I love Nobamaki and it used to be my favorite jjk ship (now it's Shokohime idc if it's a rarepair I love it fight me) but now that I'm older, I read Nobamaki as a one-sided thing on Nobara's side. She clearly admires and idolizes Maki for her strength and resolve and finds her beautiful, but I don't really think Maki would reciprocate Nobara's feelings. The only reason I loved Nobamaki so much is because I was a teenage lesbian fan of shonen anime and I wanted what they had. I still don't know how I feel about Yutamaki (I don't really care about it), but regardless of that, I don't see Maki as a sapphic anymore. She's straight and married Yuta in the future.
Mai on the other hand. . .
If either of Zenin twins are going to be girl kissers, it's definitely Mai. It's canon that others assume she and another girl are dating whenever they interact, plus her dynamic with Nobara when they first met was sooo sus. Like hello?? Also her reaction when Todo asked her what she thought of Takada.
So hear me out on doomed enemies to lovers Nobamai where they both hate themselves for catching feelings for each other and slowly spiraling when they realize they can't escape their growing feelings. That sounds so much more interesting and complex than Nobamaki will ever be.
