Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai Chapter 185 Discussion

Kuma said:
it's happening! AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Riichiro said:
We're finally here! I loved every single thing about this chapter! Really really great seeing this date go down from Mafuyu’s perspective. That graciously step away moment really hit me. And the exchange on the ferris wheel was so good. I wish that hug panel was a full page! Great mix of heartfelt moments and humor.

And I got to agree with Nariyuki, Tsutsui has gotten really good at drawing Mafuyu in casual clothing! Haha

Riichiro said:

I’m really starting to think next chapter might not be the end either. Chainsaw Man has a “Final chapter hits Dec. 13!’ and this series didn’t. It does feel like one more chapter and an epilogue would work nicely.

And after this route, I really hope Tsutsui’s next series is a romcom with characters in their 20s - 30s. I think he’d be good at it.

ArchsagePent said:
Of course she would fret about it for months with nothing happening. That's so her. I was also somewhat right when I guessed after #181 that she would need some support from her girl friends to give her the push she needed. Using Amano, Miharu and Hino made more sense than using the other female teachers anyway.

I'm glad they brought back the amusement park date and made a few references to #119. RIP the Haunted House staff, lol.

Mafuyu made him hobo gloves. She always tries so hard but is so clumsy with the things she isn't gifted in. Nariyuki knew what he was getting into.

I love the end of the date where just basically admits that being "an adult" is what was dragging her down. She tried to play it cool instead of allowing herself to feel what she was feeling. I'm glad that she made her first steps to escape that circle after Nariyuki gave her a second chance when he made the same statement that he made all the way back in #133, "I love Mafuyu (midwinter)." That whole confession scene was good, AHHH.

I think this exchange can also be projected onto to the audience:
Nariyuki: All this time, I've been holding myself back, but I can't anymore.
Mafuyu: Yes... well, that's... understandable.

I've been waiting since chapter 22! So, quote to Kuma again, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

ArchsagePent said:
Tugging his arm and forcing out a weak, "No..." after her inner monologue is a big moment in a small moment, if that makes sense. It really was a time when she acted on her feelings and not the mask of the "dignified and mature escort." Geez, how distant can you get calling yourself an escort on a date? The confession scene and the events in the Ferris Wheel leading up to it to are so good. A Christmas Miracle, lol! And yes, Nariyuki was right to compliment her outfit.

Yeah, it just doesn't feel like next week should be the end. The other routes could have kept going after the ninth chapter but they were all mostly satisfying as they were. To me at least, they are still things left undone that need to be settled and I don't think those issues and the ending can be done in 19-21 pages. I don't know if reconciling with her parents is going to be a thing or not. Even if it isn't there are other things that Nariyuki and Mafuyu need to work out before we can reach "Fin~" Like I mentioned in the #184 discussion, I think #186 will setup for the epilogue. That will give us the last hurrah with "the friends we made along the way" and everybody goes home happy. At least, that's what I think will happen. I don't know - my guesses have only been somewhat right - I can only hope they don't try to cram everything into one chapter when it could be safely done in two.
I'm hoping for at least 5 more, but I'm not holding my breath! :P

I also just wanted to say it has been nice to read a story where the characterization has been consistent and very little feels out of place. The way it has built upon her chapters in the base story has just been delightful to read. Those two finally moved from walking parallel in chapter 22 and will now walk together. The payoffs have been so good - I'm really looking forward to next week!

Riichiro said:

Should have saw the agonizing over things coming, very her! Haha. Yep, she did need a helpful push from some friends, good call. I like that we have a more canon version of 119 now! That haunted house staff didn’t have a chance. Haha

Riichiro said:

The gloves are kind of a great metaphor for how she thinks about herself. They're imperfect and she wants to hide them, much like she doesn’t like people seeing her uncool and imperfect sides. Little does she know the “uncool” things make her great.

I kind of wonder if he was really saying “I love midwinter” or if he was using the moment as an excuse to say he loved her again. I’m falling on the side of him cleverly working that into the conversation.

The “Yes … well, that’s … understandable” line is so good! And yeah, it kind of feels like an acknowledgement that we’ve all been waiting a long time for this. Haha

Riichiro said:

Totally get it! I love powerful moments in everyday kind of events. It was a very honest moment where how she genuinely felt overtook “logic” and became action. And her using the term “escort” was kind of hilarious!

A Christmas miracle, indeed! Good thing she disregarded her own thoughts about giving Nariyuki the wrong idea by inviting him out on Christmas Eve. Haha

To me there are still two things on the plate. Her parents and their future family together. Tsutsui has been so deliberate in this route that it would seem a little odd to me if he doesn’t circle back to the her parents. And I know we’re seeing their family and nothing will convince me otherwise. Haha

Agreed! It’s just a really thoughtfully constructed route and the more you remember about the past the better the payoff.

In a post above, I explain why I think there's two chapters left!

ArchsagePent said:


I guess that is one way to look at the gloves she made. I was just thinking more about the usual state of her apartment, the time she "lost" her key, her babysitting adventures, the time she tried make curry, and I could name some more but I think we get the point. She always goes all out but when she isn't naturally gifted it ends in a mini (or major) disaster. I'm sure she tried her best to make those gloves but they just didn't turn out right. Based on her competitive spirit I'm sure the next thing she would try to make for him would be better.

That is why I gravitate more to stories like this - I like seeing the power of more ordinary events. As much as I enjoy Tanjiro flying around a battlefield with his sister strapped to his back, I just like stories like Bokuben more, especially when they focus like this and are done playing the harem game. I can also easily relate to Mafuyu because I'm also the type of person who will think something to death and may not act or act too late to get anything done.

I've been calling the parents thing for a while - it seems like something that was set up a while ago that still hasn't been settled. Reconciling with them plays into their future, IMO, so it feels like that is the next step that needs to be taken. I think them arranging a marriage for her and wanting her to move home was their way of trying to make things right. Mafuyu went so far to say that they "practically disowned" her for choosing a teaching career. As we learned before, her mom cried with joy when she wanted to visit them back in #102 and we know in #180 that they are at least on speaking terms, but I get the feeling they are still distant. And her dad - it's probably to the point where they hardly speak at all and haven't for years. That's why one of my earlier predictions for the route was a joint meeting between the Yuiga and Kirisu families. The relationship that Nariyuki has with his mom and siblings (as well as his late father) contrasted with the strained one that Mafuyu has with her parents has storytelling potential. We'll see - her parents have been more like specters than actual characters in their usage. But, bringing them down from their almost monster-like status and realizing that they are not so scary after all and truly love her could be a powerful moment, if they choose to use it.

And yeah, we are seeing their family one way or another - the brain storming on what they may look like just may come from my mind instead of Tsutsui's, lol.

I really hope we get an Honest-to-God epilogue that features their family together. I think based on what was conveyed throughout her chapters, especially in numbers 93, 130, and 180, just points to a lively household.

As for the number of chapters left, I can buy your reasoning. I'm slightly afraid that if there is an epilogue it will try to fit in the futures for all five heroines instead of focusing on Mafuyu. That could be done but not in 20 pages. We'll just have to see what happens - based on what we have gotten out of him, I'm not counting Tsutsui out yet!

Riichiro said:

So my theory about another chapter was right! The series is getting a color page next week. That will most likely be the final chapter, so two left.

Riichiro said:

It certainly is fun to see her try new things! Haha. Her even trying to make gloves for him tells you how she feels.

Riichiro said:

I love battle manga (though I can be a little picky with those, haha), but yeah there’s just something about romcoms that strikes a cord with me. I always read We Never Learn first on Sundays.

Riichiro said:

Yeah, it just seems like it be weird to leave that loose end out there after bringing up her parents in the route. I have two visions in my head. If two chapters left for Mafuyu, they visit her parents and Nariyuki talks to them about how great she is and wanting to marry her. Epilogue, is time skip and kids. If one chapter, time skip, kids, her parents visit them.

Fingers crossed for a sweet epilogue!