This is such a well thought out reason in comparison to mine which is just that they were each other’s first love, and realistically first loves don’t last. Gene had yet to experience a life of his own before he met Trevor, and going to Canada symbolized him finally recovering from the trauma of leaving his Amish home and now leaving his second home with Trevor. Either way they’re gay and it’s a happy ending so whatever
this interpretation is so nice, this is exactly how i saw it, you wrote what was on my mind but can't put to words. thank you♡♡♡
Like that break up was so necessary!!,, bcoz in the first place, Gene's goal was to see more of the world, that's why he left amish. If Gene just stayed with Trevor for the rest of his life then he will never get to do that goal... then what was the point of leaving the amish at all??
I see a lot of comments wondering why both MCs broke up when Gene went to Canada for his studies. So here is my take, and I do think understanding this factor is crucial for a good outlook on the manga's story.
Trevor and Gene met when Gene was in an extremely vulnerable place. Gene staying at Trevor's place had always been temporary—hence Trevor's wage system which would allow Gene to leave at any time and still have enough pay to support himself (the detail of the plants Trevor would buy for Gene which could survive with little care reflects the constant theme of how temporary everything was). But they grew to fall in love, so why was their relationship still temporary?
Gene was 19. He was 19, fresh off his Amish roots, with little knowledge about the world and even less about himself. Trevor's love stabilized him and allowed him the stepping stones he needed to begin to find himself, but clinging onto his hand forever would hinder Gene from learning who he wants to be and who he wants to become. They actually had quite a healthy relationship, despite the mutually dependent situation they began in, the comfort they found in each other ended up healing many parts of their hearts, and they knew they could walk forward.
Trevor mentions many times that Gene was far younger and hadn't had a taste of the world yet. Trevor is older, more experienced, had a professional job and relationship experience. Gene knowing nothing and Trevor encouraging him to learn is very important, because it shows Trevor's maturity as a partner and Gene's lust for knowledge. He was okay with letting Gene go if it meant he could explore the world. In a way, staying with Trevor would have confined him.
Okay so Gene leaves for Canada, but why couldn't they keep in touch? Gene leaving for Canada was Gene leaving a place he grew comfortable in once again to learn. And just like how he left his Amish community, he needed to set everything behind to keep moving forward. He is the type of person to have wanted to keep moving forward, and he did so even after reaching Canada. He traveled the world.
He gained the life experience he needed to finally stand beside Trevor and not below him, should he want to return to his side. He needed to step away to do that. Otherwise, he still would have been the child Trevor helped guide. Essentially, he needed to fly with his own wings, and Trevor realized that.
This manga, in my opinion, is so beautiful because it includes a variey of relationship types, including a healthy separation. Two people can cross paths, grow, and walk forward. And it does not need to be soul-shattering. It is typically difficult for two people who have loved so passionately to realize that loving each other does not mean constantly needing each other, but love comes in many forms and presents itself in many ways. Like Trevor and Karen, two people once in a romantic relationship can find a healthier, even more beneficial friendship within each other.
Of course, this is all my take! Hope it helps. (づ￣ ³￣)づ