White Album 2 (TV)

[shinta|hikari]

The two being honest about it would end up badly for Setsuna either way. If they were honest before Setsuna confessed, they would be a couple and Setsuna would be heartbroken. What we are getting now is the after confession scenario. If Setsuna wants the three of them together, there is simply no way for that to happen in their current situation.

Haruki clearly said this episode that he thought he absolutely had NO chance with Touma. They were blurting out their true feelings at that point, so he was not lying about that.

I think Setsuna knows the situation all too well. She knows Touma still likes Haruki, and that Haruki still likes Touma. That is why there are many scenes of her looking sad or guilty. My choice of words may be too harsh when I said malice (though I did not equate it to Setsuna's actions, it may have been read as so). The intention was not to harm them (though she knew it was going to happen, seeing as she apologized to Touma a lot) but to prioritize herself at the expense of the other two, which isn't wrong, but isn't admirable either.

I guess to summarize, I just want to say that I think the fault lies more on the party with more knowledge before taking action/inaction. If Haruki had known that Touma likes him (even just a little), I'm sure he would have turned down Setsuna's confession. He practically said so himself this episode.

[Buffalobiian]

The two being honest about it would end up badly for Setsuna either way. If they were honest before Setsuna confessed, they would be a couple and Setsuna would be heartbroken.

That's true, but I don't think it would have been to the same extent. She would have been turned down because Haruki liked someone else more than her. Right now Haruki's accepted her confession but ends up dumping her partway through a relationship. To me that's a lot more harsh and involves an element of betrayal.

What we are getting now is the after confession scenario. If Setsuna wants the three of them together, there is simply no way for that to happen in their current situation.

That would have been a problem for Setsuna to deal with since she has to balance two wishes, and that's more simple. Right now though, it's all... mangled.

Haruki clearly said this episode that he thought he absolutely had NO chance with Touma. They were blurting out their true feelings at that point, so he was not lying about that.

He thought he had no chance with Touma so did not pursue her. He however still had feelings for her and therefore couldn't like Setsuna wholeheartedly. I believe that you have to do that if you're to accept someone's confession. If you choose to accept the confession anyway then at least disclose that you're not fully committed at the moment but you'll try.

I think Setsuna knows the situation all too well. She knows Touma still likes Haruki, and that Haruki still likes Touma. The intention was not to harm them but to prioritize herself at the expense of the other two...I guess to summarize, I just want to say that I think the fault lies more on the party with more knowledge before taking action/inaction.

Hmm, see I believe that "knowledge" should not be guessed (as that is what Setsuna was doing), but told. I hate "reading the air" because it gives room for error. I also believe and support feedback loops. If someone was being dishonest (which is fine if they choose to be) or say things they don't mean (such as Touma saying to Setsuna that she's okay with Setsuna confessing), they have to pay the price for it should things go south.

It's also uncomfortable for me to think that the smarter of the two must make a call between taking/witholding action just because the rest of the party are wallowing in their own dishonesty and incompetence of expression. Touma is at fault here too because she couldn't decide on whether to be friendly with Haruki as per her own feelings, or keeping her distance as per her teacher's instructions. Going back to the feedback loop idea, I admit I believe that Setsuna should be rewarded for her straightforwardness. "Reward" doesn't mean the relationship has to work out. By "reward" I mean it should be encouraged, rather than discouraged (such as us blaming her here).

If Haruki had known that Touma likes him (even just a little), I'm sure he would have turned down Setsuna's confession. He practically said so himself this episode.

This part I have particular trouble accepting. Haruki shouldn't be accepting Setsuna as a backup, but for who she is. He should accept her once he is fully over Touma. That way, if Touma does end up confessing to Haruki after Haruki/Setsuna are a couple, Haruki would be able to describe his feelings for Touma in past tense (and no longer relevant) as opposed to present tense (and leading to himself being torn between the two).



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I really didn't expect our opinions to differ so much haha, given past experiences.

Given that you think the one with more knowledge had to make the call, would you say that Setsuna should have informed Haruki that Touma likes him before she confessed so he could make an informed decision? But then what about Touma's right to privacy? I think the fact that she told Touma about her intentions beforehand was very generous and sportsman-like already.