Here it is folks -- the chapter that fans were waiting for years and years to happen. It was a triumphant moment that was also a bittersweet time for @penicillinshock when they made the tough call to drop Junjou Romantica after a five-year run. I have nothing but the deepest of respect for its members and their devotion was my inspiration to write the manga summaries and basically become the JR Wiki’s caretaker after years of neglect. Time for my thoughts!
Oh wow. That page where Misaki and Usagi (and Suzuki-san) are holding hands and staring at the reader with immense seriousness really sets the tone for this chapter. It made my heart stop for a second. Such intensity.
I am really digging Usagi’s look where his dress shirt is pulled over his pants for a change. It’s a refreshing difference. I really like the role he’s playing. He’s giving Misaki his space to tell Takahiro but he is on standby at a moment’s notice.
I almost got teary-eyed and Manami’s text message. I know we stan Kaoruko but Manami is another JR ~QUEEN~.
Why has it taken this long for Misaki to refer to Usagi as a “comfort rabbit”?! Oh my gosh, that is so endearing.
Ugasi’s pep talk = couple goals.
GASP.
*jaw drops*
Oh my...
I was actually thinking it would be poor timing if Takahiro were to see this kiss play out with his own eyes but it looks like that’s exactly how Nakamura intended it. I actually thought it was a bit out of character for Misaki to not pull back and chastise Usagi about how they can’t be doing that in public but on the other hand, it shows just how much he needed Usagi’s love in that very moment.
Not going to lie but Takahiro coldly turning his back on Usagi definitely broke my heart.
I could only imagine what Takahiro is going through. I’m really glad that he didn’t leave Misaki in the dust as well. Going to the park from Misaki’s childhood is a nice touch.
FINALLY. I can enjoy the panel where Misaki tells Takahiro that he loves Usagi-san without spoiler warnings ringing in my head. It’s about time! Well, one spoiler down and one more to go.
Misaki seriously asking if he’s being selfish cuts deep. This is the guy who is *always* putting others’ feelings before his own and now that he has something he wants to keep desperately, he is questioning if it’s okay or not. Sweet, sweet boy.
I think it’s really great that Takahiro apologized for forcing his ideals on Misaki. It’s about time!
I bet Takahiro yelling at Misaki for him to stop with his incessant apologizing must have felt like a punch in the stomach because that’s how I felt. That and the fact that he is undecided about whether or not he will support the relationship.
In the sexy times scene, Misaki FINALLY says that it feels good without any of the usual prompting. We are as shocked as Usagi at this moment. The extra tight hugging was also so very sweet.
Seeing Kaoruko is always a delight. I love her unwavering faith that everything will work out fine.
Oh, the call back to the marbles! I really liked that a lot and it makes us think about how far we’ve come. And maybe it’s a reminder that we could all use a Season 4?
Now that I have finished reading this monumental chapter in the series, I can’t help but feel so sad. I can only imagine how much Misaki cried for his eyes to still be puffy the next morning. Usagi waiting for Misaki when he got off the subway was exactly what we all needed. Next week I will read Act 53 and I will be caught up with the fandom as far as the main Romantica storyline goes. Then in just two Sentiment acts later, I can start diving into JR Tumblrs! Considering that I entered the JR Tumblr community in March, it’s about time.
