#tsukutabe

Chapter 40 was the story where Nomoto and Kasuga celebrate their approval over the new apartment application, and also take their relationship a little further. Just a little bit. And it was all thanks to consent.

Consent is a pretty big deal, I think. It's good to ask for permission first before trying something completely brand new. You don't know everyone's personal boundaries! What may be okay for you may not be okay for this friend, or that lover. And what if you're touched-averted, like Yako is? You should seek permission first if you want the relationship to remain strong. Yako learned this the hard way, and she talked to Nomoto about it so she doesn't make the same mistake. Supporting one another, yeah!

It's something that these two took to heart ever since that night. There are chapters in Vol. 5 and 6 where you have that brief moment where one asks the other for permission. Kasuga asking if Nomoto wants to share a bed after they start moving into their new place comes to mind instantly. However, I couldn't help but notice that hand-holding graduated rather quickly! Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

That first kiss was consent in action. It was also their first time. It was awkward, and that's okay! This is new for them! But you have to admit, it was VERY awkward. Even Kasuga's little moment of calming Nomoto down right before they kiss, she suddenly (though gently, based off sfx) grabs Nomoto and all she can do is lean forward and say "Okay."

It's pretty funny, not gonna lie~

But they kiss, and it's glorious.........and it still is, but you can see it in their language here, right? Nomoto's still feeling so nervous about it happening, even after it's over she's kind of a mess. A happy mess, but a mess nonetheless. There's then a comment from Kasuga talking about how just because people are dating doesn't mean you can just pounce of them whenever. Consent!

But hey, let's fast forward a bit. Chapter 55. Based on context clues from the previous new chapters, it's now June (though whether it's "a few months later" June or "one year later" June, I'm not sure yet, especially as Vol 6 has a comic where the girls celebrated Halloween...). Chapter 40 took place sometime after Valentine's. Might be late February, might be early March. Either way, time has passed.

Without getting too deep into the details since I have a summary of the chapter floating in my blog, the two have a serious conversation about their relationship and how they want to present themselves. Something happened that sparked a moment of Love, and Nomoto couldn't help herself.

She pounced on Kasuga and starting loving on her!

But note the body language. Kasuga's just letting the literal glomp happen while she's also dealing with her own bout of this sudden Love spike. She lets Nomoto love all over her, both feeling a spike of Love...

And then this happens.

Once again, note the body language. Nomoto reaches up tentatively as a silent request to Kasuga. Kasuga doesn't flinch. They're both looking at one another deeply, tenderly. It's a quiet form of permission. This, too, is consent.

They have started holding hands without permission as well (first pic is from Ch 54 btw), which tells me they have found their boundaries when it comes to that, and they're fine with casual hand-holding. It seems the two have evolved in how they seek permission. They know the two love kisses, but they don't need to awkwardly ask for it as much anymore. Their gazes and body language are the "words" now.

The chapter literally starts with an echo-y repeat of Kasuga's last line from the previous chapter: "Why don't we participate in the Sendai Pride parade?"

Nomoto has a moment to process it, but she is actually quite receptive to the suggestion. She was thinking about it, too, actually. She's opened her eyes to a lot of things, including the idea that there were other queers living among her hometown, and she wants to return so she can show solidarity. So, yes, she agrees with Kasuga. She wants to go back and attend this parade.

And...she wants to introduce Kasuga to her parents.

But Kasuga remembers how poorly Nomoto initially took to coming out online, so she's worried about how it'll go in this case. It really makes her worried. She even suggests to Nomoto to simply introduce her as a friend, don't go that far, please...

Nomoto assures her she can handle it this time. She doesn't want to live a life with lies. She wants to be open about their relationship. (also, "Please don't make that face, Kasuga-san..." Nomoto doesn't want to see her upset, aww...)

Nomoto's not sure how her parents will take the news, but one thing's for certain...she wants to say it loud and proud, "This woman is the person I love."

It's enough to calm Kasuga down and reaffirm her support for this event. Whatever happens, at least they're together~

And then Nomoto starts hyping up Sendai/Miyagi Prefecture with just a little tease of the cuisine offered there! Check this out:

Harako rice (of course), but then we got beef tongue (Ohhh I love that!), triangular fried tofu, zunda mochi (edamame filling) and some local sake! Sensei even got permission from a brewery there to show off one of their offerings, known as "Suzune." That's a legit drink! And pair off the drink with the grilled fishcake known as sasa kamaboko~

As Nomoto continues to gush about her home region, even letting us know Date Masamune is her favorite historical warlord (lol), the line that Nomoto said earlier - the one about showing off the woman she loves - finally settles into Kasuga's mind and heart.

She was really touched by it, and (after apologizing for interrupting Nomoto's Sendai gushing), she even admits that this is really, finally settling in for her. They're a couple. They're girlfriends. Lovers.

And now........may I present the full page that follows the previous two panels without any other commentary:

(you love to see it~)

Anyway, we cut to another day when Yako and Nagumo visit and tell them their plans. Of course it's all good! But Nagumo does say something very touching after hearing that this would be Nomoto's home turf, and, as a result, they're also going to visit her parents to come out to them.

Even if it doesn't go as planned, Nagumo reminds them: They at least have one another. There's love and support here, with this ragtag group of gals. She felt safe and loved when she was at a low point, and she knows they'll do the same for anyone here.

Just like that song, right?

Yeah, what she said lol.

Kasuga also has a flashback to when she heard a song with that name (you can automatically assume Yako is well aware of the song and that's where she got her response from. But Kasuga didn't know). She has a personal reflection and realizing, it's not just Nomoto, but Nagumo and Yako, too. They're all a Chosen Family of sorts

And then, the gals start talking about how to prepare for the parade! Excitement!