The Apothecary Diarieshas earned widespread acclaim for its clever plotting, historical richness, and unconventional heroine, Maomao. But while the series is filled with court intrigue and medical mysteries, romance has always taken a back seat, at least according to its creator, Natsu Hyuuga. That is why fans were stunned to learn what her favorite scene in the series actually is.
Despite publicly resisting the “romance” label, Hyuuga has revealed that the scene she enjoyed writing the most is one of the most emotionally charged and flirtatious moments between Maomao and Jinshi, according to@keiuzukion X. The infamous frog scene. It is a surprising confession, especially given how slow and restrained their dynamic has been from the start.
The Unlikely Power of Jinshi and Maomao’s Frog Moment
Why This Scene Stands Out in The Apothecary Diaries' Intrigue
On the surface, the frog scene might appear to be just another quirky exchange between Maomao and Jinshi. But fans know better. It is a masterclass in romantic tension that is subtle, awkward, and emotionally revealing. That is exactly why it stands out, even among the series’ many clever and shocking moments.
Hyuuga’s love for this scene may lie in its layered execution. There is humor, chemistry, and an undercurrent of desire that neither character dares to voice. Maomao, ever blunt and scientifically minded, unintentionally stirs something deeper in Jinshi with her peculiar behavior, and the result is one of the most oddly intimate scenes in the series.
The fact that this scene is rooted in character rather than plot makes it all the more memorable. It does not drive the narrative forward in any obvious way, yet it lingers in fans’ minds. That subtle emotional impact is perhaps what made it so enjoyable for Hyuuga to create.
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Hyuuga has longinsistedThe Apothecary Diariesis not a romance. Yet scenes like this suggest she enjoys playing with the boundaries. The frog scene does not confirm anything romantic, but it does tease it, and that tension is exactly what keeps fans invested in Maomao and Jinshi’s slow-burn relationship.
By not labelingThe Apothecary Diariesas romantic, Hyuuga gives herself freedom to explore emotional dynamics without expectation.
By not labelingThe Apothecary Diariesas romantic, Hyuuga gives herself freedom to explore emotional dynamics without expectation. That allows her to craft scenes like the frog moment, which are emotionally rich, suggestive, but never forced. It walks a delicate line that feels both authentic and narratively earned.
In some ways, Hyuuga’s favorite scene being a romantic one says more about the power of restraint than overt declarations. The scene is not beloved because it changes everything, it is loved because it reveals just enough. For a writer who thrives on subtlety, that quiet impact might bethe most satisfying to create inThe Apothecary Diaries.
