[Mare ep63] So who does Takashi like?

It's episode 63, and Takashi finally manages to speak properly for more than a sentence.

After clearing up some misunderstandings with Minami, he revealed that there's someone who he likes, but it is a love that cannot be reciprocated.

I personally really like this scene from ep63, as it's the first time Takashi has ever spoken for himself.

But yet when he does, it's something so melancholic :(

Fanart credit: @gegeta7 (Twitter)

So who exactly does Takashi like?

1. Minori

"Communication without words"

The first name that comes up to most minds, and probably the most logical choice.

Since their school days, Minori's the only one within the Noto group of 6 who's able to read Takashi's mind, and communicate without him speaking.

Her ability even seems to be unaffected by distance, when she (at Noto) was still able communicate through phone, to Takashi who was at Yokohama.

Remember how Takashi was actually the one who leaked the news about Mare's first kiss back to Noto?

Given that Minori is already engaged to Ittetsu, and Takashi clearly saying that it's a love that cannot be reciprocated,

Minori seems be the clear favourite here.

Assuming that's true, it somewhat bothers me that there's not even a slight indication or hint about Takashi's feelings, especially during Minori's engagement party.

2. Mare

"Whenever Takashi speaks, he speaks for someone else"

Before episode 63, there's only 2 occasions where Takashi spoke.

Episode 06 and 48.

And who did he speak out for both times?

"Mare"

Episode 06:
After Mare spoke out about her frustration on not knowing how to integrate herself into Noto, Takashi praised her for putting her Wajima-ben practice to good use.

Episode 48:
After Chief Daigo called Mare a trash for giving away her cake recipe so easily, Takashi chased after Daigo and spoke out for Mare.

However, given how Mare is still single and available at this point (ep63), and Takashi saying it is someone who cannot reciprocates his love...

Mare seems to be a far fetched choice, for now.

3. Gonta?

"Daisuke x Takashi shippers are hot on the rise"

Ever since Daisuke tagged along Takashi back to Noto for the New Year's, the two seems to have gotten a lot closer...

It's also a little fishy how Daisuke and Takashi were the last ones to arrive back at Yokohama, after the New Year's at Noto...

Fanart credit: @takahara_yukix (Twitter)

This ramen making scene near the end of episode 62 even prompted many Japanese viewers to say how Minami seems to be the third party here LOL.

This of course, has transformed into the following fanart...

Fanart credit: @latteoisi (Twitter)

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Or could it be some other character who's older than him, like Maki (Nakagawa Shoko)?

Or even someone who has yet been introduced into the drama yet?

Come to think of it, we don't even know who Takashi's parents are in the first place!