Possibly, also, that the ex-friend really was interested in him romantically. Regardless, I'm betting the note writer will come again some day, significantly less straight this time around.