I definitely understand and agree with what you’re saying :0. But there are so many emotions that could be established and the author, from what I see, is struggling with that. They have thoroughly talked about Mafuyus feelings bc of yuki, and now talking about the other boys feelings would cause some sort of drama. Or perhaps they learn their feelings and conclude their pain. Maybe then will they start to have some sort of development in their relationships, but honestly I doubt that since there’s so many feelings they can’t figure out quite yet (〜￣△￣)〜
The problem isn't that there are too many emotions or complicated feelings.
The biggest problem with this series is that thus far, almost every arc has had the exact same plot because the author decided to drag the series out too far.
The pattern goes something like this:
Two boys want to form a romantic relationship but are prevented from doing so because one of them still has unresolved feelings toward a musical prodigy (Yuki / Ugeretsu), which is then finally resolved when someone sings a song at a concert.
Given was originally only meant to be 2 volumes long and that makes sense from a story perspective because at the end of volume 2 Mafuyu gets the confidence to love again and move on with his life. The concert wasn't just meant to be the beginning of Mafuyu's new love, it was supposed to be the climax of the entire series.
As a consequence of stretching this series way past it's planned resolution, the author has had to resort to recycling the same formula for all her couples and it's the clearest indication that she has absolutely no idea how to proceed with the story...because it was never planned this way to start with.
ahh i see, makes sense (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
What initially felt like a fresh take on sublimating one's grief over the loss of a loved one, has slowly deteriorated into an endless trope fest of BL cliches and repetitive narrative cul de sacs. Seriously, this will be the third time 2 guys will have to resolve their romantic conflicts by having someone sing a song on stage.
And I get it, one makes allowances for manga stories, but it really is a stretch that 100% of the bishie guys in every band end up being paired off with each other in this series. Sure it is possible that they all were so inclined but the happenstance, presented with little concern, foreshadowing or explanation beyond “lightning strikes” strains believability. And the author wanted this to be a realistic Bl...
(And as an aside, why can't anyone talk like a normal person in this series?)
It's also been 4 volumes and who knows how many years and there has barely been any development, or even romantic interaction, with the main couple since vol.2.
I think it's clear the author has a good understanding of how to generate melodrama, but absolutely no idea what to do with her characters once they are in a relationship. Maybe once the Shizu and Hiragi arc is finished she'll finally be forced back to the main couple seeing as she's now run out of boys to pair up. Maybe we'll finally get back to that. Maybe.
(Or who knows, maybe that one straight photographer will come out as bi and start persuing Ugetsu)