Karasu stop mentioning, endlessly thinking of and relentlessly rooting for Hiori challenge: FAILED!!
Adding onto what I stated in the last tabiori analysis, "in the end it all depends on that guy" is such a wonderful expression of Karasu's deep reverence for Hiori.
His commitment to honouring Hiori's agency at every given opportunity is so heartwarming ;-; especially given that Hiori has been robbed of that his entire life — having to abandon all sense of self to become a vessel for his parents' broken dreams.
I know that this fact is well-established, but every time I realise that only Karasu has been allowed a glimpse into this part of Hiori's life — the level of intimacy they share really hits me!! Even if as Hiori heals and this changes, Karasu being the first to melt the ice around Hiori's heart is so meaningful :')
Hence why one of my fave passages from the light novel is:
"(Karasu-kun…is an amazing guy)
Even though he's a little bit bad-mouthed, and even though he’s not sure what he means by “erotic”. His heart, which was just dying cold like ice, became faintly heated."