Yeah, the change in Toshio’s attitude was… really abrupt. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I actually really liked the relationship dynamic the ronin and him had before. I felt like he was the only one in the group that actually challenged my ronin and called her on her bullshit - the kid just kinda whines about everything so to me that didn’t count.
Now after his “confession” of sorts (and the weird massage scene) it seems his attitude towards the ronin has changed. Which is a real pity since I love butting heads with him .
Hopefully, in future books, we’ll get the chance to properly reject him - like we had with Momoko - and resume our less-than-friendly but mutually respectful alliance.
I really honestly like toshios character but i wholeheartedly agree with his sudden shift in character was major whiplash like im glad he is an RO but i wish it wasnt rushed? Or idk, for me, it felt like it I was hoping that hed be a romance option in book 4 so as to properly pace the romance and having hatch in this book but i can still live eith what we got
I was thinking among those lines as well. Becuase obviously they were planned as RO option, and it was nicely builded up in the previous two books. Here it was bit rushed and I´d honestly prefered to wait until book 4.
I am probably in the minority but I felt that Tosh sudden affection for the Ronin in book 3 was more than an admiration (or worship-kind of affection) rather than true love since they comes to terms that the Ronin was indeed what the Emperor prophesied. Even the Ronin themself admit that they are confused with Tosh’s sudden feeling towards them just because they love them as who they are or because they are the Sword Who Cuts the Heavens? My only gripe was being a rebound person since it was obvious that Tosh has feelings for the Emperor.
I think @Harian analysis few posts above seems plausible to me in terms of relationships found in the series and since we are in book three, IMO, it didn’t felt it was rushed and always assume that Tosh was quite good with hiding their feelings. But in the end, like you guys said I hope that Devon wrap things up for the next last three books, both for those Toshmancers or those who want to properly reject Tosh.
I know Devon has a different writing style (comparable to some Shonen mangakas) and I bit notice that he is not much of a romance writer but I do hope we get the closure each character deserve.
For those interested in reading @Harian 's analysis, it was in post 381
It seems I’m the only one who isn’t certain that Toshie/o 's feeling are truly genuine. I mean, is it possible she confessed just to sway the ronin on her side to ensure future loyalty?
Hahaha
…
It really depends on how each person perceive the story. For some, it seem they like like them so they felt it was all to rush. For others like me, there are really some affection but it is not really clear whether it is pure admiration or we were just a rebound person since they have an unrequited love to the emperor or like you who view this situation as a strategy to sway the Ronin to the Emperor’s side.
I guess this is why CoGs or novels or any kind of storytelling medium are still striving up to this day. We have different perspective and opinions that we interpret each differently.
Well everyone knows that Toshie is definitely my favorite romance. That temple scene where we were arguing like a married couple lol I have a feeling that Toshie fell in love with the ronin because she loves the idea of being with the savior of Hyuga out of selfish reasons but maybe as time goes on and by book 6 comes out, her love for the ronin may become deeper and be genuine.
Im honestly glad though that some people liked his romance, different strokes different folks. Though i did read harians post and i agree! I do like the interpreration of each romance and find it really interesting.
@DesuVult you are honestly not alone lol xD that what i felt when i did play through his romance or how i choose to interpret it hopefully by book 4 hed sort out his issues about the emperor and realize that the ronin is not just their title
Haha, maybe… I also thought it might be a side effect of the Baron’s magic. Like, he was drawing out subconscious thoughts/desires in the group, so he could manipulate them. If you use the ring to read minds, though, Toshi does seem to care,
about both MC and Masa.
@MultipleChoice Is there any chance you’ll comment on whether Hatch will be a romance option going forward? I love him but with his new love interest I wonder if i’m wasting my time you know?
Romance in interactive fiction is hell. It is the most subjective of the subjective, where reader opinions are wrapped in a death grip around very personal emotions.
It must be entirely optional, yet satisfy (most) of those who seek it. And those who do, in MC’s case, may be male or female, gay or straight characters. Four different dynamics that go well beyond how the pieces fit together.
To add to the difficulty, many awesome fans have written, drawn or otherwise put time into thinking about these characters over the years. What they’ve developed in their minds is something I’ll never fully be able to do justice to. Especially when I have premise lines and story structure elements to hit!
Romance is an important part of SoH, but it can never act as a pillar for the story. It’s not strong enough. What is strong enough must serve this almighty, five-word logline:
A ronin becomes a samurai.
@RRH
Hatch’s route is as closed as a Chick-fil-A on Sunday. The man was designed to have a relationship with MC that didn’t involve romance. Friendship, camaraderie, competitiveness: Hatch’s character gained a lot by losing the urge to bone MC.
Well that confirms my suspicions. I feel bad for those that wanted Hatch as a RO but really, he’s the perfect person to be the best friend, not a lover to the ronin.
I understand your sentiment in regards to romance. Since SoH is not a romance book, it obviously should not be the main core of it. One thing I just want to see that by the end of the series that there should closure for those who sought out the romance part.
For example like Tosh’s “happy ending”, the part where they reacted to the news of the Emperor’s upcoming wedding. That should be address clearly in the future just so the reader could at least be satisfied that clearly Tosh really love the Ronin for who they are period. If not address clearly, some would probably thought that perhaps we are just the second choice since the Emperor is not available.
Well that’s the only thing that really bothers me. Having no closure but there are still three books left so I have faith in your writing skills @MultipleChoice
@MichaelCrank Me too. I just hope this would not only be the reason for some fans to ditch the rest of the series.
I assumed Tosh acted that way cause they were mad at the kid for interrupting. Maybe they already knew of the marriage because otherwise Masami being with the ronin is a real big coincidence as the Emperor is marrying their sister.
Nah, he reacted that way too and I rejected his ahh… “happy ending”. It really seemed like he was not happy at all at the prospect of his dear emperor getting married.
I’m actually really curious about that. Can’t wait to explore a romance drama with my ronin not in the middle of it for once. Maybe we’ll get to see our favorite ninja all snappy at the emperor’s wife .
It must be difficult, not to mention different possible story branches to account for! I can imagine that’s no small job, I appreciate writers who take on these kinds of games.
I think personally, of the romances in RPGs and choice games I’ve liked best, is when the author doesn’t try to get too overly specific about it, and let’s the reader interpret or read into the dialog a little bit. A lot of nuance to what is happening with character interaction and relationships in a story is going on in my imagination anyway. Long as the characters are fully developed characters in their own right and add to the overall story plot, and are not just there to fill a romance.
Oh, right How Hatch manages to find himself in the most ridiculous situations over and over is beyond me. But it wasn’t much of a love triangle in my opinion since I don’t think Nishi ever stood a chance.
I also agree that Hatch is perfect the way he is: our gullible best friend with a heart of gold. I feel like a romance would have changed his character too much. Plus he’s now a might powerful general who is totally heads over heels for another woman. The chance for him to romance the Ronin has passed at this point.
.
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How Hatch manages to find himself in the most ridiculous situations over and over is beyond me. But it wasn’t much of a love triangle in my opinion since I don’t think Nishi ever stood a chance.