beta
Ok everyone seems to be assuming the worst of her characterization and, yeah i can see how and why its degrading. But I feel like this chapter kind of, maybe, might explain why???
Both our leads have become motivated (and pressured) by fear. I know we haven’t seen much on Satoko’s side, recently, but i dont think that expression she had when shinpei was trying to reassure her was anything plainly upset. Yes, she was upset, but in my eyes, it feels like she’s upset at her to have let things gone this far. Fear for the family she still cared about (and while it *is* kind if stupid for her to continue caring about the family, sometimes the time spent with your kin *can* make blood thicker than water), fear for herself if she tried to step in the fray to which she will likely get maimed entirely, and fear because she knows how much worse he’s getting, she can *see* how much worse.
Shinpei, clearly, is getting swallowed by his own mental state and fear. He’s scared that continuing to kill is what will tear him apart from Satoko, but he’s also aware that in their situation, and the best he could do, was to kill. It’s a conflicted guilt, and from it fear and obsession to keep close what he had. Past tense, had, because it’s now slowly coming to him that things have changed from their time on the island. Satoko is more upset, and there are more obstacles in the way. Fear of change in what he cherished.
This entire ramble might sound like im shilling the FUCK outta Oreco’s work— and to some extent, i am, i am a biased person who loves this manga and holds it so close to my heart—but i hope that my disjointed thoughts (and honestly, i can admit, copium. Bro im coping so hard i need them to be happy so bad im kms ) can offer a new perspective lol. Perspective of a hotayome TRUTHERRRRR I WILL DEFEND THIS MANGA TILL MY LAST BREATH