i saw people saying that mieko was just trying to insert herself into the relationship to sustain their bond, but like the characters say multiple times, it was really no one’s fault in the end. they were desperate and their undeveloped brains thought this was the way out
imo mieko was an accurate read on the high school mind. even thought they’re not dating, high schoolers usually have strong passion loyalty and foreverness in their friendships.
people were also saying that eiji won’t be able to stay married as a cosplay straight and cheat on mieko with a man?? but hello? did we watch the same show.. bc nowhere do they confirm romantic feelings for each other, despite what makio thinks is going on between them. rather, his feelings were a result of being uncomfortable with the pregnancy idea in the first place and his insecurities getting the best of him seeing eiji fit into a heteronormative society. so i don’t think mieko will be against eiji seeing someone else, especially because it was kind of established that she was asexual to begin with.
plus, the last scene is kind of hopeful. they all are beginning to feel some sort of positive closure. makio is getting more comfortable with meeting their family. the three of them won’t have the same relationship as when they were kids, but i see space for understanding and friendship.
i love how the little excursion into the women’s night festival let the male lead experience what the female lead stereotypically does in festival scenes—covered by a hanbok and secretly eating snacks, avoiding their partner putting rouge on them, their partner blocking their sight from vulgar marketgoers, and swinging