People in the comment be like : this is about the huge consequences one decision can have ...

And time has passed, they aren't the same people, they have different priorities. I thought it was quite -refreshing- that they didn't divorce their spouses and make another go of things, it's a bit more believable, than the usual yaoi "partners up with a teenage crush you haven't seen in 80 years".

Yea, time passed and they are different people and NOW he regrets his decision. But back then he did not. So even though that decision had big consequences, back then it was the good choice and it remained like that for very long time.

Agree, it was the decision they felt right at that time, and whilst the nostalgia of "what if" is realistic, it's just not meant to be, unless they make radical changes, which was portrayed as not going to happen, as they are settled in their current relationships. It was bittersweet, and more believable than most. Even though it's a very short story, I think it's one of the better yaoi's for actually exploring this sort of dynamic, and not (as usual) have them cheat on their spouses, or just get married to women for the social status.

Off topic, but this has made me think of how in "In the red" (Momentum), Waldo and Oscar had been "together" for 9 years, but never really having the time to just be a couple, and Oscar wanted to settle but Waldo wanted to keep pushing with their career. Anyway, Oscar met someone new, and then Oscar died. Waldo said something quite new to this genre which relies heavily on rivalry, by saying that this man was the last man Oscar loved, and he values just how much Oscar did for him. They later worked together too. It was just showing a new level of respect and maturity, that Waldo can love Oscar and vice versa, but their relationship ended, and his love for Oscar means he won't hate that he left him and found this man instead.

Relating to this manga, I think it shows that they love each enough to let each other go.