[quote="Legacy|]I always attributed Naru's behaviour as part of being shy. Her violent attitude is more of an offshoot of that, only in a certain case. By default, she is an exceptionally angry and defensive person. Well, come on, how many of us (assuming we are girls) wouldn't be if somebody always walked in on us changing and/or in the nude, or accidentally grabbed our naughty bits on a rather frequent basis? Better yet, if this person has a somewhat questionable track record? That part alone may explain why she attacks Keitaro. A bit of overreaction, I'll admit, but explainable. I'm sure most of us would not enjoy being 'accidentally' grabbed. Some might, but that's, sadly, another case...
Accidents and such aside, I think I might be able to explain her attacking Keitaro in regards to their relationship. From my view, Naru is inconfident in herself and even has a bit of an inferiority complex. This is made so during all those indecisive moments she has regarding the true nature of her feelings for Keitaro. When you think about it, the manga did mention that she had very little time for socializing or making friends, doing stuff, etc, because she had to study for the entrance exams. This lack of interaction, I think, reduced part of her self-confidence. She spent more time alone, studying for tests than dating and going out, and ergo, she isn't able to see herself as a girlfriend or to commit to something as seemingly big and serious as romance. Also, the lack of social interaction would have made the whole romance thing seem even bigger to her than a mere 'boyfriend/girlfriend' thing.
So, enter Keitaro. Naru's lack of self-confidence is what prevents her from seriously commiting and admitting her love. When around Keitaro and in the vicinity of romance and such, her lack of confidence in herself to commit forces her to retreat back into a psychological safe zone, so to speak - pretty much, the area that makes her angry and punch things. She resorts to this because that's her way of getting out of the problems that she doesn't know how to react to.
There is a part of Naru that cares, however. Her lack of confidence hides it well, but when Keitaro is gone (either overseas or elsewhere), it gives her time to think to herself. It is here when she actually realizes her feelings and yearns for him. Of course, when Keitaro returns, again, her lack of self-confidence throws her back into her psychological safe zone to avoid all the romance problems.
I actually like this about Naru's character, namely, because I was in the same place for awhile, differences being gender and reactions from my end, and as a result, I can understand part of her. I too liked somebody when I was younger, but I had a near extreme lack of self-confidence. Every time I was around her, I never acted upon whatever feelings. Our daily conversations mainly consisted of 'Hi', 'See ya', 'Good morning', etc. When asked about it, I retreated back into my psychological safe zone - giving incoherent answers and hiding behind indecisive responses. When I wasn't around her, I realized that I did like her, but again, when around her again, I always went back into the safe zone. It's almost the same for Naru and her feelings for Keitaro, except Naru actually did get the courage to admit to herself, and Keitaro, her feelings.
For Naru, the solution to her problems doesn't mean having to become like Mutsumi - kind, gentle, frail perhaps, etc. Merely, she has to come to terms with herself and gather that bit of courage to do what is needed. There's no way for her to suddenly become Ghandi overnight, but there is a way to realize her feelings and simply go for them. That may reduce her violent behavior, but if so, she would lose her character too much. After that, what would she become - merely, a hot girlfriend/wife?
Those are my beliefs, anyways. I actually like Naru, and I've pretty much explained why. I understand why she does what she does. If Keitaro can be considered to have no spine, then in some way, he and Naru aren't all that different, actually. Keitaro needs to develop some courage to stand up for himself, and Naru needs to develop some courage to admit to herself.[/quote]
Normally, I'd say you have a point... but she's decided to go ahead and MARRY him, which means she has to have come to terms with the situation.
Yet, what does she do first thing in her goddamn WEDDING DAY?
Slug the groom.
I'm sorry, but that single action is so much failure, it redefines the concept of fail. If she can't even control herself on her wedding day, she should've called the whole thintg off and sought therapy. Even by LH standards, hitting the groom in teh day of tyhe wedding is a giant warning signal that the relationship is doomed. End of story.