Kaede is not drunk! An analysis (Part 1) of this illustration drew by the author himself in 2025.
An analysis (Part 1) of this illustration drew by the author himself in 2025.
There are many details to tell a background story from this illustration. We can say that this is a totally new story from the author after 10 years ending the comic.
In this illustration, Karma, Nagisa and Kaede are all in their 25, which is 3 years after the ending of the comic (they were 22 at the end of the story, they just start hunting their first job at that time). Prove is that Nagisa's hair is a bit longer, which is not the same hair style compare to 22.
First of all, I have circled the face of those three. As we can see Karma is pouring alcohol to the orange juice, while Nagisa and Kaede are drinking those alco+juice and become drunk. But no! See their faces carefully, Karma is drunk, Nagisa is also drunk, but not with Kaede. If they are drunk, their faces are shown with red lines. But Kaede and Nagisa are shown to have pink region on their faces.
Karma: only red lines
Nagisa: red lines & pink region
Kaede: pink region
Which means Kaede is not drunk. The bubbles on her head is also a hint: small bubbles on her left side means she is not really drunk, but she is acting she is drunk (biggest bubbles within the three of them is on her right side). Also see her glass, it is almost full.
- Why she is acting drunk? Maybe because she want to get close to Nagisa? Since her feet is really close to Nagisa butt when compare to Karma's.
As for Nagisa, he had already drank half of the glass, as we all know he is weak against alcohol, so I think he is really a bit drunk.
Here comes the problem, why they are drinking alcohol? I mean they saw Karma pouring alcohol into juice, right? And Nagisa should knew that he himself is weak against alcohol, but he is still drinking??? Why?
Kaede is easy to guess, she just use alcohol as a reason to get close to Nagisa and she didn't really drink it. A real actor.Karma seems like he only enjoy drinking alcohol. And for him to give Nagisa and Kaede alcohol seems like a prank or a plan, as he should know Nagisa is easily drunk will only one beer and will forget everything after drunk. Well, but he is not drinking beer here, it is orange juice with alcohol, so he made Nagisa in between drunk and not drunk?
Is Nagisa being force to drink or he choose to drink?
There are also cherry blossom petals around Nagisa and Kaede. But what is the meaning of cherry blossom petals? A new beginning of school? But Nagisa and Kaede are not students anymore.
What is the meaning of the coffee here?
Can someone help me to conclude the story here?