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Ive honestly thought this since the early chapters—Hirano does love Kagiura, even from the start. At least thats how it is in my own understanding. Hirano grew up not really thinking about romance, so he never saw himself falling in love or even considered it a possibility.
Kagiura, on the other hand, has always been exposed to love and romance due to his parents; so he grew up with a really clear idea of what love looks like. Thats why he was able to recognize his feelings for Hirano.
But heres the thing: Kagiura’s definition of love? Thats exactly what Hirano has always felt, too (except for the physical touch part)—he just didn’t realize thats what it was. For him, it was so natural and normal to care for Kagiura that he didnt even think to call it love. It was just... how things were. Like, he loved Kagiura so much that it just felt like the baseline.
Also, in chapter 22, during the conversation between Miyano and Hirano, Miyano mentions something like, “Being with the person you love makes your heart race.” And that really stuck with Hirano—because around that time, he was thinking to himself that he must not feel the same way Kagiura does, since his heart wasnt racing when they were close physically.
But the part Hirano didnt hear Miyano say was literally: “The pounding heart thing is really something reserved for new couples. Once you become like family, you tend to feel calmer around them, relaxed and such.” And thats what made my whole theory feel even more solid! Hirano has been so used to being around Kagiura, so naturally at ease and caring for him, that hes in that “old couple” stage without even realizing it. Hes just completely settled into that comfort and closeness—and thats a deep kind of love too.
So yeah, Hirano mightve thought he didnt feel the same because he expected love to look or feel a certain way. But in reality, hes been in love—he just didnt recognize it, because to him, that kind of closeness with Kagiura was already his normal.
Plus, I kinda feel like he might be asexual—or maybe he just needs more time to feel comfortable with physical stuff. That was definitely a barrier for him, and probably one of the reasons he thought he didnt feel the same way as Kagiura. but really, like the previous chapters with ichinose, and what kagiura said, love isn’t all about physical things. And for Hirano, his version of love has always been more about the care, the constant presence—that deeper emotional connection.
(i love them sm sorry for rambling and taking over the comment section fr</////3)