So are Richard and Seigi like, a couple, or not? Housekishou certainly likes to tease us. To the point where even when it’s directly developing other romantic relationships it blatantly suggests one between them while it’s doing so. Whether these two are a couple or not, they’re certainly a pair, and an interesting one at that. What makes them so is just how opposite they are in almost every way, and while in a vacuum Seigi is perhaps not the most interesting character out there, in this context he really works.
As for Shouko-chan, I don’t know whether she works or not. Her destiny in this premise seems always to be a vestigial part, an appendix to the main text. She got her showcase here, more or less, and even a suggestion that she’s the one who Seigi truly loves. But it doesn’t have much heft to it, because it’s clear that when push comes to shove this story mostly cares about only one relationship and it doesn’t involve Shouko.
Nor does it involve Homura-san, though he’s been involved in a couple of subplots already. Seigi, it could be argued, has broken up two engagements for poor Homura. Though truth be told, the woman was never in love with him in either case – not that it always matters in this country where marriage for duty and responsibility is still common. Shouko’s remark that she was looking forward to marriage because once she was married she “wouldn’t have to worry about romance anymore” was pretty cutting – her most emotionally effective moment thus far to be sure.
It’s yet another coincidence that he and Shouko are childhood friends (one assumes Homura was further along in his childhood than she was), but suspension of disbelief (as with Immortal) I suppose. Homura seems pretty sanguine about all this – he can clearly see the writing on the wall with Seigi, and seems disinclined to be an obstacle (truthfully it’s clear he sees Shouko as more of a little sister anyway). We still don’t know much about Shouko, really. The fact that she was on an omiai in the first place suggests she comes from a traditional (i.e. usually wealthy) family, and her comment that her kindness was always driven by self-satisfaction suggests a deep level of cynicism that her sunny exterior belies.
Richard-san, for what it’s worth, certainly pushes Seigi-kun to press forward with Shouko. He offers him an employee discount on the aquamarine he wants to gift to her, he calls him an idiot for not speaking his mind. And eventually, he resorts to telling a story from his own past – a resource he normally guards like one of his precious gemstones. A beautiful boy in England, the girl he eventually fell in love with for seeing beyond his beauty, and his regret at not pursuing her when she left him because she was afraid she would be changed by his newfound wealth.
We don’t know of course, but it’s entirely possible that Richard’s disappearance comes as a result of his rekindling this painful memory, and deciding to rectify his mistake. I certainly agree with Machiavelli’s sentiment that “It is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.” Still, Richard could have entirely some other reason for disappearing and leaving Seigi in the lurch – the guy obviously has a past full of secrets, any one of which could be the real reason for his disappearance. But his absence may also force Seigi to decide for whom he truly has feelings of love – or at least, attraction.
Kim
February 29, 2020 at 12:55 amMy first thought is Shouko may be asexual but unfortunately Asexuality doesn’t seem to be something fiction really portrays even in something more progressive like this. It would be nice though
Yeah because sorry Seigi even if Shouko should get with Homura not seeing any romance with Seigi either.
I don’t really care whether Seigi and Richard get romantically together in this story but surely that’s the main relationship the audience is invested in
Even though Shouko has been in this story before I am not sure I can believe in Seigi’s feelings. It just feels convenient because she is the only recurring female character. All of the truly emotional moments he has had have been with Richard.
Kim
February 29, 2020 at 12:56 am“Shouldn’t get with Seigi”
I need an edit button
elianthos
February 29, 2020 at 8:26 amIt’s very possible Homura’s key phrase about marriage goes both ways… both as a remark about social expectations on women and as a hint she might be somewhere on the ace spectrum. I mean… we have a queer case precedent in the series already and by chance(?) it was another woman less than enthused with marrying someone she’s not romantically interested in.
And then there’s the elephant in the room about either main guys queer quotient both together and separately :P. If a certain degree of obfuscation is also due to plausible deniability & marketability reasons the series seems to be able to make lemonade out of this lemon… and in a way Richard is living by his own agenda ( and his own advice) in both not regretting not having tried – how many more dinners and I like you toos would a clueless recipient need to get the hint ? – while still letting his probably budding bisexual employee figure himself out and find his happiness.
And to add to Machiavelli’s wisdom in the immortal words of Lady Kluck (sorta)…may this distance bring romantic clarity XD
elianthos
February 29, 2020 at 8:28 amShouko not Homura. I too need an edit button T_T.
Guardian Enzo
February 29, 2020 at 10:36 amThat’s a good way to put it. It seems pretty obvious to me the series is being intentionally opaque for marketing reasons (I have no idea if the same is true in the novels) but they pull it off pretty well.
Say
March 2, 2020 at 9:49 amI wouldn’t dismiss it as marketing reasons. I have read that there are plenty of teasing scenes in the novels as well. As I see it Richard is in love and he is well aware of it, but Seigi feels uncomfortable with the mere thought (see his reaction to the text message a while ago). So Richard takes what he can pushing the boundaries and knowing that Seigi is dense. To me it is really realistic.
Guardian Enzo
March 2, 2020 at 10:07 amWell, let me put it this way – I think marketing reasons are a part of it. I agree, it still works narratively either way (mostly).