Well, I actually like that the story isn't just focused on the two of them, but their relationship with others, the people by their side, their growth, their responsibilities, and their goals. For me it's more engaging than any other shoujo manga because the way I'm brought along with their journey doesn't just make me love the characters, but I've come to respect them too. I wouldn't respect and love them as much if they just fast forward to when they both have enough standing to be together, since it's not something that can happen only within a few years, and they're still young. I like it that it's not another cinderella story where some commoners suddenly got together with someone of high status with just some dramas and that's it.
They make a valid point tho. They’ve been going on separate journeys for such a long time without any real interactions with each other that some people are even starting to forget the reason they separated and have jumped to the Obi x Shirayuki train due to not remembering how zen and shirayuki r together. As a manga reader who reads monthly updates, it’s probably been more than a year. Don’t believe that it’s necessary to shorten the journey, but I wish they showed us more of zen’s journey and them exchanging letters or having fleeting thoughts about each other so it feels more like a long distance relationship and less like zen is Kudou Shinichi and a figment of imagination that keeps shirayuki running.
Okay I feel like I have to say this for the sake of those who had forgotten the main reason why Shirayuki has been out here.
Remember when she had a heart to heart talk with Prince Izana (zen’s older brother and now is the king) Telling her how she needs to make a name for herself if she wants to be with Zen. Like, be someone with renowned dignity and honor that will be worthy to be by his side.
So that’s what she been doing. Going through these long ass adventures without zen and having a lot of encounters with different people whom she makes connections with, so that in the long run, it will show how much she has proven and achieved in order to become someone worthy.
Also, remember when Izana actually told zen that he will actually support them both? NOW that I’m excited to see where that support role will play out. This is still one of the best shoujos I got really into.