By showing him crying—a rare sight for a male shojo protagonist—Ikeyamada humanizes him. He is no longer the unattainable prince. He is a teenage boy terrified of his own heart. Similarly, Chapter 88 is a coming-of-age moment for Chihiro. For 87 chapters, she has been reactive. She blushed, she ran away, she overthought. But in this chapter, she finally stands her ground. Her line, “I’m tired of being just a fan,” is a declaration of self-worth. She is demanding to be seen as an equal, not an admirer.
The art style in this opening is striking. Ikeyamada uses wide, empty panels to emphasize loneliness. The lack of screentones on the background creates a stark, raw feeling. Chihiro’s internal monologue is simple: “Why did he look at me like that?” suki desu suzukikun chapter 88
The dialogue that follows is sparse but powerful. Suzuki-kun says only three words: “Wait. Please.” But the way they are drawn—bold, unfiltered text bubbles overlapping the art—conveys a desperation he has never shown before. By showing him crying—a rare sight for a
The final page of Chapter 88 is a double-page spread. No dialogue. Just Chihiro and Suzuki-kun holding each other under the dim lights of the empty auditorium. The title of the series, Suki Desu , written in delicate calligraphy across the bottom. Suzuki-kun has often been criticized as a “cold” male lead. Prior to Chapter 88, his expressions of affection were minimal. But this chapter recontextualizes his entire personality. His coldness was not indifference; it was fear. Fear of vulnerability. Fear of dragging Chihiro into the harsh world of entertainment. Similarly, Chapter 88 is a coming-of-age moment for Chihiro
This is where the chapter diverges from typical shojo tropes. Instead of the male lead appearing immediately to confess, we are forced to sit with Chihiro’s anxiety. The pacing is deliberate, almost painful, building reader anticipation for the eventual confrontation. Just as Chihiro gathers the courage to leave, the door creaks open. However, it is not Suzuki-kun. It is Satonaka , the elegant and cunning classmate who has also set her sights on Suzuki-kun.