>>4516029
Well, somebody sure is excessively defensive.

>What do you think 99% of the pages where Shiori is extremely unhappy about the pledge tell you

That she's unhappy about the pledge. Something being sad doesn't mean it wasn't your best or only choice. One of the story's main themes is that of remembering and connecting with people through pain, by choosing to bear the scars they cause you rather than letting it close you off. As Shiori herself says, while she truly wishes to not have to eat Hinako, her request that Hinako at least bear the regret of leaving her behind is *also* her sincere desire.

>Miko has summed up the story's actual message. You can only get better by talking things out

That's literally what already Miko tried and failed at, both immediately prior to the new pledge and more generally before Shiori arrived. It doesn't work because Hinako isn't willing to accept that kind of help, and she only becomes willing because she's finally given hope, in the only form she's able to accept. Therapy isn't magical - you can't reach someone who actively does not want to be reached. Could there be some silver bullet of perfect Natural 20 Critical Success With Proficiency Bonus communication that would solve all of that? Sure, maybe, but if there is, *neither* of them have access to it, so it's about as relevant as saying "Beowulf could have survived if only he had a magic sword!". There's a reason Miko has no comeback when Shiori simply asks "what else could I have done?". The narrative is very clear, even going so far as to give direct explicit examples both times, about telling you that having the promise as something to hope for is what allows her to start improving and accepting help and communication in the first place - you can disagree with that, but that's not the manga's framing, that's having your own thoughts about its narrative.

/u/ - Yuri

B/u/shiroad Thread

Touhou thread

Docking thread/Boob-centric yuri

Strap-on Thread: Yoruichi & Miruko Edition

General Yuri Discussion Thread: Merry Christmas edition

Nintendo Yuri

Muscled yuri thread

Monster girls

Bocchi the Rock

Girls und Panzer/GuP