honestly like i really just felt so icky reading this. it made me feel bad for Tokizou too because imagine someone you thought you would never be able to be with just getting married, getting divorced, then free loading while being conscious of your feelings and just IUHFBWGREHVWHUIQE like i rlly just wanted to cry for Tokizou
,_,
Exactly that. Like how self absorbed are you that you knowingly choose to make your friend continue to feel this turmoil just because of “friendship” no sir if you wanted to be friends with him stay friends. If you wanted to be his lover you had the opportunity in fact you many opportunities you don’t get to decide when you’re good and ready because it’s a convenient alternative. im sure the author’s intentions was something wholesome, comedic, and slightly more realistic but this honestly comes across as just cruel honestly. I just have to reiterate that Shiba was ready to tear apart Tokizou and part timer’s relationship had they actually been a couple and this being Tokizou healthily trying to move on too. Man Shiba has no limits to his selfishness. Like you are truly a piece of shit once you also put that into perspective.
God I would be furious at Shiba if I were Tokizou because while Shiba isn’t obligated to return Tokizou’s feelings especially if Tokizou won’t openly admit to them before during or after Shiba’s marriage. However, what Shiba did was fucked up in that he emotionally manipulated Tokizou in terms of staying with him post divorce taking a hand at wooing Tokizou since his marriage failed. Shiba came to stay with Tokizou under the pretense of a down on his luck best friend but he purposely knew this was uncomfortable for Tokizou due to having prior knowledge of Tokizou’s feelings that’s straight up manipulation not help a friend out here. This was a guilt trip spiked with “eye fluttering hearts”. Then to go on a “date” without giving Tokizou a heads up so that he would be stuck in his head brooding with anxiety also fully knowing the crisis you are putting him in also adds to that manipulation.You deserved that punch and then some.
Tokizou is such a pushover for even letting him stay then afterwards rather going to a hotel himself for the night. Truthfully I can completely understand the whole coming out later in life that some gay/bi men experience. Even the whole marrying a women when it’s not true to themselves due to whatever their circumstances since we don’t live a world that fully allows all individuals to live their true selves. But you have to be a real narcissistic fuck to play these kind of mind games with someone you care about deeply just to test their commitment to a 20 year + unrequited love rather than just be upfront. Had this happened in real life while it would seem romantic that Shiba and Tokizou would end up together, it would be the worst. It highlights how much Shiba has no problem taking Tokizou for granted and had always done so. It’s besides the point that Tokizou had likely been with other people and had previous relationship if Shiba was under the impression he could stroll right in and Tokizou would drop everything for a chance to be together. We see this by Shiba being hostile to the part timer because he thinks he’s competition and intends to scare him off. Honestly knowing that Shiba knew makes the whole situation just sad and a moot point more so than wholesome that two older male friends found love.