The couple itself is not the only issue, it’s also the execution.
Summary:
- Aqua and Ruby are a controversial couple.
- Their love was foreshadowed right from the beginning of the series.
- However, their relationship lacks development.
The relationship between Ruby and Aqua is a very controversial topic in the Oshi no Ko fandom. It looks like the manga is slowly building towards a romantic storyline between these two, and fans reacted to their kiss in Chapter 143 quite strongly.
It Was Right There Straight From the Beginning
Although something romantic going on between Aqua and Ruby was a shock for so many fans, it’s difficult to deny that this theme was right there from an early point in the story.
In her previous life, Ruby (or Sarina) was in love with her doctor, who got reincarnated as Aqua. She told him this a couple of times, and it’s obvious that the girl was really attached to the man.
There is a trope of star-crossed lovers being reincarnated as twins, and this was also a major clue to something happening with them in the series.
On top of that, when Ruby and Aqua were trying to force Miyako to keep Ai’s pregnancy a secret, Ruby told her she was Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology.
Amaterasu had a sibling, Tsukiyomi, who was also her consort, according to some myths. And fans think the choice of gods was intentional in the manga; it foreshadowed future development between Ruby and Aqua.
Not Enough Development
Still, foreshadowing is not actual development. That’s why Ruby and Aqua’s storyline feels weird to some fans. There were other characters that were some sort of love interests for Aqua, while Sarina and Gorou’s story is often forgotten.
When Sarina told her doctor she wanted to marry him, it was unclear whether it was a real feeling or just a childish crush on someone who was trying to save her life.
There was so little development between Aqua and Ruby for many chapters, and then it was suddenly revealed that Ruby was actually looking for Gorou. The issue with Oshi no Ko is that a lot of things are told but not shown, so it’s hard to believe in love between them.
The twins didn’t interact much after the introduction of the story, and then Ruby suddenly confesses her feelings and the two share a kiss. It’s like readers know where this is going, but they don’t see enough development, and it’s upsetting.
The story was mostly driven by Aqua’s revenge, not the romance between Aqua and Ruby. Their relationship needs more development and drama, fans feel, and they really hope to see it in the future.