Kota’s dark side emerged in My Boy in Blue volume 14, culminating with him asking Kako to “be mine”. My Boy in Blue has often indulged in the idyllic before, but it’s clear this is not a romantic moment. Kako nervously accepts, but she’s relieved as the scene stays PG when Kota realizes he was pressuring her. Miyoshi wisely puts a note at the end of the volume telling readers that they should neither follow Kota’s or Kako’s actions in this chapter, and while this is probably unnecessary, I do appreciate the author calling out her own characters.
As a result, the next drama-filled arc is almost needed considering their behavior: the couple goes on a break. Kota agrees to let Kako text him, but outside of these short exchanges, they don’t see each other. But while a separation is hardly unexpected, usually this brings the main couple closer together.
Do I think this will happen? Yes, and in fact, we already see them (well, mostly Kako) try to strengthen their marriage.
However, if you were to ask me if Kako is the primary trigger for Kota accepting his past, I’d give a wholehearted no. Heisuke drops by with some happy news, and Kako is unable to hide her relationship woes. Kota’s sister also bumps into them, and she states Kota is not the cool, confident adult he pretends to be in front of his wife and protégé. Kako later has her own heart-to-heart with Kota, but it’s Heisuke who really forces Kota to get out of his funk. With Heisuke now sporting black hair while Kota grew his out a little longer, it’s obvious Miyoshi was going for a mirror image/shadow effect between the two men who have walked down near-identical paths. From a literary perspective, this works well both story-wise and visual-wise. But this bond means that Kako’s own plea and confession to Kota does not nearly match in passion or emotion.
As I said in my previous review, Kako’s fondness for Tee is going to divide readers. She is frightened by her husband’s demand to sleep with her, but she urges Tee — who killed her beloved’s father — to talk with her as a friend. Regardless of how you feel about him and his actions, I like Tee’s rather pragmatic, cool (but not cold) way of discussing the incident and shooting down Kako’s childish protests that he’s now a kind, caring person. Their conversation is interrupted by the end of the volume, but I’m looking forward to the continuation.
However, My Boy in Blue is going to end in the next volume, and even the author’s notes indicates she was worried about wrapping everything up in time. It doesn’t seem like Kako and Kota have much time to end up as the silly, loving couple they have been for most of the manga. As for the other characters, they do make an appearance at a school function. They provide a lot of volume 14’s lighthearted moments, including Yui being stunned by a certain piece of news. (I have to admit, I had the same reaction.)
Still, I wouldn’t say this is much of a farewell preparation for Mikado and the others, and I’m worried Miyoshi will end up cramming them in between the destined Kota-Tee confrontation. Based upon this volume with Kako-Tee and Kota-Heisuke, that dramatic moment will likely be better than the ultimate reconciliation or progression between the main couple.