What's happened with Mahiru in Medal Suzdal Panic? More generally, what relationship Mahiru and Hikari have?
Btw, I'm so glad that there is a person that understands Mahiru perfectly
Before answering with my own words, i highly recommend you read @tokyo-tower-symbolism 's essay on the HikaMahi revue that is really detailed and very good to me! Some of the stuffs I'm gonna say may resemble what they said
💬 2 🔁 46 ❤️ 128 · A Deep Dive of the Hikari-Mahiru Revue in the Movie, or why maybe you should figure out your own stuff first before givi
As for my own (simpler) interpretation of it, the revue was important especially for the sake of Hikari
Hikari is very stubborn and will have this mindset that her choices are always right, which is why she always acts this way (i mean doing things according to her own will without ever telling anyone else). This is still the case when it comes to Karen
She was dead set after her loss in London that Karen must never compete in the auditions without thinking about Karen, going as far as abducting her to prevent her from participating or acting cold to keep her away from her. She also imprisonned herself in the tower to prevent anyone's brilliance to be stolen, once again without thinking about Karen's feelings. And now once again, she's very sure that she's already off to the next stage and suddenly abandonned Karen (again) to go off to London and trying to "force" her to move on as well. She doesn't realize how confusing this is for Karen, whose only drive to stand on stage up to now was to fulfill their promises, of course she would be confused on what she wants or needs to do next. Yet the very person who could have helped her figure it out just left to London and sent her confusing messages
So around graduation time, Hikari was convinced that she knew what to do next and left without properly reflecting on herself, without realizing that she still hasnt said everything she needed to tell Karen before properly moving to the next stage
Mahiru is actually the best person who can slap that stubborness away. She's close with both Karen and Hikari and knows how to handle miss white girl
Mahiru knew she was going to face Hikari in a revue and she was genuinely happy to be able to perform with her. But Hikari wasn't feeling the same because her thoughts were focused on trying to find Karen, which led to her easily losing since she didn't focus on acting with Mahiru
Why was Mahiru mad? Well obviously first because Hikari didn't act properly despite claiming that she was ready to stand on the next stage, but also because she keeps running away as a way to not have to face her own feelings
I find it funny to think that Mahiru was fully acting when she said she always hated Hikari and chasing after her like in a horror movie, because to me it wasn't fully an act. She truly *did* hate Hikari when she came disturbing her peace in their second year and taking away Karen from her. But she took Karen from her AND hurt her multiple times by running away who knows where and making Karen all distressed? As much as she cares for Hikari, I know for sure there was a bit of truth in her words
Hikari kept running away because she was scared to be so drawn by Karen she'd become a fan and not improve as a stage girl. She should have accepted that and talk it out but she decided that running away without telling anyone about it was the best way to deal with it, mainly to protect herself and thinking that it would have protected her and Karen's promise. But Mahiru knows the consequences of it and that fear Hikari has bc she herself got so captivated by Karen she didn't want to improve herself
I want to think Mahiru scared the shit out of Hikari because she knew that's the most effective way she knows to get Hikari to listen. Gentle talk wouldn't have done anything to get through that thick skull and she knows Hikari is scared of her sometimes
At the end of their revue, Hikari does confess that she was scared and Mahiru softens up, confessing herself that she was acting and despite not being super good, she tried her best, also reassuring Hikari that she is scared even herself and that it's okay. And now that Hikari was able to voice out what she kept inside for so long, Mahiru sends her off to her revue with Karen
I might forget some stuffs so I do recommend you read the essay I sent earlier, but TLDR Mahiru scared the fuck out of Hikari to convince her to be more honest with her feelings and tell them to Karen directly instead of running away again
As for Mahiru and Hikari's relationship in general, i'd say it really depends on the setting but there are so many ways to see their relationship and I like it
On a more personal level, Hikari silently but heavily supports Mahiru in many ways. She's the second person she cares the most about in Seisho. She aknowledges her passion and skills as a stage girl and sees her as a rival. So basically like a cat acting like it doesnt care but that truly loves her. As for Mahiru, even if her first impression wasn't so great, she knows Hikari well now and grew fond of her
I think their relationship is funny bc despite all that they're very different and it usually leads to awkward situations between them (thinking a lot abt 4koma)
I also like to think for an ot3 scenario that Mahiru was still in love with Karen but the more she spends time with Hikari, the more she's falling for her but she tries to deny it like "urghhhh that autistic stare..........am i seriously falling for that........" and then its just Hikari staring at her but shes just thinking abt what flavor ice cream Mr White likes
