u/Athos_Cortes1423

On top of all the things that demonstrate how much Nodoka grew to trust Sakuta later in the series, such as her seeking HIM out for counseling when Zukki develops puberty syndrome, the mere fact that she just casually calls him "Sakuta" is something that warms my heart. Basically everyone else calls him either "Asuzagawa" or "Sakuta + suffix" (Sakuta Sensei, etc), except Mai herself, but that's to be expected for obvious reasons. Nodoka calling Sakuta by just his name demonstrates how much she trusts him and is able to feel relaxed around him. She really grew to appreciate and respect the guy as a full-fledged family member throughout the series. The best part about it is just how EARNED it feels, especially if you compare it to how she perceived and treated Sakuta all the way back during her own arc, and also when you take into account everything that they went through together AND saw each other go through on their own. Nodoka wouldn't hesitate to stand up for her brother-in-law in any situation.

Unironically one of my favorite character relationships in the series.

I mean, they'd have parents who are basically SAINTS at this point, and who always make time for anyone they care about regardless of schedule, so imagine for their own children. I could go on and on about how they together would probably be the best parents conceivable but it's very obvious

Yesterday night, around 7pm, i finished watching Rascal Does not Dream of Santa Claus. I didn't feel an immediate surge of cold emptiness as i left Crunchyroll, no, not right away. But that's exclusively due to the fact that the series isn't over yet. Sure enough, though, as i later took my dog for a walk around the university campus at night, without taking my phone to distract me, i felt a steady surge of post-finale grief, amplified by the evening cold. Without a phone keeping my thoughts at bay, as i walked the dark paths of the campus, i naturally begun reflecting upon the series' characters, which even sprung some philosophical thoughts on how some overarching themes of the series apply to my own life. I got back home, and as i did my chores, (dishwashing, showering, feeding my pets), i continued extensively reflecting upon - now among other things - the Rascal series. That persisted even as i went to sleep. Lying in my bed, although i continued thinking about the anime even as i tried to fall asleep, these thoughts were no longer accompanied by such an intense melancholy, which made me think i could try using that thing the buddhists do (or at least i've read they do) of just paying attention to your feelings instead of wishing for the sadness to go away (as that just makes it more unbearable). I eventually fell asleep. The next mourning, still avoiding my cellphone at all costs and insisting on letting my thoughts run wild as a form of remedy, i - as per routine - went to the gym at around 9am. As i left my home and felt the cold breeze, those feelings of melancholy from yesterday came back at full swing, and i had to carry them into my workout. Then it occurred to me that i could use the physical exercise as an escape mechanism by lifting hard and flooding my brain with endorphins. I did exactly that, and it worked momentarily, but i couldn't help but be bothered by a certain question. Yes, i was throwing away yesterday's idea of handling my emotions like a buddhist and just letting them be, but... Was i also being immoral to myself, for using my physiology as a means to an end - that being coping -, as Kant would define it? And i'm still bothered by all that. The question, my melancholy (which hasn't gone away), and certain frustrations. That last bit has to do with Kaede-chan and how her efforts at studying and becoming independent (even though she was mostly doing it for her other self's sake) inspired me to study hard too as i was watching the movies, a couple days ago, only for that motivation to never bear fruit. I realized that i don't have a Sakuta, nor a Mai, nor a Nodoka in my life to support me in a similar way. Heck, i'm not even intimate enough with my (educated) parents to feel comfortable enough to even take their time asking for help with anything academic, much less the kind of tutoring Kaede got from her brother and sisters-in-law. Now i realize that maybe, watching Kaede studying and doing her best, the longing i felt was for the kinds of relationships she has, rather than a willpower like hers. I think that's where the root of my melancholy is: putting down the show means stripping myself of that cozy exposure to all those wonderful characters and their relationships, kinds of relationships that are absent from MY real life. That's why it feels so cold now.