Thebluescraze

EDIT: SUPER SPOILER FROM MANGA BELOW:

From the manga, iirc, kainuma is supposed to be traumatising for Maki with his obsession and of course driving Suzuki to death. Other than that, with 3 eps left, I can already see the arc that wont involve Kainuma at all. It's about the insider leak coming from Ninth and the threats against Maki's life. The bomb on his car, followed by the murder of Aoki's sister and brother-in-law. Takimoto will be the finale case, including the revelation about his identity as well as the secret behind Suzuki's death. Of course it would conclude with Maki quitting the ninth to fly overseas for a new role (so a focus on the relationship triangle as well) - Yuto was filmed by a passerby filming Aoki's scene at the airport.

Lol, yeah, that's true. She loved all three of them.

Why do you say so?

I read the manga, I don't recall this ever being an actual rule, but more of a self-imposed one by Maki. Maki did say something like he and Suzuki sacrificed their personal lives because of their jobs but he didn't want that for his subordinates (something like the sacrifice should end with them). Which was why he supported Aoki and Yukiko's relationship (despite his personal feelings). He truly wanted to create a new culture for his subordinates to have a work-life balance. I recall one member of the ninth going on 26 blind dates and Aoki teasing Maki saying that Maki had become like the neighbourhood lady.

Glad I could put it in a way that makes it less messy. When I read the manga, I get the messiness with their feelings. Lol

OMG, I feel like you took the words right out of my mouth. Agree on all your points. In fact, your last point ties together with the manga too. Suzuki definitely detected Yukiko's underlying feelings for Maki.

And Maki definitely has feelings for Aoki other than just those longing looks. Despite being a stern boss, he definitely has a soft spot for Aoki. He definitely let Aoki have his way sometimes, instead of forcing his instruction as the boss. It's due to Aoki's caring nature and perseverance that I believe won him over.

From what I conclude:
1) Maki - Feelings for both Suzuki and Aoki. Feelings for Aoki not affected by feelings for Suzuki.
2) Suzuki - Feelings for Yukiko but aware that Yukiko had feelings for Maki
3) Yukiko - Feelings for Maki, Suzuki, Aoki. She definitely loved both Suzuki and Aoki despite never getting over her feelings for Maki.
4) Aoki - Feelings for Maki (he didn't realise) and feelings for Yukiko (affected by the memories of Suzuki that he saw.

I've been excited about this drama ever since it was first announced. 3 more eps to go. I hope we can get a sequel. The drama is based on the Top secret manga but there's also the prequel /sequel manga Season 0. So many cases and character development I'd like to see. I think the beauty of this drama is its ability to stay faithful to the original manga despite some changes made.

Too late for me, lol..

Rihito is small and has androgynous features, he gets along well with his co-stars and gives off this cute younger brother vibe. But in terms of his Work, I saw a drama of his with a bed scene, so in short, can't assume anything about the actors lives from their characters.

I hope there's a sequel too!

Beg to differ. IMO, Maki had feelings for both Suzuki and Aoki. Maki informed Yukiko because he was aware about Yukiko and Aoki's relationship, it had nothing to do with his own feelings for Aoki. IMO, Yukiko knew about it because when they argued in eps 6, Yukiko told Maki that the person Maki cares about more than anyone always looked at her more than at Maki, she was referring to both Suzuki and Aoki. Maki's expression changed and she even noticed that, teasing him that his face changed because she guessed correctly. Maki had been shown to exhibit jealousy at Yukiko and Aoki's relationship. When he watched from afar Aoki and Yukiko getting closer during the virus case, even remarking that he knew Aoki would be drawn to her (because of Suzuki's memories that Aoki saw), and when he watched Yukiko showing concern at Aoki's injured hand. The way I see it, Maki's feelings for Aoki are romantic, but he's not going to act on them, hence why he supports Aoki's relationship with Yukiko. He's a deeply traumatised man who swears off any personal relationships.

Watched ep 8 and that hospital scene between Aoki and Maki was perfect. When I read the manga, that was one of the scenes I wanted to see most in the live action adaptation. It did not disappoint. In a way I get why they chose this case to focus in the drama and made it a 2 ep-arc. It contained a very pivotal moment for AoMaki as well as the development of the whole triangle with Yukiko.

Now that we are in ep 7, whenever I rewatched ep 1/2 when Suzuki was around, I am more impressed with Yuto's ability to separate Suzuki and Aoki's characters. Really detailed acting.

IIRC, in the manga, it's pretty clear Maki had feelings for Suzuki, but unlike Aoki's feelings for Yukiko which could be said to be influenced by Suzuki's memories that Aoki viewed, Maki's feelings for Aoki were not because of his feelings for Suzuki. He did feel protective because of Aoki's selfless personality and he didn't want Aoki to be hurt because of the job like Suzuki did, but feelings-wise, he definitely cared for Suzuki.

I loveeeee ep 7, well technically there's a continuation in ep 8 but having read the manga, I've been dying to see this particular plot adapted and it's all I want and more. I feel like I appreciate how amazing this particular case is thanks to the drama, because it adds depth to the story that I previously only read. Both Maki and Aoki are so well cast, Rihito and Yuto did really well. And I love the guest actors too, they did so well. And of course, the love triangle that I want to see continue to be explored.

The whole story has a BL undertone based on the manga, tbh. I'm excited to see how they portray this dynamic in the drama

IMO, Yukiko loved both Maki and Suzuki. She had a crush on Maki because of his aloofness, his intelligence etc, and that probably made people questioned whether she really loved Suzuki or only because Suzuki was Maki's best friend. But let's not forget, Yukiko was truly heartbroken when Suzuki died. When she got the virus and was really sick, she did say she thought she died and reunited with Suzuki. I also think she genuinely loved Aoki, sure, she was interested because of his similar looks to Suzuki, but he really impressed her during the virus case and let's not forget, Aoki pursues Yukiko first. In the manga, they're even engaged.

When it comes to Maki, I feel like even though he saw similarities between Suzuki and Aoki, and he's always concerned for Aoki's safety because of Aoki's selflessness and boldness, so he didn't want Aoki to die like Suzuki, he does appreciate Aoki as Aoki, not Suzuki.

Now, the only person IMO whose real feelings are influenced by Suzuki would be Aoki himself. He doesn't realise he's attracted to Maki and his feelings for Yukiko is because he saw Suzuki's memories.

Why?

I think Yukiko being annoying is just the same as Maki being annoying. That's their personality and she's described as the female Maki - basically they're the type who don't mince words when speaking up.

There's a lot of elements including romance.