Something I've been ruminating on...
So we know for a fact that whenever SQ is a Gnosia, Manan had taken over her daughter's body.
But at what point does this happen? Is she Manan from the start or does SQ become Manan once she becomes infected on Liu-An?
These lines between Setsu and Manan state that, despite some resistance from SQ, Manan's personality transfer was successful from the start.
(Although Manan is a bit vague at the end about definitevely confirming it.)
There's also the fact that Gnosia SQ still has Manan's control collar with her, which I can't picture the real SQ having any desire or need for.
But on the other hand, there's a few things that make me wonder if SQ did win out at first, but Manan took over when she got infected.
First is the fact that, despite not calling herself "cute little SQ", Manan still introduces herself as SQ, even to complete strangers.
I can't help but wonder if SQ had some time to build an identity as SQ, which Manan then had to assume to avoid suspicion.
There's also the fact that she has the exact same appearance as SQ, including hairstyle and fashion, even though she can easily make herself look more "Manan".
From what we've seen of Manan's various spare bodies, she's quite particular about them having her signature bangs and bob cut.
SQ, however, is still shown with her long hair.
Now, I can't say if this was a stylistic choice for this scene, or if SQ was "born" with her long hair and Manan simply planned to cut it short after the transfer.
But if she was Manan from day 1, wouldn't she have done it at some point in the past year?
(Doylistically, it's because Manan and SQ looking different would give away the twist immediately, but let's try and be Watsonian about this.)
Finally, there's the matter of SQ coming into contact with Gnos. And for this, we need to look at the matter fron the perspective of Gnos itself.
Now, we know Gnos exists in a digital realm outside of regular space and time, yet able to observe all worlds simultaneously via the Gnosia, their Bugs, and pan-possibility calculation.
So with it having the most meta perspective possible, it's theoretically possible it decides to only infect SQ if Manan's personality transfer had succeeded.
But what reason could Gnos possibly have for doing so?
And with it's desire to connect with more human minds and learn more about them, wouldn't having regular SQ also be a Gnosia be more in line with Gnos' goals?
Basically, this point could be used in favour of either approach.
So...
Which one do y'all think is the case?
Manan from the start
SQ first - then Manan
Other (elaborate in comments)
