I just saw this Chimata/Megumu drawing from my favorite Momotsuka artist and it really activated my brain worms thinking about this pairing. It shares a dynamic with my interpretation of Seija/Shinmyoumaru where these two characters form an extremely close bond and develop genuine affection even though one of them is deceiving and manipulating the other to further their own goals, and then their relationship is shattered when its foundation comes to light. Chimata is older and wiser than Shinmyoumaru but perhaps no less naive, and Megumu is crueler in her own way because her actions aren’t motivated by a sincere, intrinsic drive like Seija but are purely for vulgar personal gain.

I just love thinking about or looking at depictions of the moments after the plan fails and the deceit comes to light, and the guilty party is trying to comfort the other person even though there’s now this terrible distance between them. I think the wounded character believes that even as this person tries to comfort them what they are really doing is asking for (tricking them into?) forgiveness. Even after everything that’s happened they are still masking their intentions and trying to maintain control. Perhaps it’s so intrinsic to their personality that it’s completely unconscious, and that’s why things can never be repaired. When I think about the guilty person’s perspective I like to wonder whether they know they’re doing this. Maybe they do but they lack the courage to acknowledge it, and they know that lack is why they will always hurt people this way.

Thanks for reading my stupid disorganized thoughts. I’ve put my favorite Seija/Shinmyoumaru picture below as a bonus treat. Also, is the Chimata/Megumu tag really ちまめぐ (chimatatomegumu)? It looks a little weird to me but that’s what pixiv says. Also wow there’s NOTHING for this pairing. Why does this always happen to me?