It was amazing how seamless the transition was from the teacher's past love to his new love. It's not like his love abruptly ended, and it's not like his new one suddenly began, but above all, it genuinely felt like he properly moved on and fell in love with Arioka.
I've read a lot of stories wherein a person falls in love again with someone new after moving on from lingering feelings. But none this natural-looking.
I'm afraid I cannot accurately pinpoint what this manga did differently that made it all seem natural and satisfying at the same time. I guess it's because while nothing gets disregarded (he still loved his friend, he didn't return Arioka's feelings until the end, when he did finally reciprocate them), it didn't feel like he gave up and settled for being with the one who made him loved and feel comfortable like some stories (I mean, yes, they did fall in love anew, but sometimes it seems as though they simply resigned themselves), but rather, it felt like his past love was a fading ghost that lingered about, and that his true heart is already slowly but steadily seized by Arioka. It wasn't a replacement, it wasn't seeking comfort necessarily; it just felt natural, like he eventually and gradually shifted from standing in one place to someone who walked, and then ran to the future.
I do not mean to nitpick or critcize, there are several stories wherein I could see the other person fall in love properly with someone new; but this was so well-executed to the point wherein at the last chapter I said, "I know I saw it happening before my eyes, but when did it feel like it was natural for Mishima to be with Arioka more than without him? When did it feel like the past was properly the past, and the present is properly the present, even when he was ending his love?" It felt so real, and this is coming from a person who is simply an observer. In simpler terms, it all felt so natural, so subtle, that despite all the hints and obviousness of everything, it just looked like seeing an illustration of a scenery. You know what you're going to see, and you think you understand everything, and it's all there; but it's like seeing a blank canvas come to life slowly but surely, and appreciate it anew. In other words, it is the first time I've seen the execution of a trasition of past love turning into a new love be so seamless and in my opinion, so purposeful and well-done. Despite it's simplicity, I don't think it was easy to do so.
Then again, this is an opinion of a random reader, someone who barely writes as a hobby (no humility, it's simply the truth), so while I shower it with praises, I'm hardly a proper judge. Still, personally, I will say that I was very impressed.
It was amazing how seamless the transition was from the teacher's past love to his new love.
It's not like his love abruptly ended, and it's not like his new one suddenly began, but above all, it genuinely felt like he properly moved on and fell in love with Arioka.
I've read a lot of stories wherein a person falls in love again with someone new after moving on from lingering feelings. But none this natural-looking.
I'm afraid I cannot accurately pinpoint what this manga did differently that made it all seem natural and satisfying at the same time. I guess it's because while nothing gets disregarded (he still loved his friend, he didn't return Arioka's feelings until the end, when he did finally reciprocate them), it didn't feel like he gave up and settled for being with the one who made him loved and feel comfortable like some stories (I mean, yes, they did fall in love anew, but sometimes it seems as though they simply resigned themselves), but rather, it felt like his past love was a fading ghost that lingered about, and that his true heart is already slowly but steadily seized by Arioka. It wasn't a replacement, it wasn't seeking comfort necessarily; it just felt natural, like he eventually and gradually shifted from standing in one place to someone who walked, and then ran to the future.
I do not mean to nitpick or critcize, there are several stories wherein I could see the other person fall in love properly with someone new; but this was so well-executed to the point wherein at the last chapter I said, "I know I saw it happening before my eyes, but when did it feel like it was natural for Mishima to be with Arioka more than without him? When did it feel like the past was properly the past, and the present is properly the present, even when he was ending his love?" It felt so real, and this is coming from a person who is simply an observer. In simpler terms, it all felt so natural, so subtle, that despite all the hints and obviousness of everything, it just looked like seeing an illustration of a scenery. You know what you're going to see, and you think you understand everything, and it's all there; but it's like seeing a blank canvas come to life slowly but surely, and appreciate it anew. In other words, it is the first time I've seen the execution of a trasition of past love turning into a new love be so seamless and in my opinion, so purposeful and well-done. Despite it's simplicity, I don't think it was easy to do so.
Then again, this is an opinion of a random reader, someone who barely writes as a hobby (no humility, it's simply the truth), so while I shower it with praises, I'm hardly a proper judge. Still, personally, I will say that I was very impressed.