IDCC ch.52 part 6 - Freefall

Stay mad Arashi

Tenga

Plus, the difference between Souta and Arashi; Souta got to know him in all his layers, he saw him in his best and his worse, he respected his times (like when he tells Keisuke the last Nao needs was a confession vs Inoue confessing) he even started to like him when he get to REALLY know him, he being one of the people able to read him  vs Arashi just superficially liking him from the start, trying to forcefully spend time with him but I notices she's mainly the one that does the talking, she doesn't really know him apart from knowing he likes music, she liked the idea of being w him, it would make sense right? pretty girl and pretty boy who like music getting together. In the 2022 Q&A Aina put some key words for romantic development spoilers and she put: AMUSEMENT PARK (what is happening rn) RIVAL (Arashi) and then half confession, sleepover and karaoke. I feel like where getting the half confession, everything is pilling up to be bound to happen.

marselo

And Arashi, poor girl she like the husband in Good Luck, Babe. She doesn't have a clue! That's why I really don't get mad at her, in her POV she is a girl getting to know the pretty SINGLE boy who likes music! And something we can clearly notice is that, she really doesn't know Nao very well, she can't read him and is more focused on trying to make him notice her advances on him instead of trying to know him better. Another comment said that she was self-centered, and I also think it's good to have characters like that, that challenges the main chara to face their insecurities and fears. I feel like after she just tries to stop hitting on Nao, she could be a nice character to have around, even to be a friend to Nao, bc that what he was wanting to do with her, be friends.

marselo

He clearly likes him, LIKE like him. But of course what stopping Souta it's probably stopping him too, they're both guys in a cis-straight society, they're supposed to fall for a girl, get married, have kids. And of course he probably thinks Souta likes girls and only girls.

marselo

(idk if there's a character limit BUT I'M GOING INSANE also english is my 2nd language so bare w me if there's any grammatical mistakes). So I've been reading this since 2018 (yeah) and I've been re-reading once in a while to see if I catch details I didn't notice. I re-read from the point of Nao and Souta starting to become friends, when they go to summer camp, the moment Souta gives him the stars, Souta realizing that daydreaming about your friend isn't a very friendly thing to do (unless u have intrusive thoughts iykyk), and I've come to my conclusion that; Nao likes Souta, not only has a friend or even best friend, but romantically, he has done it before even Souta started to like him. Nao mentions in recent chapters that he never hated Souta, he annoyed him but it kept him COMING BACK FOR MORE (Chapter 49, Boys and Girls), in the Q&A when the comic just started and they kissed, while Souta was like ewww, Nao blushed, I think he started to realize it when Souta told him that he listened to the bands and singers he liked, he also acted jealous when Ryuhei told Souta he could help him practice, his love language is physical touch and the only one he is physical it's with SOUTA, yeah he may let Arashi grab his arm or let others touch him, but the one he usually he goes in to touch is Souta, multiple times, when he feels nervous? he grabbed Souta shirt. When he was looking for comfort for when he was feeling sad was Souta. But also at the latest chapters, literally he was giving signals like asking him to kiss?? telling him he was the reason he joined the team?? THE SCENE WHERE HE CLEANS SOUTA'S FACE?? and when he heard Souta say he wanted to kiss Inoue he wasn't thrilled?! when he heard that he went out to a ghost tour with her?! and my god all this time he has been trying to spend time with him?

marselo

Fair 👍🏻

Myri

Was...was that Nao sticking up for himself? Oh my. Also, Arashi on the coaster 😂 Bet it was sillier on the drop, just straight down.

MrMonochromatic

Haha I'm also crazy but i haven't had the time to re-read. Thanks for clearing that out i really have to read it tho just because haha im still laughing.😂✌️✌️✌️✌️

VANNA

some years ago i made a fanart of souta and nao, and i out a little detail of them having respectably bi and gay socks (it was 2019 💀👍) and aina saw the fanart and commented on the socks, I really don't remember exactly what she said but after that + all the details on nao attitudes towards girls I think he's not into girls at all lol

marselo

I re-read today the whole thing to overanalyze everything bc im crazy but you got confused, tho I also thought she already knew

marselo

GO FOR IT, SOUTA!!!! GOOD LUCK!!! WE'RE ROOTING FOR YOU! 💛💝

Niko

tbh if I had a crush on someone, tried to get on a date with them, then this group of ppl crashed my dated, I'll be mad. she doesn't know that souta has a crush

marselo

having reread these chapters, i can totally understand why arashi would be annoyed right now 😭 thinking of it from her perspective, these guys just crashed her date and are now actively getting in between her and the boy she likes, when she didn't even invite them. (not that i mind, personally... sorry girl)

Kappathefish

Omg yes!!! Yeah it definitely seems like Arashi’s behavior and feels here are mainly determined by heteronormativity sadly. I feel like they’d be best friend if she was a boy. Which also means… maybe the girl is gay and doesn’t know it cause she’s confessing in order to do the things she’s expected to do (and not what she really wants) aka going out with him because they have lots in common and fit together. I just want her to find her true girls love somewhere else even more now 🤣 it’s for her sake I swear, she needs to realize she’s gay 😌🤭

Iona

Man I need more people to read your analysis 😭 you perfectly put into words everything I had in the back of my head. Also, I think one interesting thing about Arashi is I feel like if she was a guy, she wouldn’t necessarily have feelings for Nao. I think the combo of heteronormativity and their similar interests has led her to fall for Nao, not necessarily falling for Nao himself? And this just might be me projecting, but their have been multiple times I’ve caught myself having a crush on a person, only to realize I liked the idea of dating and the idea of the person more than the actual person, it that makes sense? So I feel like it could be the same with Arashi. I feel like this could lead to Arashi ending up being more of an Acquaintance/friend to Nao in the end, since she’ll realize that she just wanted a bf who has similar interests, not specifically Nao as a bf. Since, it seems, she had made no interest to get to know Nao on a deeper lvl, just talking about shared interests, unlike Souta. Nao’s lows and annoying moods is exactly what made Souta fall for Nao. Souta realized Nao was a person, not just some guy he had a grudge against. Arashi hasn’t seen that. I think once she realizes that, she might fall out of her feelings? Again, might just be me projecting 😅

Diamond

I love this ❤️ also what Iona points out, Nao and Souta both want to participate in any part of each other's life and just spend time together. I love them, please let them be happy soon!

Norin

Long overdue

Azherwind

Azher ❤️❤️❤️

Aina Palm

That’s a book on Souta. Also I loved it. And yeah same, I agree, Souta’s forte is being actually interested in Nao’s passions without himself knowing about it in the first place. Nao can talk about it to him, can teach him, can take him to places. Souta will be happy because he loves Nao and loves learning about him. Its exactly the same as what happened to Nao when they went to the arcade. Nao was happy to spend time with Souta at the arcade because he loves him. I just love this take about love. That’s really relatable.

Iona

Apologies beforehand for the WALL of text, just placing all my thoughts together after reading these chapters instead of spreading them around like a sane person: I think Arashi is a very interesting addition to the plot, and one that was absolutely needed for the point of view IDCC is taking about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and it's setting, and I don´t believe there is any malice on her part (not that anyone here was saying there was), personally I mostly read her as a bit clueless with a mix of self centered which is actually GREAT from a writing perspective Arashi is literally the antithesis of Souta, and addresses perfectly all his insecurities over all that was looming over his consideration over his feelings with Nao, because yes, he was feeling very excited and positive for a while over there but I suspect these insecurities and considerations would have emerged eventually (also it's way more interesting to explore them and challenge the characters like this) because Nao was always going to be on the path to be noticed by others as a potential partners (especially girls) to have the general heteronormativity of society being represented through Arashi is perfect, Arashi is everything Souta isn't, versed on Nao's interest he doesn't know lots of but THERE, THAT is one of Souta's BIG charms He takes interest in Nao's interests even when they aren't his own in particular, Souta's willingness to take interest in others and Nao is something that he clearly admires deeply of Souta, it's easy to be excited for things you already like (which can be nice, to just vibe together for things we're fans of, plural) BUT seeking the interests of others and make it interesting for yourself? That's an UNCANNY skill, a wonderful one at that! And clearly one of the things Nao finds deeply admirable Souta inspires Nao to do things he didn't want to do before, he shows him new things, he shines light and cheer were before he saw an inconvenience at best and annoyance at worst, it's a wonderful contrast of why despite Souta's not knowing it himself, HE is truly who Nao considers an ideal partner

Azherwind

Just discovered and I’m obsessed. I get so much joy from these green flag main characters 🥰

TeddyTeaTime

I love Inoue so much. I know female supporting characters in BLs are usually hated on a LOT especially if theyre romantically interested in one of the male leads, but Inoue has always been so kind and understanding and didn’t push Nao or anything. She knows boundaries and is a wonderful friend. Inoue supremacy fr

Allie D

Reaally nope. Never happened. Sorry to break it to you lol. I’d love it too. Once they sat on a bench and he said, sad, that Nao is spending his time with Arashi at the moment. Inoue thought he was being considerate of her cause she has feels and said dw Im not hurting anymore/not chasing him anymore. He said haha yes as Souta always say. And he never confided to anyone else than Keisuke. Not that he isn’t fucking obvious yk

Iona

Yeah and Souta will be the only one she’ll deem worthy of Nao 😭

Olitri

I like how unamused Arashi is in like every panel until she finally steals some time with Nao

Olitri

Yeah, I completely agree with you

Norin

That definitely could be it

Elise Panzo

She’s a queeeeeeen 👑

Iona

Inoue >>> everyone else anyway.

Iona

Yeah totally normal to do that in front of your crush my problem with her rn is that she's not even trying to have fun unless she's getting what she wants (being with Nao) which is a little... Weird to say the least

RENO

Well Nao is kinda annoyed by Arashi I think 🤔 Which is understandable cause like girl I’m trying to defend you but why are u acting like that. Poor Keisuke and she doesn’t even really care 😭 I hope that Nao and Souta get some alone time 🥲 And I’m gonna print out the thumbs up Inoue and put it on my wall cause I never knew I needed this reassurance in my life 😭

Myri

True! She's just putting up an act with him (which she's allowed to, it's just very obvious)

Norin

Nao has to set some boundaries, he's letting everyone drag him around like he's just a puppet 💀 looking forward to see him snap out of that passive mode, but for now I'm excited to see Inosuke interaction

Norin

Exactly! Inoue is the best - cool, kind, confident and caring ❤️

Norin

No one has mentioned this but Inoue immediately noticing Keisuke wasn’t okay on that last ride is a nice contrast to Arashi never noticing other people’s discomfort. In conclusion: Inoue supremacy 🙂‍↕️

PikasGirlfriend (•bruh•)

About damn time

PikasGirlfriend (•bruh•)

Guuuuys I want some qualitative inosuke moment 🥰 I want them to bond awww look at inoue how adorable she is! She’s so cute omg look at her lil thumbs up awww

Iona

WHICH IS SO FUCKING CUTE! Also I can’t wait for her to know 😻

Iona

To me it seems more to be like "dw I take care of your bestie, go have fun"

Iona

i think you’re getting confused with the kdrama “my love mix-up” LMAOO

nitbit

I feel so Bad for Nao too… he doesn’t seem to have a good time either, with everybody (except Souta and Himura) clinging to him 🥺 i think hes really over it, otherwise he wouldn’t turn Arashi down with the “I can walk on my own” … I hope Souta and Nao are gonna have some time together, to lift their mood 😕♥️

mixhelle

I need a quick development. Souta’s sad face kills me every week.

_Faust_

YOUR MIND

Goshdarnit

Happy new year 💗💗

Goshdarnit

I love your mind

Goshdarnit

I love Inoue she’s so cute

Goshdarnit

Haha this made me laugh... now 100% I'm going to read it again to see what actually happened.

VANNA

OMG YOURE RIGHT!! In that case… Takeo is going to try to keep Arashi and Nao from being together because he doesn’t want to see lovebirds!! This will cause Nao and Souta to have some time together!! Yes!

Hermione

takeo is with them

Mo

Inoue is the ally we all need

MiloticTube

That just never happened 😭😭😭

Goshdarnit

Are you sure you aren’t confusing this with a scene from another series? To the best of my memory this did not happen.

july

I have high hopes for them 😭

Bushclam

I can see that coming from here, in the next chapter, Inoue will say to Keisuke that she worries for Suta as he seems down lately and she might know why. And I feel like he might tell her. Damn Suta is so cute… 😭 just look at him poor baby

sebastien M

Omg... if that's true thanks for the reminder haha I'll have to go and read the whole thing AGAIN🥳 But I'm glad either way.🤣🥰

VANNA

I'm pretty sure in earlier chapters he confided in her that he liked nao. I believe they were on a swing set and she said joking they are rivals then

Josephine

I'm pretty sure in earlier chapters he confided in her that he liked nao. I believe they were on a swing set and she said joking they are rivals then

Josephine

WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE… what if… Arashi is going to try to get Souta on her side to leave her and Nao alone?? That way, she can give him the tickets and recover her so called date with Nao!!! HOLY CRAP!!! Because right now it’s only her, Nao and Souta right???

Hermione

I love their friends. Despite whatever drama comes up, they’re good to each other. Big fan of this 🩷

Carola S

I have been so nervous about this title for weeks! xD

Carola S

I think Inoue knows about how Souta feel. And she's actually trying to set them up.🥰

VANNA

It concerns me how much I enjoyed Arashi's faces in the first few frames. Suffer. And shout out to the surprise mvp Inuoue.

Quint James

Is the super lovely couple from the beginning going to make a cameo?

Samus Q.

Souta needs his emotional support, Arashi, I wanted to like you but you are getting on my nerves so please scurry away 😁

Sophia zielinsky

Hopefully the dynamic is a bit different and more Souta friendly now that Nao has acknowledged Souta is acting weird 😬🤞🏻

Sophia zielinsky

This is killing me. I love this comic. I’m DYING

Quinn

#lowkeyhopehedropsarashi 🩷

Sophia zielinsky

I noticed this too! My baby 😢

Sophia zielinsky

Happy New Year everyone! 🖤🤗

Silencio

I can’t cope with anymore

MSL

OMG YOU’RE RIGHT!! Nice catch!!

Hermione

Well her age and crush can’t be used to show how dismissive she was of someone not feeling too great. She bounced real quick with that offer and forced someone to leave as well. I know he said he didn’t want an audience but it wouldn’t take too long to double check he’s okay

Hector G.

Something I wanna point out that no one else seems to have is that Arashi wanted to ride the coaster with Nao cus it was "a little scary" but she seems completely indifferent to all the rides

RENO

Elisse

Okay but like… where is Souta on all the rides and stuff? Except the roller coaster he’s not there most of the time! Is this supposed to represent Souta feeling physically invisible and nonexistent to Nao when Arashi is around? Damn… but I do think that in the panel where they are all lined up on the ride, Nao is looking at Souta to his left but he’s not in the panel. As if he isn’t or doesn’t feel seen by Nao.

Hermione

Nah I get ya. If you look back, Nao has never really given girls attention aside from being polite. Even when he talked about “dating” a classmate he was still kind of like “yeah that happened.” So no I don’t think he sees her in that light otherwise he probably would have done something by this point.

Kazemi / かぜみ

FRRR I WAS JUST THINKING TJIS TOO

jen

It seems like arashi is starting to get on naos nerves a bit

Ashamed.

a sense a new shippp

Hannah

Inoue and Himura?? Oooo?? Do I see a new ship on the dock?

Hermione

im living for their faces during the rides HAHAHA and im also so happy nao is finally saying at least someThinG to arashi’s behavior!!😂💪 i think he already knows arashi likes him, he’s been looking uncomfortable around her lately, so i’m looking forward to seeing that confession scene…or should i say both of them…😜

jen

“I can walk on my own, arashi” ok this is a good sign

Lily

I feel like Inoue is helping Souta definitely!!!

Jetare

!!! didn't think abt that but now i am Also looking

charlie

It really doesn’t seem like Nao is interested in her in a romantic sense.Is anyone else getting that vibe or maybe he’s just more worried about souta

T Mcnugget

arashi looks PISSSSED deadass letting not being near nao ruin her time like AT LEAST TRY TO HAVE FUN DAMN STOP ACTING LIKE YOURE ON A DATE WITH 4 THIRD WHEELS

kenz

Keisuke are you ok? 🥺

Ximinnie

Reading this episode around new years made me remember that illustration we got last year during Christmas. I wondering if that’s coming up in the story really soon 🫢🤗

Diamond

They seem to be enjoying their outing, although Keisuke might think otherwise 😭 Nao's "I can walk on my own Arashi" response makes me wonder if he's finally acknowledging her interests for him and whether he'll tell her off the way he did with Inoue or entertain her and give it a try. Waiting to see how this all continues to develop, especially for Souta.

Zarrytan

Entering 2025 with annoyed Arashi? Not a bad start, tehehe 😎

Maki na łące

Happy New Year!!

Aluwa

Inoue + Keisuke i am looking

Martha M

Omg I completely forgot about that in the Q&A!

Diamond

Also her being noticeably far away from Nao in the rides is a lot funnier than it should be lmao

Kazemi / かぜみ

STOP THIS IS TOO REAL YOURE SO RIGHT

Mo

So excited for Inoue and Keisuke dynamic! Ngl, I kind of loved how annoyed Arashi looked literally the entire episode. Also it gives me so much hope that Nao seemed not to enjoy Arashi literally dragging him off. Go Souta! I love seeing Inoue be the hype-woman for him lol. Hopefully it'll feel less like 3rd wheeling this time, since Nao can tell something is up. Ooooooooooh boy I'm so nervous/excited to see how the ticket giving and ferris wheel plays out! (I'd like to mention how much I LOVE Keisuke & Inoue's outfits, too)

Caleb

Yea that panel where she is giving Souta a thumbs up really seems that way..

Diamond

I feel bad for everyone in this situation but I really hope nao can straight up tell arashi he's wants to spend time with souta and their other friends as well so she can maybe (nicely) get the hint? I can only imagine how much worse it'll be if she gives him the tickets (though I'm assuming nao is going to figure out how she got the tickets and it'll all blow up unfortunately 🥲) Also happy new year everyone!!

ren

Happy New Year, Aina and fellow fans!

Kaitlin Anderson

We did it gang, we found out why the title is called Freefall!! That said poor Keisuke, you never really know something will wreck you until it does :( All I gotta say about Arashi is just… YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 🫵

Kazemi / かぜみ

"I can walk on my own, Arashi..." HAHAYIPPEEEEEE😁YAYYYY and his love language being physical touch u knowwwww he wouldn't have made a PEEP if souta was the one to grab his hand bro

Veiwan

keisuke is so real. having motion sickness at an amusement park is the actual worst 🥲

rae of sunshine

Aww

Kaido

Don’t be shy, tell us what’s gonna happen Aina👀

Angelina Aleman

The way that in every single scene arashi looks so defeated and the moment she gets a chance to latch onto Nao she DOES NOT hesitaste lmao

Diamond

Inosuke crumbs!! Also Arashis annoyed face in everything lol Keisuke…my man..

lulu

Idk why but she is annoying me

Tricia Stewart

I think inuoe might know Souta likes Nao. Only a guess tho

Elise Panzo

OH WAIT are inoue and keisuke gonna talk more?!?!?

adzie✨

Happy new year! 🎊

Amber

Ugh yes. A nice long update 🙂‍↕️❤️

Amber

ok Keisuke, do your wise magic 😂

Anacota

Inoue is delightful and I love carnival excitement :)

Dragon Fan

these two together? alone? they're gonna talk for sure 👀

ableaelle

supportive friends bringing back my hope

eemmao

also AHH another third wheel moment coming up 😭😭 come on souta you got this

adzie✨

THE BOYS ARE BACK FOR THE NEW YEAR

Jade

Hmmm, what are Keisuke and Inoue gonna talk about 🤔

Taytorade

It's Keisuke and Inoue time!!!

DearNeptune!

keisuke 🤝 me fear of heights

adzie✨

Also Nao speaking up against Arashi we love to see it

PikasGirlfriend (•bruh•)

Inosuke moment?👀

PikasGirlfriend (•bruh•)

PMGGG NAOS COMMENT TO ARASHI

Mo

happy new years everyone !

seren