History TearJerker / MariaNoDanzai

** To the teachers' credit, it's possible that they could've been shocked by his death and mourned him two years ago; it's just that the tragedy happened, and they moved on. That adds to the isolation Maria must feel. She's the only one who knows the truth about her son's death, and set out to avenge him by throwing away her life while everyone else moves on because they don't know the truth about Kiritaka's death and that his murderers are right under their noses.

*** Another tragedy is that Kiritaka Nagare's memory of the kind kid who wanted to protect his classmate and defend his mother's honor has been reduced to the memory of a deformed corpse, which also shows how his mother's mind is starting to deteriorate. Maria may be able to get revenge for her son, but it will inevitably cost her her sanity and life.

* During an end-of-term faculty party for the teachers, Atsuki confides in Maria Akeboshi that he was worried about his two students, Kowase and Shikimi. He feels terrible that since his talk with Shikimi about his concerns about her being seen in the Love Hotel district, [[SkippingSchool she has not been at school]]; he went as far as to go to her home to ask for her but didn't get an answer, and on top of that he's concerned about Kowase's disappearance. Maria assures him that they will probably return to school to comfort him, but we, the readers, [[DramaticIrony know that that's a lie]]: Maria has already killed Kowase and plans to do the same for Shikimi, and the two of them [[AssholeVictim are rotten monsters that deserve to die]], but Atsuki doesn't know that. Imagine his reaction to learning about their deaths.

* As Atsuki is sharing his concerns with Maria Akeboshi about the two students that are missing, The principal steps in and gives him a drink; when Atsuki states that he doesn't drink, The principal discreetly threatens him to keep quiet about his concerns about the students stating that their school's academics are getting closer to preparatory Schools in Tokyo, and there will be trouble if weird rumors were going around. It's clear that the principal doesn't care about the students but rather his and the school's image, and while he's not the main cause of the conflict or connected to Nozomu Okaya and his gang, it's made clear that he doesn't care about the students at the school.
* Maria Akeboshi is looking at the other teachers having fun at the party; she notices that besides herself and Atsuki, everyone seems to be happy. She sadly states in her mind that it's like the Kiritaka incident never happened. It's heartbreaking that Maria Akeboshi appears to be the only one to remember her son and be affected by the tragedy of his death.
** To the teacher's credit, it's possible that they could've been shocked by his death and mourned him two years ago; it's just that the tragedy happened, and they moved on. That adds to the isolation Maria must feel. She's the only one who knows the truth about her son's death, and set out to avenge him by throwing away her life while everyone else moves on because they don't know the truth about Kiritaka's death and that his murderers are right under their noses.
* Maria Akeboshi decides to leave the party; Atsuki and another teacher see her leave and are concerned; one of the teachers asks if she would like to go for the second round because he really wants her to sing, but she rejects staying, saying that please invite me again. Atsuki then bowed his head towards Maria and thanked her for helping him. She became upset and just left without saying a word, to the shock of Atsuki and two other teachers. As she walks away, Maria thinks to herself, I'm not the person you think I am. Please don't thank me. This shows that while Maria retains some level of kindness that pushes her to look after the people around her in small ways, after all, she's done and will do in the name of revenge [[IAmAMonster she feels guilty]] even when people thank her for her kindness.

** Another tragedy to this is that by all appearances, Atsuki is a genuinely good man who wants to be a good teacher, and he's concerned for his students; the problem is that he's concerned for the wrong two students who are rotten monsters destroying the lives of innocent people. Imagine his reaction if he were to the truth about Kowase and Shikimi -- that they were destroying lives while he was ignorant of that and concerned for them.

** To the teacher's credit, it's possible that they could've been shocked by his death and mourned him two years ago; it's just that the tragedy happened, and they moved on. That adds to the isolation Maria must feel. She's the only one who knows the truth about her son's stuff, and you sit out to avenge him during away her life while everyone else moves on because they don't know the truth about Kiritaka's death and that his murderers are right under their noses.

* While Maria retains some level of kindness that pushes her to look after the people around her in small ways, after all she's done and will do in the name of revenge [[IAmAMonster she feels guilty]] even when people thank her for her kindness.

* Yajima, a teenage girl who was made to be a personal slave by Tsubasa Kowase because [[CaughtOnTape he caught her on video shoplifting]]. This poor girl has to pay Kowase money to keep him quiet and deal with his beatings and sexual harassment. Yajima may have shoplifted, but that is nothing compared to what Tsubasa Kowase is doing to her.

* During a faculty party for the teachers, Atsuki-Sensei confided in Maria Akeboshi that he was worried about his two students, Tsubasa Kowase and Kumiru Shikimi. He feels terrible that since his talk with Shikimi about his concerns about her being seen in the Love Hotel, she has not been at school; he went as far as to go to her home to ask for her but didn't get an answer and he's concerned about Kowase disappearance only for Maria to assure him that they will probably return to school to comfort him. We, the readers, know that that's a lie. Maria has already killed Kowase and plans to do the same for Shikimi, and the two of them are rotten monsters that deserve to die, but Atsuki-Sensei doesn't know that; imagine his reaction to learning about their deaths.
** Another tragedy to this is that by all appearances, Atsuki-Sensei is a genuinely good man who wants to be a good teacher, and he's concerned for his students; the problem is that he's concerned for the wrong two students who are rotten monsters destroying the lives of innocent teenagers, imagine his reaction to learning the truth about Tsubasa Kowase and Kumiru Shikimi and they were destroying lives while he was ignorant of that and concern for them.
*** Another layer of tragedy to add to this is the fact that maybe it's not completely Atsuki-Sensei's fault that they were free reign to destroy lives. While Atsuki-Sensei didn't notice the crimes of Tsubasa Kowase and Kumiru Shikimi and admitted that he should've paid more attention to them, they themselves were very good at covering their tracks and remembered two of their victims, Kiritaka Nagare and Yajima kept quiet about the abuse they were suffering. It's unknown why Kiritaka never went to a teacher for help, but it is known that he didn't want to worry his mother about the abuse he was suffering, and Yajima admitted that she believed that she deserved the abuse because she was caught shoplifting. Imagine how different the story would be if they went to Atsuki-Sense for help; here's a good man and a good teacher who will probably help his students, but because he's in the dark about their problems, he can't help them like he wants to. It is a tragedy that is all too real in the real world.

* The ending of this chapter. Kumiru Shikimi gets what she deserved, and any sympathy that could be given to her when she realized that [[LovingAShadow she never had a conversation with the boy she loved]] is destroyed when she choses not to contact him in favor of a lackey because she's too afraid to be rejected by him. Kumiru also shows herself to be an irredeemable monster when [[SPeakIllOfTheDead she badmouths Kiritaka]] while insulting Maria, and while her fate is gruesome, it's shown to be completely deserved. What makes this tragic is that Maria takes no joy in killing her, [[VillainsWantMercy and as Kumiru Shikimi screams "I'm sorry"]], all Maria can do is sit down and say it's too late.

* We are treated to a flashback where Tsuyoshi Kinugawa beats Kiritaka Nagare because Kiritaka doesn't want to give him a gift his father gave him. We are reminded that even if Tsuyoshi Kinugawa does care for his friends and is generally sad that they are dead, he is just a monster like the rest of them, and his sadness over their deaths does not change the fact that he's just a monster that likes to ruin lives like the rest of his friends.

* There's a tragic irony in Maria becoming a nurse as part of her plan to take vengeance on the bullies who killed her son. She had always wanted to be a nurse and put that dream on hold to raise her son with no regrets, only to become a nurse in order to get revenge for her son. As stated in her back story, Maria grew up an orphan and was bullied in school but was able to get through it with the kindness of a nurse, and she wanted to become a nurse like the one who treated her with kindness. She put her dream on hold to raise her son and her son was killed by bullies, so she became a nurse as a stepping stone to get revenge on his murderers. And it's clear that Maria became the exact kind of nurse she always wanted to be; the students widely regard Maria to be a saintly woman to whom they can always go when they're in trouble, whether they are physically ill, need sex advice or simply need a space safe from bullies. While she gets genuine joy in helping people, it's clear that she knows it will not last because she is too broken, and she needs to get revenge on the monsters that took her away. It's tragic that Maria could only become a nurse because of a tragedy that destroyed her, and while she can do some good and enjoy her job. It's, at best, temporary, and she will never find the true happiness she could have if her son never died.

* Maria describes how she murdered her first victim two years ago, herself or, to be more precise, her former identity of Mari Nagare. Maria tells the reader how she divorced her husband, cut off contact with her friends and workplace, got plastic surgery, changed her name to her maiden name, and infiltrated the school as a nurse. It is revealed that Maria got the job by giving the school principal a sexual favor; it is clear that she is disgusted with herself for doing something like that. As Maria washed her mouth out in the bathroom, she began to picture her former self with her son and husband. The woman that Maria used to be a kind mother and wife is gone, and it's implied that she is regretful about what she became and what she must do to get revenge.
* Yajima, a teenage girl who was made to be a personal slave by Tsubasa Kowase because he caught her on video shoplifting. This poor girl has to pay Kowase money to keep him quiet and deal with his beatings and sexual harassment. Yajima may have shoplifted, but that is nothing compared to what Tsubasa Kowase is doing to her.

* Mari Nagare's reaction to seeing her ex-husband, Inspector Taiichiro Nagare. She was shocked to see him at the nightclub, and while she escaped without being seen, she was shaken. As she is in her home recuperating from what happened, she states in her mind you're going to get in my way, aren't you? She is clearly unhappy with the thought that her ex-husband will get in the way of her revenge, which will probably lead to heartbreak for both of them.

* Even if she murders her son's bullies after torturing them physically and mentally, it's clear that Maria isn't getting any enjoyment out of it. She knows they must be punished, but she also knows that this won't bring her son back, and that she has sacrificed everything else in her life for the sake of revenge.

* During the BDSM session, Maria wonders what to do with him as he is asleep in bed. She considers killing him since he's a loose end. As she was going to kill Iijima, the memory of her son stops her, telling her that man isn't it. She ultimately decides not to kill Iijima, realizing that her son's memory is right; it would not be right to kill him because he is not one of the people responsible for her son's death. While, it's heartwarming that her son's memory is still a positive influence, it's also bittersweet, considering she's still traumatized by his death.

* Maria has breakfast with a plushie of her son, putting two bowls on the table; one for herself and one for the plushie, and she treats it as if it is Kiri-kun himself, alive.

* After sleeping with Iijima, Mari Nagare wonders what to do with him as he is asleep in bed. She considers killing him since he's a loose end, as she was going to kill Iijima, the memory of her son stops her, telling her that man isn't it. She ultimately decides not to kill Iijima, realizing that her son's memory is right; it would not be right to kill him because he is not one of the people responsible for her son's death. While, it's heartwarming that her son's memory is still a positive influence; it's also bittersweet, considering she's still traumatized by his death.
** And there is Kiritaka Nagare's appearance; normally, it would be heartwarming to see someone getting strength from a vision from a loved one, but disturbingly, Kiritaka's face looks like it was scooped out, leaving little more than a loose dangling tongue atop a slack bottom jaw. It's very clear that Mari Nagare is still traumatized by seeing her son's disfigured body when she found him.
*** Another tragedy is that Kiritaka Nagare's memory of the kind kid who wanted to protect his classmate and defend his mother's honor has been reduced to the memory of a deformed corpse, which also shows how her mother's mind is starting to deteriorate. Mari Nagare May be able to get revenge for her son, but it may cost her her sanity and life.

Given the nature of "Manga/MariaNoDanzai", which is a story about a son being killed by bullies and his mother leaving her husband to seek revenge, it's going to be a given that this story will leave the reader in tears.

* Taiichiro, Kiritaka's father, reappears in this chapter, and it is shown how his life fared after his son's death and his divorce from his wife. He consider's Kiritaka's suicide [[ItsAllMyFault his own fault for not heeding Mari's warnings]] and chooses to [[SelfPunishmentOverFailure punish himself for it]]. When he sees another happy family walking down the street [[MiseryTrigger his mind goes back to the life he lose with Maria and Kiritaka]] and he can't hold back his tears.

* The Nagare family was once a happy family of a father, a mother, and a son; the three had a great relationship. But then it's revealed that Kiritaka is being bullied; [[BullyBrutality the bullying he suffers is beyond normal bullying]], being closer to inhumane torture. Eventually, he is killed, [[NeverSuicide and his death is ruled as suicide]], with it being blamed on [[AbusiveParents abuse from his parents]]. Mari discovers the truth of Kiritaka's death, and that [[FrameUp the bullies framed his death as suicide]]; [[ThisIsUnforgivable she snaps]], [[GriefInducedSplit leaves her husband]], and throws away her life in the name of revenge. Later, when Taiichiro reappears, it's revealed that his life was destroyed by Mari leaving him, and [[ItsAllMyFault he believes his son's suicide was his own fault for his neglect]]. He has become an outcast with his colleagues because of rumors of him abusing his son, with him only having one friend. Okaya's gang destroyed a once happy family without remorse, and they continue to ruin their classmates' lives without remorse in the present.

* The Nagare family was once a happy family of a father, a mother, and a son; the three had a great relationship. But then it's revealed that the son is being bullied; the bullying he suffered is beyond normal bullying and is inhumanely tortured. Eventually, he was killed, and his death was ruled as suicide, with it being blamed on abuse from his parents. The mother discovers the truth that he was killed, and the bullies frame his death as suicide; she snaps, leaves her husband, and throws away her life. Later, when the husband reappears, it's revealed that his life was destroyed by his wife leaving him, and he believes his son's suicide was his own fault for his neglect. He has become an outcast with his colleagues because of rumors of him abusing his son, with him only having one friend. We see how the bullies destroyed a once happy family without remorse, and they continue to ruin their classmates' lives without remorse.

* Kiritaka's death and Mari mourning him is sobbing central as it is. But as the reader rereads Chapter 1, its even sadder seeing what a difference in character poor Mari painstakingly and dilligently arranging her son's bento box is from Maria. An avenging angel of death to whom the idea of mercy fades with every life she deservedly claims.

* The ending of this chapter. Kumiru Shikimi got what she deserved, and any sympathy that could be given to her when she realized that she never had a conversation with the boy she loved was destroyed when she chose not to contact him in favor of a lackey because she was too afraid to be rejected by him. Kumiru Shikimi also showed herself to be an irredeemable monster when she badmouthed her former victim towards her victim's mother, and while her fate was gruesome, it was shown to be completely deserving. What makes this tragic is that Maria took no joy in taking this revenge, and as Kumiru Shikimi screams, " I'm sorry, all Maria can do is sit down and say it's too late.

* Taiichiro, Kiritaka's father reappearance in this chapter and showing how his life fared after his son death and his divorce from his wife. He consider's Kiritaka's suicide [[ItsAllMyFault his own fault for not heeding Mari's warnings]] and chooses to [[SelfPunishmentOverFailure punish himself for it]]. When he sees another happy family walking down the street [[MiseryTrigger his mind goes back to the life he lose with Maria and Kiritaka]] and he can't hold back his tears.
** Taiichiro's mind then goes further back to the time his wife left him. Mari's MotherlySideplait is replaced by a [[ExpositoryHairstyleChange a disheveled haircut]] indicating that she has already taken the decision to go after the people responsible for her son's death as she hands down the divorce papers to Taiichiro. The formerly proud inspector [[PoseOfSupplication falls down on his hand and knees]] literally [[AintTooProudToBeg begging his wife to stay by his side as his "family"]]. Mari proceeds to tear him down by [[ArmorPiercingQuestion asking him how they can expect to be a family, now that their own son is gone]]. She then walks out the door, leaving Taiichiro a broken man.
*** And there's the fact that Mari has unintentionally damaged her husband's life in her quest for revenge. His son's supposed suicide destroyed Taiichiro's life, and his wife left him with his colleagues ostracizing him because they believed he was abusing his son. This all could've been avoided if Mari had shown her husband the evidence she got from her son's diary, and he could have investigated the bullies and got them jailed and cleared his name; instead, Mari chose to abandon her husband and choose revenge, not knowing that he is suffering because his colleagues believe that he was abusing his son. And there is Mari's possible reaction to learning that Taiichiro is suffering from guilt because he blames himself for his son's suicide and is ostracized by his colleagues because they believe he's an abusive parent. It is made clear in the manga that Mari doesn't hate her husband or blame him for their son's death, so imagine how she would feel learning how much her husband has been thought and how she could've prevented his suffering if she had given him the evidence to clear his name.

*** And there's the fact that Mari has unintentionally damaged her husband's life in her quest for revenge. His son's supposed suicide destroyed Taiichiro's life, and his wife left him with his colleagues ostracizing him because they believed he was abusing his son. This all could've been avoided if Mari had shown her husband the evidence she got from her son's diary, and he could have investigated the bullies and got them jailed and cleared his name; instead, Mari chose to abandon her husband and choose revenge, not knowing that he is suffering because his colleagues believe that he was abusing his son. And there is Mari's possible reaction to learning that Taiichiro is suffering from guilt because he blames himself for his son's suicide and is ostracized by his colleagues because they believe he's an abusive parent. It is made clear in the manga that Mari doesn't hate her husband or blame him for their son's death, so imagine how she would feel learning how much her husband has been thought and how she could've prevented his suffering if she had given him the evidence to clear his name.

* The Nagare family was once a happy family of a father, a mother, and a son; the three had a great relationship. But then it's revealed that the son is being bullied; the bullying he suffered is beyond normal bullying and is inhumanely tortured. Eventually, he was killed, and his death was ruled as suicide, with it being blamed on abuse from his parents. The mother discovers the truth that he was killed, and the bullies frame his death as suicide; she snaps, leaves her husband, and throws away her life. Later, when the husband reappears, it's revealed that his life was destroyed by his wife leaving him, and he believes his son's suicide was his own fault for his neglect. He has become an outcast with his collies because of rumors of him abusing his son, with him only having one friend. We see how the bullies destroyed a once happy family without remorse, and they continue to ruin their classmates' lives without remorse.

*** And there's the fact that Mari has unintentionally damaged her husband's life in her quest for revenge. His son's supposed suicide destroyed Taiichiro's life, and his wife left him with his colleagues oxidizing him because they believed he was abusing his son. This all could've been avoided if Mari had shown her husband the evidence she got from her son's diary, and he could have investigated the bullies and got them jailed and cleared his name; instead, Mari chose to abandon her husband and choose revenge, not knowing that he is suffering because his colleagues believe that he was abusing his son. Mari's reaction to learning that Taiichiro is suffering it is made clear that she doesn't hate her husband or blame him for their son's death; imagine how she would feel learning how much her husband has been and she could've prevented his suffering if she had given him the evidence to clear his name.

** Taiichiro, Kiritaka's father reappearance in this chapter and showing how his life fared after his son death and his divorce from his wife. He consider's Kiritaka's suicide [[ItsAllMyFault his own fault for not heeding Mari's warnings]] and chooses to [[SelfPunishmentOverFailure punish himself for it]]. When he sees another happy family walking down the street [[MiseryTrigger his mind goes back to the life he lose with Maria and Kiritaka]] and he can't hold back his tears.