In-depth explanation for those who want to know more about 'Tie, Untie, and Tie Again'
At first glance, this novel is
a story about meeting a girl you like while working a Christmas part-time job
.
But in reality, it is much deeper.
This work is a novel that depicts
"how people express 'feelings they cannot put into words'"
.
Moreover, the author barely explains any of it.
Therefore, the reader needs to read the feelings from
actions
atmosphere
pauses in conversation
clothing
glances
.
This is where the appeal of this work lies.
1. The title is about "emotions"
"Tie, Untie, and Tie Again"
On the surface, this is about a necktie.
But in reality,
it represents
Mizuki's state of mind.
Every time the tie is knotted,
the self as a shop clerk
the self as a man
the self in front of the person he loves
switches.
In other words,
he is wavering between
'roles' and 'true feelings'.
2. The meaning behind the change in 'color' at the beginning
The color around my neck kept changing dizzyingly.
This part is quite important.
Normally,
'I was changing my tie'
would suffice.
But the author wrote 'color'.
This means that it is
Changes in emotion
is what it is.
Colors often represent psychology.
Green → Store uniform
Blue and silver → Casual necktie
These symbolize
the difference between
'work mode' and 'one's true self'.
3. 'Quiet' despite being Christmas
Usually, Christmas novels tend to be
glittering,
exciting,
and full of happiness.
But this novel is different.
Rather, throughout the whole thing,
there is a
'quietness'.
For example,
the scene where
the lights were bustling, but the sounds were still and calm.
This single sentence.
It is incredibly beautiful.
In other words, the author is
contrasting
'the outside world is flashy'
with 'but the two people's emotions are quiet'.
This is where it becomes literary.
4. The manager's gag scene is not just for laughs
The scene with the reindeer manager is quite comical.
But it is actually important.
Why?
Because it shows that Mizuki is a 'person who is easily swayed'.
When pushed by the manager,
she immediately starts imagining things.
'If I don't sell them, I won't be allowed back into the store...'
In short, Mizuki is
a person who takes the words of others into herself.
She is.
She is highly sensitive.
That is why her emotions are so deeply shaken when she meets her later.
The opening serves as foreshadowing for that.
5. The meaning of 'a white voice escaped'
Ah... a white voice escaped.
Normally, voices do not have color.
But the author writes 'white'.
This represents:
the cold
the whiteness of breath
and drained emotions
all bundled together.
In other words, this work is
a novel meant to be read through 'sensation' rather than 'explanation'.
That is what it is.
6. The meaning of the nameless guests
Along the way,
the man with the bouquet
the high school student
the office worker
and others appear.
These have no direct relation to the story.
So why write it?
It is,
'On Christmas night, everyone has their own story.'
to show that.
In other words, the author,
does not think only the protagonist is special.
Emotions flow throughout the entire world.
This sensibility is a hallmark of the 'Azaleas by the Water' series.
7. Her depiction is 'water-like'
In scenes where she appears,
there are many images of water.
For example,
I feel like I'm drowning in the moisture of her eyes
or,
like a child who just climbed out of the water
and so on.
In short, she is,
to Mizuki, a 'drowning presence'.
that is.
Losing one's reason.
I can't stay calm.
That's why I'm doing my best just to say the standard customer service phrases.
8. 'I didn't order this' is powerful
This part is quite important.
She,
'I didn't order this.'
says.
In other words,
there is no reason for her to stay long
she has.
Yet she remains.
This means,
she is waiting for Mizuki
that is.
But she won't say it directly either.
This work is made of,
'unexplained emotions'
it is.
9. One sugar stick is close to a confession
I placed one extra stick of sugar on the tray.
This is super important.
It seems plain when read normally.
But in literature,
an "action" can become
an emotion.
Mizuki
likes you
I'm happy to see you
thank you for waiting in the cold
cannot say any of these.
Therefore,
she converts them
into small acts of kindness.
This is a very delicate expression.
10. The role of Senpai Makino
Senpai Makino is
the "person who understands."
It is common in youth stories,
for the
protagonist
The heroine
has a third party who pushes her forward.
Senior Makino plays that role.
And he is not pushy about it.
“You don't know, do you? That's why you should go.”
This line is very mature.
In other words,
he is saying,
“You don't know the outcome. But go anyway.”
It is a phrase that captures the essence of youth.
11. The changing scene is a “ritual”
There is a reason why I write about this at length.
This is not just changing clothes.
It is a
“ritual of making a resolution.”
Taking off the uniform.
In other words,
taking off the mask of being a store clerk.
And becoming one's true self.
That is why the author describes things in such detail.
12. "There was no meaning anywhere"
This part is quite heartbreaking.
Mizuki,
probably even to herself,
"There's no point in dressing up like this"
thinks so.
But, she changes her clothes anyway.
Why?
Because she likes him.
When meeting someone they like, people want to get dressed up even if there is no meaning to it.
This is what makes her human.
13. The ending is the "boundary" scene
At the end,
the two are separated by light.
Separating each other with gold
This means,
"They haven't fully gotten close yet."
It means that.
They are not lovers.
Neither a stranger nor someone else.
That,
“just a little bit more”
sense of distance is depicted.
That is why in the end,
they don't kiss, and they don't confess their love.
But,
it is very much a romance novel.
It really is.
14. The reason there are no stars
At the end,
stars are nowhere to be found.
Usually, one would write about stars to be romantic.
But there aren't any.
Why?
This is because,
“it is not perfect happiness.”
That is why.
These two are still unstable.
Their relationship is also ambiguous.
The future is also unknown.
However,
only the moon is there.
In other words,
it is not flashy, but
emotions that certainly exist
are there.
The core of this novel
The essence of this work is,
"People cannot say the things that are truly important."
That is it.
Therefore,
a necktie
sugar
steam
a gaze
waiting
emotions dwell in small things like these.
This novel is,
"feelings that cannot be put into words"
is a work that you read.