This is a massive character milestone. Jirou, who has been criticized by readers for his indecisiveness, finally owns his feelings. He admits that his pursuit of Shiori was partly an attempt to live up to a "safe" ideal of a quiet, traditional relationship, while his explosive, chaotic, genuine connection with Akari scared him. The chapter cuts to Jirou meeting Shiori in the library. This is a short but painful scene. Shiori, her eyes red from crying the night before, tries to put on a brave smile. She immediately apologizes.
He arrives just as Akari’s train is pulling in. Akari is standing with her suitcase, her back to him. Her shoulders are shaking—she’s crying again. fuufu ijou%2C koibito miman. chapter 80
She turns, surprised. Before she can say something sarcastic or deflective (her usual defense mechanism), Jirou does the one thing readers have been waiting 80 chapters for. This is a massive character milestone
He grabs her wrist, pulls her away from the train doors, and says: The chapter cuts to Jirou meeting Shiori in the library
Jirou stops her. He takes a deep breath—the kind anime fans know precedes a confession. But instead of confessing to Shiori, he confesses about Akari.