It makes perfect sense for Asagiri to take the longest to realize and admit his feelings (due to his trauma) while also being the first one to be direct about it. It's really ironic how Asagiri, who didn't want to make decisions that cause big waves, is the first one to riskily take that big plunge. I guess, that's just what you'd expect from a diving champion. Though, if we go back to the first chapter, his action was the trigger that led to these events. If he didn't forcefully invite Ootani and himself to join Mari and Hikari during lunch, maybe Hikari might not have any meaningful interactions with Ootani and subsequently fall for him; if he hadn't, Mari wouldn't run off to the staff room; and of course, Ootani wouldn't get to interact with Mari. Heck, the friend group might not exist if not for that one lunch day.
(I have many things to say especially about Hikari and Asagiri's individual arcs and relationship, but I have to stop for now, I'm afraid this would get even longer. I need to learn restraint. HELP)
It makes perfect sense for Asagiri to take the longest to realize and admit his feelings (due to his trauma) while also being the first one to be direct about it. It's really ironic how Asagiri, who didn't want to make decisions that cause big waves, is the first one to riskily take that big plunge. I guess, that's just what you'd expect from a diving champion. Though, if we go back to the first chapter, his action was the trigger that led to these events. If he didn't forcefully invite Ootani and himself to join Mari and Hikari during lunch, maybe Hikari might not have any meaningful interactions with Ootani and subsequently fall for him; if he hadn't, Mari wouldn't run off to the staff room; and of course, Ootani wouldn't get to interact with Mari. Heck, the friend group might not exist if not for that one lunch day.
(I have many things to say especially about Hikari and Asagiri's individual arcs and relationship, but I have to stop for now, I'm afraid this would get even longer. I need to learn restraint. HELP)