I really do like this couple too. People tend to overlook this because the manga just not as popular. For me though, the manga was my first ever exposure to Utena back when I was thirteen years old (which was six years ago). Looking at discussions of the pairing brings back memories when I was a huge fan of the two.

Persephone wrote:

Who knew what was plaguing Miki? Not me. I have a lot of different ideas about the subject, but I am too lazy to write about it.

According to Volume 4, each duelist (for the exception of Touga and Utena) had a specific weakness that prevented him/her from continuing up the castle:

Saionji: Assumption
Juri: Obstinacy
Miki: Immaturity

Miki's approach to things were always sudden and rash. Always, well, childlike in a sense. These all involved: the breaking into Touga's dorm, the kiss, and the refusal to dual. You are absolutely right that Utena taught him to fight for himself. What Miki seemed ro realize is that he has to grow up. It was that desire to mature that seemed to drive him on. The irony of it all was that he could never find the right, mature method to think things through. That is what made him fail at the end. Along with assumption and obstinacy, one cannot be at the state of adulthood because these factors him/her back. That's my idea, anyway so ... it might be wrong.

Why Chiho Saito added this couple is still a mystery to me. It's quite a contrast compared to the anime version where Miki is in love with Anthy instead. Perhaps it was simply for the sake of the typical shoujo audience? Dang, it's hard to analyze the manga since the plot is just so simple

It was fresh, how many childlike loves do you see in Utena? (not in immature cases like nanamixtouga, which borders on obsession)
I feel CS wanted to have the entire spectrum of human connection, most relationships are deep and developed, and it was nice to see a brief crush between two characters.
I also feel this small crush, showed us just a bit of miki's personality and how he deals with the people around him.

...it doesn't say much for a guy when Tenjo Utena has more balls than you do.

Even his little sister has more balls than him.

Coco Melancholy wrote:

What does that say about me when I probably have less balls than Miki

I say you hold yourself in low esteem.

Everyones held back and stunted anyway, Miki's simply more receptive than active, and Juri's not active where it counts, and I wouldn't say Saionji has anymore balls than Miki.......projecting a past relationship onto Anthy the same way Miki does......but then proceeding to beat her about. And how ballsy is moping around like a baby for a whole series Touga. Even Akio remaining trapped in he's little coffin even to the end would be considered to have less balls than Utena. Its what makes Utena the main character and the one to bring the revolution. Shes just got more balls than everybody O.o.

Though I wouldn't say Miki's feminine and childlike qualities make him a wimp. I don't remember him showing much cowardice during the series like sacraficing others to save he's own skin or expecting others to do things for him or giving up without trying.......stuff like that. Not many of the characters are given the oppotunity to grow, though when Miki is, he does try.

And anyway. Anybody who can endure Kozue and befriend Juri has got to have some balls somewhere.

Persephone wrote:

I say you hold yourself in low esteem.

oh my gaud wha-oh, no wait, okay fair enough that true.

Tamago wrote:

If you can't develop a bigger set of balls, try growing a bigger set of overies instead, sure no one but your X-ray technician will see them but you will know you got them where it counyts (I hope you understand the metaphors Im using here)

I think I do. Anyway it sounds amusing and wise so I'll take it away and ponder.