Hikawa's pride? I think it's just normal feelings to want to hold the one you love rather than just being held all the time? So I have no idea what you're talking about. I also know you've mistaken the one who is the real problem in the relationship. That would be Jyounouchi of course. He's the one who keeps chasing after Hikawa but pays less attention to him and more attention to others. He needed to learn a lesson on how immature he is and Hikawa went about it the only way he could. Although, I am saddened because I am unsurprised by the attitude you have towards Hikawa's character. It's kinda... cliched, sadly and unfortunately.
Well said. This manga remains just cliche and misunderstood real issues. Excessive jealousy isn't always correct and I get irked when it's proven correct in the plot that oh, this jealous guy was always right all along! A balance between social and personal life is always key and no matter how progressive this manga tried to look, it still fall short by repeating tropes.
I loved the story! In fact, certain situations with this couple made me remember some gay couples friends of mine - the tension, the insecurity, the aggressiveness, the jealousy ... In my opinion, Okada Sayo-sensei portrayed an adult gay couple, with some frailties of their own, and the uke feeling emasculated for "being held", instead of his doing the "holding", didn't make things easier, especially being 35 years old against the 27 of the seme - on the contrary. He has already admitted his love for Haruhisa, but he's still displaying a frown of uneasiness and angst - maybe he still has some growing up to do.
I would love to see how Okada Sayo-sensei will solve Hikawa-san's pride - without this, he won't be in this relationship heart and soul, I don't think! >.<