beta
Honestly I don't get the hate for Kiyoka's situation. She's an interesting character, it's illuminating to see how she projects and compares a lot towards Kumi and Fujiko. I haven't been in her position but I can imagine that not having any romance experience at that age while being lonely fucks heavily with your self esteem, especially in a conservative country like Japan. I have only had nerdy guy friends in that position in my life, and it always felt strange to me the way they talked about their inability to get/attract a partner as this huge hurdle that defined their inefficiencies as people. It's in a way a false promise of happiness, this idea that if you had someone who romantically loved you in your life it would mean you were happy, you would no longer hate yourself and everything would fall into place. Which of course isn't true. People who dont understand how to like themselves have trouble trusting that other people would, and have trouble also loving others in my experience.
That guy she is meeting with isnt all that different imo from Sawa. He met someone he found to be agreeable and he wanted to get married because he felt the pressure and he wanted to get it over with. Then it turned out he barely knew them and they didn't fit, because of course. I'd agree with Koyanagi that they aren't having an affair, no one is being hurt by his actions, that is except Kiyoka who is feeling torn and of course has to deal with the fact that she is a shameful side of him that to keep up would mean to keep their relationship hidden from his proper social circles. His life also seems miserable in that marriage with a wife who has a boyfriend and a house he comes back to alone, so I understand his cowardly fragility in their relationship.
The only thing I am doubtful of are his intentions. He is clearly very lonely, so is he romantically interested in Kiyoka and could change his own situation by himself, or is he only looking for escape in someone with whom he doesnt have to keep up pretenses with?
Also, I would agree that cheating is shitty behavior, but Kumi's blanket reaction to the situation is one that stems from trauma. She is projecting and not being reasonable or interested in understanding more about the situation. And she probably knew that. It's clear that her issue wasn't that she is mad at Kiyoka, but that Kiyoka's situation pushed the wrong buttons for her. Her father cheating on her mother while her mother forgot means she has had a tough cross to bear for a huge part of her life that she hasn't had the privilege to unpack and understand. Clearly this is a trigger topic for her that she cannot handle.
All in all I think all characters here are very interesting. I am very curious about how this unfolds, it's good writing!