My Dress-Up Darling - Chapter 104

I’m the first to say “most manga would end in three chapters if people would just be honest and talk to the other people.” But, in my personal and professional experience, when given the choice between trusting their real feelings and sharing it with others or control by withholding, they choose control 90% of the time.

The “that’s weird” was an act of control to try and retain Gojo’s attention and not unusual for a child. Healing that pain, probably impossible from her side though Marin, the school festival and all has to have shown Gojo his passions aren’t weird. But, man he has a self-perception that is rooted in that comment and it will be hard to shift.

Marin can’t share her feelings for fear of rejection, fear her future will take them apart, and now fear that if she draws Gojo closer to her she’ll take him away of his goal, one tied to his gramps and his own healing and one that has a time limit on it because Gramps isn’t getting any younger.

But it was lovely last chapter to see Gojo share his passion with Marin and for her to appreciate it. I just want Gojo to realize its creating beauty, not just Hina dolls, that is his gifting and brings him real joy. If he could do that, he’d be happier, be able to move forward alongside Marin, and his gramps would be so delighted. But, its also hard to open up to ourselves about our goals.

Humans are weird creatures. We want to be both happy and safe, but happiness and joy only happen when we take a risk (ask someone out, apply for the dream job/school, move across the world, etc), so we can’t be safe.

Its why i love this manga & anime. Seeing Gojo grow, take risks, and open his life has been awesome. Seeing Marin risk who she is and own to being an otaku, wear her favorite characters, and get closer to Gojo is so sweet. But now its time for her to take the risk. I want resolution…but can enjoy the journey. But once a month…yeah, wish the author’s vision could just magically move from mind to paper and it came out faster.