ANE 158 or how to do character developments right
It's no news that I'm a big fan of Kato-sensei's writing [x][x][x] but the current arc is full of great examples that she specifically rocks dynamics between her characters. :D
Starting with the tumultuous friendship between Izumo and Shiemi that really blossomed throughout the story, ending on full sorority and support from one girl to the other.
But also Izumo's friendship with Shiemi helped her getting closer to the other members of the Exwires, which really gives a different vibe to Izumo's character compared to the beginning of the story.
Obviously, the fact that we targeted her family issues during the first Illuminati arc is also part of the explanation, but Sensei spent a lot of time giving focus to Izumo's developing friendships (and love of romance and drama haha) since then.
Then, we finally reached an understanding between Rin and Shiemi vis-à-vis their romantic feelings for each other and how they have so much on their shoulders and riding on who they are (origin wise) that it always takes a long time for them to fully confront each other, eyes to eyes.
Considering, where we started, with a bigger bond between Yukio and Shiemi than Shiemi and Rin, Kato ends up speaking throughout the story about youth pressure in a very adult world, but in the end, true feelings prevail and war matters less than love.
Rin even asking for consent, what a guy ! (◕‿◕✿)
Thanks Mephy for good advice for once !
(could have fooled me)
And lastly, the complex but beautifully heartwarming bond between Rin and Yukio. Personally, reading the chapter, I was particularly glad about two things.
First, Yukio realizing he's not jealous, because he's not in love with Shiemi (anymore ? never was ? it's probably hard to define) :
In my opinion, there has always been a genuine friendship between Yukio and Shiemi but, because Shiemi was his first real friend with whom he could be himself and with whom he found understanding, he put a lot expectations on how special it was to him, without realizing that what he needed was to find more friends to lean upon and share his burdens with (because, despite all his achievements, he's still 16).
So what Yukio probably mistook as romance was simply enjoying the friendship of someone who could appreciate who he truly was, when he was starting to immensely detest himself. In this chapter, after everything he went through, I'm very glad he realized that he's not hurt nor envious and that he can be happy for Rin and Shiemi, because he's a good guy.
Second thing, a part of me actually wonders whether or not Rin probably didn't understand what Shiemi was trying to say at first because inwardly, and probably unconsciously, he was scared it would hurt Yukio and their latest reconciliation :
But when Yukio told him "actually I'm not angry at all", Rin became emotionally available to finally truly listen to what Shiemi was trying to say (even if she did indeed try harder to confess to him, haha, good for her ! What a Queen !).
It's all up in the air, but I enjoy this idea that Rin was scared to understand what Shiemi meant if that led to more conflict with Yukio, because sibling love is different but as important as romantic love, and Rin was never going to be happy if it came at the cost of Yukio's own happiness (again, they're 16 and they went through a lot).
It's like, for a chapter or two, the battle against Satan going berserk and the Illuminati doesn't matter anymore. Well done, as always, Kato-sensei !
To quote Izumo & Mephy:
they're such a #mood
And very important last panel :
#cuties
