While I am excited about what will come of Teo I am bothered by the scene where Ran rebukes Asha. The fact that Asha even lets Ran continue his long sermon chiding her treatment of Leez is surprising in of itself. Perhaps this change is due to the new power dynamic now that Ran is a AA candidate, but I don't think Ran is capable of guiding Leez as well as Asha can. Sure, Asha often treats Leez coldly, but in many instances she does so with good intentions in her own way and let's not forget Asha also knows when to use a gentle hand(but like only when Leez is asleep...d'aww she's such a tsun tsun). I think commentators criticizing Asha overlook her extremely unfortunate background + grim fortune and instead empathize with Leez who's obstacles are much more visible and consequently easier to relate to.
Also, while Asha makes the effort to be aloof we can see that she really is emotionally invested in Leez and even Yuta to a degree, although its a little shady whether her intentions are always pure we know she is sacrificing a lot trying to keep the group together...well that is until Ran suggested taking over. Ran is talented and intelligent for sure, but the problem I have is that if he is going to criticize Asha for being heartless and uncaring, his argument would be heck of a lot stronger if he practices what he preaches and doesn't lecture Asha in the same ruthless manner in which he is criticizing her for ie. not allowing for Asha to clear any misunderstanding he may have in interpreting her actions or see from her perspective. I think in the end Asha was resigned to not clear anything up since he was stuck to his side of the story.
Gosh under all dat fur Asha gotz lotz o' hurt feelings and truly has no one to rely on (Ran/Yuta->Leez) and she has the bonus of Visnu himself telling her she has like the worst shot for success. Asha doesn't have luxury to make a mistakes like the other characters have which may be why Brilith struck such a cord with Asha (bc she didnt denounce Asha as an arrogant genius like some ppl *cough* Ran *cough* thought). Ran has inherited wealth has the luxury of failing school as many times as he wants and has trustworthy ppl who can support him, he's never had to dirty his hands so i find his sermon to be hypocritical in that manner also.
Just in case I'm misunderstood: I'm not saying it's copletely wrong for Ran to criticize Asha, but that the shallow reasoning like what he presents can be unhelpful and dangerous. Also his prediction of how Leez would have reacted had Asha asked about superior sura in a different manner is so optimistic it hurtsssss. we know that Leez isn't as innocent and forgiving as she seems just like she isn't a ditzy that she presents herself to be. Also has Ran seen Dark Leez?
Sorry for the rant I probs jumped to conclusions, but my fragile heart hurt for Asha after reading the comments criticizing her.