Anyone Catch The Subtlety The Very End Panels?

Awesome, thanks for your reply! I'm very new to manga and was afraid I'd be talking to myself since this was an older work. It's going to be tough to top this one in my list.

It's understandable most would want more Aoi, but we got plenty enough context on her relationship thats plenty satisfying. I'm rather new to manga, and most romance works I've read up to now know they have the expectation to tie up the ending with a wedding to keep the masses happy; This ending was more mature, both happy and bittersweet, which fit better in my opinion. I hope new readers stumble on this one, it's a diamond in a misleading ecchi title.

I think Tina stood a chance as the winning girl. In an early chaper, when Tina and Kauru stay at a love hotel, he expressed indecisiveness on how he felt regarding Aoi and Tina; but Tina being Tina, she was afraid of getting hurt and went on with the party girl facade. Mayu pointed out blatantly, Tina often would run away fearing being hurt. On the other hand, I feel it was a losing fight at the start, Aoi is just too perfect.

Speaking of Aoi, shes absolutely adorable and top tier waifu material. There were scenes that made my blood sugar spike to the point of a diabetic coma.

I apologize if my words are a jumbled mess, I'm typing this out on my phone at work.

@DicWholesome Thank you also for your reply, I am really excited to come across someone like yourself who shares similar interest in this manga. It is old indeed and I have been a fan for about 14 years, it's still number 1 on my list.

I like the way you think, I was a bit disappointed I didn't get to see their wedding. I feel like it was an important moment that should have been made a part of the final chapters. But like you said, it is a bitter sweet ending and honestly really realistic and mature. They both had to give up a lot to be together, and until the end it is shown that Kaoru has to work long hours to provide for Aoi (which I hear in Japan, work culture is very demanding).

I managed to obtain the Final Fanbook made by the author. There is one special chapter in it that shows us a glimpse of Aoi and Kaoru's married life. My Japanese is not great but it was really nice to read. Still quite comedic until the very end. If you are interested I can tell you more about it.

With regards to Tina standing a chance, I have to disagree. I really like Aoi and when I first read that chapter where Tina and Kaoru spends a night together and Kaoru was having intrusive thoughts (lol), I really felt sad to think that Tina could have easily taken Kaoru had Aoi not come in to the picture.

Before Aoi came into Kaoru's life, he was lifeless, depressed, and he didn't socialise at all. He was emotionless even (this is highlighted more in the anime). Tina had feelings for Kaoru and ran away because she was scared. But if she had stayed and confessed her feelings to Kaoru, I don't think he could have responded to her. Aoi helped Kaoru heal from his traumatic past, and only after that he was able to open his heart to other people. I think Tina also claims this at some point towards the end. That Kaoru has changed since he met Aoi.

Pardon me for the long message. I am thrilled to be talking to someone about Ai Yori Aoshi (finally)
Also, thank you for the friend request