Shuichiro Momoi: The Proposal Review (Finally, In Love Again)
Even as a Momoi fan, I found this story to be weaker compared to his main story and season 1 sequel. Don’t get me wrong though. It was still an enjoyable read with nice conflict resolution and a cute proposal scene. However, there wasn’t enough development for Momoi since it focused too much on the MC and Kanata Tachibana from the season 2 prologue.
This route has very realistic problems in both career and romance. As a new pastry chef for French patisserie, Momoi quickly butts heads with the new, profit-hungry management as he tries to maintain his integrity as a chef who creates cakes for people, not money. Meanwhile, the MC becomes the new manager for Larme and has to deal with keeping regulars happy and designing new cakes. Both the MC and Momoi learn how to deal with their respective problems at the cost of their relationship. Momoi distances himself from the MC in fear of burdening her while the MC struggles to run a bakery on her own. This consequently creates a rift between them; Momoi says very insensitive things to the MC while she doesn’t understand the reason for his behavior (until Aki tells her later).
However, I liked this conflict because it is really grounded in reality and serves as an important obstacle for them to overcome. After all, both the MC and Momoi are career-driven chefs so it’s only natural for this type of conflict to arise. Moreover, Momoi has a confident “tough guy” persona so it makes more sense that he chose to hide his problems. It is definitely worth it though since the scenes where they make up are very sweet and nostalgic; they bake a cake together and remind each other how they fell in love in the first place. It is really endearing to read!
Despite that, I felt like the route didn’t focus enough on Momoi and his professional struggle. It was more of a “tell, not show” thing where neither the MC nor we get to see the stress and trouble he was going through with the new management. I wished the MC had the chance to see firsthand what he was experiencing. It would have more for a more satisfying conflict resolution.
And Kanata! He’s a very interesting character indeed, and I like seeing his “friendship” with the MC blossom. His existence offers a realistic personal problem for the MC since it is only natural that she spends more time with him as she gets increasingly lonely and stressed due to Momoi. Despite this, Kanata isn’t a true love rival since the MC clearly explains that he’s just a friend and she loves Momoi above all else! I like how they made her faithful and strong-hearted. She knows what she wants and isn’t wishy-washy about anything. She doesn’t get persuaded by Kanata (even though he’s SO NICE to her) and does her best to reconnect with Momoi despite the problems. This MC is easily one of my favorites :)
The epilogue is really great too! It’s incredibly funny and we get to see a new side of Momoi. This story emphasizes just how much he has grown; he is less of the arrogant jerk from season 1 and now more of a bashful, caring boyfriend who will do anything for the MC. I seriously fell in love with him again LOL.
All in all, this route is nicely realistic but not as enjoyable as his season 1 stories. I hope the Wedding route redeems season 2! Happy playing~
