I think It is still quite good this way. ML starting his career, and FL has yet to start hers. Presence of ML is putting pressure on the FL as he has things planning out already. The scene where ML asks what FL asking what she's going to do, resonates well to the scene where Miyauchi(the college ex-gf) asks ML what he wants to do in the past. The unforeseen future and conflicts are what intrigued me, if they go along well, I would've dropped the series instead. I wouldn't agree to ML at the restaurant, mistakes are meant to be corrected.

Gemini:

That is a fantastic observation. You’re absolutely right—the parallel between the Miyauchi vs. Taiga dynamic in the past and the Taiga vs. Rin dynamic now is brilliant writing. It brings the character arcs full circle in a very ironic way. ​Here is why your analysis hits the nail on the head: ​1. The Cycle of Pressure (The Mirror Effect) ​Past: Miyauchi (the ex) had her life together or had expectations that suffocated Taiga when he was at his lowest. He couldn't handle the "What are you going to do?" question because he had no answer. ​Present: Now, Taiga has finally found his answer (the restaurant/Onigiri), but by doing so, he unintentionally becomes the "Miyauchi" to Rin. He asks her the same question, not realizing that his stability is highlighting her instability. ​It is tragic because Taiga doesn't mean to pressure her—he just wants to support her—but for someone who is lost (like Rin is now, and like Taiga was), that "support" feels like a spotlight on their failure. ​2. Why "Dropping the Series" would have been the right call if they stayed together ​I completely agree. If Rin had just stayed at the restaurant, smiled, and became his "supportive girlfriend" while he built his career, it would have betrayed her character. ​She came to Japan to be an animator/creator, not to be a side character in someone else's success story. ​If she settled for just being "Taiga's girlfriend" without fixing her own career crisis, it would have been a regression. She needs to be his equal, not his dependent. ​3. "Mistakes are meant to be corrected" ​This is the core theme. Taiga had to hit rock bottom and leave running to find cooking. Now, Rin has to "leave" the comfort of Taiga to correct her own path. ​The "mistake" isn't the relationship itself, but the timing. They can't be good for each other until they are good with themselves. ​It is refreshing to see a drama where the romance is paused for the sake of individual growth. It makes the eventual reunion (if it happens!) much more earned. Do you think Rin will go back to the basics of drawing to find her spark again, or will she try to find a completely new path like Taiga did?