Senpai had used the expression yearning a lot. Yes, Senpai had yearned. She had yearned for a lover and for secret exchanges. To call someone. To kiss someone. To have a sweetheart, a special relationship, of her very own. What Senpai had loved wasn’t me, but the concept of love itself. There’s a common expression, “In love with love.” That described Senpai perfectly. So that was why… Though I had been thinking that Senpai was the only one for me, she hadn’t thought the same. Senpai’s love was love, and my love was Senpai. One of those could be replaced, and the other could not.
—Sayaka Saeki, Bloom Into You: Regarding Sayaka Saeki
Inspirations have I none
Just to touch the flaming dove
All I have is my love of love
And love is not loving...
Just to touch the flaming dove
All I have is my love of love
And love is not loving...
—David Bowie, "Soul Love"
Marmee:But do you love him?
Jo: I care more to be loved. I want to be loved.
Marmee: That is not the same as loving.
Jo: I care more to be loved. I want to be loved.
Marmee: That is not the same as loving.
