Thoughts On SSMY Volume 8

Following Sasaki's graduation and Miyano's moving to senior year, their relationship keeps going slow and steady as usual, thinking and talking about their future. Shirahama is finally introduced by name, not replacing Kuresawa, but the new addition to Miyano's classroom friend group.

In this volume, Miyano has an active role in moving their relationship forward. First, when he reassures Sasaki won't hurt him. Then, asking Sasaki to pierce his ears, and finally, the casual proposal.

In addition, this volume tests Sasaki's limits. Being in college, Sasaki spends less time with Miyano than before. Miyano's trust from chapter 40 clashes with Sasaki's desire to touch him because of restrictions such as public displays of affection (in chapter 41) and Sasaki's ideology of "treating the person he loves with care." However, in chapter 42 that urge returned twofold when Sasaki saw Miyano in a vulnerable position. Sasaki's conclusion in this volume is that he's gonna treasure Miyano's trust, perhaps choosing to keep things as they are.

This volume also brought back that while Sasaki wants, to be honest, he's scared. It's up to Miyano, the other half of the couple, to meet Sasaki halfway and move forward with the conversation.

With Sasaki's habit of taking his words back, for me, Sasaki's previous attempts to confess to Miyano take on—maybe not a new light—but show Sasaki's personality. It seems he's always been afraid to drive change. If so, the day he officially confessed to Miyano is much more relevant, both to Sasaki as a character and the story. On the other hand, Miyano's reaction to Sasaki's habit has shifted substantially, from mulling over Sasaki's words, to openly acknowledging and answering them; see the proposal. It's communication, baby~.

Looking back, Sasaki, being taller and older, in BL terms, if SasaMiya were a BL, Sasaki would be cooler, assertive, and honest. If SasaMiya were a BL (it's not), Sasaki would be a terrible seme because he doesn't do much seme-ing (attacking) XD. Sasaki's more of a curveball guy than straight-on-starting stuff that doesn't involve physical affection. He's assertive in some aspects while being timid in others. He's a scaredy-cat when it comes to emotional communication, and it falls on dutiful and shorter Miyano to take Sasaki's hand and bring Sasaki's thoughts and feelings to the open.

Lastly, after careful consideration, I decided to agree with my friend's interpretation that Sasaki is an enneagram type 9. This means Sasaki doesn't like his internal peace to be disturbed, which would explain why he prefers to maintain the status quo rather than risk being hurt. He's sensitive and over conscious of his actions, such as how he treats Miyano.

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