reading the story up to this point really makes me realize 'hotaru no yomeiri' is such a f...

reading the story up to this point really makes me realize 'hotaru no yomeiri' is such a fitting name for this manga :') not only bc a firefly's lifespan is extremely short much like the what's implied of satoko's remaining time, but also bc of what fireflies represent.

it reminded me of a paper i read analyzing studio ghibli's movie 'grave of the fireflies' (hotaru no haka) that used fireflies as symbolism to show how, even through "inevitable death cutting the childrens' life short, there is a brief and touching beauty that gives their futile struggle meaning".

i kind of feel like this message applies not only satoko but also shinpei--satoko's life on a time limit with her chronic illness while shinpei never knew his entire life when he'd die early due to an assassination, enemy, or some other means, something he still doesn't know. but solving case after case on the island, making friends with the prostitutes and brothel workers, finally finding joy after a long time of suffering like with the party scene ch 40--these are the small moments of happiness possible from everything that happened in their goal of marrying each other.

both satoko and shinpei, by meeting each other, are like fireflies: despite how short their life may be, they choose to live in the face of relentless death, simply because they can still find things to love about it with each other. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH UGHHHHHHHHHHH

i'm really interested to see how the mangaka will further draw upon the firefly motif and break my heart lol (based on the scene in the first chap im alr preparing for tragedy,,, kmsing rn) also shinpei my pookie sobs my soul hurts for u