For 87 chapters, Suzuki-kun has been defined by his theatricality. He confesses loudly, he kisses impulsively, he performs love. But in Chapter 88, he is stripped of his script. His greatest performance is pretending to be calm when he is falling apart inside. The author, IKEYAMADA, brilliantly subverts the "assertive male lead" trope. Suzuki’s hesitation isn’t weakness; it’s respect. He doesn’t want to tie Sayuri down with a confession that might guilt her into staying. This is a mature, almost adult form of love rarely seen in high school shoujo.