I wasn't dissatisfied with the creator's choice and I understood it - I think they did a good job of showing the aura of death that seems to shrowd Waki and the way Rika helps him to discard that. I did, however, feel a lack of any kind of chemistry between Waki and Rika throughout the story. Rika's constantly on a completely different page and Waki never shows even an inkling of interest in Rika as a person, nor are they given a single moment of connection as people. It therefore leaves it feeling like Waki's committed to Rika almost as someone to cling onto and depend on. I have to use my imagination to assume he develops genuine love for Rika independent of that.
So yeah, rather than being unhappy with the ending, I think I just would have liked a bit more during the story. That's how it felt to me.
*shrowd = shroud
And that’s completely valid! I was speaking more to the people who said that Waki should’ve ended up with Hoshihiko, because I feel like it would defeat the message of the manga
Yeah, I agree. They did have a nice vibe, so I can see why people would feel that, but it would have been a problematic ending if Waki had really ended up like that. It's just a pity they didn't get the Waki x Rika relationship to vibe a bit more.
This! You totally sums it up perfectly
I don’t think you guys understand that this story is about moving on. Even the oneshot, both Hoshihiko and the old man decide to move on from their pasts and let go. Rika was like the ONE ray of sunshine in Waki’s life, someone that wasn’t dead or had left him. It makes sense that Waki moves on to someone who’s alive and able to be there for him. Hoshihiko is an amazing character, but wanting them together wouldn’t do anything for Waki’s slippery slope into depression/madness. He would’ve just been another dead person Waki was attached to.