(L) Cross game

[BetoJR]

Ultimately, I think that's exactly what this story is about, IMHO.
However, I don't think they'll ever put Waka behind completely. Tragedies have a way of having lingering aftereffects on families and loved ones. She'll always be there, in more ways than one - even if not physically.

[Sackett]

Perhaps part of the difference of views is that I believe in life after death, so to me Wakaba is still alive. So I don't see her as just a wonderful memory but as a continuing presence in Aoba and Kou's life.

[Guardian Enzo]

I don't believe or disbelieve in it - I don't claim to know - but in the context of the story, I think even if Wakaba still exists as a consciousness she wouldn't be happy with the role she's playing in Kou and Aoba's lives right now. I tend to agree with BetoJR that this is more or less the point of the story - their journey towards acceptance of Wakaba's passage into a new form, however your beliefs define it.

[golthin]

Originally Posted by Proto

Is there any other instance when she has called him by his given name? I only remember her referring him as aitsu or Kitamura s-e-n-p-a-i.

she only calls those names in school or in front of strangers. She always call him kou when alone or in front of her sister and father. I guess she didn't care much about being proper in there.

[typhonsentra]

Adachi cameo, yay!

[king12354]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

I don't believe or disbelieve in it - I don't claim to know - but in the context of the story, I think even if Wakaba still exists as a consciousness she wouldn't be happy with the role she's playing in Kou and Aoba's lives right now. I tend to agree with BetoJR that this is more or less the point of the story - their journey towards acceptance of Wakaba's passage into a new form, however your beliefs define it.

I get the feeling that Wakaba is more of the possessive type.

lol anyways.

[Proto]

She always call him kou when alone or in front of her sister and father.

She does? Because I can't remember a single instance other than the three referred earlier.

[BetoJR]

Neither can I, actually.

[Theowne]

Originally Posted by golthin

she only calls those names in school or in front of strangers. She always call him kou when alone or in front of her sister and father. I guess she didn't care much about being proper in there.

Constantly referring to him as "aitsu" or a mockingly sarcastic "kitamura sempai" isn't what I'd call "proper".

[golthin]

Originally Posted by Theowne

Constantly referring to him as "aitsu" or a mockingly sarcastic "kitamura sempai" isn't what I'd call "proper".

i should have said not being familiar.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

It's fine that Kou still buys her a present on her birthday, but is it good that he's never had a date? Kissed a girl? What will happen when the engagement and wedding ring birthdays come up?

Personally I have mixed feelings about Kou continuing to buy the gifts on Wakaba's list. It obviously shows the audience how much she still effects him (and I think she always will in a way) and it's a very sweet gesture that always makes me go aww whenever he does it.

But these are gifts that are being kept in a box and not used. So it's sweet but also very sad in a way. Because besides showing the audience how much Kou obviously still cares about Wakaba. What does spending money on these things and keeping them in a box really do for Kou?

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

But these are gifts that are being kept in a box and not used. So it's sweet but also very sad in a way. Because besides showing the audience how much Kou obviously still cares about Wakaba. What does spending money on these things and keeping them in a box really do for Kou?

I think it's more of a sense of accomplishment than anything else. Wakaba's list was her final wish-list and out of the good of his heart, Kou wants to at least be able to complete this list for Wakaba. I would only find it sad if Kou keeps buying stuff for her after this list is complete but aside from that, I don't find anything wrong with what he's doing.

It's also not about money and Kou isn't doing this for himself, it's for Wakaba. I feel as though Kou took Wakaba for granted while she was alive and he wants to complete this list for her at the very least. Maybe completing the list makes him feel at ease somewhat but that would only be speculation on my part.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by DeX-kun

It's also not about money and Kou isn't doing this for himself, it's for Wakaba. I feel as though Kou took Wakaba for granted while she was alive and he wants to complete this list for her at the very least. Maybe completing the list makes him feel at ease somewhat but that would only be speculation on my part.

I understand that he is doing it for Wakaba, but she is dead, so it doesn't do her or anyone really any good. I feel him buying those things (as sweet as it is) is a sign that he is still having trouble letting go. They are just being kept in a box and not even used. That's just incredibly sad to me.

[elbowslayer]

where can i get more info on the ED3? i didnt understand the japanese characters from previous post. i need that song!

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

I understand that he is doing it for Wakaba, but she is dead, so it doesn't do her or anyone really any good. I feel him buying those things (as sweet as it is) is a sign that he is still having trouble letting go. They are just being kept in a box and not even used. That's just incredibly sad to me.

Even if she is dead, it's out of respect that Kou is doing it. To be honest, I don't really see how Kou is having trouble "letting go," on the contrary, I believe that he's coping very well. Even if Kou had stopped buying all these items, with that same track of mind, that would mean that his reasons for playing baseball is also a sign of Kou not being able to "let go."

It's not sad to show respect and complete a list that was the final wishes of someone that you loved dearly.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by DeX-kun

Even if she is dead, it's out of respect that Kou is doing it. To be honest, I don't really see how Kou is having trouble "letting go," on the contrary, I believe that he's coping very well. Even if Kou had stopped buying all these items, with that same track of mind, that would mean that his reasons for playing baseball is also a sign of Kou not being able to "let go."

It's not sad to show respect and complete a list that was the final wishes of someone that you loved dearly.

That would all feel more reassuring if Kou's romantic life had included something more than lying by the river peeking up skirts...

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

That would all feel more reassuring if Kou's romantic life had included something more than lying by the river peeking up skirts...

Well, he's only human

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by DeX-kun

Even if she is dead, it's out of respect that Kou is doing it. To be honest, I don't really see how Kou is having trouble "letting go," on the contrary, I believe that he's coping very well. Even if Kou had stopped buying all these items, with that same track of mind, that would mean that his reasons for playing baseball is also a sign of Kou not being able to "let go."

It's not sad to show respect and complete a list that was the final wishes of someone that you loved dearly.

Yes perhaps part of the reason he is playing baseball is for Wakaba and her dream. But you can't deny that he is getting something positive and growing as a person from playing baseball.

But buying a bunch of things that no one is going to even use is a bit sad to me. Yes Wakaba wanted him to buy her those things but I am pretty sure she wanted them when she was alive. What use are they to her now and what use is it to Kou? I am not necessarily saying him buying these things is hurting him, but I don't see it as an entirely positive thing either.

It's similar to Aoba hanging onto Wakaba's words about Kou being hers, even though Wakaba is dead. Although I do think that thought is hurting Aoba in a way.

[DeX-kun]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

But buying a bunch of things that no one is going to even use is a bit sad to me. Yes Wakaba wanted him to buy her those things but I am pretty sure she wanted them when she was alive. What use are they to her now and what use is it to Kou? I am not necessarily saying him buying these things is hurting him, but I don't see it as an entirely positive thing either.

It's similar to Aoba hanging onto Wakaba's words about Kou being hers, even though Wakaba is dead. Although I do think that thought is hurting Aoba in a way.

Then we simply have a difference of opinions on this matter. Let me put it to you this way, when one does a favor for someone they love, they don't expect anything in return, it's a matter of mutual respect. Kou wants to buy all the items on the list for Wakaba and he's not expecting anything out of it. Buying those items isn't affecting him negatively either, he goes throughout his life the same way he always does while reminding himself once a year to buy the next item on Wakaba's list.

Now in my opinion, Kou hasn't been doing anything that shows me that his actions are "sad" in any way, but rather it gives me a better outlook on his character, it speaks volumes. What I consider "sad" would be if Kou were to cry every time he bought one of those items, or if he were to stare at the items with a vacant look on his face. Kou just simply buys those items and puts it in a box, and my guess would be that once he finishes collecting everything, he'll probably just set it on her grave.

As for Aoba's dilemma, that's a whole other can of worms. Although for now, I don't believe those words have that much of an affect for the time being considering that Aoba hasn't yet realized her feelings, or rather hasn't really accepted them yet.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by DeX-kun

Then we simply have a difference of opinions on this matter. Let me put it to you this way, when one does a favor for someone they love, they don't expect anything in return, it's a matter of mutual respect. Kou wants to buy all the items on the list for Wakaba and he's not expecting anything out of it. Buying those items isn't affecting him negatively either, he goes throughout his life the same way he always does while reminding himself once a year to buy the next item on Wakaba's list.

Well we do have a difference of opinion but I also don't think you understand what I am saying. Wakaba is dead, whether Kou buys gifts for her or does nice things for her doesn't really matter to her because she can no longer experience these things. So I do think it is sad to buy things that no one is even going to use and store them in a box.

Even Azuma said he feels bad for Kou (or something along those lines) some episodes back. So I think he does see that Kou is not completely moving on.

But maybe you are right maybe he will put them on her grave at the end of the series as a way to say goodbye. That at least would be better than keeping the items stored away in a box.

edit: I should clarify that although I have mixed feelings about what Kou is doing, I do enjoy it storywise because I feel it adds to Kou's character.