The following contains spoilers for Episode 7 of More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers, "Fireworks, But No Embrace", now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Though full of the common romantic comedy tropes that often get in the way of development, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers has a habit of diving into deeper themes than most other cliché series. Many of the episodes so far have reflected on Akari's struggle with confidence to Jiro's lack of self-worth. While Episode 7 also continues exploring the main character's psyches, it also provides mature commentary on the school's couples training program and the love triangle from none other than Akari's usually giggly friends.
In response to Japan's declining population, the school at the heart of More Than a Married Couple has instated a program that temporarily pairs students and requires them to live together as a married couple, earning points based on capability and positive relationship development. Though this program serves as the series' device to spark romance between characters, it is obviously faulty and a means for drama. While many romantic comedies would only address their problematic premises as a means of breaking the fourth wall for humor's sake, Akari's friends truly address a significant issue behind their school's couples training program.
Sachi and Natsumi Give Akari Grounded Advice
Though they have always been big supporters of Akari's crush on Minami Tenjin, Sachi and Natsumi notice that she may have growing feelings for her marriage partner, Jiro. Being rather perceptive, they also catch on to the tension between Shiori and Jiro, so they decide to talk to Akari about it. Instead of encouraging her to forget about Jiro and continue pursuing Tenjin, Sachi and Natsumi are understanding of Akari's feelings, showing that they genuinely care for her and want her to be happy regardless of their preconceptions.
Along with lending their support and concern, Sachi and Natsumi also give Akari some practical advice that carries realistic implications about the weakness of their school's training program. While expressing their understanding that Akari could be developing feelings for Jiro, Akari's friends suggest that the romantic tension between them could be a result of the two playing house and that Jiro might have treated any other partner the same. Though this may be hard to hear for fans of the Akari and Jiro pairing, it is truly realistic advice that addresses the possibility of students getting caught up in the mood of the marriage practical and not truly understanding the feelings that build a marriage.
Akari Finds Comfort in Jiro After an Unsuccessful Date
Sachi and Natsumi's advice pushes Akari to consider her feelings for both Tenjin and Jiro. Though she seems to have fully realized that she cares for Jiro, Akari still struggles to move on from her crush on Tenjin. Invigorated by her friends' pep-talk, Akari prepares to meet Tenjin at a fireworks festival with hopes that sparks will fly. However, he doesn't show, and Akari sees him with Shiori, leaving her heartbroken. In an emotional and romantic scene, Jiro shows how much he cares for Akari by dropping everything to find her when she calls him in tears, embracing her and calling her by name after talking through Akari's emotions.
Neither Jiro nor Akari officially confess how they feel about each other, though the moment between them in Episode 8 would have been the perfect opportunity. Nevertheless, the romance between them is palpable, and their trajectory is becoming even more definitive. Earlier in the episode, Sachi mentions that Akari easily gets swept up in how everyone around her feels and that she needs a decisive moment to push her forward in what she really wants. If this statement serves as foreshadowing, then Jiro and Akari's tender exchange beneath the fireworks may have been that decisive moment.
While some viewers may be frustrated in both Akari and Jiro's inability to move on from their past crushes and fully commit to each other, Episode 8 provides insight on the realistic issues holding them back. More Than a Married Couple makes excellent use of its character development as well as side characters to carry its love triangle and the complicated feelings that naturally flow from the situation.