#i do wish the cherry blossom rings were shown on their fingers to drive home the parallel

[sage-reads-things]

THE HAND-HOLDING AHHHHHHH!! This is obviously a callback to the moment at the funeral when Mutsumi took Taiyo's hand, allowing the gesture to come full circle. She offered him comfort and security in a time when he had none. Now he's returned the favor, promising to stay with her and protect her no matter what. It's enough to make a grown man cry T.T

I like how Rei specifically thanks Taiyo for choosing to be with Mutsumi. Once again we see the central theme of Taiyo and Mutsumi's relationship—choice. Taiyo and Mutsumi are constantly choosing each other, and while the characters may fixate on how Mutsumi chose an ordinary guy like Taiyo as her husband, Taiyo also chose Mutsumi when he accepted the ring in the very first chapter. It's going to be a tough road for them no matter what, but as long as they keep choosing each other, they'll be able to face it head-on, together.

(Also, not to end this on an ominous note, but is anyone else worried about how Rei says it will be "difficult to accept Mutsumi's fate"? Why would she word it like that? Does she know something? Ma'am, you're making me nervous!)