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Sol Falling · 2010-11-16, 13:15

Spoiler for 91:

The amount of Chiba seems to be directly related to how much I enjoy a chapter. Probably pretty shallow of me.

Like you guys, Shuu's dream made the biggest impression on me this chapter. I agree with Shiroth's suggestion that the dream was about Shuu's fear of growing taller. The notable point for me was personally the shot of a cute/girlish Shuu wearing the same dress as Chiba. I might just be projecting my own favouritism for her here (she is certainly the prettiest character to me), but this somewhat suggests Chiba in some manner as an ideal for Shuu's "cuteness". I have somewhat perceived Shuu's preoccupation with and belief in his own cuteness to be Narcissistic before, so it is interesting to consider whether he might develop an external standard for that as his body begins to undergo changes.

On the other hand, the Chiba character herself stated this chapter that she's more suited to backstage work/bringing out other people's beauty. In hindsight, this shines an interesting light on her original interest in Shuu (while of course also being significant as far as where she currently stands with Takatsuki), and, provided I'm not insane in my obsession with her superficial attractiveness (i.e. even in a series like this with godly beautiful art/characters, Chiba is generally intended to stand out among them), suggests a pretty fascinating dynamic to her character.

I am still struggling with and have yet to be convinced of the actual gender uncertainty/conflict aspects of the manga, so forgive me if I seem to neglect to make much note of developments in that direction. Takatsuki's statement in this chapter is something which has been nagging at me for some time--i.e. in what sense do Shuu/Takatsuki's dressing preferences, fear of puberty, desire to be the other gender, etc. actually make them a girl/boy? To say that they are a girl in a boy's body/boy in a girl's body, in which part do their words, actions, or feelings make that claim more than just pretend?--so I have struggled sometimes to assign their trials and troubles much significance. Until that question can somehow be resolved for me, my primary attraction will probably unfortunately remain in seeing more of Chiba.

2010-11-16, 13:15	Link #127
Sol Falling Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 35	Spoiler for 91: The amount of Chiba seems to be directly related to how much I enjoy a chapter. Probably pretty shallow of me. Like you guys, Shuu's dream made the biggest impression on me this chapter. I agree with Shiroth's suggestion that the dream was about Shuu's fear of growing taller. The notable point for me was personally the shot of a cute/girlish Shuu wearing the same dress as Chiba. I might just be projecting my own favouritism for her here (she is certainly the prettiest character to me), but this somewhat suggests Chiba in some manner as an ideal for Shuu's "cuteness". I have somewhat perceived Shuu's preoccupation with and belief in his own cuteness to be Narcissistic before, so it is interesting to consider whether he might develop an external standard for that as his body begins to undergo changes. On the other hand, the Chiba character herself stated this chapter that she's more suited to backstage work/bringing out other people's beauty. In hindsight, this shines an interesting light on her original interest in Shuu (while of course also being significant as far as where she currently stands with Takatsuki), and, provided I'm not insane in my obsession with her superficial attractiveness (i.e. even in a series like this with godly beautiful art/characters, Chiba is generally intended to stand out among them), suggests a pretty fascinating dynamic to her character. I am still struggling with and have yet to be convinced of the actual gender uncertainty/conflict aspects of the manga, so forgive me if I seem to neglect to make much note of developments in that direction. Takatsuki's statement in this chapter is something which has been nagging at me for some time--i.e. in what sense do Shuu/Takatsuki's dressing preferences, fear of puberty, desire to be the other gender, etc. actually make them a girl/boy? To say that they are a girl in a boy's body/boy in a girl's body, in which part do their words, actions, or feelings make that claim more than just pretend?--so I have struggled sometimes to assign their trials and troubles much significance. Until that question can somehow be resolved for me, my primary attraction will probably unfortunately remain in seeing more of Chiba.