So many flags....that this story will end happily.
1. 'Delinquent' actually happened to be wise, told the girl who was running away from her problems to confront them, then helped her do it. He's probably seen some shit too, at least he's open-minded. I anticipate a backstory, not a flashback, just a recounting. Not an unreasonable development, but questionable in even existing in a story that could easily/should probably end in a train wreck. Side note: this early point in the story was where I kinda realized my desire for the train wreck ending was ironically derailed.
2. Kouhai did not fall into OL stereotypes with office gossip. Saw an interesting confrontation and withheld any judgment. She's definitely end-game (she hasn't done much so far); same assessment as above.
3. MC didn't really cross any lines. Why not just let him give in and fuck her? It would be reasonable if he was broken enough, which by many judgments he should be. However he's held out pretty damn long. Beginning to think this is more than just stalling for additional volumes and sales. I think the author is weighting a certain conclusion id est the 'perfect end'.
4. Latest events: cops not jumping the gun, also being fairly calm. I think MC's total inability to lie is actually helping him here, but depends on how humane the cops are. They seem pretty humane, currently.
Too many (reasonable) coincidences. If there was only one or even two of these plot points I probably wouldn't doubt an impending train wreck, but now...
Admittedly still wracking my brain trying to figure out how the mother will wake up and actually become a good parent. That's right, I don't think she's going to be the fall-character, she's gotta get her healing too. But it's by far the hardest to imagine, not enough is known about her. I think Koto and her really need that heart-to-heart, maybe MC will help set it up after all this (fake) tension.
Rehashing one of my original predictions for general story direction: daughter heals first thanks to delinquent; MC has a base to heal other than Koto; he can help Koto normally, and he will end up helping her; Koto establishes relationship with mother on a better path; dad comes home(why's he faceless?); Kouhai & MC get together somehow. It works out and they live happily ever after.
